So you’ve decided to start a business. You have an amazing product or service that you know people need and want.
Now what?
How do you go about getting your business in front of the right people and turning them into paying customers?
Sales.
It may not be what comes to mind when you think of starting your own business, but sales are one of the most important skills you can learn – especially if you’re not a natural “salesperson.”
Download our 5 Ways to Enjoy Selling – Even If You Hate It Now
What is sales and why should you learn it
Sales is the art of persuasion.
It’s about convincing someone to see things your way and take action that benefits you both.
Whether you’re selling a product, a service, or an idea, the goal is always the same: to get the other person to say “yes.”
Why should you learn to be a salesperson?
Because it’s a skill that will benefit you in every area of your life.
Persuasion is at the heart of almost all human interaction, so if you can master the art of selling, you’ll be able to get what you want out of any situation.
From buying a car to asking for a raise, the ability to sell effectively can make all the difference.
In fact, some of the most successful people in the world are great salespeople.
So if you want to achieve success in any area of your life, learning sales is a good place to start.
The benefits of learning sales skills as a salesperson
Learning sales skills can be incredibly beneficial, both professionally and personally.
For starters, it can help you to close more deals and earn more commission. But it can also help you to build deeper relationships with clients and better understand their needs.
Sales skills can help you to become more persuasive and effective in negotiations.
And if you’re ever in a situation where you need to sell yourself or your ideas, having strong sales skills can make all the difference.
Ultimately, learning sales skills can give you a real competitive edge in business. And that’s something that everyone can benefit from.
How to get started in learning sales
Making a sales pitch can be daunting- whether you’re selling a product to a client or trying to land a new job, the process of persuasion can be anxiety-inducing.
However, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure that your pitch is successful.
Build Rapport
You may not like selling because you feel like a “salesperson” talking to a “prospect.”
But in reality, it’s just you talking to another human being. Like any other encounter, you need to start by building rapport.
Spend some time chatting, finding common ground, and getting to know the person before you start discussing their needs and your product.
Learn to Listen
Most of sales and being a salesperson is about listening.
Listen to the person and try to understand their problems. This will reveal information you can use to determine whether your product is right for them.
Listen more than you talk and make sure you understand what they’re saying. Clarify if you need to.
Pay close attention to body language and non-verbal clues as well.
Know Your Product
If you know your product well and you’re confident about its quality, you’ll find it much easier to sell.
You should know each feature it offers and the specific benefits they bring to the customer.
In other words, don’t just know what the product does, but how it can help improve people’s lives.
You should also know what sets your product apart from others.
What does your product do uniquely well?
How does it solve problems differently from other products on the market?
Know your industry and know your competitors.
Don’t Be Afraid of “No”
An important skill for salespeople is to build up resistance to the word “no.”
If you’re terrified of rejection, you won’t be able to approach customers and try to sell your product.
When a customer says no, it just means that your offering isn’t a good match.
Furthermore, it’s not a good match for where they’re at right now, which means it could be right for them in the future.
“No” isn’t a rejection of you personally. It’s the prospect giving you some valuable feedback.
Give Up the Hard Sell
When you think “sales,” do you picture the fast-talking high-pressure approach?
You shouldn’t.
Good sales are all about building a relationship with the prospect and working together to see if your product meets their needs.
Think of it this way: You’re getting to know someone new and seeing if they need what you have to offer.
Resource: 5 Sales Skills Anyone Can Learn to Be a Great Salesperson
Get Social
Sales are about getting out there and talking to people.
Get yourself fired up with plenty of positivity and make some new friends.
The more people you talk to, the higher your rate of success.
Also, the more you meet people, the more experience you’ll get and the more you’ll learn and hone your sales skills.
Sales techniques that work
Anyone who’s ever been in sales knows that making a sale is all about technique.
The right approach can be the difference between a successful transaction and an unsuccessful one.
There are countless books and articles on the subject, but it can be tough to wade through all of the information to find the techniques that actually work.
