🌸 Celebrating International Women’s Day – Empowering Women in Business! 🌸
On International Women’s Day, I had the opportunity to attend the Tech Ready Women “1 to 1000” Event, a space filled with inspiration, knowledge, and practical strategies to help female entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
The event focused on how to scale from 1 to 1000 customers, how to sell effectively to government and corporate clients, and how to use the right tools and strategies to make the customer journey smoother.
But what stood out most to me was the power of networking with a giving mindset – “NetSharing.” Instead of asking, “What can I gain from networking?” we should shift our mindset to, “How can I support others?” When we focus on helping others, opportunities naturally come back in ways we don’t expect. This simple shift can create stronger relationships, more referrals, and better business growth.
Below are some key takeaways that can help any small business owner, startup founder, or entrepreneur improve their sales and marketing strategy.
1️⃣ Sales Mindset Shifts – How to Overcome Common Roadblocks
Many entrepreneurs struggle with sales anxiety and limiting beliefs. Here’s how to shift your mindset for success:
“I’m not in sales” → Change to “I’m not in sales… yet!”
Every business owner needs to sell – whether to customers, investors, or partners.
Build confidence by practicing your pitch and improving your sales skills.
“My product will sell itself” → Sales requires intention.
Even the best products need marketing, lead nurturing, and outreach to succeed.
Be proactive – don’t wait for customers to come to you.
“I need to master technical knowledge” → Focus on go-to-market strategy.
Customers care more about solutions than technical details.
Position your product in a way that solves real-world problems.
“The economy is tough” → Challenge buyers with insights.
Businesses and consumers still buy during economic downturns – but they need stronger reasons to do so.
Show them how your product can save money, improve efficiency, or reduce risks.
“Competition is tough” → The real competitor is the status quo.
Many customers stick to what they know, even if it’s not the best option.
Your goal is to show them why switching to your solution is the best move.
2️⃣ Mechanics of Sales – Go-to-Market Strategies
Sales success depends on choosing the right approach based on your business type.
A. B2B (Business-to-Business) Sales Strategies
Ideal for businesses selling services or products to other businesses (e.g., website design, marketing, SaaS, consulting).
Common Sales Channels:
Direct Sales – Building relationships through LinkedIn, cold outreach, and referrals.
Partnerships & Channel Sales – Working with resellers, distributors, or affiliates.
Inbound Marketing – Using SEO, blogging, and email marketing to attract leads.
Best Software for B2B Sales:
CRM & Lead Management: HubSpot CRM, Salesforce, Pipedrive.
Sales & Lead Generation: LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, Apollo.io.
Marketing Automation: Marketo, ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp.
B. B2C (Business-to-Consumer) Sales Strategies
Best for e-commerce, online services, and digital products targeting individual customers.
Common Sales Channels:
Social Media & Paid Ads – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.
Freemium & Subscription Models – Offering a free version with paid upgrades.
Influencer & Community Engagement – Partnering with content creators.
Best Software for B2C Sales:
E-commerce Platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce.
Social Media & Advertising: Meta Business Suite, Hootsuite, Canva.
Payment Processing: Stripe, Square, PayPal.
C. B2B2C (Business-to-Business-to-Consumer) Sales Strategies
For businesses that sell to other businesses, who then sell to consumers (e.g., a company that helps brands launch on Amazon or Shopify).
Common Sales Channels:
Marketplace & Platform Sales – Selling on Amazon, Shopify, or Etsy.
Affiliate & Referral Marketing – Using partners to promote your business.
Embedded Solutions & White Labeling – Selling your product under another brand’s name.
Best Software for B2B2C Sales:
Marketplace & Platform Management: Shopify Plus, Magento, Mirakl.
Affiliate & Referral Marketing: PartnerStack, Impact.com, Refersion.
Logistics & Fulfillment: ShipStation, Easyship, UPS/FedEx APIs.
3️⃣ Sales Execution – How to Make It Work for Your Business
Once you have the right mindset and sales strategy, the next step is execution.
Choose the Right Sales Channel – Pick the approach that fits your business goals.
Track Everything – Use tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, and CRM systems to measure performance.
Always Ask for the Business – Don’t be afraid to close the deal!
💬 Final Thoughts
Sales isn’t just about having a great product – it’s about understanding your customers, building relationships, and using the right tools to reach them effectively.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s continue to support, empower, and uplift women in business. 💖
What’s your biggest sales challenge? Let’s discuss in the comments!
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth #WebsiteDesign #Marketing #Networking #TechReadyWomen #BusinessAdvisor #BusinessConsulting #SmallBusinessOwner
