10 Tips for Getting Out of a Sales Slump

Unless you're a global mega-marketeer, like Amazon, for example, there's probably going to come a time when you experience a slump in sales (and we're pretty sure that even the mighty Amazon had sales slumps in the early days!).

In this edition of the Pivotal Prints blog, we're going to share ten tips to help you get out of a sales slump and back on the road to success. 

1. A slump in sales, especially after a streak of success is discouraging and diminishes your confidence. The first step in overcoming the slump is to change this by changing the way you look at things. Instead of seeing missed or lost sales as failures, try instead to see them as learning experiences. 
2. Now you need to start focusing on process and output. Use all of the analytics, metrics and other data at your disposal to discover and understand what has changed since the slump began. Think about how your publicity and marketing strategies related to your sales; determine which activities resulted in more or fewer deals. Consider how best you can focus your energy. 
3. When you're right in the thick of a sales slump, it can seem like there is so much work to do that it is impossible to get out of it. What can help is to structure your day so that you can conserve energy for specific tasks. Break your day up into 30-minute or one-hour intervals. Alternate difficult tasks with less overwhelming tasks throughout the day to give you time to gather your thoughts and energy. 
4. Consistency is key. Sale is a continuous cycle and you need to retain your momentum and maintain your self-discipline. Don't focus too much on just one or two aspects of your strategy. 
5. When making business calls, you have to be in the right frame of mind. Being in a sales slump can affect you at an emotional level and if you feel anxious it will come across in your voice, making you sound insecure and uncertain. Before you even pick up the phone, try to relax by taking deep breaths and envisioning the goal of your call. 
6. When you're in a sales slump, all you want to do is close deals. While that's understandable, it can have negative outcomes and cloud your judgment. If you feel like you are too focused on making sales, sit back and think about your products and how they have sold well in the past. This will help you to return to a more positive mindset. 
7. The people that we work with can have dramatic effects on our motivation, both positive and negative; you should seek out the company of the former. Complaining about failed deals with negative people is not going to motivate you to sell better while talking constructively with more positive colleagues will help you gain the confidence you need to get out of a sales slump.
8. The confidence-killing effect of a sales slump needs to be addressed. Think about what you're good at and do more of it. This doesn't only apply to work but also to your leisure time. When you're having a bad time at work it can stop you from wanting to continue with your hobbies and interests but this must be resisted at all costs.
9. Reaching out to past customers who have had a good experience can make a difference. As well as reminding you of the good times, which will motivate you to get back to those good times, connecting with past customers is an ideal way to strengthen relationships and increase brand loyalty. Remember, it is far easier to sell to someone who has bought from you in the past than it is to sell to a brand-new lead. 
10. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Many people can offer this and that includes the team here at Pivotal Prints. We can assist you with everything from setting up your store, integrating it with major e-commerce platforms and even helping with generating sales. Together, we can beat the slump!

Find out more about our products and services, along with the help and support we can offer, on the Pivotal Prints website. If you need any further information or advice, our team is just a phone call away.