Questions regarding selling products to both new and existing customers of the business.
0
votes
3answers
260 views
Market Research having time but no money
I'm thinking in making my own "market research study" (if that applies) by no spending money but time. My resource: the web.
The idea is make the most complete possible list about my possible ...
4
votes
7answers
328 views
Getting a product in front of people who don't necessarily know they have a problem
AKA selling a solution in search of a problem!
Our product is a web-based tool which helps people take and manage meeting minutes. The problem we face is that while most people don't like the way ...
7
votes
5answers
301 views
How transparent should a Micro-ISV be?
I'm a one-man software shop. I do all the software development, design, marketing, etc for my business. And I'm a big believer in being very open with my customers. I maintain a blog at ...
2
votes
3answers
350 views
Early Adopter Strategies?
Anyone have advice on how to define, locate and engage your early adopter audience when launching a new consumer product?
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Tips for Talking to NEW potential customers (cold-calls, cold-emails, etc)?
Question is in bold below, but some background first..
I've been "mulling over" a startup idea for a website geared towards medium-to-large law firms. Without going into too many details, my website ...
6
votes
3answers
173 views
Resellers or Affliates?
What should I consider first, and why?
Setting up a Reseller Program for my software product.
or
Setting up an Affiliate Network for my software product.
3
votes
6answers
344 views
What are some effective ways to promote a book?
I am curious if anyone has any experience promoting a book. I have read a bunch of posts about various promotion methods but I have not seen a whole lot of posts on what is the most effective. By ...
11
votes
15answers
3k views
CRM / lead management software?
Can anyone recommend CRM / lead management software?
We have a bunch of customer leads, and managing them using a Google doc is getting unwieldy.
We are looking for an inexpensive solution, ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
Start a franchise or extend sales?
A local company I know regularly goes abroad to sell their products trough an extensive network of distributors except in some regions where they have little presence for doing business.
I've spotted ...
3
votes
2answers
221 views
Screen captures vs short videos which is more effective at converting customers?
Has anyone measured the effectiveness of static screen captures with text versus a screen cast with voice in converting customers (for a software application)? Do you find that it is a natural ...
1
vote
4answers
4k views
What is the rate for marketing and sales consultants?
I was wondering what the pay rate is for marketing and sales consultants that mainly work with startups. I know some companies hire on commission-base only and some offer share/equity in the company ...
5
votes
6answers
296 views
B-to-B landing pages and conversions
Within the online marketing space, a standard rule I have heard about landing pages is to limit choice. Ideally you have one page, with your sales pitch and they can either take your desired action ...
4
votes
11answers
559 views
What is the distinction between sales and marketing?
What is the distinction between these two? In today's era it seems one overlaps each other and I'm wondering whether in a startup these roles can be covered by one person. Is it effective? Is there ...
4
votes
11answers
396 views
Why are international sales so poor compared to US domestic?
We sell software online. Our international trial to purchase ratio is abysmal compared to US domestic. I'm trying to determine why? Some possible answers:
Higher piracy overseas
PayPal and PO are ...
0
votes
4answers
125 views
Advertising Sales
I'm looking for advice on how to sell ads on my website, which is password-protected. I have studied AdSense/BuySellAds/etc., but none of them will work acceptably for my site (password-protected ...
4
votes
5answers
636 views
Import from Manufacturer in bulk and outsource fullfillment to Amazon
Background
I'm not quitting my day job, but it would be fun to do some trading on the nights and weekends. My basic idea was to buy direct from manufacturer using sites like Alibaba.com and then ...
0
votes
3answers
261 views
Marketing to a female demographic
I've a product/website in Family/Relationships segment and so far it attracts 80% women and 20% men.
Mostly adults(age 25 to 55) actually pay for it. Younger users generally want it "free".
I'm ...
7
votes
9answers
3k views
Using Facebook Connect - Pros and Cons
is Facebook Connect worth the efforts? any benefits in long term? are there any negative consequences like slow page loads and increased page download times etc?
Update:
Okay so I just tried ...
2
votes
1answer
292 views
Where can I learn about selling ads on my website without getting bombarded with advertising?
I intend to sell small banner ads as well as job ads on my site. The job ads I'm less worried about because I can look at similar publications, get their rate cards and price myself according to my ...
3
votes
1answer
194 views
Are there any websites for startups that are looking for marketing and sales consultants?
I was wondering if startups don't have the marketing and sales expertise in-house (between the partners) and don't want to hire full-time talent, are there any websites that you can look for them?
6
votes
3answers
425 views
What points should one consider while desigining a comission structure for sales team?
I envision to create a sales team that can make sales while keeping customer satisfaction as the top priority. I want to develop a team that is good at sales but is not pushy. Are there any available ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Online Sales Tax: location based on transaction server, shipping address, CC, or location of purchaser?
Online sales tax seems overly complicated. From what I've read, it seems like most states collect sales tax if your company has a physical presence; however, location on both ends is badly defined:
...
2
votes
4answers
355 views
Sales for my startup job portal
I just launched my Job portal last week and now i am really wanted to know which is best way to generate sales for a startup company like us.
is it really hard to convince the recruiters to post thier ...
4
votes
8answers
937 views
How to do you setup a sales funnel?
What resources do you use to create an refine a sales funnel? What techniques do you use to generate leads? What do you do once you get leads to qualify them? Are they standard conversion rates and ...
5
votes
2answers
700 views
Marketing to enterprise customers
I would like to start a discussion about the difference between market a consumer product and an enterprise product.
I have read much of the ISV materials, BTW, thanks to all the legends such as Eric ...
1
vote
3answers
415 views
Expected Commission % in Web Partnerships
I have a web startup that we are getting ready to take live. I have researched a few companies that I am interested in partnering with to provide our site with custom services and products. I cannot ...
2
votes
4answers
208 views
How do you find and choose the best cofounder who can manage sales?
Let's say that you have a great idea, great market niche and you can build a prototype and you need a cofounder who has experience in selling and who is connected. How do you find and choose the ...
6
votes
2answers
225 views
Selling to small and medium businesses
I believe inbound marketing makes small businesses sales easier on both parties, but honestly I've haven't used direct sales much.
So should we focus on inbound marketing? Or have salespeople contact ...
13
votes
8answers
6k views
Hiring sales people as independent contractors
Anyone have any experience hiring independant contracted sales people for a startup scenario? What types of an independant contracts have you used and issues to watch out for? What successful ...
6
votes
6answers
310 views
How can a Greenhorn get experience?
In this economic climate, competition for jobs is stiff. What should a smart, hardworking recent graduate of a business school program do to try to get a job that will give him the experience he needs ...
2
votes
6answers
329 views
How do you discover who are the customers for your “alpha” product?
You have a product alpha. How do you discover who are the customers for your product?
8
votes
12answers
597 views
How did you learn to sell?
I realize that selling is vital to mine (or any startup). But right now with little experience and tech background, let's just say I'm not proficient in sales.
So what books, blogs, advice, etc. have ...
7
votes
10answers
1k views
What is the best way to do sales in a startup?
I am planning to launch a website, for which I would have to make face-to face sales to clients. Now, since I know my product the best, I feel that I am in the best position to convert the sale. In ...
3
votes
7answers
507 views
9
votes
11answers
1k views
Anyone experimented with $49.95 vs. $50 Pricing for subscription software?
I've read a bunch of times in the retail world where the $49.95 (or $49.99) style pricing actually increases sales vs. just making it a round number like $50.
Has anyone tried this for a subscription ...
