Looking for new ways to make yourself noticed?  Getting people to pay attention to what you have to say is one of the hardest jobs.  Everyone’s first reaction is to get a salesperson to leave or to get them off the phone as soon as possible.  How do you get busy people to take a moment of time?

Here are 10 Tips to Differentiate Yourself:

1. Make contacting current customers part of your routine.  Send the message that their satisfaction is important.  Don’t always try to sell something.  Just check in.  Watch for opportunities to arise where you can go deeper, wider, broader.  Your current customers are your best asset.
2. Think of yourself as a business asset.  You want to be the voice of your customers, helping them succeed.  The focus is on them, not you getting the sale.  Ask questions to understand their business better.
3. Always ask for referrals.  If someone was happy with what you provided, they will be happy to send a few names your way.
4. Follow up!  Most companies are used to the salesperson being there to sell to them and then they disappear.  Set yourself a reminder to follow up in a week, 30 days, 60 days.  Keep communication going long after the sale is complete.
5. Reach out to potential customers in a multitude of ways – in person, phone, email, social media.  It takes 8 -10 touches to get someone’s attention.  Be persistent. Use variety to get yourself noticed.
6. Use a sense of humor!  Everyone loves to laugh.  In our busy lives, we can all use to lighten up a bit.  Use humor when appropriate.
7. View prospecting as growing contacts.  A farmer puts lots of time into his fields to reap the harvest.  Put lots of time and effort into building up new contacts for future business.  Grow your field for future harvest.  Don’t turn off your prospects by trying to sell something they do not need right now.  Grow your contacts and be there when they need something.
8. Create Urgency.  Show your customer the cost of not making a change – put value to the change.  When the customer sees the value in the change, they will close the sale quickly.  Showing them that you are a business asset.
9. Listen, listen, listen!  Listening has so many benefits and builds trust.  Be someone who can be trusted.
10. Timing is Everything!  Communicating on a consistent basis allows you to be there at the right time.  Making yourself known to those in your territory so when the timing is right you are there.