How to Sell Professionally Even When You Hate Selling

Let’s face it. “Sales” needs a serious rebrand. The word immediately conjures thoughts of sleazy sales guys with slicked back hair, ill-fitted cheap suits, and a tendency to throw out pathetic compliments and even more pathetic negotiating skills. This stereotypical image of a salesperson is rampant and it is time for a change.

The spectrum of “sales professionals” has elongated over the past 20 years, but there are still many gradients of professionalism and expertise in this group. You have everything from simple product salespeople, to enterprise tech sales, and even entrepreneurs who sell lumped into one generic category of “sales”.

As a result of the lack of definition around specialized sales, people tend to revert back to their own original stereotype and avoid salespeople, all salespeople. You can’t blame them really. It is a bad stereotype. Additionally, it is the root cause why companies don’t take their salespeople seriously, and why entrepreneurs love to create their vision, but struggle with increasing their revenues.

What if you could do it differently? What if you didn’t have to feel like that pushy, condescending, untrustworthy sales guy? Good news! There is another way. It’s called Professional Relationship Selling. And no, I’m not talking about making a list of all your friends and family members then calling them up to harass and convince them into participating in your sales funnel. I am talking about creating authentic relationships.

Professional relationship selling incorporates a process that has multiple steps and starts with knowing who you are and what you are representing. The fundamental difference between old school selling and professional relationship selling is authentic relationships.

When developing authentic relationships, there is a get-to-know-you period. During this period, you must be able to articulate your “why” and “what” in a concise manner. You must also be equally curious about the other person you have chosen to engage with. There is a big difference between those who are passively listening (and not really paying attention) and those who are listening with the intention to help others. Be a helper.

Once you open your mindset to one of being a helper, the other steps in professional relationship selling unfold naturally and effortlessly. If you would like to learn more about this new way of selling and rid yourself of the fear of becoming your worst imagined sales stereotype, reach out at [email protected]. If you would like to join our free professional women’s network for free training, resources, and to connect with other women just like yourself, visit Power Your Pay.