Salesmanship is a skill that can take someone far in life. It is a profession that requires many different qualities, some of which are innate and others that can be learned. If you want to be successful in sales, you need to have confidence, motivation, and initiative. There are a few other qualities that will also help you succeed which we will discuss below. This article is meant to serve as a guide for those who want to enter the field of sales or improve their skills. So, without further ado, let's get started!
Confidence
Remember Leo di Caprio in that legendary movie, The Wolf of Wall Street? One thing you probably noticed is that he always had an unshakeable belief in himself, no matter what the situation was. This is one of the most important qualities for a salesman. No matter what product you are selling, if you do not believe in it, your potential customers will see right through you. It is important to be confident, but not cocky. There is a fine line between the two and you need to be able to walk it if you want to be successful. You need to be able to believe both in your product and in yourself. Well, how do salesmen do that?
The answer is simple: always be prepared. If you know your product inside out and have all the answers to the potential objections a customer might throw your way, you will be able to exude confidence even in the most challenging situations. So, do your homework and arm yourself with knowledge about what you are selling.
Motivation
The second most important quality for a salesman is motivation. If you do not have the drive to sell, you will not be successful. This quality is often confused with confidence but they are two very different things. Confidence is about having faith in your product and yourself, whereas motivation is what drives you to actually go out there and sell. It is the fuel that drives you to make those sales and reach your targets. However, don't feel bumped just yet if you don't find yourself as the most self-motivated person in the world. Luckily, motivation is a quality that can be learned and developed over time. For example, there are a lot of materials out there that can help you get motivated, from books to articles and even TED talks. There are real estate scripts for motivated sellers, retail sales scripts, and more. Find what works for you and use it to fuel your drive.
Initiative
Imagine you're talking to a client who isn't sure whether they need your product. How do you convince them? The key is to be proactive and take initiative. This means that you need to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions to problems. For example, if a potential customer says they don't need your product, don't just give up and move on to the next one. Instead, try to find out what their specific needs are and see if there is a way your product can address them. This is where being resourceful comes in handy. Do some research and come up with a custom solution for your customer. They will be impressed by your initiative and might just end up buying from you after all.
Friendly Personality
Who is going to trust you if you sound hostile? No one, that's who. This is why it is important to have a friendly personality. This doesn't mean that you need to be best friends with everyone you meet, but you should at least try to build rapport with the people you talk to. Find common ground and use it as a starting point for conversation. Also, remember to smile! It sounds like such a small thing but it can make a world of difference. If you come across as warm and friendly, people will be more likely to trust you and, as a result, more likely to buy from you.
Adaptability
The ability to adapt is another important quality for salesmen. This is because no two customers are the same. You need to be able to adjust your approach depending on who you are talking to. For example, if you are selling to a retiree, you need to put yourself in their perspective and understand what they are looking for. What needs does this person have that your product can address? Similarly, if you are selling to a young professional, you need to be able to speak their language and understand what is important to them. The bottom line is that you need to be flexible and adaptable in order to be successful.
Loyalty
Trust us, your clients will be able to recognize if you're just trying to make a quick buck. This is why it is important to be loyal to your clients and build long-term relationships with them. Remember, the goal is not to make one sale but to create lifelong customers. So, always be honest with your clients and give them the best possible service. This way, you will earn their trust and they will be more likely to come back to you in the future. And results? Let us just say that you will be pleasantly surprised.
Subtlety
When it comes to sales, sometimes less is more. This is where the subtlety comes in. You need to be able to read your clients and understand when they want to be pushed and when they need a more gentle approach. For example, if you are selling a luxury item, you need to be subtle in your approach. You don't want to come across as pushy or desperate. Instead, you need to give your clients the space to make their own decision. On the other hand, if you are selling a more affordable product, you can be a bit more direct in your sales pitch.
Resilience
Last but not, sales can be very challenging and you will need to be resilient in order to succeed. There will be times when you will get rejected, but you need to pick yourself up and keep going. Remember, it only takes one yes to make a sale. So, don't give up and keep trying until you find a client who is interested in what you have to offer.
If you have these eight qualities, then you are well on your way to becoming a successful salesman. Just remember to always stay confident, motivated, and adaptable and you will be sure to close some deals. Good luck!
