1:32 How To Learn From Your Experiences in Sales
5:39 How To Make an Impact In Sales
13:08 Overcoming Sales Rejection with Sarah Sloyan
36:55 Encouragement: Put Yourself Out There
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I can count at least 10 times in the last couple years that I’ve had a bad encounter with a pushy salesperson or someone who just wouldn’t take no for an answer. I bet you have too.
You see, every single time this happens, we create associations in our minds. For instance, if that pushy salesperson selling lotion at the mall shoves lotion in your hands every time you walk by, you’re probably not going to walk away feeling too good about sales. I’m willing to bet that every single one of you has had a bad experience with a pushy salesperson.
The problem is that these kinds of negative experiences form our views and beliefs about sales itself. Think about it. When you think of sales or salespeople, you probably think slimy, sleazy, pushy or shady. None of those are positive.
But here’s the good news: Sales doesn't have to be like that. You don't have to be pushy, aggressive, annoying or get on people’s nerves in order to sell. In fact, I hope you don't—that's not good sales . . . or even good business.
Whether you realize it or not, you're all in the business of sales. Sales is how you stay in business, make money, help people, solve problems, and make an impact in your community. Sales is serving people. Sales is telling people how you can help them. Money is just an exchange of value. It's a transaction. Life-change is what you're really selling, and that's what they're really buying. You aren't selling a thing. You’re selling life-change. You’re helping people make their lives better. And if you believe that—which you should—then you better get to selling.
Remember, if you don't believe in your business, no one else will. Stop playing small and calling it holy. God never called you to shrink back and play small and apologize for the dreams and gifts and message and business that He gave you. Start standing up and start speaking up on behalf of this thing that you say you believe in. Start solving problems and making people's lives better.
Start selling.
I'm so excited about today's interview because I'm showing you a behind-the-scenes look at the Business Boutique Academy, my online training and coaching group. In this interview, I’m talking to Sarah Sloyan, the vice president of EntreLeadership at Ramsey Solutions who also happens to be an expert in sales.
On this episode, Sarah and I talk about:
No one likes to be rejected, especially when it comes to sales. But what's interesting is that our fear of rejection actually keeps us from putting ourselves out there and making an impact in people’s lives.
My friend Tiffany Peterson says that 60% of sales occur after the fourth interaction. So that means people aren't necessarily saying no to you because they don't want what you have to offer or because they don't like it. People buy from those they know, like and trust. Maybe that “no” you just heard isn't really a no. Maybe it's a “not right now.” Maybe what they're actually saying is they don't know you well enough, like you enough, or trust you enough yet. Don’t give up. Keep building that relationship so that one day they will be ready to buy from you.
Failure is a stepping-stone on your journey to success. You will fall down. People will tell you no. People won’t like you or what you have to offer. But it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t mean you quit. It just means you’ve got to learn to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going anyway.
It still doesn't feel good. It's still not fun. But there's a bigger purpose. There are more people that need what you have to give. So, get back in the kitchen. Get back on the horse. Walk back on the stage. Go on Facebook Live. Do the thing again anyway. Be willing to fail and fall down a few times to succeed in the long term for the people that need you. Those are the people you're fighting for. Those are the people that you're going to walk back out there to be able to serve.
Put yourself out there. When you get rejected, remember: Failure is not a sign you shouldn’t do it.