BY LISA LAPORTE, CEO ARTISANAL AGENCY, LLC.
4 COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SALES BORN, NOT MADE Selling is a skill. While some people seem to have a knack for selling, anyone can learn and hone their skills with practice. Salesmanship is not a magical power bestowed at birth.
EVERYONE IS A BUYER Bad salespeople assume that everyone is a prospect. Being good at sales requires learning about the product and understanding who it can benefit. When the right product gets taken to the correct customer, sales becomes much easier. For example, Someone without a dog is never going to buy dog food, no matter how great the product.
NEED A GOLDEN TONGUE Many people believe that to succeed in sales, one needs a golden tongue. In truth, good listeners sell better than fast talkers. Listening to a client reveals what they truly need and want. Fast talkers can sometimes force a sale, but more often they turn people away from the company or product.
SALES = LIES People often hesitate to get into sales for fear the job requires lying. It doesn’t. Sadly, some salespeople do lie, and it often works in the short term. In the long run, however, lying erodes trust and fails to build a strong customer base. Most people in sales want to help their customers and are actually very honest about the products and services they sell.
Working in sales can be a fun and rewarding career where you can earn a living and enjoy what you do. Don't believe the myths out there. Just like any job, you can take the time to learn the craft and become good at it! You don't have to forfeit your integrity to be successful. As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect".
See the original article: 4 Misconceptions About Sales