Impacting Business … From the Beach

October 18, 2016

The saying goes, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery,” which is why I’m stealing a page from my wife’s sales playbook. Over the past few years, she has turned one of the simplest resources into a proactive selling tool, yielding results.

The Out Of Office (OOO) is one of the most underutilized aspects of sales. It is an opportunity to make an impact and create a positive impression from wherever you may be. Simply put, it’s free marketing directed at those who have proactively taken action to connect with you. Not taking advantage of this opportunity would be a waste.

To create an impactful and memorable OOO, follow these three steps.

1. Show Personality
   Believe it or not, you can have personality and still be professional. Whether you’re going on vacation or heading to a conference, telling your network what you’re up to will spark conversations. In addition, being transparent shows that you’re more than a title. We’re all human!
2. Add Value
   Do you have valuable information that you’d like to share? Perhaps there’s a link to a study or presentation that the majority of your connections can benefit from. Adding value is one of the fastest ways to build rapport and gain recognition.
3. Call to Action
   Get the most out of your OOO by providing a call to action. It can be something as simple as a subscription link to your blog, or encouraging them to check out your latest and greatest product or service. Customize your CTA to be consistent with your brand and your goals.

Far too many of us are stuck in the traditional OOO rut. Break free and try something different. You’ll be surprised at how many people recognize and appreciate your fresh take on something that is often overlooked.

Interested in what my OOO looks like? Send me an email. I’m out of town today.

-Tyler Plahanski, Sales & Marketing Associate

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