How to become a good salesperson?

Is selling an art?
On the other hand, is selling a science?

Selling is more than art or science. Selling is a way of life. The saying goes "Once a sales person always a sales person". So what is selling? I remember once listening to my Guru say that selling is an exchange of enthusiasm. In traditional terms, selling is exchange of goods or services for money.

I have been in the selling profession now for the past 2 years and am really enjoying it. The pressure is always there to get the numbers and every day brings with it opportunities. Opportunities to generate value for the customer. And every time I add value I get closer to getting the sale. Earlier I was focused on the commission that the sale brings as a driver but I am now realizing that when I change the focus to adding value to customers, my commission comes in automatically. I really enjoy the profession and every day spend time thinking about how I can do it even better.

I have jotted down a few thoughts, which I hope can help you progress in this noble profession.

To answer the question of how to become a better salesperson, let's explore the qualities of a good sales person:
1. A good sales person gets sales
2. A good sales person always has a great pipeline
3. A good sales person closes sales
4. A good sales person builds excellent relationships
5. A good sales person always sells at every opportunity

The above qualities are the common qualities displayed by excellent sales people across the world. Now that we know the qualities or attributes, possessed by good sales persons how does one go about developing these qualities?

To become a good sales person I am listing down ten simple steps:
1. Invest in building a pipeline
2. Always take the next action to keep the sale moving forward
3. Even when the customer says Sorry sale is lost' add value to the customer by giving him focus and attention
4. Negotiate on principles and not personalities
5. Learn the art of active listening
6. Eat healthy and exercise for at least 20-30 minutes every day
7. Write down goals, minutes and actions in longhand every day
8. Ask the customer what he wants through proper questions
9. Build relationships based on trust and honesty.
10. Ask for the sale

I hope that this article will lead you to greater sales every day.

Learn more about this author, Happy Dan.
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