Interlynk Marketing

Seven Ways to Energize Sales
When revenue hits a rut, consider these tips to help you jump-start your sales.

In this highly competitive marketplace, it's vital to keep your marketing campaigns fresh, new and on target. This year, kick your marketing into high gear with this seven-point checklist.

1. Freshen Your Content
When was the last time you updated the content of your website and your family of sales and marketing tools? Since your website is generally the first place prospects go to learn more about your business, it's crucial the site's appearance and themes are current. Imagine someone following a logical path from your website through each step in your sales process, and make sure all materials and messages encountered flow seamlessly from one to the next. With more shoppers than ever browsing and online shopping, it's a great way to jumpstart sales.

Small changes to your marketing mix can have a big impact -- especially if you tap the wealth of low-cost tools available to you online.

Here are seven small marketing changes that you can make now to boost your sales in 2011:

1.Put a Twitter link in your e-mail signature. By including a link to your Twitter page at the bottom of the signature file in your e-mail messages, you can spread the word about your business every time you hit the Send button. "I use Twitter religiously to promote my company and my clients," says Stacy Kelly, CEO of Mobile Previews LLC, a New York City company that promotes movies and other products by creating engaging experiences that consumers can access on their mobile phones. "I also link to it to help build up my list of followers. The cost is nothing but a little thought power.".

2. Turn the back of your business card into a promo. Can't afford to advertise in print or broadcast? The back of your business card is advertising real estate that you own, and, best of all, it's free. By featuring a photo of yourself, a picture of your product, a 10 percent off coupon, or a list of services that your company provides, you can turn your business card into a powerful marketing tool. "That extra info can be a great conversation starter," says John Fletcher, president of Johnny Agency Inc., a New York City graphic design firm that creates marketing materials for growing businesses. "It also allows you to convey important facts about your business during those precious moments when you have someone's attention.".