The Secret To Being a Great Salesperson
Everyone can be a great salesperson. You don’t need 20 years of experience, formal training, or a degree from Used Car Lot University.
The secret to being a great salesperson is passion.
It would be stupid for me now to say, “I’m not a salesperson,” because that would mean I’m not passionate. And I am. Although it took some help to realize it.
Over the last few weeks two people have said to me (over the phone and in-person), “I can see you’d make a good salesperson.” At first I was a touch insulted (salespeople have a bad reputation after all…) but both people added to their statements: “You’re passionate about this stuff.”
Ah, passion. I thought about it and realized, I am passionate about “this stuff.” (Both discussions revolved around building businesses online, business blogging, social media and making money.)
Selling passion is easy.
It’s easy because you’re a believer, and if you’re passionate enough you can make others believers too.
To be fair to real salespeople (who do have 20 years experience, formal training and a degree from Used Car Lot University) there’s more to sales than passion. Knowing how to close, when to shut up and listen, and how to negotiate are all important skills for being a successful salesperson.
But having passion is still key.
Stay up-to-date with Instigator Blog! Subscribe for free to via RSS or subscribe via email.
Hi Ben,
I was told many times that I’ll make an excellent saleperson too, and I didn’t take it as a compliment like you did. Because they didn’t use the word passion to follow up with their remarks.
Most importantly, I definitely can resonate with this
I wish all “juvenile” salespersons have this ingrained onto their foreheads. And yet, many have no clue as to why they couldn’t close more sales despite their so-called product knowledge.
I wish them luck!
Renee - thanks for the comments. I’m sure those people meant it as a compliment!
“when to shut up and listen” is probably some of the best advice I can give to salespeople, even though I’m not a salesperson (well…you know what I mean!)