You're tenacious and driven, aren't you? Taking whatever steps necessary to work in sales. It's a cutthroat business where only the fittest survive! To be successful, you must have hunger or determination. There are many paths towards success, but if your goal is fat paychecks, then I've got just what will help get them flowing faster than ever before. Whether you're looking to make your grand debut towards working in sales, or have been working in the field since the dawn of the fax machine, then this blog post is sure to have some gems for you.
You will learn what it takes to work in sales. You won’t make enemies out of them, but you’ll be one step ahead! We explore the best practices for creating lifelong customers and becoming an indispensable key player within any company – are you ready? Buckle up, buttercup, because we’re going straight into battle with these tips (and some tricks) on how not only to survive and thrive. But more importantly, give you a significant advantage over your colleagues.
What to wear if you plan on working in sales?
“Dress to impress” is a common mantra in the business world. It might sound pretty straightforward, but it can be surprising how little effort people put into their day-to-day wardrobe. Think about this, you come into the office and spend countless hours calling clients, networking, and closing deals only to overlook a key component. How you look says a lot about yourself. Your appearance shows others that you take yourself seriously; it also shows your clients that you care about how you present yourself.
There’s no doubt there’s a lot of truth behind this statement mentioned earlier in the previous paragraph; taking a little time to set aside what you will wear can make a difference. Your confidence will soar, and your energy level will rise – making it much easier to build rapport and close deals. It’s not about being flashy; it’s all about looking sharp and put together.
Pantsuit or dress, dress shirt, and tie for men
Dress shirt and blouse for women
Oxford shoes/closed-toe pumps (no sandals)
A conservative hairstyle – nothing too extreme
Investing a little more time towards grooming yourself will go a long way since it will not only give you additional confidence, and who does want to feel like dominating your field, titan in your industry, or whatever analogy you want to fit? In here. It will also show your clients that you play with the big boy/ girls and are not here to waste anyone’s time.
Did you know that dressing in formal attire(similar to a job interview) can change the way you think and how your brain functions? A 2015 study at Social Psychological and Personality Science found that subjects dressed in formal attire performed better on tests and took matters more seriously than those dressed casually.
What mindset do you need to work in sales?
Let me toss you into a scenario for a moment. You are in the final stages of a deal, and it’s time to make your pitch. This is the moment where you either make or break the sale. However, you have been experiencing some setbacks lately and find less than positive thoughts running through your mind. Instead of focusing on closing this deal and making it happen, you’re thinking about other matters that are eating away at your psyche. You come off unenthusiastic, monotone, and cannot make a strong case for your product/ service. Now you lost the sales deal with that planned trip in Fiji because of not having your head into game mode! This is an excellent example of how mindset can affect negotiations AND relationships.
There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your thinking.
– Brian Tracy
Imagine if you were in a situation where your outlook on life was so positive, it would be hard for anything to bring down the vibes. The difference between these two scenarios is that one has an attitude of worry and negativity, and the other screams positivity. At the same time, the other finds ways around potential problems with positivity! You can make your product or service stand out from the rest and convince this client to buy by creating a more captivating proposal.
The moral of the story scenario is having a positive mindset is vital when working in sales. When you can focus on the positives, it becomes easier to take care of business and close deals. Look at any athlete or celebrity, and you’ll see that they all have this in common. Being able to do things others can’t imagine doing because of their strong state of mind, which includes your ability! A happy frame of mind enables us to go ahead with what matters most instead of letting minor setbacks throw off our whole game plan. Possibly costing us deals before even getting started.
But how can you stay in this state of mind when things are constantly going wrong?
One way to keep your attitude positive is by practicing self-compassion. This means being kind and understanding to yourself when things don’t go as planned. Accepting that you are human and will make mistakes is the first step. Forgiving yourself for these mistakes is the second step, and lastly, learning from your mistakes, so you don’t make them again. Practicing self-compassion will help you stay positive and motivated, even when things are tough.
What do you need to know to work in a sales role?
To get ahead in this field, you have to become the expert, master your craft, and go above and beyond your expectations. This means doing your research and knowing as many aspects of the product as possible, right? Making you as knowledgeable as possible and being available to answer any questions the client may have will, in turn, push you ahead of your friendly neighborhood competitor. Remember that you are here to build relationships, not just sell products or services. This means taking the time to get to know your client and what their needs are.
One way of doing this is through a “needs assessment,” which will help you determine what matters most to them and how you can best solve their problem. Use a needs assessment to determine what matters most to them. Remember, you are there to help solve their problem, make their life easier, or push aside the competition.
It’s not about you. It’s about them.
When you can shift your focus from yourself and what you want (closing the deal, making more money) to them and their needs, it creates a much stronger relationship right off the bat. Doing this also enables you to understand their problem and, in turn, better, make a proposal tailored specifically for them, in short, a value-added proposition.
Not only is this the right thing to do, but it’s also a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition down the street as they are likely still pitching their product in the same manner regardless of who they are talking with.
What are sales all about?
