An Independent Consultant's View of Salesmanship

As an independent consultant who works with peoplehelp you to get a better understanding of his
in a variety of occupations, I look at salesmanship asproblem.
encompassing a set of skills that is useful across aFocusing Skills. Focusing on the benefits rather than
variety of livelihood and careers.the features of your product or services helps to
If you are teacher, you must gain interest and creategain the client's interest and attention. Everyone,
attention from your students; if you are a lawyer,whether it's a child, a client or whatever is willing to
you have to develop a presentation that motivatesaccept a proposition if they can see the benefits to
through logic and emotion; if you are a doctor, youthemselves. Help them to visualize this benefit as a
must gather facts before you can make a diagnosismust have.
or prescribe a solution; and, if you are to be aIn general, the salesman at the beginning of a
successful parent, it will take sales psychology torelationship tries to move the client towards a
effectively raise your children.commitment. Once the client shows you what they
To take the subject a step further, let's take awant, you can negotiate with them and move them
closer look at some of these salesmanship skills:step by step towards making such a commitment.
Rapport Building Skills. it is important to establishView selling as fun. If it's not something that you
rapport with your audience. When the audience feelenjoy doing, than do something that you do find
that you have their best interests at heart and notenjoyable. You are helping someone to solve a
just focused on your personal gain, that attitudeproblem. You are not under any pressure to make a
when it's demonstrated by both words and action, issale, rather you are attempting to establish a
quickly and easily picked up by your audience, client,professional relationship where the client views you
child, or whatever.as someone who is concerned about his or her
Questioning Skills. Being adept at asking questions andwelfare and is willing to help. In viewing you like this,
listening carefully allows you to uncover your client'sthe client is willing to refer her friends, family etc. to
problems and help him to find the right solutions. Youyou because of the great job that you have done
should not be asking probing questions but questionsfor her.
that allow the client to elaborate on certain points to