Instead of looking at the current economic situation with terror, sales trainer and cold calling expert Wendy Weiss suggests you look at the new opportunities today's economy gives you - and start selling! Here are her tips for selling in a shaky economy:

1. Turn off your television and radio. Stop reading the paper. Above all, stop listening to the doom and gloom about the economy. The economy is what the economy is. If you spend all of your time listening to bad news, it gets more and more difficult to sell. Instead, take action. Call a prospect. Call a current customer and ask for more business. Call a current customer and ask for a referral. Call someone and sell something.

2. Stop thinking, "Recession" start thinking, "Opportunity." There is always opportunity when the market is shifting. Find it. Economic downturns can also be times when fortunes are made, so keep looking. This mind set will give you the power and energy to keep selling.

3. During difficult times vendor loyalty can be shaky. This is a great time to go after accounts that have previously been locked up and held tight by your competition. If you know your competition, you know their flaws. Where might they be susceptible? Go after those accounts.

4. Qualify your prospects. Far too many sales representatives spend far too much time chasing after prospects that will never buy. Don't be shy. Ask the hard questions that determine whether or not you're speaking with real prospects. Qualify your prospects out. Then, if you are not speaking with a real prospect, move on.

5. Focus on value. Make sure that your prospects understand the value that you represent. How will your product/service help your prospect? How will it help your prospect achieve their goals? How will it impact their bottom line? Your prospects will not figure it out for themselves. It's your job to help them understand. Ultimately, your customers want to know WIIFM, "What's in it for me?" Make sure that you help them understand.

6. Improve your sales skills. Selling is a communication skill. Skill combined with action results in sales.

Wendy Weiss, The Queen of Cold Calling, is an author, speaker, sales trainer, and sales coach. She is recognized as one of the leading authorities on lead generation, cold calling and new business development and she helps clients speed up their sales cycle, reach more prospects directly and generate more sales revenue. Learn more at www.wendyweiss.com

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