The document provides 10 sales tips for early stage entrepreneurs. The tips include: (1) treating the development of your idea as an ongoing sales process; (2) focusing on demonstrating the value proposition of your idea; (3) considering your idea from the customer's perspective; (4) practicing pitching your idea effectively; (5) using customer validation to pre-sell your idea; (6) investing some time in prospecting for potential customers; (7) building personal trust and recognition as an expert; (8) tapping into passion when discussing your idea; (9) incorporating promotion into the development of your idea; and (10) considering how to easily package and communicate your idea or offer.

1. 10 Sales Tips For Early
Stage Entrepreneurs
Robin Wang, Principal
© 2013, Vibrant Future LLC / Sales4Entrepreneurs.com

2. “Sales?!? You’re kidding.
It’s still just an idea.”
True, but giving some attention now to sales will
put you in a much better position down the road
when you’re really ready to sell.

3. 1
Surprise!
You’re Already Selling.
Even though your idea is still very formative, you’re
selling your vision, idea, and concept now to prospective
customers, investors, co-founders, and partners.
Don’t talk about your idea, SELL your idea and welcome
any feedback to refine your idea.

4. 2
Focus on the
Value Proposition.
Generating sales is all about demonstrating and
providing value to your customer.
So as you mull and morph your idea, give plenty of
thought to the exact nature, scope, and amount of
value that you will be delivering.

5. 3
Put on Your
Customer’s Shoes.
Chances are, you’re envisioning your idea solely from
your side of the fence.
Hop over to the other side, pretend you’re a customer and
see how they are going to view your company, pitch, and
value proposition.

6. 4
Practice, Practice,
Practice your Pitch.
Nothing turns off prospective partners, investors or
customers more than a poor pitch.
You want that pitch to flow smoothly, genuinely, and
elegantly off your tongue with confidence.
The only way to do that is to rehearse (but not memorize)
your pitch over and over again.

7. 5
Pre-sell Through
Customer Validation.
At some point, you will need to validate your ideas with
prospective customers. As you have these conversations,
don’t just ask questions, but also build value.
Remember that they could be a future customer and by
building value now, they will be more receptive to your
offer down the road.

8. 6
Invest a Little Time
Prospecting.
There are many reasons why building customer lists is
worthwhile at this stage, but the most important one is
that it is a “stumble upon” process.
When that information randomly presents itself, you want
to be ready to collect it and you don’t want to have to
scramble for it when you’re ready to sell.

9. 7
Build Personal Trust
and Recognition.
People buy from those that they know, like and trust.
By starting a business you’re a de facto expert in your
field so get your name out there in papers, presentations,
webinars, etc.
When you’re ready to sell, transfer that personal trust and
recognition to your business.

10. 8
Tap Into Your
Emotions and Passion.
People are attracted to those that communicate with
confidence and passion.
Tap into your core emotions when you talk to others
about your idea. You’ll soon find yourself with a legion of
followers and you’ll be well versed when it’s time to raise
capital, land partners, and get customers.

11. 9
Incorporate Promotion
Into Your Idea.
“Build it and they will come” has killed the dreams of
many entrepreneurs.
As your idea evolves be sure to factor in how you’re going
to promote it as it will become an integral element of your
success or failure.

12. 10
Incorporate Packaging
Into Your Idea.
The art of closing involves the ease of selling, the ease of
understanding, and the ease of using your offer.
When your idea begins to gel, start thinking about how
you will package your offer and make it as simple as
possible to communicate, understand and decide.

13. Happy Selling.
Robin Wang
Sales4Entpreneurs.com
robin@sales4entrepreneurs.com
All materials © 2013 Vibrant Future, LLC