12 Crucial Elements of your Business Package

How are you packaging yourself?

Have you ever heard or talked to an online business owner about how he is packaging himself (or herself)? Neither have I.

Believe it or not, how you present yourself and appear to your prospects and peers is very important - especially online where most judgements about sellers, products, and services are made almost immediately.

Just as most of us quickly "judge a book by its cover," those that you do business with (or hope to do business with) are going to judge you based on whatever "packaging" you present.

Like it or not, prospects and eventual customers are quick to assess the outward clues, appearances, and signals that become "who you are online" as a business owner and marketer.

Think about this. When you meet someone new, you look for visual clues about what type of person this is. How they dress, how they style their hair, how they speak, how they smile or laugh, how they conduct themselves, etc, are all part of the person's package that you are assessing. Right or wrong, we all tend to judge someone very quickly based on our initial perception of what we think the person is like.

The same thing happens in online marketing. Those who come in contact with you and your business make quick judgements about your package. And if that judgement (perception) is negative . . . well . . . you stand little chance of getting the attention and interest of the prospect - much less an inquiry or a sale. Why? Because prospects have so many buying alternatives. Online, the prospect has all the power - he can shut you and your offer down in a quick click of the mouse!

We've all heard the phrase - "prospects buy from those they know, like and trust." It's true! And as a business owner, the acceptance of your "packaging" is the very first step toward enticing a prospect to take a closer look at what you offer.

So what goes into the total package that you are as a seller online? Here are:

12 Crucial Elements of your Business Package

1. Your friendliness and willingness to help a prospect
2. Your word - are you honest, can you be trusted, do you keep confidences and honor commitments
3. Your professionalism and creativity as a marketer
4. Your business branding and presentation (business name, slogan, logo, marketing style and materials, product packaging, anything that you send out from your business)
5. Your reputation as a business person (granted - perception can be different than reality, but online perception is very important)
6. Your quality standards and the value you give in your advice, products, and support
7. Your patience, understanding, and honesty in dealing with complaints, problems or other customer care issues
8. Your willingness to adapt and change to technology and market conditions and trends
9. Your persona and "voice" of authority or expertise in your niche
10. Your willingness to help or contribute when you are not being paid
11. Your attitude and outlook on life (negativity repels most people)
12. Your relationships with your competition, vendors, suppliers, and peers

Do you know, or even care, how others perceive you and your business? I can assure you, it really does make a difference in your bottom line.

The very best to all of you,

Steve

P.S. Like it or not, your package is on display right here at the forum!