You’re in sales, whether you like it or not.
As young professional interested in making career progress, starting a business or networking, you’re selling yourself.
Sales professionals have a leg up on the competition in this department because they already know the ropes. The rest of us need to play catch up.
“But I don’t know how to sell!” you say. Well, here’s one way to think about it: when you step out the front
door of that over priced downtown apartment erected solely for the purpose of attracting young people such as yourself with hip styling and cheapo building materials, you’re “on,” and when you’re “on,” you better know your lines. There’s no second take in real life.
First, decide what you want. To keep you’re eye on the prize, you have to pick out the prize. Knowing your goals motivates you to act in pursuit of those goals. Any great sales person will tell you to write them down. Take the time to figure out a destination, then, map out a clear path to getting there. You’ll be far more likely to focus on making progress.
Second, step outside your comfort zone. If you’re not scaring yourself a little bit every day, you’re not living. Call to mind the idea that you’re selling yourself and picture a door to door salesman, carpet bag and all. Every house he/she visits represents a step outside the comfort zone – engaging strangers is scary! Do the equivalent of knocking on a stranger’s door and speak up in a meeting, make a new business contact, get your first customer, don’t be afraid to go after what you want.
Third, be confident, be yourself, but remember, when you’re “on” the only personal qualities that matter are those that embody the character you want to portray. Save the rest for when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Sell yourself, or risk selling yourself short.
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