The first hurdle I had before I would even work for myself and even consider myself a “boss” of 1… was…
Could I sell something?
Selling to me was associated to being a car salesman… to PUSH a sale… to Always be Closing like in the movie (Glengarry Glen Ross – a movie you should see either way)
and I had this invisible barrier to
“WHY” would someone buy something from me…
You are now ready to have a total shift in thinking. This shift in thinking will help you reach out to more people, have more people come to you, help you to set up a way of having people buy from you even while you are not working, and help you think bigger (scale up).
I can't promise that you will become a millionaire overnight, or even at all, but what I can promise you is that you will never see online selling and marketing the same way again.
Being A Solutions Provider
Let's continue with the concept we learned in Video 5, which was to solve problems versus just selling people. Let me use an example of something that I have done to sell the most mundane product – vacuum cleaners.
I didn't go knocking door-to-door with a catalog of vacuum cleaners. I don't custom-build vacuum cleaners. I didn't buy them and then resell them. I simply used someone else's system to connect buyers and let the system take over.
Let's continue with the concept we learned in Video 5, which was to solve problems versus just selling people. Let me use an example of something that I have done to sell the most mundane product – vacuum cleaners.
I didn't go knocking door-to-door with a catalog of vacuum cleaners. I don't custom-build vacuum cleaners. I didn't buy them and then resell them. I simply used someone else's system to connect buyers and let the system take over.
Amazon sells vacuum cleaners and they pay a 6% commission to their affiliates. Amazon handles the storage, shipping, customer service, returns and credit card transactions. I don't touch any of that. Instead, I provide information to potential customers. I use a blog to do it.
I set up a blog that had articles about how to clean various surfaces and what the best vacuum cleaners were for the job. I offered a few choices, with links back to Amazon. Each link was coded to an account, so that if someone purchased a vacuum cleaner through my blog, I would earn a commission. I have made 5 figures per MONTH doing this.
Notice, I didn't force the customer to buy. I provided them with some options for their particular need and they picked which option was best for them. They could have chosen to search through hundreds of options, but I made it easy for them. I gave them information. I narrowed down their options. They made the decision to buy, based on the information that I researched and provided for them. I just helped them buy a quality product AND I saved them a lot of time.
Basically, you are finding a solution to a problem and you are putting the information out there for people to find. You can do this in many ways – blogs, social media, podcasts, videos, pdf's, ebooks, email lists, article directories, photos, and more. If they see you enough times, they may buy from you – without you doing anything extra.
10 Video Series On Marketing And A Profitable Business Online
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Video 1 – Start Marketing Any Time
No matter how “NEW” you are or what you THINK you Don't Know… it doesn't matter. The most important task now is to START. Start Marketing Today (Click Here)
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Video 2 – Discovering Your “Why”
“Why” are your looking to start an online business? What is the reason for working? What Drives You? (Click Here)
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Video 3 – Into The Future About 10 Years
Look at where you want to be in the Future, Your Goals. Are you moving towards it today? If not what's stopping you? (Click Here)
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Video 4 – Does Working From Home Really Work?
Are you the type of person who can stay “on task” when at home or do you need to be Micromanaged? (Click Here)
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Video 5 – How Making Money Works Online
So do you just send a link and you get paid? NOPE…. Learn how it really works online. (Click Here)
Are you in business to just “sell stuff” or are you actually there to be a solutions provider? Big Difference (Click Here)
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Video 7 – Internet Marketing Systems That Work
So what is working currently and how you should setup your system. (Click Here)
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Video 8 – Visual Explaining – The System I Use
Visual breakdown of how I run my system that work 24/7 So I don't have to. (Click Here)
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Video 9 – Mistakes Made In Online Businesses
Learn how to avoid the bigger mistakes I've personally made that cost me thousands in profits (Click Here)
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Video 10 – Trends, Masterminds, and Mentoring
Where to take your current success and go to the “Next Level” through Masterminds (Click Here)
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38 Comments
Cedric · November 12, 2015 at 5:17 pm
There’s slot of advice giving in this one along. Arguably the best step dust far. Give solution to someone problem/problems. Right on LT simply nailed it.
