The concepts of sales and salesmanship are ones that have intrigued me for many years now. When I was finishing up high school, I wasn’t entirely sure of what I wanted to study in university, and sales was recommended to me by a number of people, one such person being my guidance counsellor at the time. I’ve never had an issue with conversing with people, regardless if I know them personally or not, and I’ve been told I can be quite persuasive, depending on the subject matter.
When I graduated from university with a Bachelor’s degree in Honours English, I was fortunate enough to land a job immediately, and, even better, in my actual field of study. I can recall in my interview for a journalist position being asked if sales would be something I would consider in case the journalism spot was filled by a different candidate – fortunately, I got the job, but I was flattered to be considered for sales, too.
My mom has joked her entire life that my dad is a natural-born salesman, despite him being a farmer, so perhaps I gained my sales tendencies from him. But, whether you’re in actual sales for your career or not, the idea of sales is one that applies to all sorts of things, and having some knowledge of what is required to be a fine salesperson can be quite useful in other areas of life. As an example, strong social skills are arguably tied in with being a great salesperson because you need to be able to connect with your customers on a personal level; strong social skills carry over into, and can be applied to everyday conversation, so it isn’t overly difficult trying to distinguish how being savvy in and with sales can be useful in all sorts of different scenarios and situations.
“Even if you’re not in a traditional sales role, mastering the art of persuasion can open countless doors. From acing job interviews to clinching crucial deals, understanding the psychology of selling is key. So, let’s dive into seven essential strategies to supercharge your sales skills and set yourself up for success.
“Take a training program
“A sales service training programs offer invaluable skills and insights that can transform the way you engage with potential buyers. While this is relevant for anybody who is in a customer-facing position, it can also be helpful for people who need to master the art of negotiation and customer psychology.
“Essentially, you can learn not only how to track your sales, but you can also use the same metrics to boost your unique career path. For instance, the training can teach you how to spend effective time engaging with people toward a desired result. You can definitely use sales tactics to build a promotion path for yourself in the workplace or impress at a speed dating event.
“The importance of fashion in perception
“How do you see yourself? How do people see you? What you wear speaks volumes, so this is why it is important to figure out your style. Of course, you want to dress professionally to build trust and credibility with clients and colleagues. But you also do not want to end up looking like everybody else in the corporate world. Your style will convey professionalism and a unique personality!
“Practice your speech
“Knowing what you’re going to say is one thing. Knowing how you are going to sound while saying it is another. Practice your voice and intonation to convey confidence and enthusiasm, and pay attention to body language for effective communication.
“Improve your writing
“This is the 21st century. Most people are likely to engage with you via email. So, this takes us to an important question: How confident are you about sending cold emails? You want to be able to send emails that convince and engage. This is why it’s a good idea to learn the techniques of written communication.
“The Harvard Business Review has a helpful tutorial on the subject, written by a pro to help you elevate your email game.
“Learn how to present
“There’s no surprise here. People still love a good presentation, whether you are pitching for a role or a client’s contract. You may not love it, but you need to present with the same confidence as if you were given a Ted Talk. So, it’s where it’s crucial to structure presentations logically, use visuals to support your message, and practice delivery for confident and captivating presentations.
“Learn some basic graphic skills
“What does modern communication look like? While there is some level of face-to-face, there is a lot more time dedicated to digital communication. This means that you need to convey your message without physically talking to people. So, you need to make it visually clear and appealing.
“Not sure where to start? Platforms such as Canva can transform your game and help you create clear graphics and even PPT presentations. So, it’s worth training yourself to use it!
“Are you ready to bring your sales skills from 0 to 100? As explained, you don’t need to be in a sales team to benefit from those skills!”
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash
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