We’re all salespeople!
Let's face it, even if we don't like to admit it, we're all selling something every day.
I know, "sales" can sound pushy and annoying, but the truth is, we're doing it all the time without even noticing.
Whether you're trying to convince your partner to go on a trip that only you are excited about or persuading your boss that you deserve a raise, selling is a part of everyday life.
That's why it's important to understand the basics of selling if you want things to go your way.

Common mistakes

Many salespeople struggle with the fundamentals of selling, which often leads to their lack of success. They can sometimes seem pushy and irritating, contributing to the negative perception people have of sales professionals.

A common mistake people make is not paying enough attention to the other person. Instead, they focus too much on pushing their product onto everyone. This approach can definitely make you seem pushy.

Selling isn't about you; it's about them! You need to offer something beneficial to the other person.
After all, why would they agree to what you're asking if there's nothing in it for them?

Here are the two fundamentals of being successful in sales.

The art of sales

1. Provide a benefit

2. Take away fear
   

Provide a benefit:
Why would someone do what you ask? Sure, some folks might do you a favor or just want to be helpful, but in the business world, that's not usually how things work.
You can't just go around trying to sell your product or service to everyone you meet.

To get someone to commit to you, it's important to offer them a benefit.
Sales is all about solving problems, so the first step is to identify what the problem is. Once you know that, you can offer a solution.

The rest involves building trust and ensuring your customer feels secure about working with you.
Success in sales comes from providing value to the other person. Everyone is looking for solutions to their problems, and if you can offer those solutions, you'll always do well in sales.
Plus, it becomes enjoyable because you're not just selling, you're genuinely helping people, and that feels great. On the other hand, pushing a product just to make a profit feels awful because deep down, we know it's not about the customer's needs.

1. Listen to understand what your potential customers problem is.

2. Provide a solution

Take away fear:
After you've come up with a solution, the next step is to ease any fears about commitment. A lot of folks struggle with committing, often because they don't fully trust the situation. It's important to build that trust and make people feel confident and secure about partnering with you.

We don't really pick our favorites; we just go with what feels safest. That's why McDonald's is so successful. No matter where you are, when you walk into a McDonald's, you know exactly what to expect.

It's really important to remove the fear of making a wrong choice from the minds of your potential customers. How can you effectively achieve that?
One of the most crucial steps is to show unwavering confidence that your product or service is indeed the solution they need.
This confidence should be evident in every interaction and communication you have with them.

If you want people to commit to your offering, they need to trust you implicitly. Building this trust is not a one-time effort but a continuous process that involves being consistently present for them, addressing their concerns, and providing genuine assistance with their problems.
Trust is cultivated over time through actions that demonstrate your reliability.

Help them feel confident and comfortable by building trust and easing their worries about making a mistake.

That’s how you close deals.

In conclusion

Let's face it, we're all in the business of selling something, even if we don't have "sales" in our job title. Whether you're a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, or an artist, at some point, you'll need to pitch an idea, a concept, or a solution to someone important in your life. This could be a boss, a client, a colleague, or even a friend or family member.
That's why it's crucial to grasp the basics of selling.
Selling is not just about pushing a product or service; it's really about solving problems and offering benefits that make a difference in people's lives.

If you can't do either—solve a problem or offer a benefit—why should anyone pay attention to your ideas?
Life is all about creating win-win situations where both parties feel they have gained something valuable.
You need to show the value in choosing you, your idea, service, or product.
This means clearly articulating what you offer can improve their situation.
Help yourself by helping others.

Thank you for reading.