How can I get my first sales order?

[paterson]

I am working oncomputer software. I have list of products and list of suppliers.
I know I can sale to parents. I have used through schools. Firstly I wrote a cercular letter to each school.
Then After no response I work out by more detailed analysis of my products. and to explain in detail, I have enclose a demo CD with covering note.
Still no response. I can see no competetion or rarely competetive market. So why I am not getting response?
I have done from traditional type of selling method to techenological use. I am thinking of 21st Century and I expects some positive or negetive response. But no response means dead end.

Please guide me or correct me if I am wrong.
Yours truly,
HARISH PATEL
PATERSON

[sam0]

I think we have all been here with getting that first order. One of the hardest lessons I learned is that products, no matter how brilliant, don't sell themselves...

Having researched your market - you have chosen to reach parents through schools - have you asked yourself why a school would help you do this - what is in it for them?Having established what your sales triggres are for both school and parents....

1. Telephone each school you are sending your demo CD to get the name of the right person and if you can, have a chat with them about your product and its unique selling points. Offer to send them the demo, telling them that you will contact them again after they have had an opportunity to have a look at it.

2. Make sure your letter is no more than a single page and try to personalise the first and last paragraph so that your potential target customer does not think this is just another mail shot.

4. Contact your target customer and ask if they have had an opportunity to look at the CD. If they have, ask if you can set up a meeting to discuss the next stage. If they havnt, ask when would be a good time to call again.

5. If they say its not for them, ask if they know of anyone who would be interested. If they simply say no DONT GIVE UP. Make a note to call them again in about a fortnight.

6. I phoned my very first customer every day for 2 weeks until I could get a meeting. With hindsight this was perhaps a little excessive but it is not uncommon for potential customers to test your resolve and say no the first three times. Your determination can sometimes distinguish you from the pack.. What have you to lose by phoning back?!

This is labour intensive, but done enough times, you start to develop a pool of customers who refer your products or services onto their own contacts.

Happy hunting!...

Sam