Can you sell? If you can, chances are you are a good communicator. Often, I see the best sales people are great masters of conversation. Knowledgeable about many things – but keyed in on their specialty, and having an ability to talk about it without the ‘push’ that makes it feel like a hard sell is what typically differentiates the best sales people. Having a “gift for gab” with the substance to fortify it can take things a long way and help establish a quick rapport and win trust.
I think the best approach is can you tell the story? Not sell the story.
Product, service yourself….Doesn’t matter what you are marketing or branding; Make no mistake, it needs to be delivered appropriately and with the right combination of connect, transmission and in a way that allows the other side to relate to you – not the product or service.
Offer a compelling reason why your target should be interested in YOU. How do you convey that? You do it by not selling it. The market is completely saturated today and the competition in all categories is huge.
Again, what will differentiate you from the others? Why should we be listening too you? What you are selling isn’t unique. But, you are. That’s the key to it all.
How do you present yourself, make your client feel easy about you and want to establish a relationship with you.
The window of opportunity is short. Make the best of that. The approach is strong in what you know, how you deliver it and how you treat people.
It is not strong on attitude and salesmanship. That will end things before they begin.
Remember – they call it a first impression for a reason – make a good one.