I came out of a networking session with some entrepreneurs the other day and I was surprised at their “selling approaches”. I would “break the ice” by introducing myself and then telling them: “I’m in the market for [insert their product], why should I buy from you?”
When I say surprised, I mean, not impressed. They were all over the board; they were dull, boring, no expression, no clear pitch, not prepared with information of their product/service etc. I was confused after each conversation (I had four of them). It got me thinking, why is it so hard for them to sell me their product/service? Well, I thought maybe with so much emphasis on social media as a way to market and sell your product or service that they forgot how to sell face-to-face, actually interacting with a live person. What do you think?
In case they decide to read my blog, here are some tips for your next sales pitch.
1) Personality
Show some genuine emotion, express yourself and be excited about what you are selling. It’s contagious. If you aren’t excited about what you are selling, then someone else should be doing the selling for you. The majority of the time, people will buy into “you”; your product or service is secondary.
2) Seek to understand, then to be understood
Listen to what the potential client is looking for. Ask questions so you can listen more and shape the needs of the potential client. You never want to be the one talking at the beginning because you need to cater your message to the needs of the client and if you don’t know what the client wants, then how can you determine if you can help them and sell product or service?
3) Be Honest with your potential client
This has never failed me. Don’t try and fake something you don’t know. If you were a good actor, you would be in Hollywood right now! Potential customers will see through this and you will not make a good impression. I look at every business opportunity as a long-lasting relationship, not transactional. Honesty commands respect and trust; so who wouldn’t want respect, trust and honesty to be the pillars of a long-lasting business relationship?
4) Show you strengths
Illustrate to your potential client what you are great at. Always talk benefits of what your product or service provides for the potential client. By showing your strengths, you will begin to engage with the potential client and establish a confidence in your ability.
Reality Business Consulting (RBC) (www.realityconsulting.ca) is a Toronto-based Marketing and Website Design and Development company dedicated to helping small business grow. We do this by providing insightful marketing and sales knowledge, planning, execution and website design and development, on a small business budget. The foundation of our success lies in our strong business acumen and our ability to listen to and understand the needs of our clients, translating their ideas into a concrete plan of action; ultimately, delivering profitable results for them.
If you are searching for a professional and customer-focused marketing company with extensive work in website design and development located in Toronto, contact us for a “Reality Check; a no-obligation, no-charge consultation of your business.