I love it when I get a telemarketing phone call and the person calling me tries to assure me that they're not selling anything. Of course they are. I usually stop them right there and challenge them. I point out to them that they really are selling (even if they really think that they aren't or their supervisor has convinced them that they aren't) , and the phone call typically ends there because they aren't prepared for that.
In the simplest of terms, selling is just a matter of one person trying to persuade (coerce, browbeat, cajole, convince) another that their product, service, or idea is something that the other person should but, try, or accept. When a family of 4 wants to go to dinner (or go to a movie) and all have different ideas, each person presents their own case and attempts to "sell" their idea to the others.
Now, we usually don't think of this as selling because money is not exchanging hands, there is no paperwork, there are no deliveries, and the person making the presentation does not have a business card that says "salesperson" on it. Age has nothing to do with it - I started selling in grade school.
Here's the point. Selling is a very honorable profession. It provides the revenue that greases the wheels of commerce. No money, no business. No business, No jobs. Basic.
So why should we apologize for being salespeople?
When someone asks me if I'm trying to "sell" them, I thank them for noticing and enthusiastically confirm that I am.
No need to tiptoe, backdoor, camouflage, or disguise our intent. We are salespeople. No apologies necessary - or accepted.
* For more information about my consulting and coaching services visit my website stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can join this site and begin participating in the fun and networking opportunities by clicking here.
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