[biz123]

I know this may seem obvious, just ask to talk to the owner and if he's not around, ask when he'll be around. But anyone have any pointers or suggestions which may help? I'm admitedly no salesperson but I'll have to become one if I expect to go anywhere.

[malahverdian]

When I was selling my online store service to small businesses myself, I would just walk in, ask if the owner was in, even if they weren't, just give a brief description and say I wanted to leave my brochure, and that they could get back to me at their leisure, no pressure. Just look professional, wait till there are no customers, and be courteous.

I stopped by 15 stores one day, sold one 12 month account for $386... then decided the site needed improvements, heh

[GuyBBY]

Being subtle, cordial, and casual is appropriate for local small business owners. They do not want to feel overwhelmed, pressured, or get a feeling that you are fake/trying too hard. Conduct yourself to their "taste" too. A three piece suit and pocket square will not get you anywhere with John's Hardware Est. 1952, but Wall St would love you.

Make sure to have at the very least a business card, however a brochure or candid cover letter would be great too, as anyone can get cards made up but you can give the owner the feeling that they are getting an "inside look" to something new and fresh with something out of the ordinary.

So long as you remain honest and relaxed, these types of meetings go well, if not for an immediate sale, at least word of mouth.

Best

Guy

[LGSShaun]

You might consider hiring a commission only salesman.

[hugh009]

GREAT advice from the others and don't think I can add more.

[biz123]

Thanks for the replies guys. Good advice.

Originally Posted by LGSShaun

You might consider hiring a commission only salesman.

Thanks for the suggestion but I'd rather just do it myself.

I feel that if I were to hire a salesperson they would do what, Guy, the above poster mentioned (being fake/trying too hard).

It may be just me, but I personally don't like to deal with salespeople. They often don't come across as genuine. They give that big fake smile, say "how are you?", and you know the whole time they are just trying to sucker you in to buy something. I feel that if I where to do it myself I wouldn't give off that vibe and not be as annoying or forceful as a typical salesperson.

But then again, what gets more sales? Being annoying and pressuring the customer or letting the customer decide for himself without any pressure?

[GuyBBY]

Biz I agree about the do-it-yourself. The added value to this is, while sure we are not Fortune 500 CEOs, the ability for that shop owner to say "I met the owner of ABC LLC" allows them to feel like they got their information from the source, and you did not pitch your idea for commission, but rather did so to gain business and get on the road to success with your company, just as they did and can sympathize with, years ago when they started out.

Guy

[LGSShaun]

Originally Posted by biz123

Thanks for the replies guys. Good advice.





Thanks for the suggestion but I'd rather just do it myself.

I feel that if I were to hire a salesperson they would do what, Guy, the above poster mentioned (being fake/trying too hard).

It may be just me, but I personally don't like to deal with salespeople. They often don't come across as genuine. They give that big fake smile, say "how are you?", and you know the whole time they are just trying to sucker you in to buy something. I feel that if I where to do it myself I wouldn't give off that vibe and not be as annoying or forceful as a typical salesperson.

But then again, what gets more sales? Being annoying and pressuring the customer or letting the customer decide for himself without any pressure?

I completely understand, believe me. But, you can help eliminate some of the typical sales issues you have when you interview someone and sell the salesman your product. You can also ask to visit with some of their past customers and get a feel for their relationship with them. I'm sure you thinking that may be more work than necessary but when you start to get busy, are you going to have the time to run the business and sell?

[Cole Taylor]

Originally Posted by biz123

Thanks for the replies guys. Good advice.

Thanks for the suggestion but I'd rather just do it myself.

You stated in the original post that you were NOT much of a salesmen. You may want to reconsider this.

I feel that if I were to hire a salesperson they would do what, Guy, the above poster mentioned (being fake/trying too hard).

If this is the case then you've made the wrong hiring decision.

It may be just me, but I personally don't like to deal with salespeople. They often don't come across as genuine. They give that big fake smile, say "how are you?", and you know the whole time they are just trying to sucker you in to buy something. I feel that if I where to do it myself I wouldn't give off that vibe and not be as annoying or forceful as a typical salesperson.

The smiles, asking how you are doing, etc. all serve a purpose. You, for whatever reason, have something against salesmen and you pre-judge them before they open their mouth. Nothing against you, but any salesmen trying to sell you anything is going to have an uphill battle.

But then again, what gets more sales? Being annoying and pressuring the customer or letting the customer decide for himself without any pressure?

Probably the former because it's the salesmen’s JOB to get the order. That means presenting the features/benefits and closing the deal. Note that the vast majority of salesmen are not closers; they walk away when the prospect says no. A closer realizes that this is when his job starts. Additionally, the closer gets the prospect to do what they want him to do while making the prospect think it was their idea all along.

Nothing against small business, but I don’t like the impression it gives when the owner is going door to door trying to get orders. If you’re out getting orders who's running the show?

I don’t know if they're still around because I haven’t used them in years, but there used to be firms that you could outsource your sales to on a strict pay for performance basis. It's a win-win for you.

Just something to think about....most people think the sales will be the easy part, it's not. You may have the greatest thing since sliced bread but people are still going to say no. You need to lead them to a yes and that takes skill. I say if you don’t have that skill hire someone that does.

[biz123]

Originally Posted by Cole Taylor

You stated in the original post that you were NOT much of a salesmen. You may want to reconsider this.



If this is the case then you've made the wrong hiring decision.



The smiles, asking how you are doing, etc. all serve a purpose. You, for whatever reason, have something against salesmen and you pre-judge them before they open their mouth. Nothing against you, but any salesmen trying to sell you anything is going to have an uphill battle.



Probably the former because it's the salesmen’s JOB to get the order. That means presenting the features/benefits and closing the deal. Note that the vast majority of salesmen are not closers; they walk away when the prospect says no. A closer realizes that this is when his job starts. Additionally, the closer gets the prospect to do what they want him to do while making the prospect think it was their idea all along.

Nothing against small business, but I don’t like the impression it gives when the owner is going door to door trying to get orders. If you’re out getting orders who's running the show?

I don’t know if they're still around because I haven’t used them in years, but there used to be firms that you could outsource your sales to on a strict pay for performance basis. It's a win-win for you.

Just something to think about....most people think the sales will be the easy part, it's not. You may have the greatest thing since sliced bread but people are still going to say no. You need to lead them to a yes and that takes skill. I say if you don’t have that skill hire someone that does.

Thank you for your reply.

Well, I am no salesperson, but you have to start somewhere, right? My business hasn't even been born yet so I'm not going to hire anyone in the near future. Also, I think how hard you pressure someone to buy depends on the situation. I'm going to be selling a service for around $80. When you're selling a car, for example, you really have to work hard for someone to make that kind of an investment. Maybe I'm in the minority or something, but I ignore anyone that pressures me to buy something. I know what's best for me and don't need anyone to play mind games. And once you think about, most of our buying decisions come after we've been informed of the product. Commercials, billboards, and radio advertisements don't pressure anyone, they inform. And that's how I believe I should go about selling my own business. Also, I don't think business owners are as easily influenced by salespeople as the John or Jane buying a used car.