7 Traits of Highly Successful Salespeople

The issue of selling is a subject most entrepreneurs dread. All businesses thrive on profit, and profit is a derivative of sales. Often, I hear statements such as:

• “I hate selling.”
• “Why should I learn how to sell when I can just hire salespeople?”
• “I love selling but I hate being rejected.”

There’s nothing absolutely wrong with such statements, but the truth is that we are all born salespeople. This truth is even more profound on entrepreneurs because every entrepreneur is automatically a salesperson. As entrepreneurs:

• We sell our business ideas to investors with an intention to raise venture capital.
• We sell to our customers to generate profits and build brand loyalty.
• We sell to suppliers to prove our credit worthiness.
• We sell our vision to employees to enable them to align with our purpose.
• We sell our dream and mission to highly skilled professionals to make them join our team.

The list can go on and on, but I feel with these few illustrations, you’ve understood the point I am trying to buttress.

“The ability to sell is the number one skill in business. If you cannot sell, don’t bother thinking about becoming a business owner.” – Rich Dad

The purpose of this article is to give you an insight into the life of successful salespeople and specifically highlight the traits that make them successful. If selling millions of dollars worth of products is your concern; if improving your sales skill is your utmost priority; then read on as I highlight seven traits possessed by every successful salesperson.

Seven Traits of Highly Successful Salespeople

1. They are good communicators

Successful salespeople are excellent communicators. They have mastered the art of persuasion. They are eloquent speakers, good listeners, and know a great deal of how to make use of body language.

Take a look at companies with billions of dollars in sales. and you will find out that the entrepreneurs at the helm are powerful communicators. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are examples of such entrepreneurs. So if you want to be successful in sales, then you must work on your communication skills. If you cannot communicate, you cannot sell.

“Spend a lot of time talking to customers face to face. You will be amazed at how many companies don’t listen to their customers.” – Henry Ross Perot

2. Highly successful salespeople are enthusiastic

Enthusiasm plays a key role in achieving overall success in life, and successful salespeople know this. To succeed in the field of sales, you need to have a positive attitude and be optimistic.

“Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes; the swing in your gait; the grip of your hand; the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.” – Henry Ford

3. They are persistent

Successful entrepreneurs who are excellent at sales possess a high degree of persistence. They almost don’t take no for an answer. They press on even in the face of failure. They are insistent on making the sale and succeeding; in the end, they do.

“Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Ray Kroc

4. They face their fears

When I first started out in business, I was afraid of rejection, and as a result of this, I couldn’t sell. Highly successful salespeople also hate rejection but instead of hiding in their closet, they go into the street and tackle their fears head on. The ability to face their fears is what makes them outstanding and successful. Overcoming the fear of rejection is essential to making sales and growing your business.

“The more I risk being rejected, the better my chances are of being accepted.” – Rich Dad

5. Successful salespeople are past failures

The highly successful salespeople of today were the failures of yesterday. They’ve tasted disappointments and failure, but instead of quitting as others would, they use their failures as a stepping stone to reach for greatness.

“Get mocked at for as long as you can, fail as much as you can, but don’t quit. Let every mockery, every failure, be a source of inspiration for you to reach for greatness, and the greatness will silence your critics.” – Ajaero Tony Martins

6. They are proactive learners

Successful salespeople are proactive learners. They know their cup is never full, so they seek out knowledge and information from the masters of the game. They read books and magazines, and attend seminars and courses. They do this to stay ahead of the game and stay on course with the current trends.

7. They go beyond their comfort zone

Another attribute that sets successful salespeople apart from others is their ability to stretch beyond their comfort zone. Entrepreneurs who are excellent at sales always go all out to make sure they achieve their set goals. Regardless of the weather, these entrepreneurs are out there, doing what they know how to do best.

“Restlessness is discontent, and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man, and I will show you a failure.” – Thomas Edison

In conclusion, these are the seven traits possessed by highly successful salespeople. Strive to develop these traits, and you will see a drastic increase in your sales. Good Luck.

Ajaero Tony Martins is a serial entrepreneur, investor and a prolific blogger. Read more about Ajaero here.

Matthew Toren

Matthew Toren is an Award Winning Author, Serial Entrepreneur, and Investor. He Co-Founded YoungEntrepreneur.com along with his brother Adam. Matthew is co-author of the newly released book:Small Business, Big Vision: “Lessons on How to Dominate Your Market from Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Did it Right” and also co-author of Kidpreneurs.