Carlene · August 3, 2015 at 11:55 pm
Give value, have GREAT content and provide ‘the best SOLUTION’ there is! I am a solution Provider
Floyd Albarado · February 19, 2015 at 8:26 pm
More education! I’m getting excited about this with eaxh video. I’m so looking forward to start putting some of these principles and practices in to place.
Lawrence Tam · February 19, 2015 at 9:13 pm
gotta be a solutions provider… if not.. it’s gonna be a long ride.
Joshua Wiesler · November 26, 2014 at 10:04 pm
If Im hearing right, being a solution provider builds trust as opposed to putting up the walls like a salesperson. It becomes like a bank account. You make deposits and withdrawals. Just keep focusing on the action of making “trust” deposits and the results will come.
Lawrence Tam · November 28, 2014 at 3:45 pm
yep. People hate being sold to but they love buying. how can you be in position to solve their problems so they thank you for allowing them to “buy”
Milena · October 19, 2014 at 8:11 pm
I wish I knew this concept when I first started in the “selling” industry!
Jenny Ceballos · September 21, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Perfect!
That´s exactly what I mentioned in the last post! Here is the key and the difference between the salesperson and what online marketing does!
John Whitfield · September 14, 2014 at 5:03 pm
So what your saying is that most of the time it’s going to take multiple times of them seeing your name and what your about to actually get them to buy anything from you? Or would it be better to say that by providing them solutions to multiple problems your getting them to trust you until the make the decision to buy.
razan · September 5, 2014 at 2:14 am
i like this video
and its the answer of what i want
Qaisar Khan · August 23, 2014 at 11:30 pm
hey Lawrence, you told me to comment on each video to see if im ready for help. i am really struggling right now and i need your help. i need more people to join wakeupnow which i join 2 weeks ago, thank you!!
please help me. i really need.
Jason Counts · August 13, 2014 at 10:13 am
I’ve always been a salesman more less my whole life! I sold myself! I wish I had understood the significant difference before now between selling and providing a solution! Thanks Lawrence! You are pulling the blinders off my eyes! I wish I had understood this in the past or this approach in the past! I would have sold a lot more by providing a solution than trying to sell a product! Thanks
Lawrence Tam · September 8, 2014 at 3:14 pm
being the solutions provider just makes more sense…
if you’re starving after a long night of partying…
a hot dog vendor selling cheap hotdogs could hit the spot..
take that same hot dog vendor and put it on your front porch when your bbq ….
it just seems odd… you didn’t want it there.
Nick Irwin · July 31, 2014 at 12:04 am
LT
Starting to understand different mistakes I was making when I first started empower…….
” I offer people services and goods while helping them find a solution to their problem “. By the way I am PUMPED to learn about ” Traffic ” !
Tina Rhodie · July 29, 2014 at 12:07 am
‘A solution’s provider’ – I like that terminology. After leaving Charlotte and Nicole’s training, when someone asks me what I do now, I tell them I’m an Online Business Developer.
Lawrence Tam · July 30, 2014 at 4:52 pm
there you go!
Demy Watts · July 16, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Really interesting point about people needing 7 points of contact before buying from you. Love the idea of being a solutions provider as opposed to being in soneone’s face by pushing products on them from the word go. Yes, it really is all about attraction marketing!
Pieter Delport · July 14, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Since I started investigating Internet Marketing I was always thinking of how I can help other people. When I have succeeded that will be my goal, to be as you say it “A Solutions Provider.”
Lawrence Tam · July 14, 2014 at 11:19 pm
YES! that’s the way to see how to help MORE people… solve their problems… you get paid in return.
Peter de Vera · July 9, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Dear LT,
I have been a salesperson all my life but it’s time to be a solution provider to the masses. IN FACT, I have been a realtor all my life and it’s not easy to make a sale and then hunt for another sale. It’s basically running after money. I want to be a solution provider so they keep coming back for more value. Yes, I’d love to and work “hardsmart” on being an affiliate.
Thanks again!
Peter
P.s. I am working hard on all the videos this week, especially today! Today, I watched 5 videos alone because it’s so all great value and I was pretty much pumped up!
