Selling books, insurance, and even advertising agency services follow the same basic sales principles. You need to establish rapport with your prospect before you can finally close a sale. And this is something that many newbie salespersons often forget. They want to be the best, but they do not invest time in bettering themselves and finding new ways to build relationships. Being a salesperson is not just about selling—that’s the first thing you should understand. It is also about being credible and being reliable. You have to make sure that you are targeting the right people to further your chances.
Fortunately, there are a lot of ways you can become a better salesperson. You need to have enough time for it. You have to invest effort in it. Be dedicated. If you want to start your quest to becoming a better salesperson, here are some of the qualities that you need to develop:
Excellent Interpersonal Relationship Skills
This is an expected skill, but many salespersons actually do not take time to learn how to hone this particular strength. They believe that interpersonal communication is just about talking and talking. But it is far from making small talk (though it could be a start). Your objective here is to make your client comfortable. And one way of making sure of that is by listening intently. Listen sincerely, so when it is your turn to give advice, you will be able to give a reasonable one. Also, be sensitive to the topics you are initiating to avoid conflicts.
Organization Skills
As a salesperson, you will deal with a lot of things. There will be times when your plate will be more than full. With that, it is important that you know how to organize your activities. Start with your schedule. Compare it against your activities so that you will have a clear picture of your priorities. Knowing what to prioritize when everything is number is something that you need to develop, especially if you are aiming to climb the corporate ladder—where things can be more demanding.
Being Detail-Oriented
Details are what make the sales world go round. One of the best ways to know your clients is by paying attention to their nuances and habits. That way, you can get insight, which could be necessary for closing a sale. This is why note-taking during client meetings is important. You need to make sure that you will not miss a detail. Who knows, you could be missing a lot of details already—so start taking notes.
Great Presentation Skills
You are selling products and services. And you need to convince your customers. You just don’t state the specs of your item. But you need to create a story around the brand. This is why presentation skills are important. And when your presentation is done, don’t forget to leave a mark by giving them your business card. Create a better impression by making sure that the documents you hand to them have a booklet cover or folding cards (for smaller docs).
Being a salesperson should not just about making sales. It should be also about building long-lasting relationships with your clients. When you give them a good impression, there is a great chance that they will recommend you to their network—which means more possibilities for sales.
