Have you ever thought about being part of the sales industry?  Many of you reading this probably are.  NEWS FLASH!  We are all in the sales industry.

It does not matter what profession you are in, you are a salesperson.  If you think you are in the sales business than I am stating the obvious but please read on as you may benefit from this insight.

If you don’t think you are in the sales industry, then I would ask you the following question: does someone pay you or your business?  Question answered!

I recently listened to one of my mentors on the John Maxwell Team share his “6 Sales Secrets.”  These guidelines will not only help you to be more successful at selling your product or service but will help you to connect better with the people you want to do business with.

Here are six ways to improve your skills in presenting your product or service that will make your client or customer WANT to do business with you.

PASSION – In order to successfully sell your product or services, you must appear passionate about what you are selling.  If people believe that what you are providing is important, you have a much better chance of doing business with them.  A positive attitude about it creates a belief that the product or service will solve a problem that they currently have.

SELF CONFIDENCE – Nothing turns a client or customer away faster than someone who is finding it difficult to explain what they have to offer.  Be knowledgeable on what you are offering and be clear on how it will help them eliminate a problem or enhance something that they are already doing well.  KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SELLING!  If you don’t believe in it, neither will they.

HABITS – We all understand the difference between good habits and bad habits.  If your habits are not making you more proficient in your job responsibilities, make the necessary changes to do so.  Habits help us to do things without even thinking about it.  When you get thrown a curve ball when speaking with a client and have to take the time to think about a response, you are already too late.  Go over your “elevator speech” and be ready when opportunity knocks.

WORK PLAN – Plan Your Work (PYW) – Work Your Plan (WYP).  This one is simple … Write down your work plan and follow it.  If you are trying to be successful at business and are not following a written plan, how will you know if you are meeting your goals or not?  You have to have something in writing to measure your success against.  If you are not meeting your goals, a written plan will help you to see where the problem is and possibly how to fix it.

CURIOSITY – Be curious as to what others in your industry are doing that is working.  Also be aware of what they are doing that is not working.  The best way to learn is at someone else’s expense.  Watching what’s going on around you can provide valuable information and is typically free of charge.

NETWORK – When you help others, they will be inclined to help you.  Utilize every opportunity you have to build your network.  In many cases, who you know can be more powerful that what you know.

Simply said, we are in in the sales business.  Your success will be directly related to your ability to solve problems and add value to those that you are trying to business with.

Still think you are not in the sales business!

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Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   7/23/12