Selling if the Fake Tan and Bleached Teeth Just Aren't You

I hear from a lot of solopreneurs that they don’t want to come across as "salesy". And I don’t blame them. Sales make us think of cheesy jokes, bad ties, and overly whitened smiles. 

And why do we think of that? Because those “personalities” succeed at sales for a very specific reason, which I will get to shortly. 

The good news is you don’t have to sell your soul and smash your hard-earned credibility becoming some sort of cigar munching, plaid sport-coat wearing, sitcom con-man. Being authentically true to the spirit that started your entrepreneurial adventure can drive the kind of sales that you desire. But, and this is a big one, you have to remember that this is, in fact, a business. And, in order to stay in business, you absolutely MUST actively drive those sales.

How can you do this while being true to yourself? One of the most important elements of sales is the act of asking for the sale. I find that many people, especially in the service arena, coaches, consultants, etc. have a hard time taking that step. 

I promised that I would explain why those gold chain and toupee jokers were so often successful at sales, right? 

Shamelessness. 

That’s right. They have no problem hounding you and hounding you, continually begging for the sale. Now, it can be off-putting to some, but for many, they are ready to take the action, but they need a push. And boy, do those “sales” guys push!

But, as I said, you don’t have to compromise who you are to ask for the sale. There are two things you must do to help you deliver the results you need without compromising your integrity.

And they are:

• Adjust your mindset

• Find the right words

Moving your mindset past the fear of coming across schlocky, and heavy-handed, is as simple as going back to the roots that began your endeavor. 

Why did you start your company? 

There was some problem for which you saw a unique solution, and you brought it to market. That problem is why you’re here. Or rather, solving that problem, but you won’t solve any problems for anyone if you go out of business because you were afraid to offer your solution.

Remember asking for the sale is doing them a kindness. You are extending the hand, and that is a noble act.

The second part, finding the right words, can also be addressed by getting down to the root of your business. Who are your clients and what do they need?

If you can be crystal clear about who you’re trying to reach, and you truly understand the issues surrounding their core problem, the one you can solve, then the words will become clear. Tell your clients that you understand, that you offer the solution, and ask them to let you help.

You don’t have to prod and persuade. Let them know what the product is. Let them know how it will improve their lives.

Find the words that tell them you understand their pain, you have the obvious solution, and then tell them what to do get it. 

It isn’t cheesy sales, it's problem-solving. 

And if you need help finding the words, drop a line. I love helping businesses connect authentically with their client base, to create a mutually beneficial symbiosis.

Now, how are you going to solve your client’s problems? I’d love to hear. Leave me a comment below.

#copywriting #sales #business