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3 Tips to Start Selling Now

 

Today I have a Q & A video for you answering this important question:

“Are you scared of asking for money? Here are 3 tips to start selling now.”

 

I share 3 tips that will help you be more confident and help you make your offers, so you can serve more people and make more income! 

I’m starting a podcast very soon about turning your marketing into money. My guests and I will be sharing how to package, price your unique expertise AND there will be tons of mindset, just like in the video above. 

If you have a question, you’d like answered… leave a comment and let me know what I can help you with!

24 Comments

  1. Maritza Parra on January 30, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    I’m starting a podcast very soon about turning your marketing into money!

    My guests and I will be sharing how to package, price your unique expertise AND there will be tons of mindset…

    Do you have a question about making offers OR a way you got over your fear of selling?

  2. Celest Horton on January 30, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Thanks Maritza! I’m am very close to monetizing and these tips are very helpful. I still have some fears on making that step and it’s help like yours that is gettinge over those fears. Sure appreciate the video!

    • Maritza Parra on January 30, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      So glad to hear it Celest! That first sale you make is going to be amazing and something to celebrate!

  3. Teawna on January 30, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Fantastic tips Maritza!

    Question— how do you determine what you’re worth? In other words, how do you decide what you should be charging for your services?

    • Maritza Parra on January 30, 2014 at 5:17 pm

      Teawna, What a great question! I’ll definitely do an episode about this…

      Some quick tips: I would start with how much you want to make. Without a specific bullseye and knowing what you’re shooting for, it’ll be hard if not impossible to get there.

      Then, reverse engineer it. To get there, will you have digital products that only required your time to create ONCE? Will you have some higher priced group coaching and then some one-on one? (I call this process “Reverse Engineering Your Income”

      And, you’ve got to make sure that when you do get to those higher ticket items, that you sweat blood to ensure you deliver… (AND try to create a systematized way of doing it, so you’re not always re-inventing the wheel.)

      Stay tuned, I will DEFINITELY be doing a video on this question.

      And of course, big hugs to you Teawna! <3

  4. Alex Harris on January 30, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Great video and lookin forward to the show. I will definetly watch as you are great on camera. My questions is…
    What are you best tips to empower people on your team so they can become just as passionate about your business as you are.
    Also do you have any systems in place to help the team complete projects efficiently?

    • Maritza Parra on January 31, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Thanks Alex! Love your question about teams! I’ve struggled in the past to let go of things and delegate and now have assembled a fantastic team I adore. Putting this one on the list for an episode for sure.

      One thing that I’ll say has made a huge difference in making sure they know how much I appreciate them. I ensure my subscribers, customers and clients all treat them with dignity and respect. Tracy, the team member who’s been with me the longest, I think about 7 years (wow!). She’s a tech genius (and an animal lover like me) and once a customer was incredibly rude to her.

      At the time, I got a copy of the support emails so I saw how she was being treated. I contacted the client and let them know that was not OK. And, I fired my client. I just knew that no one was going to treat one of my team (and someone I’ve come to consider a great friend) like that – and showing my willingness to defend her against an attack really helped to bring us closer. She’s now an invaluable member of my team and my life!

  5. Kate Erickson on January 30, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Hi Maritza!

    This is such a great video. I really felt like I was sitting in that room with you 🙂

    My favorite part, right before you dive into the 3 tips:
    “…If other people value it, [then you should be charging for it]” – I love this, and I think it’s so important to understand that this statement is in a lot of ways double-sided:

    1st side: You have to FOCUS on identifying your audience long before you’ll be able to determine whether or not you have a viable business idea – those who ARE going to find value in what you’re doing;

    2nd side: Then, you have to GIVE value to what you’re doing yourself: don’t undervalue yourself by undercharging, or worse, not charging at all. Cialdini talks about this in great detail in Influence, and it’s such an important technique to understand as a business owner. People will perceive your products and services exactly in the same way you present them. Give them value!

    Thank you so much for this – very helpful!

    • Maritza Parra on January 31, 2014 at 9:20 am

      Such great point Kate, thank you! Identifying your audience is something I believe SO many entrepreneurs struggle with!

      To 2nd point, I agree wholeheartedly and sometimes I compare this to personal relationships. (because I guess we’re in business “relationship” with prospects customers, too!)

