Door To Door Cable Sales
Fear of Marketing – How to Mentally Prepare Yourself for Marketing & Sales Without Feeling Like a Used Car Salesman
Before starting my consulting business, I worked as a cable TV salesman, selling monthly subscriptions door-to-door in Portland, OR. Like many sales spots, this was a 100% sales commission job. What it meant in essence is that I “wrote my own paycheck each day”, based totally on my efforts – regardless of the weather or any circumstance.
Prior to this job, I had worked for a large mental health agency where I had a guaranteed paycheck. Regardless of how hard or how little I worked, I always got paid. But now I was in a position where I was really the person deciding how much I earned or did NOT earn each day. To say it was a radical departure was an understatement.
While there were some days when I thought I was completely insane for taking this job as the sole supporter of my wife and 2 young kids, it turned out to be one of the best experiences for understanding and learning about sales and marketing — particularly sales.
What I learned that really made a difference was the power of mental attitude or the “marketing mindset.” This was important not only for me at that time, but also when I started to get into my consulting business.
Why so important?
Over my past 17 years of consulting, I’ve met a lot of gifted, wonderful people, new to consulting, coaching, or training. They’re passionate about what they do. But they’re absolutely terrified of sales, negotiating service agreement, and clueless about charging fees they RIGHTFULLY deserve!
They really get panicked and freeze anytime the discussion turns to sales and marketing.
As a remedy, I want to offer a solution that turned out to literally be a life-saver for me. It’s self-talk or that mental conversation we have with ourselves.
As a starting point, ask yourself these quick questions:
1. What is it that you say to yourself when you are approaching sales and marketing?
2. What past images or pictures go through your mind?
3. How do they influence you and your own sales and marketing efforts?
4. Can you squarely look in the mirror and ask yourself, “I am absolutely confident there is value in my service?”
5. Do your fees honestly reflect this value?
If you tripped, stumbled, and fell when answering any of these, try substituting negative for positive self-talk. Here are some examples:
“I never see failure as failure, but only as the feedback I need to change my course of direction.”
“I provide a genuine value and benefit for my clients by focusing on their needs, not mine.”
“I never see “No” as rejection but simply as an opportunity to learn what my client doesn’t understand about my service.”
While the words can be whatever you want, the important part is to repeat a positive statement to yourself over and over.
Use them to reverse what you might see as rejection or “I don’t like you” and turn it into a way to provide better service for your clients.
The more you focus on service and value, the less it feels like a sales pitch or a twist-the-arm of situation.
Think of yourself as an educator, who provides information to help your clients be more effective in what they do. That positive mental mindset can really make the difference in how you approach your whole business.
About the Author
I’d like to invite you to learn the 5 Secrets that Separate 6-Figure Consultants from Those Who Struggle to Pay the Bills. Get free instant access to the 60 minute audio program at http://startconsultingnow.com/sixfigures
With over 17 years of in-the-trenches experience, Larry Ferguson now helps solo consultants model his thriving 6-figure business.
2004 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King for sale – photos
|
|
Tripp Lite PS3612 Multiple Outlet Strip 15-Amp 12 outlets 15ft Cord $35.85 12 outlet 15 ampsMultiple outlets wherever neededDesigned for vertical or horizontal power distributionTransparent on/off switch cover prevents accidental shutoffLifetime product warranty… |
|
|
Bosch 1594K 6.5 Amp 3-1/4-Inch Planer Kit $121.54 This well-designed planer offers fast stock removal and the smoothest finish–exactly what we expected from Bosch. The powerful 6.5 amp motor runs the versatile two-blade Woodrazor system at 16,500 rpm with a protective shield that covers the section of blade that’s not in use. The fence itself deserves applause–bevels are accurate and easy to adjust. We love the chip ejection as well. Too many t… |
|
|
Tripp Lite PS4816 16-Outlet Power Strip (15-Amp, 15-Foot Cord) $73.60 16 OUTLETS15 AMP 120V AC POWER DISTRIBUTIONNEMA 5-15P INPUT & NEMA 5-15R OUTPUT15-AMP CIRCUIT BREAKERSTURDY ALL-METAL EXTRUDED ALUMINUM HOUSINGLIGHTED POWER SWITCH WITH LOCKING TRANSPARENT COVER TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL SHUTOFFMOUNTING HARDWARE SUPPORTS HORIZONTAL OR VERTICAL MOUNTING APPLICATIONSINCLUDES INSTRUCTION MANUAL & MOUNTING HARDWARE15-FT AC POWER CORDDIM: 48″L X 1.5″H X 1.5″DWEIGHT: 4.3 LB… |
|
|
Energizer Inductive Charger … |
|
|
Wii Epic Mickey Paintbrush Nunchuk $9.99 Break free from the Mad Doctor’s clutches, set out in pursuit of the mysterious rabbit Oswald, and defeat the Evil Blot with the EPIC MICKEY Paintbrush Chuk for the Nintendo Wii System. This iconic collectible is modeled after Mickey Mouse’s paintbrush in the game. It features a 3 foot cord and a soft foam tip…. |
|
|
Xbox 360 Intercooler TS $24.99 Nyko Intercooler TS for 360. increases air flow and reduces heat afrom the console…. |
|
|
Panasonic BL-C210A Internet Security Camera $110.00 The Panasonic BL-C210 Wired Home Network Pan/Tilt Wide Angle Camera can be viewed and controlled from a standard web browser, video display, or even a compatible cell phone or PDA. It is easy to install and operate and requires no additional software for the PC that you’re viewing on. The camera also comes with a free web address, which can track the camera automatically. BL-C210H.264/MPEG-4, Moti… |
|
|
Palm Touchstone Charging Dock for Palm Pre $3.66 Avoid the hassle of tangled cords and charge your Palm Pre wirelessly with this Palm Touchstone Charging Dock. The first inductive charging solution for phones, the Touchstone Charging Dock allows you to set your Palm Pre on top of the dock without worrying about connection, orientation or fit. The device remains active while charging, allowing access to the touch screen, movies or video, or the s… |
|
|
Palm Touchstone Kit for Palm Pre $9.72 Includes Palm Pre touchstone back coverNo cables or connectors requiredAdjustable speakerphone control turns speakerphone on when the phone is in the dockAutomatic answering by removing the phone from the dock when a call is incoming… |
|
|
Audiovox Sirius SIREXT50 Indoor/Outdoor Antenna Extension 50-feet Cable – Black $39.99 TERK SIR-EXT50 Indoor/Outdoor Extension Kit… |
