Sunday, November 25, 2012

Axiom 29: Sell Yourself First


"Everyone lives by selling something." -Robert Louis Stevenson

"Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman - not the attitude of the prospect.
-W, Clement Stone


If you're not good at selling yourself then you'll never be good at selling anything else. I've known a lot of talented and smart people that couldn't succeed because they couldn't sell themselves and their ideas to others. Likewise, I've also known many people who were very average in their abilities who accomplished a lot by being great at selling themselves. We're all politicians in our own way, crafting our message in order to convince others to follow us. In a lot of ways it can seem superficial and showy but it is very necessary to completing the sell. Sometimes the way the message is delivered is more important than the message itself.

There are plenty of people that say, "I'm not in sales. I don't need to know about selling". To that I say, "We are all in sales". Selling is the most crucial and vital skill you can learn in life.

Here are some instant ways to sell yourself better:
  • Have a firm handshake. Not too soft, not too strong. Never let the other person turn your hand palm up while shaking it because it is a sign of dominance.  
  • Maintain strong eye contact. The eyes are the window to the soul. Make sure you maintain strong and direct eye contact. Make sure the other person breaks eye contact first.
  • Have impeccable hygiene. Make sure you are well groomed, you smell nice, and you are clean at all times.
  • Dress appropriately. You clothes make a strong subconscious statement about yourself. Make sure you are dressed for the situation and that your clothes are clean and fit properly.
  • Speak with confidence. Don't stutter. Don't hesitate. Maintain a strong and commanding flow of your speech.