4 Simple Sales Tips, If You Hate Selling
Let's face it, sales is here to stay. Your success in business
depends upon your ability to sell your product or service. So with that said,
it's high time you get an attitude adjustment about sales. "I hate
selling!" or "I can't stand salespeople!" If I had one hundred
bucks for every time I've heard those statements from entrepreneurs, I'd be
rich. You see, the entrepreneurs who make such statements are usually the ones
whose success depends upon their ability to sell their ideas, their company and
their products. And that's a pity, because if you hate selling, you'll never be
good at it, and that means you will lose business, leave money on the table and
quite possibly lose your business all together.
In my experience, it's the entrepreneurs who really love selling
who are the most successful. Sometimes these entrepreneurs are natural-born
sellers or folks who have become allergic to the thought of working in
corporate America for the rest of their lives. Typically, when speaking to the
head of a new company, you can tell if they will grow or fizzle out by the way
the CEO or the President speaks about selling. If they think of selling as the life-line
of the company and the soul of success, they will do well. If they think it's a
chore, probably not.
If you hate selling, it's definitely in your best interest to
get over it, and even better, switch your mindset to love the selling process.
First, I would suggest the root of this "hatred" stems from negative
beliefs about sales in general. I believe, many people "hate selling"
because they hold one or more of the following beliefs:
• Selling is manipulative. Many people think that sales, is all
about manipulating people into buying something that they don't want or need.
This line of thinking infers that sales people are fast talking, 'slicksters'
who are simply trying to 'get over' on someone. Who wants that kind of
reputation?
• Selling is annoying. Selling involves follow-up. And
follow-up, involves repeated emails and phone calls, both of which, to some,
may be unwelcome. Most people have had unpleasant experiences with persistent
salespeople who won't take no for an answer. And who wants to be known as a
pest?
• Selling is tiresome. Most tasks on your "to-do" list
can be completed with a get-it-done and it's over process. The process is about
how much time you're willing to spend. On the contrary, selling, involves a
"hurry up and wait" process. Many times if you contact a prospect
they will take days or weeks to return your messages, or to make a decision...
meaning the sales cycle can drag on for months.
If you hold any of the above beliefs, you will of course, hate
selling. Here's what I propose: change your mind-set about selling, next change
your emotions about selling. It's possible to flip the switch in your mind and
in your heart about the science of sales. Ready set, go!
Here are my 4 easy tips to get a new attitude about sales... if
you hate selling.
• Think of selling as helping. Selling is about providing people
with products and services that they need and are ready to buy. Once you make a
conscious decision that you will never, sell somebody something they don't
need, the sales-y, sleaze factor disappears. You are then able to see selling
for what it really is: helping somebody else to get what they want or need for
a price. If you are providing a solution for a need held by someone else,
that's a good thing. There's no manipulation in that!
• Think of selling as building relationships. Make the decision
that you will not become a sales pest and the "annoyance factor" is
gone. Begin to view the selling process in terms of making new acquaintances
and friends. You just added a new buddy to your circle. Doesn't that sound fun?
• Understand that selling is about listening. If you listen more
than you speak, you will learn so much more about the customer's needs, wants
and beliefs. That way, you will be able to sell them something that fulfills a
specific need or want. Who doesn't like to be heard? We all seek to be heard
and understood. It's a great feeling, right?
• Understand that selling is about learning. When you decide to
learn something valuable in every sales situation, selling becomes more
exciting every chance you get. Human behavior is fascinating. The process in
which human beings make decision is a learning experience. If you develop a
natural curiosity about people and about learning you will be surprised at what
you learn about yourself and your customers.
If you aren't SELLING your business... you are missing out! The
art of selling, quite simply, is the heart and soul of any business.
Bottom-line: if sales aren't happening, you are not generating revenue and you
don't have a business. Finally, if you still hate selling, I recommend that you
get rid of those old, negative beliefs and change your attitudes and your
mindset. After all, whether you like it or not, selling is necessary to be
successful. Learn to love it, and you'll be much more successful and achieve
your goals a lot faster.
© 2012 Quality Media Consultant Group, LLC - All Rights Reserved
This article is written by Lori A. Manns. Want to use this article for your website, blog or newsletter? No problem. Here's what you must include: Lori A. Manns, CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group and founder of ABC's of Successful Sponsorship Sales SystemTM that shows you how to get more sponsors and sales for your business, guaranteed. To receive her consultation for your business or to receive marketing, advertising, sales tips and articles, on how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit http://www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.
This article is written by Lori A. Manns. Want to use this article for your website, blog or newsletter? No problem. Here's what you must include: Lori A. Manns, CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group and founder of ABC's of Successful Sponsorship Sales SystemTM that shows you how to get more sponsors and sales for your business, guaranteed. To receive her consultation for your business or to receive marketing, advertising, sales tips and articles, on how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit http://www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.
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