Oooh, friends. THIS is a tough one.
I find myself coming down on both sides of this, but I tell you what - I'd MUCH rather sell a product I love than one I don't. Here's why.
The process of "selling" has evolved. No question about it. As we've previously discussed, "sell" has become one of the four-letter words we don't want to admit doing. We "offer." We find needs and fill them. We look for people who are looking for us. But heaven forbid, these days, it is very out to actually "sell." In fact, it's not unusual for someone to be recruited into our business - called "Direct Sales" by the way - and be told that they don't ever have to "sell."
Avoiding all the negatives of selling, then, the process has moved to one of "permission" marketing, storytelling, etc. I don't really have a problem with this - but it works a whole lot better IF you have a story to tell about your product or IF it has made some difference in your life that you just have to share. In essence, if you LOVE it.
What if you don't have a story about how the product made a difference in your life? What if you don't use the product? What if you respect the product, but it just doesn't zing for you? Can you still sell it?
Yes, yes, and yes again. But don't lie. Use simple selling skills, and look for people for whom this product is the RIGHT answer to their needs. Just because it doesn't solve a need for YOU, doesn't mean it doesn't solve a need for someone else. I started out in this business selling a product for children before I had any. I believed in the product, but had no personal story or personal experience to share.
But, it's easier if you love it. It's easier if you've got a story. It's more fun if it's a passion.
Now, the hard part. What if it wasn't the product, but the opportunity that called to you?
This one has tangled up more than a few of us. Here's the dilemma. You hear about a great, probably start-up, company and you have a chance to get in on the "ground floor." It's not a product that excites you, but you're a smart enough business person to realize there IS a market for it. So far, so good.
But, because what attracted you was the "great opportunity" you MAY have the tendency to sell that, instead of the product. Just be aware. It's not going to be ground floor forever. This is the voice of experience sharing with you here. I'm not saying you should avoid a great opportunity - I just want you to make sure a great, viable product that you are comfortable selling is part of it.
So, do you have to LOVE your product to sell it ethically and effectively? Nope.
Does it help? You BET.
SALES...the Life of the Party Plan
Kimberly Bates, the Better Seller Coach
You can follow me http://twitter.com/thebetterseller
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I have to agree. I sold a product that I didn't use. But, I believed it was a quality product and I also knew that my target market would have a hard time accessing this product if I didn't sell it through home parties. I am sure that because I believed in the product that the product pretty much sold itself.
ReplyDeletewow, I'm sooo glad I found you on twitter! and I'll link you on my blog today. you have a lot of info that will benefit me!
ReplyDeleteI have always been a great sales person. I can pretty much "sell" anything. It's diffrent now that I'm a stay at home mom and trying to make a little money from my art. I find that 'wearing' my stuff helps to promote it as well.