Retail Sales Tips
Retail sales jobs these days are really looked down upon, aren't they? Every one hates annoying salesmen. Just when someone's taking a break, or a walk, you sneak up upon the unsuspecting souls trying to get them to buy something that even you didn't think would exist. But yet it does. What you're trying to sell may be outright ridiculous, but you need the money, and as much as the customer reviles you, you have to suck it up and sell your stuff to him.
Best Ways to Make More Sales
Right, so selling is your job and selling is what you have to do. Hence, you might as well do it right!
- Understand Yourself:
If there is one thing that you need to know about sales is yourself. Before you take the plunge into the rather difficult world of retail sales and marketing ask yourself, is this really your thing? Are you really going to be able to sell some people something they really don't want or have a really better alternative to? Are you really going to be able to achieve your target? Would you enjoy converting one non-buyer to a customer more than moping about 50 rejections? Can you handle business communication? If the answer to all this is a confident 'yes', then it is possible for you enter this field. Because if it isn't, you're going to be terrible and this job is going to be a total waste of time. So understand yourself and your strengths. - Understand your Customer:
Since you, the sales person are on the field, you have a better idea than anyone else in your company about the choice of the customer. The fact that you're out there selling stuff to people, as opposed to people coming to you and buying what they want, must tell you something. There is something about your product that just isn't appealing enough to the customer. Find out what it is. I know it's rare to stumble across a rather chatty person who may point out the flaws in your product, but when you do, make sure you find what exactly it is, and report it to your reporting head. In this way, you'll help in making your product more like the way the customer wants it. - Confidence:
If there is something that sets a good and a bad salesperson apart, it is confidence. If you can successfully win over your customer, then half your job is done. It is all about winning over your customer psychologically. If you can really grab the person's attention with your smile and your positive attitude, then the chance of a person buying your stuff is really good. Think of yourself as an advertisement rather than the salesperson of your company. And this you can do with a substantial amount of confidence. If you are able to win over your customer psychologically, then you've won! - Love Your Company and the Product:
Most customers today can easily cut through the crap and see whether the salesperson really means what he says. So, it is imperative that you sincerely love your company and your product. Because if you do, it will show on your face and the customer will appreciate it. Also, you never lie to the customer, because if you do, you not only lose one customer, but you also lose the people he will bad-mouth to about you and your products. So always be truthful. If there are any flaws in the product admit them, but make sure that you keep the customer focused on the positive aspects, rather than the negative. - Build Relationships:
We all hear about building relationships with customers. Why? Because if you build a good relationship with a customer, he will keep coming to you. Relationship with a customer is like an investment which pays returns for a long time. It may perhaps be little unrealistic, but if the customer puts in a good word about you to someone else, you might be getting a few more customers as well. Hence, it is essential to maintain good relationships with existing customers. - Communicate to Seniors:
Now this one might take a bit more confidence and bravado, but if your targets are unrealistic, this must be conveyed to your bosses. Also, if the customer feels that there are some flaws in your product, the branding, or the pricing, this too must be communicated. After all, you are the one who's on the field and hence, know the pulse of the market better than anyone else. And if the bosses think that you're making some really relevant suggestions, they may also be inclined to view you in a more positive light!
