How do you handle rejection and criticism in a sales pitch?

1 Understand the source

The first step to handle rejection and criticism is to understand where they are coming from. Are they based on facts, opinions, emotions, or biases? Are they constructive, destructive, or neutral? Are they coming from someone who has authority, expertise, or influence in your field? By analyzing the source, you can determine whether the rejection or criticism is valid, relevant, and helpful, or whether it is unfair, inaccurate, or malicious.

2 Respond calmly and professionally

The second step to handle rejection and criticism is to respond calmly and professionally. Avoid reacting defensively, aggressively, or emotionally. Instead, acknowledge the feedback, thank the person for their time and input, and ask for clarification or examples if needed. If you disagree with the feedback, explain your reasoning and evidence politely and respectfully. If you agree with the feedback, express your willingness to learn and improve. By responding calmly and professionally, you can show your confidence, credibility, and maturity, and avoid escalating the situation or damaging the relationship.

3 Learn from the feedback

The third step to handle rejection and criticism is to learn from the feedback. Whether the feedback is positive or negative, there is always something you can learn from it. For example, you can learn about your strengths and weaknesses, your customers' needs and preferences, your competitors' strategies and tactics, or your industry's trends and challenges. By learning from the feedback, you can identify areas for improvement, set goals and action plans, and track your progress and results.

4 Reframe the situation

The fourth step to handle rejection and criticism is to reframe the situation. Instead of seeing rejection and criticism as failures, threats, or personal attacks, see them as opportunities, challenges, or feedback. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, what you lost, or what you can't do, focus on what went right, what you gained, or what you can do. By reframing the situation, you can shift your mindset from negative to positive, from fixed to growth, and from victim to victor.

5 Seek support and feedback

The fifth step to handle rejection and criticism is to seek support and feedback. You don't have to face rejection and criticism alone. You can reach out to your mentors, coaches, peers, or friends for advice, encouragement, or perspective. You can also ask for feedback from other sources, such as your customers, colleagues, or managers, to get a more balanced and objective view of your performance and potential. By seeking support and feedback, you can gain more confidence, insight, and motivation.

6 Keep practicing and improving

The sixth and final step to handle rejection and criticism is to keep practicing and improving. Rejection and criticism are not the end of the road, but the beginning of a journey. You can use them as fuel to drive you to become a better salesperson. You can practice your skills, refine your pitch, update your knowledge, and expand your network. You can also celebrate your achievements, reward your efforts, and appreciate your growth. By keeping practicing and improving, you can overcome your fear of rejection and criticism and achieve your sales goals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?