What learning to sell means
Indeed's career advice guide describes knowing how to sell as an important skill that can help in any role requiring the promotion of ideas or products. The guide says that being able to explain what a product or service offers to potential customers can help a person adapt their sales skills to any professional situation. It also notes that learning about selling in general can help improve skills and develop strategies for success.
The Mailshake sales blog takes a similar view, citing researchers who say everyone is technically 'in sales'. The blog argues that selling is, at its core, about influencing others, and that while everyone has natural strengths, anyone can get better at influencing. It gives the example that convincing a child to go to bed or asking a shop for a discount is already selling in some form.
“The blog argues that selling is, at its core, about influencing others, and that while everyone has natural strengths, anyone can get better at influencing.”
Methods for selling anything
The Indeed guide offers ten methods for selling to any buyer. Among them, it suggests researching the buyer to understand their needs, wants, lifestyle and motivations, and then adapting the sales pitch accordingly. It recommends learning what problem a product can solve or what desire it can fulfil, and listing the benefits of a product or service. It also advises selling oneself by letting a client get to know the seller, and establishing rapport before giving a sales pitch.
Other methods in the guide include presenting oneself as an expert, listening actively, and offering customer service. It suggests adapting the selling process to a prospect's personality, such as being analytical, amiable, assertive or expressive. To counter a buyer's hesitation, the guide mentions proving oneself as the right seller, equipping oneself with sales tools, and using a customer activity monitor to analyse interactions and follow up after a purchase.
Skills anyone can learn
The Mailshake blog lists fifteen sales skills that anyone can learn. These include finding a comfortable sales style, habit stacking, getting strategic about prospecting, becoming an industry expert, and supercharging communication through storytelling and emotional intelligence. The blog also covers staying on the radar without overwhelming prospects, harnessing empathy, being a team player, and persevering through rejection.
The blog suggests becoming a master negotiator, fostering curiosity, honing organisation skills, contributing usefully on social media, and keeping a CRM clean. It cites a sales strategist who says at least 50% of prospects are not a good fit for what is being sold, and advises focusing on the other 50%. The blog warns against bombarding prospects with relentless direct messages or automated cold emails, and suggests that asking 'why' when a prospect says no can open a new line of questioning.
Questions
What is learning to sell?
Indeed's career advice guide describes knowing how to sell as an important skill for any role that involves promoting ideas or products. The Mailshake sales blog says selling is, at its core, about influencing others.
How does learning to sell work?
According to Indeed's guide, it involves methods such as researching the buyer, learning what the customer needs, presenting oneself as an expert, and countering hesitation. The Mailshake blog frames it as building soft skills like empathy, flexibility and negotiation.
What skills can anyone learn to sell better?
The Mailshake blog lists fifteen skills, including finding a comfortable sales style, habit stacking, strategic prospecting, becoming an industry expert, and using storytelling and emotional intelligence in communication.
Do you need to be a born salesperson?
The Mailshake blog cites researchers who say everyone is technically 'in sales'. It adds that people have strengths by nature, but that influencing others is something a person can improve.
What is one method for selling anything?
Indeed's guide suggests researching the buyer to understand their needs, wants and motivations, then adapting the sales pitch accordingly.