Learning To Sell

First off, what a blast this has been thus far. I've met and engaged with more people in the past month than I have in the past 2 years prior, and I'm just getting started. This has really opened my eyes to what selling really means rather than what we're told about selling and being a salesman while growing up. People act as though salespeople are sleazy or manipulative. In reality, everyone is a salesperson. Everyone. That means you. You're selling your ideas, beliefs, company, empathy, and resources to every living thing you interact with.

If you're not doing the selling, you're being sold to. Thing is, we're not even concious of it. We think we're just hanging out or having fun or playing a game. We're social creatures. By socializing, we're (hopefully) trying to come to a mutual benefit through joy. This is what I'm learning about sales. Selling seems to work best when both parties are maximizing their respective benefits. You want something awesome, I have something awesome. How bout I give you something awesome in exchange for something you have that is awesome?

If I'm making small talk with my Uber driver, I'm giving him some of my energy to request that he joins me in conversation, allowing me to find out if he or she is crazy or not. If they join me in conversation, it shows me that they are willing to exchange with me and also gives me an idea as to what ideas they are selling to know if this is someone I may want to know more about. If they are positive, smart or engaging, I'll like what they're selling and offer over some of my ideas and presence in exchange. If not, we'll let the conversation fade and enjoy the ride in quiet.

People buy things from those that make them feel good in some way. I'm basically trying to unlearn all the things I've picked up over the years that prevent other people from feeling good. If I can learn how to make my company more joyful for others, what kind of asshat would I be to not make the effort?

I talk to much, I finish other peoples sentences, I don't always speak my mind, and I sometimes fail to read signs that I need to back off. This is some of the feedback I've gotten recently and I'm incredibly grateful for it. If you aren't aware of how other people perceive you, how can you do anything to change it?

Good news is, there are always more opportunities to practice. You'll never run out of people to network with, unless you live on a private island. In that case, you've probably got this selling thing figured out pretty well.