Kenny Wilkinson · July 9, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Solutions provider verses Salesperson …good stuff.
In my traditional business I provide solutions for device related issues. I need to consider ways of making that more performance based rather than time-based.
Andre Kotze · July 6, 2014 at 10:27 pm
Great content LT ..;-)
Be the point man…. direct them to your offer…
Lawrence Tam · July 8, 2014 at 11:57 am
if you don’t direct your audience to your offer.. you don’t get paid… but worst yet.. you do NOT solve their problems…
Elvira Longoria · July 4, 2014 at 4:25 pm
Great content, thanks again LT. You explain this so simply. Yes we can surely provide someone with a solution when they have a need. Long before we can “sell” someone a product or a service the old traditional way. Solution provider makes so much sense and learning to think about it like this and get into this frame of mind will be so valuable in working this business. Thank you, thank you so much. See you on the next video. Again this is so encouraging and can’t wait to start learning more from you as we move forward on this journey. God Bless you!
Lawrence Tam · July 5, 2014 at 11:54 am
it’s more a framing for your mind. like having a set of cooking directions. just follow it and your brain can follow it easier.
Kamal lakhr · June 4, 2014 at 5:16 am
I think it’s the same thing between online and offline marketing
the only deference is online you can talk to millions in a push of button
and offline you need hire people to do it for you
but the concept is alwase the same
if you can’t sell offline you won’t online
^^
Kamal lakhr · June 3, 2014 at 9:09 pm
love that video
lawrence we need more of your stuff
really love that concept you give it give me larger vue of sale man ^^
thank you
karen · May 29, 2014 at 2:56 pm
great content i was so confused with information overload but by watching your videos man i feel so relieved.
Walter · May 24, 2014 at 11:11 am
There is so much truth in this video! It’s all about providing value. Helping someone learn or achieve their goals. Providing the solutions to someones problems.
Martin · May 24, 2014 at 6:13 am
I hear “selling without selling” all the time and you explained it better than anybody else in just 9 minutes. I feel more confident moving forward now after watching the last 6 videos. I see myself making a lot more sales in the future and I think I have finally identified all of my problems.
Rigoberto Ramirez · April 28, 2014 at 12:53 am
YOU MADE THAT LOOK SO SIMPLE.
They say the truth, the ultimate truth is simple.
Me personally, I don’t like the word ” salesperson”.
nobody likes to be sold. it makes you feel manipulated.
Solutions Providor makes more sense. Either you can do it for them, or teach them how to do it for them selves.
This has me really motivated
Lawrence Tam · April 28, 2014 at 8:42 am
a lot of it has to do with reframing and being okay with what you do 😉
PeterThankgod · February 2, 2014 at 8:13 am
And
I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the
cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which
I sent among you. Joel 2:5
spooon · January 28, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Jaynae fixed.. moved off of Facebook video
andilerner · December 22, 2013 at 2:10 am
Thank you once again! This video gave just what I needed, just when I needed it. I have had a major shift in my mindset as a result of watching & listening to it.
I was able to put this concept to use right after I watched the video. A FB contact who had approached me a few weeks ago caught me on chat tonight. He’s very curious about our opportunity, but is completely new to any kind of marketing. We spent some time chatting about his needs and I came from the attitude of “What do you need, & what can I do to help?” It really is about trying to discern the need and then figure out what will fill that need. And, it may not be the opportunity I’m promoting – although, in this case, I think it is 🙂
This approach feels so much more natural, more organic, than trying to “sell” something – I could actually feel myself relaxing. I was just being me – how very cool!
(PS – I didn’t experience the skipping issue others have mentioned while watching this video.)
Lawrence Tam · December 23, 2013 at 2:38 pm
the whole “selling” thing makes more sense when courting someone or helping someone…. so once it’s framed like that.. money is just an exchange of goods/services.
AustinHayes · December 17, 2013 at 9:38 pm
It did skip pretty harshly, but the point was made i Beleive…gotta try and HELP the person, not try and SELL the person!
Jaynae · December 15, 2013 at 10:38 am
This video is skipping badly….