The single easiest way to increase sales is to look professional. People believe what they see. If you look the part, you get the part. You must be committed to keeping a positive image in the mind of every customer. What you may not realize is that a high public image may not cost as much as you are led to believe. In a small business, image is fifty percent (50%) of your business. The impact you have on your customers, whether it be your appearance, cleanliness of your store, equipment, uniforms or the style of your classy color brochures. You must continually re-audited your small businesses image. Even if your first impression is great, you can lose it just as fast if you fail to handle simple details, because things change and customer buying behavior and perceptions change with local, regional, national and world events and views.

Here are a few areas that are the cornerstone of your “new image” if you choose to audit your current image for a slight make over. Customers will judge you by:

The clothes you wear

The way you carry yourself

The equipment you use

The people you hire

The advertising you choose

Phone conversations

Your work quality

Cleanliness of your equipment

Your general appearance

Literature, signage and business cards

Let’s face it, this is not a new idea and if you are already in business for yourself, you probably already have a head start. You have uniforms for you and your workers, confidence through training, nice store layout and new equipment. You also would not have been reading this article if you were not serious about your company’s image. A positive image reflects integrity, success, customer service, doing it right and the will to succeed and service your customer.

All you have to do is continue to take pride in your work, store, uniform, advertising, equipment and most importantly, yourself. If you take pride and effort, it will show. These are just basic winning attitudes to maintaining an award-winning attitude. Remember this saying: “It’s surprising how lucky you get when you are working hard.”

Your customers will be true to you if you are true to them and any competition you might have will never have a chance. Your customers will help you by word of mouth advertising. They will take your business cards, hand them out to friends, relatives and business associates. Think of public image costs as an army of sales people. All of this is free; you don’t have to even ask for it. Just try your best and pay attention to the image you are projecting. People will see this and help you. The results are phenomenal. Think about image.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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