If you are in sales or you own your own business or consulting firm, then you have been faced the daunting question, “how do I increase sales?”

If you are a sales professional this comes from the desire to make quota and put money in your pocket. If you own a business this is to get your business off the ground. Whatever your situation, the goal at the end of the day is to put dollars in your pocket.

As a sales professional, I have tried to find all the magic secrets of increasing my sales, whether it’s listening to Tony Robbins, reading Dale Carnegie, or watching Glengarry Glen Ross.

I found so much redundant information, I decided to create my own list. I believe there are only 8 true ways to increase your sales and here they are:

1. Pick Up The Phone

This is by far the most important on the list. If you don’t make a phone call, you cannot make a sale. The more calls you make the more sales you can make and it is that simple. Finding people to call comes easy with Social Selling.

Use the phone to qualify your customers, and make calls every single day.

2. Be An Expert

Know your products and become an expert. The customer is going to look to use as a resource, and being that resource is the opportunity to make a sale.

Take being an expert one step further and know what your customer experiences on a daily basis so you can provide them suggestions on how to better their business.

3. Create Value

Never see a customer just to say hello. Your time is too valuable, and their time is even more valuable. Make a point to bring them information, a new product, or a new technique regarding their business you learned.

Always create value.

This will ensure that when you show up they are going to see you because you don’t waste their time.

4. Grow Existing Customers

Just because your customer buys one product from you does not mean they know all the products you offer. Selling your customers more of your products so you can grow your presence in their account.

5. Build A Relationship

Building a relationship with your customers should be priority number one when they start buying. This relationship is built on bringing value to them every visit, as well as allows you to present all the products you offer.

Most importantly, that good relationship means the account is more protected when the competition is knocking on their door.

6. Ask For Referrals

Once you have the relationship with your customer, ask for referrals. Chances that your customer has friends in the same business are good, and if they can introduce you to friends then you have a qualified audience to tell your story to.

7. Network

The cliche goes “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” This is only partially true. The real trick is to network and be the person that people know. What you truly want is who knows you. This will help keep the sales funnel full.

8. Persistence Pays

When initiating the introduction meeting persistence is the only way to make this happen. You have every right to continue calling, emailing, and following up until you are explicitly told to stop.

The only way to close a sale is to keep at it, don’t get discouraged, and do not give up.

Good luck and good selling!