Now let’s take a look at three sales techniques that have been proven to be effective time and time again.
The first technique is known as “the trial close.”
This involves asking a series of questions that will help you gauge the likelihood of making a sale.
For example, you might ask a potential customer if they’re interested in learning more about your product or if they have any questions.
If they answer affirmatively, then you know you’re on the right track.
If they say no or seem hesitant, then you know you need to do more work to sell them on the idea.
The second technique is called ” echoing.”
This involves repeating back what the customer has said to you, in your own words.
For example, if someone says they’re looking for a product that’s durable and easy to use, you might say something like, “So you’re looking for a product that will last and be easy to use?”
This helps to build rapport and shows that you’re really listening to what they’re saying.
It also helps to clarify information so that there’s no misunderstanding later on.
Finally, the third technique is called “the benefit close.”
This involves highlighting the benefits of your product or service and how it can meet the needs of the customer.
For example, if someone is looking for a way to save money on their monthly expenses, you might say something like, “Our product can help you save money every month.”
This helps to show the customer how your product or service can help them meet their needs, which is often the most important factor in making a sale.
By using these three techniques, you can significantly increase your chances of making a sale.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that these techniques will work every time, but they’ve been proven to be effective more often than not.
So next time you’re in a sales situation, give them a try and see how they work for you.
Tips for overcoming objections
Sales objections can feel like a personal rejection.
They can trigger all sorts of negative emotions, from frustration to self-doubt.
It’s important to remember that objections are a normal part of the sales process and they don’t necessarily mean that the customer is not interested in your product or service.
Here are some tips for overcoming objections:
- Try to see things from the customer’s perspective. What are their concerns? What do they need to know in order to make a decision?
- Don’t take it personally. Objections are not a reflection on you or your product.
- Be prepared. Anticipate common objections and have ready answers.
- Listen carefully. Pay attention to what the customer is saying and restate their objection back to them to make sure you understand.
- Stay calm and focused. Don’t let emotions get the better of you. Take a deep breath and remain professional.
Closing the sale
The sale isn’t complete until the money is in the bank. That may seem like a no-brainer, but too often salespeople get so caught up in the process that they forget the ultimate goal.
So, what are some strategies for closing the sale?
First, as mentioned above, it’s important to build rapport with your potential customer.
They need to trust you and feel like you have their best interests at heart. Once you’ve established that connection, you can begin to move them toward a decision.
One effective technique is to use what’s known as the ‘foot-in-the-door’ method.
This involves making a small request first, which the customer is likely to agree to.
Once they’ve said ‘yes’, you can then ask for something larger.
It’s also important to be aware of any objections that might come up.
For instance, if your prospect says they’re not interested in buying right now, you could ask them when would be a good time to follow up.
By addressing their concerns head-on, you’ll be more likely to close the sale.
Lastly, always be prepared to negotiate.
In many cases, the customer will want to haggle over price or payment terms. Be ready to give a little bit in order to seal the deal.
Conclusion
Sales is a skill that can be learned with a bit of practice.
By using the techniques we’ve outlined in this article, you can improve your chances of making a sale.
It’s important to stay calm and focused during the sales process, and remember that objections are normal.
Be prepared for negotiations and always have your customer’s best interests at heart.
With a little effort, you’ll be closing more sales in no time!
Do you hate the feeling of being pushy or salesman-y?
Does the idea of having to sell make you want to run for the hills? If you’re nodding your head in agreement, then you’re not alone.
A lot of people struggle with selling because they don’t feel comfortable doing it.
They might be worried about being too pushy, or they might not know how to effectively communicate what they’re selling.
The good news is that there are ways to overcome these challenges and become a master seller.
Our full program will teach you everything you need to know, from the basics of how to sell to more advanced strategies for closing deals.
You’ll learn how to master your mindset so that you can approach selling with confidence and ease.
And you’ll develop the skills you need to sell effortlessly, without feeling like you’re pushing someone into something they don’t want.
If you’re ready to take your sales skills to the next level, then check out our program today.
