Non Salesy Ways of Selling

Let's be real - nobody likes being "sold" to. The aggressive tactics of yesteryear's slick salespeople are officially outdated in our modern, transparency-driven market.

Today's buyers, especially savvy B2B decision makers, can sniff out an insincere pitch from a mile away. In fact, 88% say they'll ghost a seller after receiving pushy sales communications (Hubspot).

The good news? There's a better way to sell that attracts leads rather than repelling them. It's called authentic selling, and it's all about adding value, not aggression.

The Art of Authentic Selling

So what does an authentic sales approach look like in action?

It's all about adding value through education, not aggressive closing tactics. This approach is perfect for today's market landscape where buyers desire a low-pressure experience.

1. Build Relationships, Not Transactions

Focus on building genuine relationships with your prospects. Engage with their content on LinkedIn, offer thoughtful comments, and share relevant insights. This approach helps in establishing you as a thought leader in your domain and builds trust over time.

Actionable Tip: Spend at least 30 minutes daily engaging with your target audience's posts. Share your perspectives and add value to the conversation.

2. Leverage Content to Educate and Inspire

Creating and sharing high-quality content is one of the most effective non-salesy ways to attract and retain your audience. Focus on addressing pain points, industry trends, and actionable solutions through blog posts, infographics, and videos.

Example: ?? Pranav Karat , a recognized sales development voice on LinkedIn, consistently shares insightful content that educates his audience on sales strategies and market trends. His posts are very engaging, not because they're trying to sell something, but because they offer real value.

3. Personalization and Authenticity

Personalization goes beyond using someone's first name in an email. Understand your prospects' business challenges, industry specifics, and individual roles to tailor your communication accordingly. LinkedIn's advanced search and Sales Navigator are excellent tools for gathering this intelligence.

Actionable Tip: Before reaching out, research your prospect's recent activity on LinkedIn, such as posts they've liked or shared. Reference these activities in your message to demonstrate your genuine interest in their work and challenges.

5. Share Free Resources/ Host Giveaways

Rather than boasting about your products or services, share valuable resources that can help your audience. This can include free e-books, templates, checklists, or access to exclusive webinars. Such giveaways position you as a helpful resource and attract more engagement without being overtly salesy.

Actionable Tip: Create a monthly giveaway campaign where you offer a valuable resource for free. Promote this through LinkedIn posts and direct messages. Ensure the resource is highly relevant to your audience’s needs, such as a sales strategy e-book or a productivity checklist.

6. Host Webinars and Workshops

Offer free webinars and workshops on topics relevant to your audience. This not only positions you as an expert but also provides a platform for prospects to engage with you directly. Ensure these sessions are interactive and focused on solving real problems faced by your audience.

Example: Plan a quarterly webinar series addressing common industry challenges. Promote these events through LinkedIn posts and direct messages to your network.

7. Be a Connector and Resource

Introduce prospects to useful connections within your network, share industry reports, or recommend tools that could benefit their business. By being a resource, you build goodwill and become a go-to person in your industry.

Actionable Tip: Identify three connections each month who could benefit from an introduction and facilitate these introductions via LinkedIn messages. Additionally, share one valuable industry report or whitepaper with your network every month.

Hard selling is officially outdated. Ditch the sleaze and focus on being genuinely helpful, human and honest instead. Your prospects (and your revenue goals) will thank you.

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