From the days of selling extended guarantees on appliances back when Futureshop first opened its doors to fast-forwarding to the now, where everything can be sold online with a click of a button, one thing has stayed the same; sales is all about solving a problem.
The art of selling has changed over time as technology has evolved and created new ways for buyers to purchase products and services. However, what hasn’t changed is what to make. This is a mantra I live by and has brought me success in my career. When you can see things from clients’ perspectives, it becomes easier to identify their needs and create a proposal that meets those requirements.
It becomes less about what is being sold and more about how the product will help improve their current situation, fit their needs, or make their life easier; you get the idea. When you shift your focus in this manner, not only do you make it easier for the client to understand what you’re proposing, but you also show them that you genuinely care about their well-being and not just make a sale.
Sales is a marathon, not a sprint.
This is a lesson I learned early in my career, and it has served me well. It isn’t about pressure sales tactics or using hard-sell techniques until the client feels terrorized by your calls. This can lead to your client avoiding you on purpose. You do not want to be that person. It’s about taking the time to understand their needs, build a relationship of trust over time, and then provide them with a proposal that meets their needs and blows the competition out of the water. Patience is a critical component in sales, as it can often take a few meetings before they are ready. Offering a valued-oriented proposal also helps in this regard as it shows that you are looking out for their best interests and not just trying to make a quick buck.
How to attract new customers?
You can always tell a lot about what customers want by asking them. You don’t need to be shy; this isn’t your date. It’s business. This is your chance to learn more about them, their needs, and what they are looking for in a product or service.
Not only will this help you better understand their needs, but it will also help to build trust with them. Remember, the more they trust you, the more likely they will buy from you. Take a look at their body language and see if they are engaged in the conversation.
Take the following questions into account when trying to land that next big deal:
What are their needs?
What is your biggest challenge right now?
What are your top priorities?
What is your budget?
When are you looking to make a decision?
The goal here is not to have all the answers but to be prepared and gather as much information as possible to better serve the customer. It’s also important to listen carefully, take notes, and ask follow-up questions. Building a relationship takes time, effort, and most importantly, communication is vital.
Keep in mind to ask “open-ended” questions as shown above and not “yes/no” questions as it will help keep the conversation flowing.
Mirror the best
Mirroring what successful people do is one of the best ways to learn. If you want an example, find someone in your company that’s great at selling and emulate their behavior! Possibly watch Harvey Specter’s character from Suits win cases with style while making his point- similar types aren’t always appropriate, though; maybe use more tempered tactics like Jordan Belfort in The Wolf Of Wall Street, in the “sell me this pen” scene.
Start with what you know and work your way up. Learning from those who have been before you can be an invaluable tool in your business arsenal. Watching and studying what they do could give new meaning to the term “mentor” as it relates specifically toward modeling or finding a successful individual within any given industry; this will help shorten not only how long it takes for someone like yourself to learn about these things but also make sure that all aspects of their education come full circle.
The goal should be to become an instructor eventually. So, what are you waiting for? Find your triumphant muse and get to work!
In the immortal words of Nike, “Just do it”!
How to find your career path?
I am sure that not every salesperson loves the product they sell. I would go as far as to say that the majority of them probably don’t.
Consider what lights up your world. It could be anything from video games, traveling, or fashion–the list goes on! Once you find that interest/hobby start doing some research in the industry and see if any trends are emerging where they might overlap with the skillset for this type of career (i.e., gaming). It will become easier to narrow down which ones can offer something specifically related to sales.
Then, it’s a matter of taking that information and turning it into a plan. You might want to consider shadowing someone in the industry related to your passion(as mentioned above). This is a great way to gain experience and start building relationships. The more people you know, the easier it will be to find potential clients down the road.
The goal is to find that overlap and build on it. When it comes time to sell, you’ll be able to talk about the product with excitement and authority because you’ll know that you’re not just selling a product but a dream.
Remember that new industries are emerging all the time, now more than ever. Look at the changing landscape of the metaverse and how people buy digital assets. It’s an exciting time to be alive and in sales!
Sum it all up:
Sales is a challenging but rewarding field. It’s important to remember that it takes more than just product knowledge to be successful. You need to build relationships and understand your customer’s needs. Stay positive and do not buckle under pressure since pressure is a part of the game. Most importantly, please find what you’re passionate about and use it to your advantage. With the right attitude and approach, anything is possible. Remember, the time you invest towards your job is an investment into your future and will pay off in the long run. Good luck closing those funnels, and make sure to hit your quotas!
We’re going to change the world! I know it may sound lofty, but this effort toward empowerment, education, and inspiration is something that needs your help. It might even give you a little inspiration on what we can achieve when working together as one team towards our goals.
So please share our article with friends/family members who could benefit from reading it. The first step usually isn’t easy; however, thanks for being part of my journey, and keep in mind that the best is yet to come.
Let others know what strategies or advice you found helpful. Share your advice in the comment section below. This has been “7 Simple Questions To Survive And Succeed In Sales” I hope it was helpful.
