Fuel-efficient vehicles have become an obsession of mine in the last few years. So much, that I would love the opportunity to sell one of these little clown cars that get up to 60 miles per gallon. Nothing would please me more than to get up on my fuel-economy soapbox and sell, sell, sell. But what would happen if I worked on a car lot that sold these fuel-efficient cars as well as the big, monster SUVs$%:
Obviously I would have a harder time selling an SUV than I would selling an ultra sleek, runs on banana peels and sunshine, mini-car. Selling comes easy when you're in love with your product. Your personal excitement will shine through every aspect of the sale and eventually grab hold of your customer. However, when you aren't fully and personally thrilled with your product, your confidence, energy and excitement diminish. Because of this, your ability to sell your product will significantly decrease. The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way. Being an effective salesperson means reenergizing yourself when you need it by realizing that there is always something for you to feel great about. You can successfully sell all of the products in your repertoire by securing a strong foothold in these core beliefs:
You sell the best products in the world.
Number of messagesEven if you aren't completely sold on the product you're selling, appreciate that there may be a customer of yours who is. Forget about how that product doesn't specifically suite you; focus on your customer. Feel great that you work for a company that has the ability to sell such a wide range of products. After all, that product may in fact be the exact product your customer needs to solve their problem. Take pride in the fact that your company has the ability to offer exactly what the customer wants. Discover the value of your product and believe in it; then your customers will believe in it, too.
You work for the best company in the world.
Without reciting the mission statement from the back of a brochure, give a reason why the company you work for is the best in the world. Your reason can be simple or complex and it can be anything you want it to be, as long as it's your own. I promise that if you spend the time thinking about it, you will easily find something about your company that you love; something that makes you feel proud to be a part of it. Your confidence and energy will surge when you feel united with a great company. When you believe in a company, you will be excited to represent it and the products it has chosen.
You are the best salesperson in the world.
This final belief is crucial, but the most important part is knowing why you are the best salesperson in the world. So, why are you the best$%: Is it because you make friends with your customers$%: Is it because you provide a great value$%: Is it because you make sure your customers are being taken care of$%: The answer you give will be as unique as your style of selling. It will also speak volumes about your confidence levels of your abilities. However, there is no correct answer to this question. Simply having an answer that you truly believe in is all you need.
When you find yourself less than thrilled about selling a particular product, remind yourself of these beliefs and why you believe them. It's natural to be shaky about one of these three beliefs from time to time, but it's encouraging to know that there is always something for you to feel great about. Whatever it is, grab a hold of it, and let it fuel you with the confidence, energy and excitement that make a salesperson great.