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What is Selling?

Written by: Wendy Weiss

Article Overview: Whenever I do a workshop or teleconference, I frequently ask participants, 'What are the words that come to mind when you hear the word, 'salesperson'?' Invariably, I hear back words like, 'manipulative,' 'dishonest,' 'unethical,' and 'sleazy.'

What is Selling?

I looked up the word 'sell' in the dictionary. This is what it said:

'To persuade (another) to recognize the worth or desirability of something.'

This definition assumes value. It assumes that you recognize the value of whatever it is that you are selling. Inherent in the definition is the concept of worth or desirability.

I also looked up 'salesperson,' 'saleswoman,' 'salesman,' 'sales clerk,' and my favorite, 'sales talk.' The definition for 'sales talk' was, 'a line of reasoning or argument intended to persuade someone to buy something.'

Whenever I do a workshop or teleconference, I frequently ask participants, 'What are the words that come to mind when you hear the word, 'salesperson'?' Invariably, I hear back words like, 'manipulative,' 'dishonest,' 'unethical,' and 'sleazy.'

In the dictionary, however, when I looked up all of the above sales words, none of the definitions referenced 'manipulative,' 'dishonest,' 'unethical,' 'sleazy,' or anything particularly negative. The language in these definitions was actually quite neutral and several of them spoke of value.

Unfortunately, in our culture, the words 'sales' or 'sell' are viewed with disrespect. The words no longer simply mean to persuade someone of the value of what you are offering. Instead they carry the baggage of images of untrustworthiness and deviousness. This is a misconception that does an enormous disservice.

Far too often, entrepreneurs and sales professionals buy into this stereotypical image of sales and see the activity of selling as negative and untrustworthy. They feel that if they are selling (or being perceived to be selling), they are doing something that is not quite right or that has the potential to be not quite right. It's as if there is a line drawn someplace, but they don't know where that line is or when they've stepped over it. It causes them to be cautious and careful and worry about how they are perceived. This anxiety puts them, in their own minds, at a disadvantage and on a lower level than their prospects and customers. This is a difficult place to be. And it stops many from taking action.

Since the definition of the word 'sell' used the word 'persuade,' I looked up that word in the dictionary. It said:

'1. to prevail on a person to do something, 2. to induce to believe; convince'

Again, nowhere in that definition do we find the words, 'manipulative,' 'dishonest,' 'unethical,' 'sleazy,' or anything particularly negative. As with the word, 'sell,' the language is quite neutral.

The bottom line: Selling is persuading and convincing people to buy your products and/or services. That persuasion is based on value. If you cannot persuade and convince people to buy your products and/or services, then you do not have a business.

If you believe that selling is 'manipulative,' 'dishonest,' 'unethical,' and 'sleazy,' this belief will not support your ability to build a business. It is very difficult to sell (persuade and convince) while believing that selling (persuading and convincing) is wrong. It is time for many business owners and sales professionals to change their beliefs about the words 'selling' and 'sales.'

The truth is that most entrepreneurs, business owners and s.ales professionals are honest, ethical and believe in the value they have to offer. And that is where the focus should be.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you believe in the value of your products/services?
2. Do your products/services provide a benefit to your customers?
3. Do you believe in the value of what you are selling?
4. Are you doing the best you know how to ensure that your customers get what they need?

If you have answered 'yes' to the above questions, then you are proceeding with integrity. If you are proceeding with integrity, then obviously you are not being 'manipulative,' 'dishonest,' 'unethical,' and 'sleazy.' You can persuade, convince and sell with your head held high.

If you answered 'no' to the questions above, then get out of the business. It's not a fit for you. Find something else to do in which you can believe.

Let's reclaim the words 'sell' and 'sales.' Let's redefine the words to mean, 'to persuade and convince with integrity.' Let's remember that value is inherent in the definition. Then everyone would understand that as long as they proceed with integrity and as long as they believe in the value of what they are selling, selling is an ethical and moral act.



© 2007 Wendy Weiss

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Article Tags: dictionary, sales professionals, sales professionals



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Re: Kevin's Case Study #10 - When to become an entrepreneur? - When the bug bite you. A lot of successful entrepreneurs started in their teens or at school. Selling sweets to fellow students or lemonade to firends in the neighbourhood.
Re: This is Marketing Warfare! - Hey GT, I guess this was from a while back, and it'll test your memory a bit but could you possibly elaborate on Unique Selling Proposition? Can you give us some examples of good USPs?
Blog pinging - Thanks Martin - yes, I do ping and it has been very effective. I'm currently on the first page of Google for Mastermind Group and on the second page for Selling to Small Business.
Business magazines - Fast Company is pretty good if you're into technology although it can be very on the edge. Entrepreneur has become one giant advertisement and I cancelled my subscription. Selling Power also has some useful content if you're looking at improving your sales skills / presentations.
New Guy Here - Automobile Industry - Hi Everyone, My name is Ray and I work as a sales trainer in the automobile industry. I have just completed a new training curriculum for automobile salespeople in the industry. It is called The Baby Steps of Selling Automobiles. I am beginning my marketing efforts through press releases and seminar formats. I joined the community due to my continued desire to work independently creating my own happiness and growth. Thank you for having me and I look forward to more correspondence in the future.


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