How to Stop Suffering From I Hate to Sell But I Need to Pay My Bills

Guest post by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
How to Craft an Engaging Message That Highlights What You Do to Increase Sales - By Leanne Hoagland-Smith

As a sales professional, small business owner or service professional have you ever suffered had either or both of theses thoughts: I hate to sell, but I need to pay my bills. Boy, if I could only do what I love to do. A recent survey of 135 business consultants, executive coaches and professional facilitators revealed these exact thoughts.

In business, many are forced to adopt the role of salesperson when they truly do not want to be a salesperson. The reason is perceived as the only path to doing what they love to do. So this leads to the obvious question: How can I earn a living by not selling? The answer is quite simple stop selling and start educating.

In listening to a teleconference by Jay Niblick, President of Innermetrix, he talked discussed the results of this survey and the concept of education based marketing (EBM). Many service professionals engage in education based marketing, but do not leverage to its fullest potential or combined EBM with the traditional sales based marketing approach (SBM).

Here are some examples of EBM:

Speaking
Writing Articles, Columns, Books
Blogging
Engaging in Socratic Dialogues

Imagine that you and your potential customer (a.k.a. prospect) or qualified potential customer (a.k.a. qualified prospect) are each holding the opposite ends of a single rope. Now, you attempt to push the rope. What happens? Nothing! You and your potential customer are no closer together and you just may appear to look a little foolish.

Now using that same visual, imagine your qualified potential customer pulling the rope. What happens? You are now closer to your potential customer. Obviously, you do not look foolish because your potential customer wants you nearer to her or him.

To fully engage in education based marketing means that you truly must be knowledgeable about:

What you do
The known and unknown needs of your potential clients
The marketplace current and future trends

And it does not hurt to know as much as possible about the other resources available within the business community. When you embrace this approach of educating instead of selling, you can become the go to expert, the trusted advisor.

TAKE ACTION SALES COACHING TIP: Revisit your marketing and sales action plans and set some new goals using an education approach instead of a selling approach. Watch your revenue, your love of what you do and your loyal customers grow as you quickly increase sales.

Ok - It's Called Enterprise 2.0

What Do You Do When You Lose Your Mojo? 3 Tips

When selling a business is the highest bider always the best buyer?

9.3.4 Commercial banks: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005

Change 1 Thing To Move From Hating To Loving Sales!

Should You Change Jobs? Eight Things To Think About

Sales Mystery Revealed

Stop Selling Now!

Rebuilding Your Credit after Foreclosure on an Underwater Mortgage

Like it or not – Success is about being able to sell YOU

Heaven and Earth

Exit Plan or Shot In The Dark?

Start an Internet Based Home Business and Be Your Own Boss

Entrepreneurs – You’ve Decided To Build Your Business In Your Spare Time – What’s Your Plan?

Are You Working Yourself Happy?

Saving Money on your Monthly Bills

Sick, Well, and Better

All-Natural Dog Seizure Treatment

Raise Credit Score & Put Food On The Table or It's Bailout Time!

Article #8 Trying To Find Out What Bills To Pay This Month?

Home > Business-Coach > Leanne Hoagland-Smith > How to Stop Suffering From I Hate to Sell But I Need to Pay My Bills > Google +

Free PDF Download
How to Craft an Engaging Message That Highlights What You Do to Increase Sales - By Leanne Hoagland-Smith

About the Author: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

RSS for Leanne's articles - Visit Leanne's website
Executive consultant, sales coach and speaker, Leanne Hoagland-Smith, partners with innovative and crazy busy leaders who want to dramatically improve their team results. What this looks like differs for each firm and why a free strategy session is offered just by calling 219.759.5601 CDT USA to have a conversation about the results you are seeking. If you prefer you can forward a request to coach@processspecialist.com

Her book, Be the Red Jacket is a no-nonsense and quick read to help discover potential gaps that may be keeping you from your goal to increase sales. The forward is by Evan Carmichael of EvanCarmichael.com

Remember if you think you cannot or you think you can either way you are right. (Henry Ford). Sales Coaching Tip: Change your thoughts; improve your results.
Click here to visit Leanne's website.

More from Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Leadership Assessment
Business Building Check List
Leadership Audit For Business

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Featured Blog

Iridium consulting Blog
By Colin Graves, Iridium Consulting

How to Stop Suffering From I Hate to Sell But I Need to Pay My Bills

Related Articles

Related Forum Posts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.


Name:
Email: