Does "Selling" Make You Uncomfortable?

I was inspired to write this short message after being on a conference call and hearing the leader talk about his discomfort with making a sales pitch to an audience. It reminded me of myself from not too long ago.

If you're anything like me, you don't consider yourself a "salesman" although you have to sell your products and services if you expect to make a profit. 

It took a while for me to stand before an audience and promote my products and services in detail. In the beginning I would quickly mention that I had products at the back table if someone was interested in making a purchase. I glossed over my coaching services, assuming people would understand what I do and seek me out. I didn't want to come across as pushy or sales-y for fear of turning prospective buyers off. Needless to say, I didn't make a high percentage of sales.

Many of us, including me, have had enough bad experiences being sold to or being manipulated to buy something we really didn't want or need thatour ability to trust hasbeen shattered. This anti-sales attitude causes us to go out of our way to not come across as pushy or sales-y to the point that our ability to turn prospects to paying clients is undermined. This fear of selling can be the very thing that is stopping you from growing your business to its fullest potential.

Whether you are in retail sales or professional services, you want to seize, not avoid, every opportunity to offer your products and services. Remember that you're in business to meet a need and change lives. This revelation, and approach, should eliminate any fear you have of coming across as another "sleazy salesman" and allow you to freely operate in authenticity. Offering your products and services is about inspiring others to bless themselves and be open to new possibilities. Doing business with you is a natural expression of that. More to come ...

 

Make Your Mess Your Message

Oh the pressure of trying to appear as though we have it all together. Look perfect, show no fear and keep your struggles a secret! Let people believe that you've always had the "Midas Touch" and that everything you've put your hands to has turned into gold.

Such pretense is a sure way to derail your opportunity to achieve great success. Why? Your compelling story, with its many struggles, is what connects you to the heart of your ideal client.

The reason Oprah's show was a huge success for 25 years, when similar shows fell by the wayside, is because Oprah pulled back the veil and allowed the world to see her warts. She openly talked about the sexual abuse, promiscuity, teenage abortion, bad relationships, insecurities, and oh the battle of the bulge! Millions of women from around the world connect with her because of her vulnerability and the fact that she overcame in spite of it all.

As crazy as it sounds, all the things you're trying to keep quiet about are critical to having the business you've always wanted. You need to harness the hidden power of your disasters and turn them into dollars.

In all reality, it's not even about you. Your compelling story is the key to your prospects' breakthrough. Cute quotes on Facebook and Twitter are inspiring, but sharing the brutal truth about your challenges helps move people to take action in their own lives and businesses.

When new subscribers join my mailing list, within the first 7 days they receive an email message sharing my story ... the ups, downs and ultimate breakthrough----not about my degrees and certifications. My story qualifies me to help take their businesses to the next level and motivates their decision to hire me.

You might be wondering why people would want to know about your struggles, failures and mess ups? The reality is, that's exactly what they DO want to know about, because it meets them where they are. When you are forthright about how you overcame your struggles, your prospects will see how you can help overcome their challenges.

Take Action Challenge:

Write your story in 500 words. Share it with your prospects and clients. Post it on your website. Allow it to become the cornerstone of your message because when you unleash the power of your compelling story, your business will not be the same.