Sales secrets you can useYou don’t have to be a salesperson to use techniques of persuasion that work. After all, most of us have to present ideas to committees or Boards of Directors, lobby for a promotion, or even talk someone into trying a new restaurant.
Selling is a science, and you can benefit from its proven methods. You may even be selling without realizing it. Here are some tips to help you deliver
perfect presentation.
Know who you are selling to. If you’re doing a presentation before a Board of Directors, research how it has reacted to past proposals. Spend some time collecting details that address any issues that could be raised. What are
Board’s values and attitudes? Do
Directors behave consistently, such as always choosing
least expensive option? Do your homework then develop a set of objectives and strategies.
Tailor your behavior. If
people you are presenting to relate best to verbal information, don’t come in armed with piles of graphs and other information. If you’re speaking to people you don’t know much about, watch their reactions. If they sit up straighter when you start citing statistics, modify your presentation to be less emotional and forthright.
Listen. Most people think “selling” is
same as “talking”. But
most effective salespeople know that listening is
most important part of their job. Pay attention to what your audience says and
questions they ask. If particular words or phrases keep coming up, use variations of them when you respond.