I believe everyone is already a successful salesperson in their own right…no matter what their profession. I can say that because somehow, in some way, we have each managed to get our survival needs met. And that would have meant obtaining the support of another person at some time in our life. Sales is nothing more and nothing less than building relationships in which both people have their needs satisfied.

Seems simple enough.

THE SATISFYING TRUTHS ABOUT SELLING

I’ll say it again… Sales is nothing more and nothing less than building relationships in which both people have their needs satisfied. Ultimately, it’s all about building a genuine connection and strong bond with customers. This is the concept of ‘Relationship Marketing’ and was first proposed by American marketing scholars Berry (1983) and Jackson (1985).

Businesses large and small began to accept the idea of “making friends” with customers and clients. That does not mean that we have to sacrifice ourselves in order to satisfy the customer. In fact, it’s the exact opposite! By focusing first on how we want to be of service – we can co-create soul-satisfying and financially- satisfying relationships with others!

More and more sales professionals desire to be seen as “making a difference in people’s lives” and as a ‘beacon of hope” for others…while enjoying a prosperous livelihood that allows them to live a lifestyle of time, money, and health freedom.

So, let’s review some satisfying truths about sales.

• Truth 1: In a survey, 51% of sales leaders said they focus on increasing customer retention through deeper relationships.
• Truth 2: Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman, not the attitude of the prospect. (William Clement Stone)
• Truth 3: People don't ask for facts in making up their minds. They would rather have one good, soul-satisfying emotion than a dozen facts. (Robert Keith Leavit)
• Truth 4: You don't close a sale, you open a relationship if you want to build a long-term, successful enterprise. (Patricia Fripp Presentation Skills Expert)
• Truth 5: Every brand isn't for everybody, and everybody isn't for every brand. (Liz Lange)
• Truth 6: Too often, sales reps simply regurgitate their presentations and expect to land the sale. It doesn't work. (Harvey Mackay)
• Truth 7: 65% of salespeople who use social selling fill their pipeline, compared to 47% of reps who do not. (HubSpot)

Now, let’s take these truths and use them to create satisfying relationships with our prospects so they want to say YES to us…

Building Your Audience

Your audience is the key to making everything else in your online business move forward. Inside the audience you are building is where you will find your soon-to-be leads, prospects, sales and sign-ups.  But, you won’t be able to find and build your audience until you know how you want to be of service to them.

Engaging With Your Audience

When you engage with your audience you begin building relationships. When you begin to build relationships with your audience you start to build what is called the “Know, Like, and Trust factor”

This Factor is CRITICAL if you want people to WANT to say YES to YOU. It involves creating valuable content that serves your audience. And ‘valuable’ means that it is “emotionally and mentally satisfying” by solving the problems of your audience.

When it is satisfying on that level, they will want to engage and build a relationship with you. And ultimately – you are consistent at providing engaging content – they will begin to trust and rely on you!

Selling to Your Audience

This is the fun part if you have done the first two steps. If you have done the first two steps, then this is where you start making some money and building your empire because people will say YES to you now. They are starting to trust and rely on you for valuable advice.

Now it’s time to ask for the sale. And not ever before this moment! So, don’t sell out on yourself by selling to your prospects too early.

DOES THIS TAKE TIME?

YES…building relationships that will ultimately end in a YES will take some time. If you don’t have the time to build a friendship, you don’t have time to build a business. This process starts slowly…yet quickly snowballs into many hundreds and thousands of people who will become your friends, and then your customers and clients.

The key is being consistent daily.

Will you say “YES!” To Yourself now to build a satisfying business?