11 Powerful Sales Tips for People without Sales Experience

You are forced to change careers because of the economy. The only positions you can find are commission-only sales jobs and they offer benefits. You have no experience in sales and never considered yourself to be a salesperson; but you must work or suffer dire consequences.

Go ahead, apply for the job. Apply for as many as you find interesting. But first, read these tips and you will feel confident you are the one to be hired over anyone else!

I read Joe Girard's bestseller, How to Sell Yourself, before receiving any formal sales training. It was very beneficial to me. Girard is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the top car salesman of all time. I learned some of these tips from him and training received from other Fortune 500 companies when I worked in sales.

You could spend a great deal of time reading books and attending seminars but selling is common sense and quite simple. You sell yourself daily in some capacity whether you know it or not.

These powerful sales tips will help you succeed in your new career as a Professional Sales Representative. If you want to become a Sales Manager, these tips will help you get there, too!

1. Product/Service Knowledge

Take the information given you by the company and learn it. Become intimate with it. Know the industry and your customers' needs. The more research you are willing to do, the more your sales will increase. This knowledge will make selling natural and conversational, not filled with hype.

2. Practice makes Perfect

Rehearse your presentation until you know it. You can make an audio only or audio and video of yourself giving your core message. Get to know your material and well. It's okay to change it up. Changing it somewhat is advised as long as you cover what's in the next three tips.

3. Features

The features relate to the product/service. Distinguish it from the competition but do not embellish with unproven claims.

4. Advantages

Advantages speak of how your product/service is useful to the end-user. What the end-user will gain by using what you are selling.

5. Benefits

Benefits clearly explain what is gained by the decision-maker for buying your product/service. People like to know, "what's in it for me?" Improving the quality of life by reducing stress, saving time and money are all benefits. Together, the Features, Advantages, and Benefits (FABs) tell your prospect why they should become a customer. Your job is to make them irresistible!

6. Appearance

Not only is your presentation important but how you present yourself is important, too. Do not look like you are out of a job. Instead, look as if you are the #1 award-winning sales representative in the world! This tip isn't to insult your intelligence but you would be surprised how inconsiderate people are by not looking neat, clean and professional.

7. Two Ears to Listen Up

Sales people are known to talk but successful salespeople are known for their listening skills. Listening gives you insight and information you never have to ask because the customer sees you care about them and what they are saying. So, listen and observe if you really want to close sales.

8. Become a Helper not a "Salesperson"

Make it a habit to serve your customers. This is rarely done. You will come across as superficial if you are not passionate about the product/service you represent. Be helpful and you'll gain customer loyalty. Remember, "You'll get what you want if you help enough people get what they want." Thank Zig Zigler for that! It is packed with spiritual wisdom!

9. Be Enthusiastic

Enthusiasm is contagious. Negative talk depletes enthusiasm so avoid it. Your energy is picked up when your genuine persona shines. It also inspires confidence in you and an interest in what you are saying.

10. To Make a Friend be Friendly

I have never met a stranger. Being a people person will take you up the ladder. Selling does not seem like selling when you have made a friend. Be considerate of your customer. Do not argue or say anything to embarrass the customer. This might seem obvious but the obvious is often overlooked.

11. Close smoothly but Close

Make the experience enjoyable for the customer. Trying your product/service before purchasing should be easy. An uncomplicated process will make asking for the business easy. With respect and boldness, close the sale.

With these helpful tips, you will build long-term relationships and experience great success in sales. These tips are common sense but are overlooked and not used by those who struggle to reach their sales goals. Your prospect is buying you above all else. Sell yourself from the initial contact and they are likely to buy what you are selling. Present yourself confidently, well-groomed, friendly, as a listener and enthusiastically, and you will excel in your new profession.

August 2009 by Avis Ward of Avis Ward.com

__________________________

Writing is very therapeutic no matter what level you begin. Come to a place, a place where you belong. Join us at: /Register.asp . Registration is free. Not only will you get to meet members of the best Writers' Community on the web but you'll also touch and be touched in ways you never thought possible.