Top 10 Ways to Overcome the Fear of Selling

Good Friday morning everyone. Over the last couple of days we’ve discussed Procrastination and the fear of selling. Today, we will continue the focus on how to cure our fears in regards to the specific task of selling.

We all enjoy making a sale,

but sometimes we find ourselves getting that butterfly feeling before an important cold call or presentation. Sometimes we sit in our cars before the call and just start mentally talking ourselves out of walking in and pitching. In order to close a sale we all have to engage in sales.

These are the Top 10 Ways  to Overcome the Fear of Selling. They will help you overcome your fear of selling by suggesting some simple action steps.

Once again in true David Letterman Style, From the dog house in

The most obvious way to eliminate your fear of selling is to quit your job.

Why in the world would you even consider for a single minute staying in a job that you fear. I seldom encourage quitting. But if your fear of selling cannot be resolved and it is giving you daily pangs of anxiety and occasional headaches – maybe, just maybe you ought to consider another line of work.

On the other hand, if you are just suffering from a little angst now and then, keep reading for some creative ways to deal with your fear of selling.

On a 1-10 scale, 10 being the highest competency, rate yourself in these 13 categories:

– Attitude
– Self-confidence
– Enthusiasm
– Goal setting
– Time management
– Communication skills
– Prospecting
– Qualifying your prospects
– Presentation skills
– Handling objections
– Preparing sales proposals
– Closing skills
– Measuring your results

This self-evaluation will help you with the next point.

And remember, all these skills can all be learned.

What exactly is it? Does your fear of selling originate with your lowest assessment numbers from the previous self evaluation?

There is an old saying that says, “A problem defined is a problem half solved.”

I believe this to be true. Determining your weak links is the first step to eliminating them.

Let us say your fear of selling stems from a lack of self confidence when you are prospecting. You are just not good at cold calling people you do not know and trying to get a statement from them. It takes skills and lots of self confidence to do this right.

Here’s your choice. 1) You can acquire the necessary skills by reading and doing. 2)  or do what Albert Einstein says is Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The best way to defeat the fear of cold calling is honestly to cold call.

If your on the graphite payments team I’m here to help you. We have training resources available to help you overcome those fears.

Okay, you want to cure your fear of selling and in this case, it means getting better at prospecting and meeting with business owners. Starting small means buying a book or an Audible on this topic and making a list of what you need to do to overcome this paralysis.

Actually, the best and easiest way to dramatically improve your skills is to get Tom Hopkins book “How to Master the Art of Selling” and yes its available on Audible. I would get both book and Audible. Also Join the Graphite team so we can help you achieve that goal.

Keep a written record of what is working and what is not working on a daily basis. The ideal time to do this is right after a sales call, while it is still fresh in your mind. Notice and record the little things. These little things add up over time and can influence outcomes. Clientvine CRM has a notes section for just this purpose.

Try this on for size

. “Everyday, in every way, I am sharpening my selling skills and acquiring new ones.

“ Say this 10 times aloud before your first sales call and again just after lunch.

Fears and anxieties cannot stand up to powerful self affirmations. Try it for 21 days. It really works.

Every time you do this you are taking a solid whack at your fear of selling.

This is a major attitude adjustment for most salespeople. Don’t let your mind wander aimlessly and attract negative thoughts.

One of the best ways to cure your fear of selling is to always think positively. You cannot control the weather. You cannot control what someone else is thinking. You cannot control time by making it go faster or slower.

But you can control your thoughts. You can have positive thoughts and you can have negative thoughts. And guess what – you get to decide!

Don’t zone out on me yet.This mask is made from a blended and invisible substance. It is available to everyone who wants it.

The cost is zero and the benefits are many. The mask is made from equal parts of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Add a smile to the mix and you will likely vaporize any fear of selling you have. Ask yourself,

Who can resist a person who is smiling?

Who is not attracted to a person who loves his or her work?

Always remember your energy, enthusiasm and passion are contagious. They are all part of your P.S.A.! (Positive Sales Attitude, Geez, read the blogs folks)

Do not take things too seriously. Have fun. Enjoy the view and the ride. The sum of your life is not based on how many meetings you attended, how many

e-mails you sent, or how many voice mails you returned.

The quickest way to sharpen your selling skills is to read up and practice, practice, practice. Yoda said it best ” Do or do not, there is no try”.

There you have it – The Top 10 Ways  to Overcome the Fear of Selling

Now you can start selling more and turn your fear of selling into a fearless P.S.A. that accompanies you on every sales call.