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I want to tell you a simple secret: Facts tell, stories sell. Have you ever heard someone say, ”you’re selling a story?” That’s right. In sales, whether as a salesman talking to a potential customer over the phone or a copywriter managing your sales page or blog, you need effective communication skills. In this article, I’m going to take you on a journey to becoming a master salesperson.
Sales Are All About Communicating
People don’t sell because they aren’t communicating. “Top-notch communication skills are essential,” said Jeff Bezos, speaking to a group of business leaders in J. F Kennedy School of Business, Harvard. Top-notch communication skills are so essential that when LinkedIn surveyed 4,000 hiring professionals, “leadership and communication” topped the list of must-have job requirements. When I came across these revelations by Bezos and LinkedIn study, I was angry with myself for not taking too serious seminar presentations organized during my course of study.Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
The True Idea Behind Selling Is Storytelling
When I leant that you need storylines to sell, I was sad I had been doing all wrong. Nevertheless, I can still communicate effectively, and as well, tell good stories. In today’s business world you can break through if you can sell stories to investors and customers. People don’t buy products, they buy emotions and attach logic as an excuse to buy them. Can you sell a wheelchair to a man who is walking well on his feet or sell iced blocks to people living in zero degree zones? All you need to do is to pitch a story, appeal to their emotions and make them feel your story, make them feel they have a role in playing a part that can cause change or cause history. Example 1 Let me sell an iced block to a man living in a zero degree zone. ”Hi, I’m Emeka. I work with Bluewaters Corporation. Would you love to buy an iced block for $1 to help kids dying of hunger in Yemen and at the same time preserve your vegetables and soups for weeks?” Pitch a story. Paint pictures with words. Example 2 Let me sell a pen. ”Good morning Mr Phelps. I’m Emeka I work with Executive Plc. I am aware you need a bulk supply of pens for your forthcoming conference in May. Well, my company would love to supply your Department with that. Our pens are not just the best in efficiency but have retained that spot since 1962 when the first man landed on the moon. It’s the limited edition of J.F Kennedy Executive space pen that writes in crystal colours under any temperature.”Conclusion
Whether you’re selling a product to a potential customer or pitching your business idea to potential investors, the success of your endeavour lies in storytelling. When you sell with stories you’ve sold three things — Time, Space and Efficiency — which are the very ingredients of good storytelling. Featured Image Source: Writing With HopeGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
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