Nothing is worse than a slimy, slick willy, fast talking, lying old crooked salesman!
I know many of you have heard comments similar to these over the years; salespersons usually don’t have the best reputations throughout the community as you well know.
However despite their reps if you want to become a successful entrepreneur you must learn the art of sales in order to increase your chances of success.
This doesn’t mean you have to focus all your efforts into salesmanship, but you at least should know the basics.
You see rather you like it or not you will constantly be selling your product or service to someone, especially in the beginning stages of your start up. Oh you don’t believe me? Well look at it this way.
When you’re networking you’re constantly presenting (selling) your business to other professionals in your community.
When you’re seeking capital from banks, investors, or venture capitalist you present (sale) them your business plan and why you think it will produce.
As a start up most likely you won’t have a strong sales and marketing team in place, so you must acquire your own accounts and contracts through sales efforts.
When passing out business cards to friends, family, classmates, and others around town, you are presenting them with a marketing tool in hopes of creating further contacts and business generation (sales).
When trying to gain a lucrative partner or agent, you present and explain (sale) to them your idea and vision in hopes of receiving further resources.
Regardless of how you view it sales are extremely important to your entrepreneurial pursuits. I suggest that you begin to look for basic sales books to help increase some of your knowledge on the process.
Some good authors to start with are Zig Ziggler’s classic books on sales and marketing that are written with very simple content and also include some great humor.
Also you may want to try Brian Tracey’s audio cassettes and CD’s for your listening pleasure. More importantly remember that most sales knowledge will always come from getting off your butt and getting in front of people for the ultimate real life experience!
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