Selling Doesn't Have to Be Salesy.
When most of us think of sales, we imagine a pushy salesman trying to convince you to buy something you don't really need or want. But the truth is, we're all constantly promoting ourselves, both in our personal and professional lives. Whether it's a new business idea, a skill at work, or just convincing a friend to go out for drinks with you.
The key to selling without sounding salesy is understanding what people want and delivering it in a helpful, non-intrusive way. When they come to you for photography services, you don't want to only offer services that are great for a wedding but useless for business. Instead, show them how your services can help them achieve their goals and tell them why you're the best person for the job. Ultimately, it's important to understand what people value, why they value it, and how you can deliver it. They don't sell things they don't need, they provide them in a way that helps them.
This approach will make selling an opportunity rather than a hassle, and people will come to you when they need the services or products you offer.
People are more likely to respond positively to someone who appears sincere and genuine than someone who is trying to sell something quickly.
Here are some tips on how to sell yourself without being salesy:
1. Be clear about what you offer and why it's valuable.
When trying to sell yourself or your ideas, it's important to be clear about what you're offering and why it's important to the other person. For example, when proposing a new project at work, take the time to clearly state the goals of the project and how it will benefit the company in the long run.
2. Focus on building relationships and trust. Instead of just trying to close the deal as quickly as possible, focus on building relationships and building trust. When you finally communicate your pitch, the other person is more likely to listen and respond positively. Let her get to know her as her person and get to know you.
3. Don't be afraid to express your personality. One of the best ways to stand out from the crowd and connect with others is to be yourself. The more authentic you are, the more people will respond positively to you and be more likely to work with you or buy from you.
4. Find a comfortable way to overcome objections.
When marketing yourself or your services, it's important to be prepared for possible pushback. It's important to remember that these objections don't necessarily come directly from yourself. It may also reflect your own inner doubts and fears. Therefore, be attuned to the other person's body language and emotional state, and try to deal with any objections calmly and confidently.
5. Be persistent, but not pushy.
It's important to be persistent when promoting yourself, but there's a fine line between being aggressive and being pushy. If you feel like the other person is no longer interested or unresponsive, take a step back and try engaging again at another time. And remember, even if they say no this time, they won't always say no.
Also read: How to make it easier for others to do business with you
Remember: you are in business to make money; otherwise, you have a hobby.
Creatives often find it difficult to sell themselves or their services. However, you have to get to the place where you understand and believe that your services are worth paying for. If you don't believe in your own worth, it will be difficult to convince others to do the same. Start with some self-exploration and get clear on why you're worth investing in.