Going Viral With Sales
We've all seen things go viral, get big, or break records.
This past weekend we saw a new record broken with the movie "It" making a killing at the box office.
The new adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel brought in an estimated $123.1 million for Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema at the North American box office this weekend, its first in theaters.
That is the largest opening for a film debuting in September, nearly $75 million more than the previous record. According to Warner Bros., it is also the largest opening for a horror movie ever.
"It" was also the third biggest opening of the year. Only Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" did better in their first weekends.
"It" also shattered expectations for how it would do. Most box office analysts were predicting that the film, which stars Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying clown Pennywise, would open in the $70 million to $80 million range.
The haul for "It" couldn't have come at a better time for Hollywood, as the film industry is coming off its worst summer at the box office in 20 years.
So what made "It" go so big?
Perhaps it was the years of anticipation for a huge remake?
People loved the original movie, but it was old, dated, and lacked the luster we're used to seeing now days.
Perhaps it was the subtle marketing tactics It's creator, Stephen King, has been doing recently (like leaving a single red balloon in his home's living room window)?
Everyone loves subtle marketing. It build interest.
Or perhaps people just have a fascination with feeling adrenaline pumping through their veins?
There's no scientific theory to what can make a movie go viral.
The movie industry pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into marketing, but sometimes all of that can go to waste and the little guys will come out on top come opening weekend.
Sales is not the movie industry though.
And, as Jim Rohn always says, "Success leaves clues."
I bring up "It" because it's a perfect example of what can happen when enough small things happen (anticipation / subtle not-in-your-face-marketing) to create interested around something people are looking forward to.
Your product or service should be filling a need in people's lives.
Just like "It" gave everyone a rush of adrenaline this past weekend, when people purchase from you they should feel a similar rush of adrenaline as they realize their life is now better with whatever you've sold them.
If you do things correctly you can make your sales go viral.
And success leaves clues.
While Warner Bros. might be wondering what makes a flop or a success there is nothing to be questioned in what makes a good sales professional.
Training.
Coaching.
Practice.
Refinement.
These are the things that make a sales professional successful, and yet so many of today's sales people do not do these things.
Corporations, small businesses, and even the soloprenuers fail to do the things that will make them successful in sales and in business.
If you want to go big like "It" you've got to do what winners do.
So my challenge today, RIGHT NOW, as you're reading this, is to look at your industry, your company, or other businesses like your own, and reach out to the #1 person in your field.
Call them. Email them. Text them. Tweet them. Even beep them (if you're still stuck in 1996). But reach out and ask them what they're doing different.
Most leaders are happy to spare a few minutes to share their "secrets" to success.
But what you'll find is that there are no "secrets".
In sales it is always the same.
Training.
coaching.
Practice.
Refinement.
The product or service might be different, but a sales process where you fill a need is almost always the same.
So reach out right now and try to level up your sales game.
Go big. Go viral.
Be like "It".
Minus the murder and the scary clowns.
You'll be glad you did.