11 Ways to Improve Your Viral Marketing Skills

If selling is the world's oldest profession, then why do the majority of us struggle with sales success on a daily basis?

Because customer needs keep changing -- that's why.

Today, the consumer is informed and empowered as never before. Internet search engines whisk information to consumers' fingertips and online social networks, blogs and forums provide insight and perspective to help validate their purchase decisions.

Hybrid retailers can run from the waterfall of information now reaching consumers, or they can use it to their advantage and grow sales, profits and client base by identifying evolving customer needs.

With the following tips, learn how to differentiate your services by becoming a consultative proponent for your client.

Make It Easy

Equate components with commodities and systems with solutions.

Customers want solutions and, more importantly, they need solutions in every aspect of their complex lives.

They need their information and entertainment lifestyle requirements fulfilled when they need it and they don't want to have to earn an MBA for admission to the experience.

It's Not About the Gear

You are the only brand that you're guaranteed exclusively for the rest of your days.

Select your suppliers and products for the right reasons. Think ease of customer use, product reliability, predictable, dependable acquisition, accessible technical support and convenient, quality training when making your choices.

Conduct Business with Integrity

Poor ethics are business/career killers and your credibility is the most important thing you have.

Establishing trusting relationships is the key to long-term business success. Ever try to un-Google a negative reference?

"Word of mouth is much more powerful than it's ever been," says Robert Stephens, founder and president of Geek Squad.

"Clients aren't going to write many letters to companies anymore. They are going to blog about you and the smart companies are going to find those blogs."

Execute Lifestyle Solutions Locally

This is a huge opportunity for the local entrepreneur and an enormous barrier to entry for Internet companies and the national chains trying to offer anything more than "installation," which has proven to be elusive for them.

Customer service expectations are at a widely acknowledged low point.

So, a local, live, reliable, accountable, reputable and capable resource can predictably exceed their expectations and create what some call a client-advocate -- a customer so pleased that he or she recommends you all over.

Create an Emotional Connection

Client-advocates are enthusiastic, evangelical and externally supportive customers. These customers are more devoted than merely satisfied customers and also more likely to re-purchase.

As Dr. Joseph Michelli, author of "The Starbucks Experience" and "When Fish Fly" says, "Customers will celebrate your profit if you make a difference in their lives."