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Developing skills sales

Byakko

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Hi guys! So I'm currently in a situation where I need to learn how to sell. I have never been in a position where I have to sell a product, so I'm a complete beginner. Where do you think I should start learning about it? Do you know any books or courses I should read/do? Or blogs I should follow? Right now the skills I know I need are "How to cold call", "How to do a video presentation" and "How to build a sales page". Thank you for your help!
 
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Dylan in Africa

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Life is sales. Though you may think you've never been in the position where you had to sell a product, I'm willing to bet you've had the opportunity to convince someone to do something. Sales is simply the art of persuasion. Practicing the art of both written and verbal persuasion in everyday interaction will help you improve your sales "skills."

For a non-conventional--yet extremely practical--approach to sales, I'd recommend Sell or Be Sold by Grant Cardone.
 

sparechange

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You don't need to learn, just suck at it, do it. Then get better along the way learning *WHY* you suck. Best method IMO. My first cold service sell, I winged it lol, make sure you get used to rejection. It will be your best friend for quite a long time....
 

BD64

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SPIN selling and Ca$hvertising. Great for the two things you noted you need to do
 
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Niptuck MD

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Get on the phone and just cold call and call some more. Perfect whatever pitch for whatever product you intend to sell. YOU MUST BELIEVE IN WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE SELLING. the customer can sense your enthusiasm even if you don’t think so.... Be 110% attentive and alert at all times. Make them talk more, listen. Listen, listen to them, their needs. If you cant get a sale with them, maybe you can get a referral, or maybe they will keep you in the backburner..
 

RayAndré

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What about for someone who doesn't "need" to learn how to sell?

I've got a regular 9-5 job and have always hated selling...so I probably suck at it. What can I do to learn?
Get a sales job on the side? Start having tactics when trying to sell ideas to family and friends?

Any ideas?
 
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Dylan in Africa

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What about for someone who doesn't "need" to learn how to sell?

I've got a regular 9-5 job and have always hated selling...so I probably suck at it. What can I do to learn?
Get a sales job on the side? Start having tactics when trying to sell ideas to family and friends?

Any ideas?
I don't believe a part-time sales job is necessary to learn the art of persuasion. It might sounds funny, but one of my favorite ways to practice selling is through fantasy sports (specifically fantasy football). Lots of persuasion involved in trade negotiations.

Another favorite is bartering. Even better in less developed countries, while practicing a foreign language. You will pick up on certain sales strategies/patterns that they use, and you will have the opportunity to engage in simple negotiation. Getting a much better deal than your friends is exhilarating. You don't even have to buy. Just walk up to shops and see how low you can get them to drop their prices. Try out different tactics and build upon what works. Be confident in yourself and have some fun with it!
 

Laughingman21

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Ca$hvertising and anything by Grant Cardone are good.

When doing sales, remember to focus on benefits not just features. Look for your customers pain points and tell them how your product is a solution to their pain.
 
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Limitless4Life

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Take a product and create a pitch for it to a specific type of customer. AN example is a survey technology for company event planners. Start off with a 30-60 second voicemail explaining who you are, why you’re calling, the value of your product (specifically to them) and a call to action. Record yourself and see how you sound...this is mandatory because voice inflation is key on the phone. Once you get voicemail down, you essentially have the template for cold calling minus the qualifying questions to get them talking about their pain points. When talking to a qualified prospect, pretend like you’re playing ping pong. You have to react fast to customer information, objections and pain points, but after a while it you notice patterns and it becomes natural to hit the ball back in the right places (with style when you get good). Practice your phone skills while reading 5 sales books and 5 copywriting books (one or two at a time of course).

Oh, and go out and chase women ;) it’s directly correlated.
 
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BD64

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What about for someone who doesn't "need" to learn how to sell?

I've got a regular 9-5 job and have always hated selling...so I probably suck at it. What can I do to learn?
Get a sales job on the side? Start having tactics when trying to sell ideas to family and friends?

Any ideas?

Apply selling to everyday life. Your probably doing it already without even realizing. Sell coworkers on going somewhere for lunch break. Sell your homies on which beer to drink or what bar to go to. Sell yourself on why you need to get out of your 9-5 scripted life.

And yeah, I would say learn about selling from books, chatting and networking with people who know how to sell, etc. Apply what you read/hear to your everyday sales efforts.
 

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