Most people think they must have the gene of sales before they can sell effectively. But they fail to realize that selling goes beyond marketing your business, goods, or services and extends to marketing yourself as well. I can imagine the look on your face.
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Well, here’s the truth, selling yourself is the first thing you do in any business or job you find yourself in. Now let me ask you, what do you think you are doing when you go for an interview? Aren’t you trying to market yourself so the interviewer sees reasons to pick you over another? Do you know that you’re also selling when you try to convince someone to buy into your idea or do something your way?
Selling is what we do every day but in different ways and under different conditions and platforms.
Now that you know you’re a salesperson, can I burst your bubble? Do you know? Salespeople are not born, they are made. Being a sales expert isn’t just something that follows in one’s genes but involves training, practice and strategy.
Now, let’s talk strategy. Selling anything to anyone is possible, you just need to know-how. Here are some tips on how you can sell anything to anyone:
Do Your Homework
To sell effectively, you need to have the details of your customers, stakeholders and audience’s needs at the tip of your fingers. You also need to know your product, service, or idea and be able to discuss them effortlessly. Selling from the point of your customers’ needs creates a well of value and increases patronage. But how would you know these needs if not through research? Research also helps you know who in particular you should be selling to. You cannot sell a N50,000 wristwatch to a N30,000 salary earner. Research is the soul of sales.
Sell Yourself First
The first step while approaching the customer is packaging yourself to give off the aura of one who has come to give them value, not take their money. Get them to relax around you, make them laugh, tell them something about yourself. Don’t just come in for the kill. Nobody wants to hand over hard-earned money to a stranger.
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Let Your Guard Down
Don’t come all pushy or come on too strong. Relax and get to know your customer. Be interested in how to help them. Listen to them talk. Don’t be in a rush to state why you are there.
Ask Questions
This not only shows that you are genuinely paying attention and listening to the conversation but also helps you discover more about the person you are selling to. Showing that you are genuinely interested in them builds a connection and believe me, people tend to buy from who they believe has their best interest at heart.
Position Yourself As A Problem Solver
People would easily hand over money to you when they feel you are doing them a favour, helping them solve a problem, and simply not interested in their money. Only then will your sales pitch be successful. When they smell you all over their money, they’ll walk away.
Hit Emotional Strings
Human beings are emotionally wired and controlled by greed, fear, pride, shame, envy, amongst other things. Therefore, you can try to explore this. However, don’t overdo it.
Connect With Them
Connecting with people entails coming down to their level and explaining things the way they would understand. Remember your knowledge about your goods, service or idea might appear simple to you, but might not be so to your customer. Bring it down to their level and make it relatable.
Keep It Simple And Short (Kiss)
Don’t overdo it. Don’t over-call or mail or text. Nobody likes being pestered and they don’t have all the time in the world to listen to you either. When you have their audience, put it to good use.
Featured Image Source: Entrepreneur
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