How do I learn how to sell?
I'm a software engineer. I think someday I could build an amazing product and still have no customers, because I'm terrible at sales.
I don't like doing sales. I usually feel bad whenever I've tried pitching a product in the past. Even if I try to provide good value and then casually mention something I've been working on, I feel gross doing it. Plus whenever I've tried to sell I've never really been successful. It might be a numbers game or my approach at it (probably both).
I know this needs to change. I need to learn how to sell if my dream on an indie business is ever going to happen.
So I'm reaching out to this community. Do any of you have recommendations on how I can get past this hurdle? Books, articles, videos, or whatever. Bonus points if there is something specifically for people that hates selling like I do.
Hey Brent!
You’re exactly the person I’ve built SalesForFounders.com for...
Right now, it’s a paid course only. But don’t buy it - because in a few weeks I’m launching a free course that’ll get you “good enough” at sales to go from nothing to $10k MRR.
If you stick in your email address on the page, you’ll be the first to get the free course when it launches.
Happy to answer any questions here as well :)
Wouaw. thanks for this !
Thanks Louis! I can't wait for your course!
I think I'm at the stage where I don't even know what questions to ask. I just know enough to know I don't know what I'm doing.
The most important thing to remember when selling something is to understand whether or not the person you're facing wants to buy it.
The word sales people use is "qualification"
If a person is qualified to purchase, selling them your product is as easy as drinking water.
When you qualify a person wrongly, you're going to regret it. Waste of time (yours and theirs) and money (mostly yours).
To qualify a person you need to have a solid understanding of your product and their needs.
The trite, but very true, answer is: You learn to sell by selling. Just try to sell a thing, anything, it does no have to be yours, there is plenty of affiliate programs. It is a trial and error process.
Hi,
I think this video from Y-Combinator is good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZi4kTJG-LE
I think you should not try to emulate the cliche of the pushing salesman, and you should just start by contacting a lot of people, and try to have conversations about what you are building, to get their opinion, advice, feedback, and tips on opportunities.
Then, at one point during those conversations, you need not be shy and actually propose your help.