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Sales Will Solve Many of Today's Problems

Written by: Ross Arntson

Article Overview: Many businesses are contracting rather than expanding in these difficult economic times. Contracting will insure failure, while the expanding principle will almost surely be rewarded with success.

Sales Will Solve Many of Today's Problems

During this economic rough ride these last few months, I feel that many businesses have forgotten what their primary responsibility is...sales. Whether you have a small business or a multi-million dollar business, when things get tough, sell more!

If you're one of those people who think they they're not a salesperson and don't like it, I have some bad news for you, you're in sales. I began my career in sales and to this day, it has provided for me very well. If I were in a situation where my finances were struggling, my first piece of business would be to sell more or find something to sell. Every business relies on selling and if you have a stigma about selling and talking to people about your product or services, try these helpful tidbits;

Dos:

• Develop a five foot rule. If someone is within five feet of me, I intend to talk to them. Strike up a conversation about what they're wearing, their dog, the weather or the type of detergent in their grocery cart.

• Learn a few anecdotal stories to break the ice. Once you have struck up a conversation, a nice story is great in keeping the attention of your prospect. Even better, if your story can circle around about what you do or a product you sell.

• Keep up with current events or sports. There is nothing worse than not being able to respond to a question regarding current events. It is generally accepted if you don't follow sports.

• Humor rules. People love to laugh and even more, they love people who make them laugh. Jokes are good, but keep them short, clean and non-biased. This comes with a qualifier; if you are not good at telling jokes, don't!

• Relax. Be yourself, don't force it. People want to know you, not who you think you should be. Besides, people can tell when you're faking it, so why try. Be unique and authentic, remember that your first encounter with a potential client is not when you sell; it's when they get to know you.

Don'ts:

• Talk religion. In sales it is very important to remain somewhat neutral. I'm not suggesting that you down play or negate your beliefs, simply not to make it a primary topic.

• Talk politics. This follows the same rules as religion. With political lines nearly at the 50/50 mark, you can easily loose a prospective client by bringing up the opinion on politics too early in a business relationship.

• Talk yourself out of a sale. How many times have you had an argument with yourself about the validity of a person you are about to approach. Never underestimate who you are talking to. Many times it's not who they "are", but who they "know".

• Sell. Yes, I'm talking about selling in this column, but first meetings are about you, not your product. Instead, get to know them and let them get to know you and what you do.

• Lie or exaggerate. Need I say more?

Remember, people don't buy products, they buy people. You are not selling your product, you're selling yourself. Although you my not like the idea it's a simple fact. I have found many who flounder in the art of sales are having the same difficulty in other areas of their life as well. I cover these and many more topics in my upcoming book "Rebuilt with Purpose, Get ready for the Ride of Your Life!"

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Related Forum Posts
Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional - Hi Evan, I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing
Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional - [quote="ltrahan":31w9r2iz]Hi Evan, I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing[/quote:31w9r2iz] I second the request...
Hello From Marietta GA! - Hello All! My name is Tim Naylor and I am in Direct Sales! I am glad I have found EC's sites and I hope to learn and share a lot!
taxes in canada - Well in Canada we only have a few provinces and the Sales tax is slightly different. Here in Ontario the Goods & Services tax has reduced to 5% from 7% in the last year due to the promises made by the government in place.
Re: Watch What you Read - I agree. i believe more video's should be like Jeffery Gitomers video's under his Sales rant. They are typically not more than 3 minutes. His model seems to be; 1. Main Message (or Point) 2. Example 3. Next steps to put it into Action take away the extra "blabber" and you've got viewers that will come back.


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