Take the stress out of selling

Get comfortable with selling (for people who find sales stressful)

If the thought of selling unsettles you, you’re not alone.

Many entrepreneurs feel uneasy, queasy and downright sleazy when they think about switching on sales mode. But without buyers, you have no business, so it’s time to get comfortable with selling your products and services.

Everyone sells

Business makes the world go round. Without businesses selling to other businesses, the corporate world would collapse. And, as individuals, we need products to survive and thrive. So don’t feel guilty about the part you play in this. Embrace what you have to offer and the benefit you bring to others.

Your business IS sales

When you do something you love, actually selling your product can feel less important than what you're making, creating or sharing. Painting portraits, building websites, making TikTok videos, baking spectacular cakes… this might be something you’d happily do for free because you enjoy it so much.

But without sales, you just have a hobby. If you want to build a business doing what you love, you have to make sales. Sorry about that.

People want what you offer

You know that you have a great product or service. You’ve done your market research and know it meets a need, solves a problem or puts a smile on someone’s face. So why do you feel guilty about introducing people to it? Why not upsell to your regular customers or cross-sell extras that will add more value? You might just make their day.

Dial up your enthusiasm

You are the CEO of your business but did you know you’re also the CCL? Chief Cheer Leader. If you don’t seem excited about your product, no one else will be. Your self-doubt can shake consumer confidence, so you need to sell enthusiastically. Embrace your brilliance and rehearse those USPs (unique selling points) until they trip off your tongue.

Selling doesn’t have to be spammy

Selling gets a bad press. You might be picturing a dodgy car salesman selling clapped-out bangers, or a double glazing company going door to door in a "no cold calling zone"! But when you decide to be your own boss, you get to choose how to sell.

If you feel really uneasy, work to an ethical code that makes you more comfortable. For example, you might decide you’ll never email a lead more than twice. Respect to your customers by making sure you're really hot on GDPR - which is a legal requirement. Rather than spamming people with your emails or alienating people with your advertising, make sure you’re marketing is targeted to people who can really benefit from your product or service.

You can pull as well as push

Selling isn’t just about pushing your product out to people. It is about pulling people to you too. By raising awareness of who you are, what you do, and the benefits that brings to your target market, you can generate leads in a way that feel less ‘salesy’.

Networking in person and online can also introduce people to your product. And content marketing through blogs and ebooks* is a great way to attract customers to you.

*Here's one from our friends at Smarta:
FREE E-BOOK 'From side hustle to main hustle'

There’s nothing wrong with knowing your worth

Many people feel uncomfortable talking about money, especially asking for it! But the bottom line for your business is whether it is profitable or not. Not placing the right value on yourself, your services or your product will reduce your chances of success.

So know what you need to sell for, set your prices and stick to your guns. Because you’re worth it!