To Sell is Human: Proven Strategies for Building a Successful Career

Many people perceive sales as an isolated career. However, the reality is that selling is a crucial skill in our daily lives. Whether it's convincing your boss to give you a promotion, persuading a colleague to collaborate with you on a project, or getting your children to eat their vegetables, we are all salespeople in some capacity.

Recently, I was chatting with my sister and brother-in-law, and the topic of sales came up. Both suggested that I consider training in the field of sales. Although I have sales experience, I never saw myself as a true seller. However, their words made me realize that I had been underselling myself.

To succeed in any career, you need to learn how to market yourself effectively while maintaining your credibility. Here are some strategies for successful career salespeople:

Examine Yourself

As William Shakespeare famously wrote, "To thine own self be true." Knowing your worth and areas for improvement is critical in sales. Evaluate your professional value based on your accomplishments, experiences, and skills.

Measure your success by the number of successful projects you've completed, the revenue you've generated, and the positive feedback you've received. This assessment will give you a better understanding of your strengths and areas for growth.

Attention and Empathy

Successful salespeople are excellent listeners. They have a keen understanding of their clients' needs, wants, and pain points. To succeed in any career, you need to put yourself in the shoes of your clients, colleagues, or stakeholders.

By listening attentively, you can better understand their perspective and adjust your approach accordingly. Empathy allows you to build trust, establish a rapport, and create meaningful relationships.

Be an Effective Communicator

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful sales. Whether it's an elevator pitch, a presentation, or an email, your communication should be clear, concise, and persuasive.

When communicating with clients or stakeholders, focus on the benefits and outcomes they will receive rather than the features or process. Highlight how your products or services can solve their problems or address their needs.

Keep Going and Don't Give Up

Sales can be challenging, and rejection is a part of the game. However, successful salespeople do not give up easily. They are persistent, resilient, and adaptable.

Use rejections as opportunities to learn and improve. Analyze what went wrong and how you can do better next time. Use your resilience to bounce back, reframe your mindset, and keep pushing forward.

Conclusion

As professionals, we need to develop our sales skills as part of our daily routine. By being self-aware, listening and empathizing well, communicating clearly, and being persistent and resilient, you can sell yourself and your ideas successfully. Always remember that selling is not just about making sales, but about building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual benefits.

Recommended Readings

1) To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Persuading, Convincing, and Influencing Others.?Daniel H Pink?