      If you don’t know how to value yourself in a personal relationship, you’ll be taken for granted and not valued. You’ve got to know you’re worthy of a healthy relationship and only then can you cultivate one. Same with our businesses!

  6. Jessica Raymond on January 30, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    Thanks Maritza for the great tips. I really needed to hear these because sometimes I feel like I am stuck running my business as a hobby. Not any more!

    I really look forward to your podcast!

    • Maritza Parra on January 31, 2014 at 9:21 am

      Jessica, so excited to see you get your light out there in a huge way… you have so many to help and I know what you have is SUPER-valuable!

  7. Anthony Wells on January 31, 2014 at 2:05 am

    Maritza, when do you when is the right time to ask for money?

    • Maritza Parra on January 31, 2014 at 9:24 am

      Anthony, great question!!! Sometimes it can feel hard to know, ESPECIALLY as we’ve all been taught to do the “freebie” for list building, etc… When new clients or students come to me and show me their “freebies” – it’s like a PhD course! (I’ve been guilty of that, too) and why would anyone have to buy?

      Adding this to the list for a podcast episode!

  8. Sandy Donovan on January 31, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Great video, Maritza!!!! This is definitely something I’m struggling with. Although I have a sales background, it feels different asking for money for something that I ALONE created! It creates more of a vulnerability I think. Also, I’m completely comfortable asking for money for physical products – like on my robe site – but now I want to do so for advice and coaching. It can be scary! My question for you is, how did you know when you had provided enough value? Would you recommend having a product from the beginning while providing value, or work in cycles where you provide for a while, then begin to create a product?

    • Maritza Parra on January 31, 2014 at 1:57 pm

      Sandy,

      Oh, the “Vulnerability of the Ask” – yep… it’s HUGE, and you’re right, even bigger when it’s something we’ve created. And in my experience, vulnerability is the ONLY way to grow and transform in your business (and in your personal life, too!)

      But so many are unwilling to “get comfortable being uncomfortable” that they choose to not ever engage in that vulnerability and thus… they will never make the sale.

      Here’s to all of us entrepreneurs who live riskier, much more vulnerable lives than most… and when we do that, we can also reap much bigger rewards in so many ways.

  9. Paul Colaianni on January 31, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    The tips in here are just golden! I really never liked being “salesy” like you said, but it’s so true that we are always selling, even when we don’t think we are. A few years ago, I actually felt guilty for wanting to make money for my services. Your comments in this video are very helpful – could have used them years ago. Thank you!

    • Maritza Parra on January 31, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks Paul! I think society (and our subconscious) helps us with the “feeling guilty” about wanting to make money for your services.

      As a recovering Catholic, I used to know guilt in all its forms well…

      When I was staring to ask for money for my horse show, my brother acted like I was nuts and doubted it… and I had the last laugh… (loving, laugh, of course) 😉

  10. Emrick on January 31, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Yes I agree with you Maritza. Also, when we ask, not being desperate , because our prospect clients will sense it. I lost several deals because of my being anxious of them signing up with me. Even when they were interested to sign up!

  11. Eric Remias on January 31, 2014 at 11:39 pm

    Thanks Maritza for these tips. Your passion comes through the video. They are great tips and Love the third tip about the emotional reasons why we get started is great.

  12. Dean Patino on February 2, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    These are 3 outstanding tips articulated wonderfully and with great zest! As a 25 year sales professional, these have my confidence as pure gold advice from Maritza. Top 5 Percent Income earners use these 3 tips throughout their career.

  13. Charlie Poznek on February 2, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    Many thanks for a great, informative video, Maritza! Looking forward to your podcast!!

  14. Dre Beltrami on February 3, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    As always you break things down in a incredibly digestible way that makes your excitement and ease contagious – thanks lady! 😉

    Btw, I love the switch between the transitions screens with text and you’re beautiful face, it really kept the video “moving”. I’ll be borrowing that little trick so BIG thanks for another bunch of kick ass golden nuggets from Ms. Maritza.

  15. Justin Williams on February 4, 2014 at 10:41 am

    Great video Maritza! You really put this into perspective! I see so many people want to help others but since they don’t get compensated for it they are only able to help a very limited amount of people. By making a business out of your services you are able to help so many more and get compensated like you deserve for your time!

    Thanks for sharing!

  16. […] confidently asking for the sale (“Can they hear the shaking in my voice?”) […]

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