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myles
30 Posts |
 Posted - 08/01/2008 : 14:52:15
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Sorry if this still seems off-topic after reading but... I came up against an emotional wall this week.
I have always been bad at making sales under my own steam, and whilst abroad last week I thought I'd offer massage on the beach (which is quite common in Europe now) but couldn't face doing it even though I'm well qualified and it's my full time job in the UK.
Anyone else find making sales hard? Is it part of the goodist personality? I just worry that other people don't want to hear me or be interrupted in any way...
Ring any bells to fellow TMS people? Anyone know how to get past this, I could do with the money! Whoa, another stressor, making ends meet... how can I break even when I'm too worried about other people breaking even? That's it, hang capitalism, I'm off to live in Cuba.
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armchairlinguist
USA
1397 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2008 : 08:39:15
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At first I thought, no, I haven't had this experience because I am so anxious that I avoid any situation where I have to do sales or promotion (which is generally true). But on reflection I realized that I am actually having exactly this situation right now. I'm participating in a charity bike ride in September, and I needed to ask for donations so that I can meet at least the minimum goal. I was quite worried about this and actually asked my dad first, and he agreed (without me asking for more than his support) to donate enough that it would well cover my minimum.
But I decided I would go ahead and mention it to my friends and some of my colleagues anyway, and see if any of them were interested. I have been reluctant to do any kind of real hard sell, or mass email, or anything, because I don't want to pressure people. I am always careful to mention that I only hope for their support, and that if they do want to give, they can give as much or little as they feel comfortable giving. Likely this is a goodist motivation, to avoid bothering them.
What has been surprising is how positive the response has been. My work colleagues were totally amenable and several gave very generous donations; others have said they'll donate later. My mom was so impressed when my dad showed her my 'personal page' (the little website that explains why you are riding) that she wanted to donate too and pass the page along to her family and a few friends. As a result I was able to raise my fundraising goal, which is great.
My mom and I talked about the psychology of not wanting to bother people. I had always thought I wouldn't do these rides because I didn't want to be 'selling' this to people. But it turns out that people often don't mind and are happy to have a reason to do something nice. The low-key approach won't always work, but at least I don't have to be terrified of it anymore.
The only way to change your reaction is to 1) change your thinking so you can prepare mentally, and 2) get out and practice, I think.
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What were you expecting? |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2008 : 13:20:55
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Myles,
Yes, I hate selling that's why I don't work for myself!
ACL I can totally relate to that I get sent lottery tickets by charities to sell which I always dump in the recycling bin because I don't want to bother people.
But actually, as in your case, there are always situations in which one has to do some selling. Currently in my case, that's with job-hunting. Also, I sell TMS to people. I'm able to do it because I'm not making money out of it, but I also try and do it low-key so that I don't come across as a sort of fanatic. It's not easy to get the right level: for some people my enthusiasm can do the selling, for others the same level of enthusiasm can put them off.
Now back to that making money thing... there's nothing wrong with making money we all have to eat. The fact we can't sell ourselves points to low self-esteem, I think.
I know Louise Hay's book has been mentioned to death here recently, but I'll mention it again... Thanks to Baseball for recommending to me a year ago or so on this forum. I'd read it pre-Sarno and it didn't really resonate, but I started re-reading it a few months ago and now it does.
Hilary N |
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quantguy
14 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2008 : 17:09:43
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Lol, I'd be a terrible salesman, I understand how you cannot sell your massages at the beach, there's no way I can pull that one off.
Have you tried giving someone a cut of your pay to get you clients at the beach, I wouldn't mind paying someone 10-15% of each client I get from them, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get any.
Every time I have an interview I have to prepare extremely well, usually overnight previous to the interview, since I cannot sleep anyway due to anxiety, but luckily I have performed relatively well in those, I just need to be uber-prepared to sell myself.
Even when I have to ask coworkers something, if they are busy I can wait forever till they are free, and I always start with "whenever you are free.../whenever you have time..."
Also, when at grad school, I was a teaching assistant and I'd get so anxious every time before teaching anything, even if I knew the topic well, the thought of people staring at me and asking me stuff gave me the chills. |
Edited by - quantguy on 08/04/2008 17:11:28 |
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Any 'goodist' people find making sales hard?
