Improve Sales with a Positive Attitude
Whether you see the cup as half full or half empty, you know attitude
is everything when it comes to closing a sale. Optimistic people create
upbeat marketing messages and positive outcomes.
They filter negative statements out of their vocabulary and often turn
setbacks into winning situations. Pessimists often play into negative
situations, fueling the fire with doubt, anger and bad attitude. If your
disposition is mostly sunny, you probably know success in your personal
and professional life. However, if you’re naturally a Debby Downer,
make some simple changes to improve your success, at least when closing a sale.
- Fake it till you make it: Even if you’re having a lousy sales day,
when a client asks, “How’s it going?” respond with a positive, upbeat
comment. “Living the dream!”
or “Fantastic!” or “Remarkable!” Positive, energetic replies not only
elicit a positive response from clients, they make everyone feel better
than a less-than-enthusiastic “OK” or “Fine, I guess.”
- Don’t complain about things you cannot change or are not willing to change: Fussing about the economy doesn’t close a sale
or encourage a client. Complaining about slow sales doesn’t increase
your sales volume. Discouraging comments regarding your company’s bonus
structure don’t improve your chances to earn a reward. Negative
statements are contagious, and when you use them, most people will soon
mimic your sentiment. If you complain to your customers, you pull them
down, your words and poor attitude rub off and you lose a sale, a client
or prospect. If something at work truly bothers you, suggest solutions
to changing it
- Exchange negative thoughts for positive ones: This might sound like
nonsense, but it does work. When you say “That won’t work,” “dumb idea,”
or “impossible,” you encourage your brain to focus on poor results.
When faced with a challenge, think about positive ways to overcome it,
consider every idea as a potential solution and develop a “can do”
attitude. People around you will see you as proactive, able and confident.
- Leave personal struggles at the door: Discussing personal problems
at the office doesn’t improve your chances of closing a sale, nor does
it produce a positive vibe. It’s not that nobody cares about your
personal well-being; it’s that at work, nobody gets paid to care about
personal issues. People are paid to perform at the top of their
abilities. If you’re pulling them down with your private life concerns,
your problems won’t only be personal. Your professional life will begin
to suffer, too.
- Smile when you’re on the phone: Seriously, people you’re talking
with can “hear” a smile. Your inflections change, and your positive
energy radiates through the phone. Even if you don’t feel like it, put
on a smile. It is one of the easiest ways to put someone at ease and
improve nearly any situation.
People who show an optimistic attitude, real or not, create more
personal and professional success than negative naysayers. They also
close more sales! Put a smile on, quit grumbling about things you cannot
change and appreciate the small things. Happy Valentine’s Day!