5 Basics You Need to Know About Sales as an Entrepreneur (If You Want to Stay in Business)

Ah, sales. The lifeblood of any business, yet the bane of many entrepreneurs' existence. Sales can be tricky, complicated, and downright frustrating. But don't worry, I'm here to guide you through the basics of sales as an entrepreneur. And to keep things interesting, I'll be throwing in some sarcasm. Because let's be real, if you can't laugh at the absurdity of sales, you might cry.

1. Know Your Target Market
You can't sell to someone if you don't know who that someone is. So, before you start trying to peddle your product or service, take some time to figure out who your ideal customer is. What are their pain points? What motivates them to buy? Where do they hang out online (or in person)? Once you have a clear understanding of who your target market is, you can tailor your sales pitch and messaging accordingly.

2. Build Relationships
Sales is about more than just making a quick buck. It's about building lasting relationships with your customers. People buy from people they like and trust. So, take the time to get to know your customers. Ask them questions, listen to their answers, and show them you genuinely care about their needs. Building strong relationships with your customers will not only lead to repeat business but also to valuable word-of-mouth referrals.

3. Handle Objections
No matter how good your product or service is, you're going to encounter objections from potential customers. Maybe they think your price is too high, or they don't see the value in what you're offering. It's important to be prepared for objections and have a plan in place for how to handle them. Don't get defensive or argumentative. Instead, listen to their concerns and try to address them in a way that shows you understand where they're coming from. (P.s, In my online training "Sales made easy" there is a full module on how to handle objections, just saying...)

4. Follow Up
The sale doesn't end when the customer hands over their credit card. Follow-up is an essential part of the sales process. Send a thank you email or card, check in to make sure they're happy with their purchase, and offer any additional support or resources they may need. Not only does follow-up show your customers that you care about their experience, but it also opens the door for future sales opportunities. And besides that, following up can lead to upselling potential (p.s, even if they are not your customer yet, follow-up is the most important thing to do, whether they decided to buy from you or not...)

5. Be Persistent (But Not Annoying)
Sales is a numbers game (this does not mean you have to call the entire world, not everyone is interested in your products or services so make sure you reach out to your target group!). The more people you reach out to, the more sales you'll likely make. But there's a fine line between being persistent and being annoying. Don't be the pushy salesperson who won't take no for an answer. Respect your customers' boundaries, but don't be afraid to follow up multiple times if you haven't heard back from them. Just make sure you're balancing persistence with professionalism.

Sales may not be the most glamorous aspect of running a business, but it's essential if you want to stay in business. By understanding your target market, building relationships, handling objections, following up, and being persistent (but not annoying), you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of sales. And who knows, you might even learn to love it (okay, let's not get carried away   ).