The Wild Rej

You are a salesman. Or a saleswoman. Guaranteed.

You might not know it, but it’s true. Everything we do involves selling in some way. If you’re a filmmaker, you have to sell your ideas to the audience. You have to sell your movie so it can get made and distributed.

We sell every day of our lives. There’s no getting around it. And most of us are not good at all.

I have a my share of sales over the years, and I just thought I would provide a few pointers.

5 Ways to Get Better at Selling…

1) Help people solve a problem – do not be thinking of your commission!
This makes a difference! People can tell what you’re thinking, and more importantly, what you think of them. If you’re looking at them and you have dollars signs in your eyes, you’re in trouble.

2) Say Less.
Many people are very good at making the sale… and then losing it. There’s a point where you need to just stop talking. And it’s always before you realize that you should just stop talking. Make sure you’re listening just as much, or more, as you talk. If you’re not asking questions and listening to their answers, you’re toast.

3) Be on time.
To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is unacceptable. If you can’t show up on time for an appointment, why should I trust you with my money? Enough said.

4) Be brief.
Nobody likes their time being wasted. And you shouldn’t waste your own time. If you can’t simplify what your message is, you probably don’t deserve to be successful. You’re probably a gifted writer/filmmaker/entrepreneur/investor/businessman/rockstar and if you don’t have other things to do in your life, then you look like a needy, pushy jerk who has no other things to do. Who wants to give that guy money?

5) Be sold yourself.
If you don’t believe in what you’re trying to sell, they know it. They smell it. It’s written on your face and all over your shirt. It’s that bad. And cologne doesn’t help. Not mouthwash either. Sell yourself and half of the battle is done.

Any other suggestions? I know there’s a lot more out there, but the bottom line is sales is a numbers game and emotionally challenging. Don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t forget that we are selling something every day of our lives.