I used to dread the thought of selling. It didn’t fit my personality; I hated feeling spammy or pushy. I just dreaded the whole process. But business doesn’t happen, and revenue doesn’t come in, without the selling.
The game changer for me was moving from selling to inviting. It’s an offer, not a push. Need a visual? Picture an open hand and an inviting gesture, not a grabbing motion followed by a clenching, yanking movement. To comfortably offer an invitation you have to have confidence in the value of your offer and of yourself. You have to believe that you can help a potential customer in some way. Help them solve a problem, or grow, or get healthy. You have to really know in your heart-of-hearts that you have a product or service that you know can help your prospect.
You have to be so confident in your value that there is no NEED to push.
What would you do with a friend? Invite, don’t push.
There are so many points in the sales process where, if you shift your thinking to offering an invitation, you are far more likely to get to the next stage.
Invite someone to connect on the phone for a Discovery Call. Or an initial conversation. Whatever you want to call it.
While on the call, once you have assessed their needs and if they are a fit for what you have to offer, invite them to hear about your services.
Invite them to choose among the 2 or 3 options you have presented. (That might sound like this: “Of the 3 packages we discussed, which one feels like the right fit for you at this time)? No pushing required!
Invite them to get started with you by scheduling your first appointment, even before you have collected any money.
If they can’t decide or are on the fence, or have to check with someone (and this is a show stopper for many!) that’s OK! Ask them how long they might need for the decision-making, and invite them for a “circle back” call to decide if and when you will be working together. Schedule that call right then and there.
Both of you want to know if you should continue the conversation or not. If they ultimately don’t want to move forward, or if they don’t show up for the call, that’s fine. They were not the right client for you!
None of these steps are pushy. None of these steps have to feel uncomfortable, awkward, or invasive. Invitations are polite and respectful of you, your product/service, AND your prospect.
Sales can be a comfortable and authentic process that feels easy and natural, just like any conversation with someone new. If you walk away without closing, guess what? You now have a new network contact that you can tap in the future because you chose to invite, not push, your offerings.
Speaking of Discovery Sessions, I’d like to invite you to join me to explore your business and how we can work together. Click here to schedule a 30-minute call. I’d love to connect with you to help you grow your business!