Overcome Your Fear of Selling

"Selling," does the word strike fear in your heart? Well, you are not alone. However, let's think about what selling is for a moment. When someone likes you, at some point you sold yourself . . . you presented an image that was compelling enough for them to like you. You asked a friend for a favor and they agreed . . . that's selling too. You told someone about a wonderful movie and, based on your comments, they went to see it. Most of us do these things regularly; yet, we don't realize that what we are actually doing is selling. So why do we allow the word to have such negative power over us?

Now that we know that everyone is a salesperson at some point, it is a good time to take out a pen and piece of paper and make your own list of simple things you do that are really the art of selling. Many people believe that people who are good at selling are "natural born salespeople." While that may be true occasionally, more often than not they simply developed good skills - things like listening and learning to present in a manner consistent with what the customer needs.

The following tips are designed to help you realize what is holding you in the grip of fear and to help you break free from that fear. Even more, breaking free from the fear empowers you to claim the success you aspire to and allows you to begin to feel excitement about the prospect of selling.

Know the Source of Your Fear

When you fear something, there is usually an underlying cause.

First, ask yourself what it is that frightens you. Is it the possibility that someone will say no? Remember that "no" is only a word and it does not define that person's opinion of you. It is not a personal assessment of you, so do not take the word personally. Is it because you are afraid they will think you are being too pushy? All you have to do is find out what they need and then offer them a solution. You then come from a position of helpfulness rather than pushiness. Whatever your fear, once you identify the source of your fear, you can begin to overcome it.

Take Action

Once you identify the source, take action to overcome the source of your fear.

To overcome your fear might require that you spend some time developing a more effective business presentation or you may need to ask your sponsor or enroller for help. If your fear stems from being new and not knowing enough about the business or the industry, the company is sure to have numerous training materials available that you can study. Realize here that even a seasoned network marketing professional can have moments of fear when they are embarking on a new course with a new company. Another possibility is to consider watching a sales professional that you particularly admire and then emulate the methods and styles that this person uses.

Tap Into Your Passion

Passion carries great weight with people - it increases your believability.

What are you most passionate about? What is the one thing that gets you all fired up? When you are passionate about something, people find they are caught up in your passion. Even if they do not understand it, the energy is present and it is contagious. Use the same passion you use with the things you are most passionate about to overcome your fear. Be passionate about your products and the business opportunity that comes with them. Keep a diary to record success stories, complete your stories promptly as they develop, and read it daily. It will serve as a reminder that you really can sell. You will find your confidence growing and your fear subsiding with each successful conclusion.

Reevaluate Your Perspective

"Selling" vs. "Sharing"

If you find that it is the word "selling" disturbs you, then change your mentality and think of it as sharing. You are "sharing" products that people need or want. You are "sharing" an opportunity that enables them to realize extra income or even change their entire lifestyle. Imagine how these same people might feel when you begin earning enough to take exotic trips, buy a new car or even a new house. Do you think that they will thank you for NOT "sharing" the opportunity with them?

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

Do set your standards and goals high, but remember that it takes time to achieve your goals.

Build in halfway points when setting goals. When you reach the halfway mark, give yourself a special treat, because you deserve it. Goals are less daunting when you see success on the horizon. Always begin with the target market that you are most comfortable selling to, whether it is friends, family members or total strangers. Very often, people tend to tackle projects much larger than they can comfortably handle. Do not fall into that trap. Stretch yourself, but do not expect to realize success overnight.

Stay Focused

People that stay focused on the benefits derived from reaching a goal are far more likely to succeed.

Keep the goal in sight, not the obstacles. Many famous people found they had to try repeatedly before they achieved the success they sought. Henry Ford went broke five times before Ford Motor Company became a success. Alexander Graham Bell was turned down by Western Union when he offered them exclusive rights to his invention of the telephone. Elvis Presley failed auditions for his high school's choir, but became the king of rock and roll. Abraham Lincoln failed as a businessman, a storekeeper, and a farmer, but went on to become the President of the United States where he abolished slavery. Think of yourself as being among great leaders. This can help you take the next step and the next and the next.