In a recent post we warned of the likely loss of billing opportunities if you give away service advice just to demonstrate how informed you are.

In this post we outline when it may be appropriate to volunteer information or other free offers in order to secure additional sales.

For example, when you deliver goods to your customers, do you insert information about other goods or services that they might find of interest? A car dealership may be the place where you go to purchase or lease a car, but once you have chosen your vehicle you will likely be offered insurance or service plans as add-on sales.

Fishermen will “give-away” bait by broadcasting it in areas of water where it expects fish to reside. This process is an invitation. Invite your customers to sample more of your goods and services, don’t be shy.

Don’t assume that customers will know what is on offer, tell them.

You have done the hard work and converted business prospects into business customers. Be sure that each sales point is also a business development opportunity.