How to Sell Yourself in 10 Simple Ways

Believing in yourself is the key to it

WE are all in the selling business whether we like it or not. It does not matter whether you are a lawyer or an accountant, a manager or a politician, an engineer or a doctor.

However, before you get better at persuading or influencing other people, you need to get better at selling yourself.

1: You must believe in the product
Selling yourself is pretty much like selling anything. Firstly, you need to believe in what you are selling. That means believing in “you”.

The first thing people notice about you is your attitude. If you are like most people, then you will suffer from a lack of confidence from time to time. Most people are more likely to think negative things about themselves than positive things. This holds them back in life.

If you are in a sales job or a business owner or a manager, then you need to continually work on your self-talk. You need to listen to that little voice inside your head. Is it saying you are on top, or is it telling you that you are a loser?

2: The packaging must grab attention
The way the product is packaged and presented will influence the customer’s decision. Everything about you needs to look good, and you must dress appropriately for the occasion. And do not think that just because your customer dresses casually, he expects you to dress the same way.
The style and colour of the clothes you wear, your spectacles, shoes, briefcase, watch, pen, all make a statement about you.

3: Smile
There is no need to get carried away, and give people a big cheesy grin. A pleasant, friendly manner that does not frighten people away will do.

4: Remember names
Use the other person’s name as soon as you can but do not overdo it. Business is less formal nowadays, but be careful of using first names initially. Make sure your customer know yours and remember it.

5: Watch the other person What does his body language tell you?
Is he comfortable with you or a bit nervous? Is he listening to you or are his eyes darting around the room? If he is not comfortable and not listening, then there is no point telling him some-thing important about your business.

6: Listen and look like you are listening
Many people, particularly men, do not show that they are listening. The other person can only go by your visible reaction, not what is going on in-side your head.

If he sees a blank expression, then he will assume you have tuned out. The trick is to do all the active listening things such as nodding your head, the occasional “uh-huh” and asking pertinent questions.

7: Be interested
If you want to be interesting, then be interested. This is the most important thing you can do to be successful at selling yourself.

Most people are very concerned about their self-image. If they sense that you value them and feel they are important and worth listening to, then you effectively raise their self-image.

8: Talk positively
Do not say, “Isn’t it a horrible day?” or “Business is pretty tough at present” or anything that pulls the conversation down.

Say things like (and only the truth), “I like the design of this office” or “I’ve heard some good reports about your new product”.

9: Mirror the other person
This does not mean mimicking the other person; it just means you speak and behave in a manner that is similar to that person. For example, if your customer speaks slowly or quietly, then you do the same.

10: Be warm and friendly
If you look and sound warm and friendly, then you are more likely to get a positive response. This is not about being obsequious. It is about having a pleasant expression on your face (even if you have had a trying day) or using a warm tone over the telephone.