What Business Developers can Learn from Authors
Regardless of title or role, most, if not all of us, have to sell something. Certainly, salespeople and business development professionals have to pitch products and services to others in order to do their jobs. However, whether it be in the course of business or everyday life, everyone has something to sell.
Part and parcel with selling comes the word no. You are going to hear that word a lot and I do believe that there is a lesson to be learned in every no we hear. What we learn from each no can get us closer to our next yes.
One group of people who hear no frequently when they are starting out is authors. I was reminded by this while recently speaking with actor and author Laura Hankin, whose latest novel, A Special Place for Women, launches today.
Laura had some early success with her first book and thought that would pave the way for her second to get picked up. It didn't. Publishers and agents kept telling her that they didn't see any commercial prospects in the story. After a while, she put that one down and decided to write a novel based on her experiences working as a children's musician in Manhattan and that story led to a two-book deal. In the face of many no's, she was able to write something even better!
Her story is inspiring and funny because, well, Laura is a very funny person. Samantha Bee thinks so too as Laura is working with her production company and Paramount TV on a small screen adaptation for A Special Place for Women. I'd call that a great big Yes!
I invite you to listen to our conversation here. It's a fun one and filled with lessons for anyone who has to sell something.