Recognize we are all salespeople

As Tycoon mentioned in the previous blog entry, “selling” is a huge key to a successful life. Not selling in the used car salesman mentality but selling as in exposure, presentation, confirmation, and closure. You do the same thing automatically day to day, it’s just not prevelant in your thinking. In applying for a new job, do you just apply? Or do you sell yourself? The application is only the exposure portion to your new employer, your interview is your presentation and that is critical, the references you provide are the validation and the final hiring is the close. You can apply this formula to all aspects of your life. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you are currently a salesman…perhaps not a very good one…but just acknowledging it will improve your skill.
In selling anything in life be it yourself, an idea, or a product, you need to have a method or process. This allows you to know where your audience is and what the next step is for them.
This can be accomplished in 5 easy steps: Expose, Present, Validate, Close and Train.
Expose - This is the step that you use to tell others about X. You want to get their attention so they will take a closer look at X. The medium you use for this is not as important as the fact that it reaches your target audience. It might be a speech, a meeting, a presentation, an online ad offline ad, flyer, magnetic sign, etc., that directs them to this system.
Present - It is now time to give your prospect more information about X. You might use a resume, a portfolio, a company DVD, your mentors, conference call, etc. to help tell the the story about X.
Validate - Your audience will have questions or want to get additional information about X. You can answer them yourself, direct them to a web site, 3 way them to your mentors, references, former bosses, etc. to get their questions answered.
Close - You have answered their questions and now it is time for a decision. If they want X, go over the way forward and what they need to do now to have X.
Train - Your new audience/client needs to know how to start use X. You should be there to assist along the way, present yourself accordingly and allow your actions to serve as an example of how they should proceed.
Where have you been selling yourself lately? Have you done a good job or have you fallen off after step 2 ?