Services are generally harder to sell than products. If you sell a service, what is your best marketing strategy?

I sell a marketing optimization system. It is a service I do not sell. I market a series of questions the potential prospect answers. In the conversation, the prospect will ask me something like what does optimized marketing look like. I speak about the outcomes and results which leads the prospect toward wanting to know more. It is the outcomes and results that lead to a sale. 

Since I have "sold" both products and services over my 60 year marketing career, I don't know that there is any difference at all.  In many cases, a "service" is part of, or associated with, the "product" sale, and the product wouldn't be purchased without the associated service. Regardless, the task is simply to sell to the needs of the customer/client.

Hello Elysia,  There are two things which are very important.  The fist is not really a strategy, it is something that just makes good sense but it is often overlooked.  It is creating an irresistible offer.  This will put you ahead of any competition you may have.  The second is actually a strategy.  It is called, "Hacking".  This is an acceptable business practice and not what everybody thinks.  It is not stealing or copying, it is "Modeling After".  This is done by finding successful businesses and see what they are doing to be successful.  Once done then modeling what they are doing in order to bring similar success to your business.  A helpful website for this is:  https://www.similarweb.com/

Find out who your customers are and friend them. Create a social media group. Become an expert in whatever you do.

I tie my services to deliverables - Training, which my clients purchase. Diversity training is complimented by assessment services, executive coaching services, 360 reviews. Offer a portfolio of both products and services.

Rather than marketing, Referrals from customers whom we have provided excellent customer service to after the sale. The key is alway following through on what you say you are going to do and finding a way to overcome challenges out of your control.

Never drop the ball.

Attention to detail 

Follow up follow up

Equipment, Product, Price and Service. ( I love this question) Those are the pieces of the coffee industry.

The first three are tangible things you can hold in your hand so. . . .

I zero in on the idea that service is the wild card, an abstract in which you can ask several people what service is and you will get some variance in the answers.

In our business I let them know it is my job / duty to define and refine what service is, and why we are different, everyone in my business can get you Starbucks, we all have similar prices, but service is where we make the kind of difference you will experience.

Ken Parker   Sales

A consultative sale. Ask a lot of questions !

By showing my future client my percentage of retention with my book of business. That retention is 98%. It would be difficult for the client to say no.