In the April Issue:
Sales gets a bad rep. It feels uncomfortable, icky, sleazy…as a sales copywriter, I’ve heard it all.
Every female entrepreneur I’ve ever worked with has felt resistance to selling. As women, we’ve been conditioned to be polite–to be content with what we have and not ask for too much. It’s not our fault we have these beliefs, but it is our responsibility, as business owners, to overcome them.
The good news is, it’s absolutely possible to create a sales experience that feels good for both you and your customers. Let’s start with the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make in sales:
It’s not about you, it’s about your customer.
Have you ever gotten a cold pitch in your DMs? Then you know exactly why those messages don’t work. The person pitching you clearly didn’t take the time to read your profile; they were only concerned with making a sale.
Those pushy, old-school tactics aren’t just annoying–they’re ineffective. Modern consumers don’t want to be shouted at. All your buyers really want is to feel seen, heard, and understood.
If you want to create a great sales experience, start by putting yourself in your customers’ shoes. Look at things from their perspective. This is what I like to call “empathy-driven sales”, and it starts with learning to listen to your customers. Want to close more sales calls? Spend more time listening than you do speaking, and watch your conversion rates skyrocket.
Here are some tactical ways you can get in your buyer’s mind:
- Have one-on-one conversations in the DMs
- Record your client calls and take note of common pain points
- The next time a customer compliments your product/service, write it down in their own words and use the same phrasing in your copy or on a sales call
Don’t assume you know what your audience wants or needs. Instead, get out there and ask them!
The more you get to know your audience, the deeper the connection you’ll be able to create, and the more people will begin to trust you. If you can make them feel like they’ve found someone who gets it, you’re already halfway to the sale.
Ethical sales strategies
As entrepreneurs, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to reach our revenue goals, and that can sometimes lead to a negative sales experience for our customers. The only way to change that is to shift your mindset.
Instead of entering every sales interaction with the goal of closing a deal, try asking yourself: what information does this person need to make an informed buying decision? Position yourself as an advisor instead of a salesperson.
If you feel strongly that they’re a good fit but they’re still hesitating, ask: how can I empower them to take action? Often, when someone says they don’t have the time or the money, there’s a deeper limiting belief that’s holding them back. See if you can uncover what that mindset block is, and encourage them to overcome it.
Trust your gut
If you feel uncomfortable with the way you’re selling, you can bet the person on the other side does as well. That’s a sign to adjust your approach.
There’s no one-size-fits-all sales strategy. Going live on Instagram may be great for extroverts, while introverts may prefer to let their emails do the heavy lifting. Try out different techniques until you find something that feels good to you.
Whether you love it or hate it, making sales is essential to stay in business. Find a way to enjoy the process and your customers (and your bottom line) will thank you for it.
Meet Megan Smyth, sales copywriter and consultant for trailblazing female entrepreneurs
After realizing three years into her pre-med degree that she was chasing someone else's idea of success, Megan decided to start her own business and use her science background to empower other female entrepreneurs.
Through her in-depth research process, personality-filled copy, and pull-no-punches consulting, she helps purpose-driven founders drive revenue and make a positive impact–without unethical business practices or sleazy sales tactics.
Find Megan HERE!
Read the Full April Issue of SHEcorporated Magazine HERE
