Growing up, I was always under the impression that the people who work in sales only care about profit and money, and do not care about what they are selling at all. That might be the case for some sales reps, but 9 out of 10 times, they’re probably horrible at their job.
Being in sales for the past few months has not only helped my career, but it has helped shape my personality in a lot of ways. Here are six methods that have helped me be a better a sales rep, and can help you as well:
1. Have Fun
The main reason I love being in sales is because I have so much fun while doing my job! I like to think about my job as a game, in which all my accounts are missions that I have to accomplish. I treat any client who says that they are not interested as a failed mission, which I ultimately have to accomplish to finish the game--which, in this case, is my job.
2. Be Persistent
One of the most important parts about my job is to be persistent and never lose hope. I’ve had to deal with various kinds of people throughout this adventure, and not all of them were always nice. One time, a lady almost slapped me without even knowing what I was there for! However, the important thing to keep in mind is to keep being confident and believing in yourself.
3. Understand Their Problem
Another key aspect about being a sales rep is to always be approachable. Your client is listening to you; they are looking for ways in which the deal will benefit them, so you have to make sure that you understand how you can help your client. You might deceive them into thinking that you’re helping them when you’re actually not, but that’s just going to hurt your business in the long run. Thus, make sure you are selling a product or a service that will actually solve your client’s problems.
4. Respect Their Time
Always remember that your client has 100 things going on at the same time, so do not try to push for a meeting at a time where you would not be able to get their full attention. If you can tell at any point that your client is thinking about something else, there’s no harm in pausing and trying to address it if they have any concerns. If they are busy when you are approaching them, ask them for a time when they will be free and I can assure you that they will appreciate that you value their time.
5. Be Organized
You have to make sure that you’re respecting your own time as well. Being in sales has taught me that you have to be as productive as possible throughout the day. I started creating excel sheets for my clients and approached them accordingly, which not only helped me save time but save a lot of effort as well.
6. Believe In Your Product
I would have probably never closed a single account without loving the product I am selling. One of my economics professors always said, "Trade is always beneficial," which basically means that people trade because it benefits both parties. Don’t ever think that anyone is doing you a favor by signing on with you. The only reason they are signing is because they think that there is a lot of value in it for them as well. Therefore, keep believing in what you’re selling and your confidence will help you close that account.
Sales is something that I have found a passion for, and I certainly think that if you ever have an opportunity to work in this field--even for a short period of time--you should definitely take it.
