I further the comments above about the conversation moving into new areas within your post.

Need to look about this site a bit more to get the most from it.

As a sales trainer the more ‘juicy bits’ the better.

Keep it up

William Stewart
The Strategic Sales Trainer
http://www.strategicsellingsystem.com

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I tried to email you directly about this issue last Saturday, but it appears that there was a technical problem and my message did not reach you.

A guest post! Wow, I would be honoured to.

I’ll have to think about the subject a little and see what I can come up with. It will probably take me about a week or so to produce something worthy of posting on this site.

How about I come back to you in one week and I’ll update you with my progress in relation to this? Would that be OK with you?

Cheers

Andrew

I enjoy commenting on this topic. I find that many of the posts on this blog are both interesting and stimulating.

Even though I don’t work in sales or marketing, I think that I can relate to some of the issues which you raise on this blog.

I apologize in advance – this reply was not meant to be as long as it turned out!

I realize that this blog is primarily aimed at sales and marketing professionals. Nevertheless, I have been prompted to think about why people outside of the sales and marketing profession sometimes find discussion on sales and marketing issues to be an interesting topic.

I think the reasons for this are twofold:

(1) Virtually every adult, including myself, has some form of interaction with sales people or sales activity on a regular basis. Whether it be anything from annoying cold calls or shopkeepers promoting their merchandise, to advertising or promotion, all they way up to business or investment promotions, sales and marketing activity is a part of all of our lives.

We all ‘experience’ sales and marketing in some form as consumers. I think this is why it can make an interesting topic for discussion, even for those outside the profession.

(2) Many of us, even those outside the profession, have to undertake some form of promotional activity throughout our lives. Business owners need promote their products and services. Bloggers need to promote their blogs and build readership, Employees need to promote themselves effectively at job interviews, networking functions or performance reviews.

Personally, I had to learn about effective promotion on a volunteer basis a few years ago when I was President of a Toastmasters Club (a public speaking club) which was seeking to expand it’s membership.

I think the vast majority of people will have to engage in some form of sales, marketing or promotional activity at some point. Therefore, taking the time to learn a few basics can have a positive influence on one’s life, even those who are not engaged in the sales and marketing profession.

Cheers

Andrew

You were the very first one to comment on my blog and I really appreciated that. We exchanged conversations several times along the way, and each time I learn more from you.

Since we share interest in using words well and in art we do have a lot in common.

I’ll never forget the blog you wrote about the poker players around the table and I challenged you because a woman wasn’t present. So you thought of a female poker player.

I value your thoughtful posts.

This time, I’m going to copy and paste my message so that it does not get lost the first time I send it. I’m getting a little smarter.

I love the way comments evolve into conversations and then often something else – new ideas shared, new business projects, and friendships which certainly feel as real to me as many offline connections. Because it’s a relationship based on things like – knowing that you’d be there for another person if they needed it, and vice versa.

Some commenters have the knack of knowing when comments will help boost the confidence of a blogger, and I say Robyn was fantastic in that – she helps to make connections, to encourage new bloggers and to showcase the work of all of us.

One thing I’d mention that has strengthened connections a lot for me is guest writing (and hosting). When someone writes at your blog, when you write at theirs it creates a bond – through trust maybe? – that is very strong.

Meeting offline will make a difference too and I just sent off my registration for SobCon last night so I really, really hope I can meet you and others in Chicago in May.

Joanna

PS And then in Sardinia in October!

Brad, thanks for being part of the conversations over at the Middle Zone, too. And don’t worry – we’ll get all the bugs out of the new design soon. (And by “we” I mean “Tully”!) :-\