Selling, the Arctic Monkeys way

Apply a bit of monkey magic to your sales and marketing You can't argue with the numbers, can you? Their first single went straight in at number 1. Then the album shot to the top, smashing the record for fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history. The Arctic Monkeys have to be the sales success of 2006. So, where did they come from? Internet space, of course. But, perhaps the Monkeys can teach us a little about selling and marketing products effectively. Here are some of the things they did well. Could you apply any of these pointers to your business? Being liked If a customer likes you, he or she is more likely to buy. What causes one person to like another? According to Sold! (by Steve Martin and Gary Colleran, 2003), having things in common with your audience is useful. I think there's something about personality too. Four strong-accented 'underdogs' from Sheffield...it works really, doesn't it? Proof of the pudding The proof of the pudding's in the tasting. Would your products sell better if your customers could have a try first? Before the Monkeys were signed they gave away their music online. A great way to start word-of-mouth marketing. Because, who's going to be shy of a good-quality freebie? Referrals are one of the most cost-effective ways of selling, too. Investing in customers Existing customers are worth investing in. As well as giving you those referrals, selling to people who have already done business with you is the most cost-effective way of marketing yourself. For their last gig, it's reported that the Arctics kept tickets prices to