2020 Top 3 Business Development Tips

We are all in the relationship business. Don't drink your own Kool Aid in 2020! Please, accept the fact that your idea, your product, your service, your company might not be that great. You are Ok and maybe even Good but competition and apathy are real. Most businesses have competitors that are just as good or better. Alternatively, some businesses are so unique and special that nobody cares. Either way you probably want to grow your sales in 2020. Here are the 2020 Top 3 Business Development Tips:

1) Patiently Build Relationships

People do business with People. Make friends before you need anything. Awareness, Likability, and Trust are the foundation of relationship building. If you try to establish all three in one piece of marketing content, advertisement, email, or an initial meeting then you will lose. Be Patient. Bill collectors speak to people only when they want to collect money, and your marketing approach should be different. Allow your humility to exceed your ability as you provide value without expecting anything in return.

2) Attract New Customers Instead of Chasing Them

If you call me then you are a salesman, but if I call you then you are an expert. People trust experts and it speeds up the relationship building process. It is also better to be introduced then to introduce yourself, which is the reason why referrals convert into sales faster than almost any other opportunity. Your marketing strategy should communicate your “Kool.” The Kool is the unique passion and value proposition that fuels revenue growth and brand loyalty. Customers are drawn to businesses that are Kool. 

3) Leverage LinkedIn Marketing & Event Marketing

LinkedIn provides a tremendous opportunity to establish yourself as an expert by producing original content and grabbing low priced (free) attention. If you have a well-defined niche and you learn how to communicate your “Kool” this platform will become your favorite. Event Marketing does not have to be big. If you invite 10 decision-makers to dinner and introduce them to each other it makes you the Kool Kid from High School who hosted the party, which is better than trying to schedule 10 individual meetings with those same decision-makers. 

About the Author: Kelvin Joseph is CEO of Kool Kel Marketing. Kelvin helps companies from new startups to Fortune 500s maximize their sales by executing a marketing strategy that will communicate their “Kool.” INC Magazine recognized Kelvin on their Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 list the same year as Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg. Kelvin is a LinkedIn B2B Marketing Influencer, Sports Marketing Strategist, and American Advertising Federation Trendsetter.