This conversation first came up about 10 years ago when my friend Adam introduced me to another friend that was in sales.
He said, “I dream of writing a book that is titled, ‘Everyone’s a Salesperson.'”
I’m not sure if this colleague ever wrote that book, but I am pretty sure that the sentiment is still accurate and likely more now than at any other time in history.
We hear a lot of talk about inbound marketing, outbound marketing, personal branding, and other buzz heavy words.
What we don’t hear nearly enough about is selling as a personal necessity.
Daniel Pink wrote a great book a few years back called, To Sell Is Human and the book goes into great depth on all the ways that we must sell our ideas, our vision, and our beliefs in everyday life.
For many of us, we relax behind the idea that other people are in the sales role.
The truth is that at this point in time, to make sure that you are secure in the world…you must make sure that you are a salesperson, first and foremost.
Not in a sleazy, used car salesman type way either.
No.
You need to be willing and able to sell your ideas, your goals, and yourself so that you can create opportunities for you.
As a professional concern, it is imperative.
The truth is that I feel like everybody is in sales today and that everyone’s primary job is that of a marketer.
Last week, when I was talking with a big group of lawyers about their brands, I should have said…despite what you believe, you aren’t a lawyer, your job is to market your expertise.
It is the same for me.
I’m a great marketer and strategist, but if you don’t know who I am…I’m worthless to you and me.
The same applies to you.
No matter what business you are in today, you are really in the marketing and sales business.
Which means that you have 2 jobs:
- Understand and be able to express your Unique Selling Factor (USF)
- Be willing and able to think critically and develop ideas that you can offer up to create opportunities for yourself and your business.
I may be wrong, but