Random musings: I saw this quote on Facebook the other day: #TBT

Thursday, December 8, 2016

I saw this quote on Facebook the other day: #TBT

This post is from 2 years ago today.

I saw this quote on Facebook the other day:

If you are persistent, you will get it. If you are consistent, you will keep it

What does that really mean?

According to www.dictionary.com:

persistent

adjective

1. persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement,etc.; persevering:

a most annoyingly persistent young man.

persist

verb (used without object)

1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.:

to persist in working for world peace; to persist in unpopular political activities.

consistent

adjective

2. constantly adhering to the same principles, course, form, etc.:

a consistent opponent.

So, if you want something badly enough, don't give up until you get it. Even if it seems that the universe is conspiring against you. But once you get it, you can't ignore it. To hang onto whatever it is that you wanted, you have to keep doing the same things that brought it to you in the first place.

In business, and selling especially, most people give up too soon.

48% of sales people never follow up with a prospect

25% of sales people make a second contact and stop

12% of sales people only make three contacts and stop

Only 10% of sales people make more than three contacts

2% of sales are made on the first contact

3% of sales are made on the second contact

5% of sales are made on the third contact

10% of sales are made on the fourth contact

80% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact

As you can see, 90% of purchases are made after the 4th contact, but only 10% of sales people are persistent enough to make that many contacts.

Another statistic I've heard before, and was reiterated by Casey Eberhart at our SendOutCards event in Fresno on Saturday.

You lose 10% of your influence for every month that you don't have contact with your client

Once you have a client or customer, you have to consistently reach out to them every month or two, or every quarter at the least, to let them know that they still matter to you.

Here are some stats on why customers leave:

4% due to natural attrition (moved away – passed on, etc)
5% are referred to a competitor by their friend
9% for competitive reasons (price point, product features, etc.)
14% because of product/service dissatisfaction
68% for Perceived Indifference

So remember: