Salesman 101

I had a small experience that happened approximately two months ago. I was actually being a door to door salesman. This was done in order to get rid of the unwanted items from my warehouse. This is due to the fact that online market has a totally different nature with offline market. Hence, not all items that sell very good in the conventional store could behave similarly in the online store. Being desperate by the condition, I decided to give it a go.

It was the first experience for me and it was very very very exciting, depressing, frustrating, and also full of fun. It was exciting and full of fun because I met a lot of people in that particular day. Of course I could understand the market condition better from the conversation with the people. However, it was depressing and frustrating since I was rejected for so many times in a very short period of time. Honestly, I have never experienced that many rejections in such short period of time in my life before.

At the end of the day, I forced myself to extract the essential lesson from that particular experience.

• Try to study the market first before you actually become a salesman. One of the biggest reasons why I did not sell was actually my products. As Mr. Pontoh said, a product should have a unique selling point and provide reasons for customers to buy.
  
• Just do it!! It was really hard for me to actually start the initial conversation in selling the products. I was worried that I would be thrown away from the stores. The fear of being rejected would always keep you under pressure and might lead to the result of not selling any of the products. But do not let this feeling overtake your guts.
  
• The last lesson is: Do not think about the rejection too much =). I think being rejected is totally normal. Instead of thinking about the rejection, control your energy to speak with the people that reject you and ask them why they do not want the product. Find out the best solution from your customer in order to make your sales rolling.

In conclusion, I give all my salute to all the salesmen out there. It is not an easy task to be done. Keep your head up!!!

Please share us your unique experience as or in facing a salesman in your life.

David Herlambang

MarketingFirst

More than just products or services

First baby, first salary, first impression, and obviously first love. What actually makes the first instances in most cases are important. Why the term first love is actually very famous in the society. Why first love is a thrilling moment which can last forever in our memory. Why the experience of having a first baby would be celebrated by most of the parents. Of course I believe that most of the readers still can remember the moment of accepting their first salary. Why people are coping with their first impression in the job interview in order to astonish their potential employee.

Why those first occasions sometimes could be very important in our life. And the most importantly why sometimes we talk about those occasions to our family, friends, and relatives. It is the experience which creates an outstanding memory that last forever in our mind from those instances. The great experience which we obtained in the first love which makes us to be addicted to it. When the first baby was born we received the enchanting experience baby inspires us in forming a good family. The experience obtained by the interviewee in the first job interview will obviously determine our future as a prospect employee.

Last night, a very good friend was telling me about his great and unforgettable experience in climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb. BridgeClimb is an Australian company which facilitates tourists or local residents to experience the thrilling and exciting climbing one of the greatest Australian Icon, Harbour Bridge. He was really enthusiastic in telling the story and encouraged me to try it. He promised that I would never be able to forget the experience if I dare to try it. He cannot even stop talking about it. And of course the word BridgeClimb was mentioned for a million times in the conversation. Silently I told myself “He is really promoting BridgeClimb in front of me and it amazingly works, because I am willing to try it”. The challenging experience actually induced the great marketing.

Do you know YouTube? YouTube is one of the fastest growing websites. They success in retaining their customers is simply due to the experience that they offer. The desire to be the centre of attention in the society is a human nature. People want to be famous and recognized by the society. YouTube offers the experience to be famous not even locally but also globally. In YouTube you could create your own video and publish it to the world. You could even create your own channel. The only limitation is your creativity. The instant famous experience then creates a great marketing publicity. Both in American and Australian news even discuss about this amazing website. Marketing without money!!!

Nothing beats word of mouth in publicity. It is free and the target market would not be defensive as if when a salesperson approached them. Whenever customers obtain a good experience, there is a high possibility that they will become loyal or even falling in love to us. Remember when you are in love? You would across the sea only to see your loved one. Customer would forget about the price when they are in love. Moreover, there is also a high possibility for them in telling their experience to their relatives. Therefore, sell more than your products or service.

Comments, opinions and questions are greatly appreciated.

David Herlambang

MarketingFirst