The world (and the internet) is a big place. You may see content creators, websites, or businesses and think, “Well, now I can’t do that.” Wrong. The truth is, you can. These people aren’t special — just as how high-performing sales reps aren’t.
So don’t give up on your dreams just because somebody else is already doing what you want to do. There’s room for everyone — go out there and get it. They are just doing things that you can do today. And the best part is, you can do them too.
Can everyone do sales?
There’s an old saying that everyone is in sales. While that’s not strictly true, the ability to sell is indeed a valuable skill that can be used in various settings. Whether you’re trying to sell a product, an idea, or yourself, being able to communicate your message is essential persuasively.
Of course, not everyone is a natural salesperson. However, with practice and perseverance, almost anyone can learn the basics of selling. And while some people may always find sales to be a challenge, there’s no reason why everyone can’t at least be competent in this important skill.
Top-performing salespeople are made.
Top athletes and musicians are made through years of practice and dedication, so are top salespeople. It takes more than just a friendly personality to be successful in sales; it takes grit, determination, and the ability to overcome rejection.
The best salespeople are always learning and growing, always looking for ways to improve their craft. They know that hard work and perseverance are the only way to succeed. But the rewards can be immense if you’re willing to put in the effort.
Reasons they aren’t special:
1. They are just like you.
They have the same capacities as you in terms of their communication and sales skills. The only difference is that they are doing things you can do today. The main thing that sets them apart is their willingness to take action and commitment to continuous learning.
The sales influencers you follow? They put in the time to grow their following and create valuable content. The sales trainers? They opened their mouths and started talking. And the ones with a podcast, a side hustle, and a picture-perfect life? They’re just like you — they have big dreams and work hard to make them a reality.
2. The top-performing sales team and the influencer have merit, no doubt, but…
…if you perceive them as different or special, you strip yourself of the freedom to act on the same path to bring you to that same greatness. Sure, they are capitalizing on their own respective opportunities and maybe even got lucky. But consistent numbers speak for themselves.
3. These sales reps didn’t get there overnight.
There is a sales methodology. Most of their success can be broken down into small, achievable tasks. They got there over a long period of time. So remind yourself that YOU can be great. It just takes time to get there. Be your own hero. Idolize yourself.
Start by taking small steps each day to improve your skills. Listen to audiobooks on sales techniques during your commute, read body language articles, and practice pitching in front of a mirror. Remember, the journey to becoming a top sales rep starts with taking action today.
Sure, it’s a big world out there, but you have valuable things to give to the world. These are normal people. They aren’t Harvard grads. They aren’t all born into wealth, either. What they did do? Is start.
7 Winning Habits of Top Performers:
Some salespeople are born with the gift of gab, but even the shyest person can overcome their fears and learn how to sell. If you’re looking to go into sales or improve your current sales numbers, these habits will help you close more deals and separate yourself from the average reps.
1. They know their products inside and out.
There’s no question that sales training can be valuable for sales organizations. After all, the better-informed and more prepared your sales team is, the more likely they are to close deals and reach their targets. However, simply attending a sales training course is not enough to guarantee success.
The top-performing sales reps are those who take what they’ve learned in training and apply it to their day-to-day work, continuously honing their key skills and expanding their knowledge.
2. They’re great at building rapport with customers.
Sales is all about relationships, and relationships are built on communication. The ability to ask the right questions separates the top sales performers from the rest of the pack. The best sales reps know how to ask their prospects probing questions that get to the heart of their needs and desires.
They also know how to listen carefully to the answers and use that information to tailor their pitch. Asking questions also shows that you’re genuinely interested in helping your customer find the right solution rather than just closing a sale. So if you want to be a top performer, keep asking questions.
3. They understand customer needs and can match them with the right product.
High-performing salespeople are often said to have a knack for reading people. They deeply understand their products or services and use this knowledge to create custom solutions for their customers. This isn’t just a matter of understanding what someone is saying but also being able to pick up on subtle clues about their mood and state of mind.
This ability is essential for salespeople, as it allows them to quickly assess a customer’s needs and match them with the right product. In some cases, a customer may not even be aware of what they need, but an effective sales rep will be able to steer them in the right direction.
4. They’re excellent communicators and can explain complex products in simple terms.
This skill set is particularly valuable in industries where products are complex or technical in nature. By taking the time to understand a customer’s needs, a good salesperson can make all the difference in closing a sale.
5. They’re always prepared for every meeting or call.
the best salespeople are always prepared for every meeting or call. Preparing includes knowing your and your competition’s products and speaking confidently about both. It also includes knowing your audience and understanding what their needs are.
When you’re prepared, you can answer any question that comes up and address any objection with certainty. People can sense when you’re bluffing, so preparation is key to maintaining credibility. The best salespeople don’t just wing it — they come into every meeting or call ready to deliver a great pitch and close the deal.
6. They’re natural closers and can handle rejections with ease.
In sales, you’re going to get rejected A LOT. It’s an inevitable part of the job. The most successful sales reps don’t take it personally and use every “no” as motivation to move on to the next prospect. If you want to be a top performer in sales, learn how to brush off rejection and keep moving forward.
7. They have a strong work ethic and are always looking for ways to improve their skills.
Consistently exceed your average sales targets and quota. Be updated with the latest sales tools. With the ever-changing landscape of technology, new tools are constantly being developed to help salespeople close more deals and increase their productivity. It is important to be at least aware of them and how they can be used to improve your performance and sales process.
BD Paths’ Takeaway
So, what’s the point? This all means YOU can do it too. Take 30 minutes this weekend to learn about side gigs or hobbies like this that you can start. Google: “Side gigs,” and you’ll see hundreds of blogs about it. That 30 minutes can set you up for the next 2 hours of deeper research when you find something you like.
No agenda to push here. Just do it and start today.