I’ve been in sales for a couple of years before stepping into a more strategic marketing role. I’ve sold cookies at door-to-door sales jobs, tried and sold a few chocolates at table-to-table, bought investment packages through the cold-calling process, sold sales courses by cold calling, created sales incentive schemes to set up and manage sales processes, office-to-office sales, and am currently selling my book on marketing as well as consulting in the area of business strategies.
In the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of managing a variety of sales personnel and groups. I believe that until now, I am in the mentality of selling because I’m in the process of concept-selling. My customers are you and my colleagues, customers, and potential investors. Sometimes, they are even my spouse. It’s crucial to be able to market your ideas because if you do know-how, your life will be boring.
However, as a salesperson or, sometimes, the term marketing executive (though I don’t agree with the definition of the term marketing executive! ), There are some necessary and essential be able to master skills that will provide you with a sense of security as well as an assurance to become a better salesperson or marketing professional. The skills listed are entirely yours, but it is possible to learn from other people just like me; however, the ability to perform it is based on you. Let’s get started.
1. Cold Calling
Yeah…this ability could be colder than frozen ice when you first heard of it. However, to convince you, salespeople who cannot make cold calls will never be able to make a sale. I guarantee it! If you’ve done a cold-calling, you’ll be able to agree with what I have to say following this. “Cold calls broke the ice, and it increased my confidence in taking my first move, and then the first sales!” Are you agree?
It comes in many varieties. For instance, you can call from the “cold-list” that you get from your boss. Another alternative is to travel from office to office setting appointments. The third option is to meet visitors at your booth at an exhibition, and fourthly you’re handed fliers, and you have to give them out and persuade people to purchase and then convince your closest acquaintances about your business. What do you need to do? Start it now, and don’t delay further.
2. Skills for Presentation
This ability is a must-be requirement for any person in the current century. It was previously challenging to master, and some claim it’s a natural talent. In reality, however, I think the ability to present is something that is acquired and is attainable quickly. There are many courses and books that instruct you on how to develop the ability to deliver better. I was timid and nervous. There were many who said that I was too talkative!
The rise of presenters today has made salesman and marketing personnel jobs more competitive. But remember that it’s not enough to simply talk and repeat. It is essential to have solid content and be aware of the topic you’re speaking about. This is where you can gain an edge and be different. Take a look at the book or Google for tips on presentation skills.
3. Listening
If you are listening at a time, it is because you are focused on the person you are listening to and not chatting. A lot of salespeople claim to hear. However, they are constantly bombarding you with brochures and details about their products across directions. In some cases, the product or service you offer does not meet their requirements. It’s best to leave and resolve it with calm.
I’ve met salespeople who, when they are disqualified, stop smiling, and they display that look I hate. The reason is that it shows that they don’t take care of your needs and weren’t paying close attention to what the customers’ needs are. The ability to listen is vital because it sets you apart from other salespersons. However, there is an important caveat: by listening, you’re actually extending the sales cycle just an extra. However, when it does happen to a conclusion, it will last.
4. Flexibility
It is indeed an art. If you are a salesperson or the marketing director, you have two numbers that can be used for a salesperson. The first is the target, and the second is the price, one for you and the other for the client. The aim is to help make the sale occur, so we decide on the price and target. With these numbers, we can increase it to get our commission. Some salespeople are focused on the numbers; they are blinded by other aspects. They began by making a hard sell, then they cursed sell and finished with pushing rather than selling.
I’ve encountered a client who does not have the money to purchase the training program I had been selling. I asked them, “What do I do if I convince my boss to let you pay in installments? ” He said he would be happy. However, I’ve got a request, “You need to give me five participants and the entire group on installments and a 30% deposit, so at a minimum, I’ll be able to prove the commitment.” Fantastic?
5. Sense of Humour
This is also a skill. It’s not about making fun of yourself or joking. This is done by linking the subject to your client. Humor helps ease tension and allows you to talk about something that is more difficult after several doses of humor. It is also available diverse as a result of my own experiences.
I once gave a birthday card to a prominent CEO (but it was a customer) that contained a napkin in it. I was contacted by him, and he asked me why it put a napkin inside the birthday card? I explained that I’d love to invite him to dinner in celebration of his birthday as well as some business talks. We ate dinner together and solved a few issues on the business aspect. I strongly suggest that you explore humor within your sales team. It will be more effective to organize it. Particularly for clients who you’ve lost. For instance, you can say hello to a client who has been forgotten.
6. Knowledge
The development of knowledge happens over time, but my experience shows me that it is possible to accelerate the process of learning. It’s like you can scoop it up and then build mountains after several scoops. Yes, you can! However, you have to compromise some time since you’ll have to spend a lot of time studying, read more as well as meet with many people, go to more social gatherings, make time to travel, or attend a conference you didn’t plan on attending and greet the most people you can. Since when you accomplish all of this, you’ll quickly overcome your weaknesses and gain from your experience.
There are two types of knowledge. The first is social knowledge that is about having a social life with other people, and the second is professional expertise. The first is commonplace when you’re working in the field. The latter is more essential when you are a marketer or salesperson since as time passes, you must convince people to trust you beyond what you’re selling. It is necessary to earn their trust, and that trust will help with the selling.
7. Discipline
This is different from “just an ordinary salesperson” as well as “D salesman.” I have a good friend who is 50; he’s still working as a waiter. I asked him, “Aren’t you looking to become a manager at this point? ” He replied, “I can’t come late as an administrator, and I don’t believe I can bear this.” This uncle is a fan of being late for work!
If you choose to become “just an ad salesperson” or “just a salesperson,” then you are free to dismiss discipline as a non-issue. Discipline can take you further and make you more rather than simply the opportunity to work. Salesman jobs are a crucial route to higher-level management that is accomplished with discipline, perseverance, and discipline. The discipline will also help you be more organized and increase your efficiency. Wouldn’t you like to make more money and own an improved car one day?
8. Closing Technique
This ability makes a majority of salespeople nervous. When I train salespeople, the following question is a must ask, and I will give a standard answer to this question “How do you typically perform this?”. There are a variety of closing strategies. However, I would suggest you be aware of the closing that brought your business but didn’t earn the business. Sometimes it’s not about the ending but instead in your character.
However, there are some phrases you can utilize to end. For instance, “Is there anything else I can assist you with? “, When will I deliver my first order? Who would be receiving the delivery? Do you want to hand me the paper first? Would you prefer to test it for a week and check if you’re happy with the product? Maybe I can offer you a chance to test it and if I could solve your financial issues, will you consider buying from me” and the list goes on. Write down your closing to repeat (or take it to milk!) repeatedly.
To end, the skills mentioned above can be easily acquired and have been proved to be successful aspects for many corporate leaders. They are also in the field of marketing and sales so I would advise that you do not be afraid as a salesperson or marketing manager. It’s the best job you can have since it will undoubtedly provide you with more benefits. Do you follow?
