Today's customers are more fastidious than ever before. Not only are customers now more demanding, but they are also less forgiving as well, which means that a sales person has only one shot at making a good impression the first time around. In this fast paced high tech world where decisions are based on snap second judgments, the importance of a good sales person cannot be denied. The job of a sale person is now tougher than it has ever been. So the question now arises how does one become a good sales person? How does one become a better seller? The answer to these questions is actually quite simple. Be proactive.

Being proactive means that you as the seller, need to take the first step. You need to initiate the deal, you need to help the customer choose and you need to help the customer make a decision. However by being proactive, we do not mean being pushy. Being proactive means that you take the first step only, it does not mean enforcing your opinions on your customers, because no customer would ever like that. A good seller is one who understands the psyche of his clients and knows what to say when. Good sales is therefore all about 'being judged by what you do and not by what you say."

So then how do you become a good sales person? Well, read the following tips and find out:

  1. A good sales person is one who builds relationships


    2. To be a good seller it is important that you build a rapport or a relationship with your client so that they feel comfortable trusting you. Good sales is all about building a bond of mutual trust and understanding between you and your client. This also goes a long way in helping to gain your customers confidence and also makes them come back to do business with you again.

  2. A good sales person answers his/her phone


    3. Instead of letting an automated answering machine get your phone calls, answer the phone yourself. This shows customers and clients that you care about them and that they are not another sales record in your books. If you are extremely busy hire an assistant or additional staff to handle the phone lines, and know that a human touch is much more effective then a fake robotic voice.

  3. A good sales person does not make promises he/she can't keep


    4. It is important that your customers know that they can trust you at all times to do a good job. A good sales person should always keep their promises. If you feel that you cannot keep a promise then do not make it and be honest with your customers, they will appreciate you more for your honesty. Breaking a promise only leads to distrust and makes a customer feel that they cannot trust you.

  4. A good sales person listens to their customers


    5. While a good sales person is all about talking the client into buy something, it is also important that you listen to your customers as well. Take a moment to get to know your customers personally and then give them an appropriate response. Listen to what your customer has to say, know what they like and what they don't, and know their favorite color, all this goes a long way in building a fruitful relationship.

  5. A good sales person deals with complaints head on


    6. While no one likes complaints, it is important as a good sales person to deal with them head on. This shows your customers that you are proactive and that you are concerned about them.

  6. A good sales person is helpful, even if there is nothing to gain


    7. It is very important that you are helpful even if there is nothing to gain; this makes a customer feel special and will also help foster a stronger customer relationship.

  7. A good sales person is always an expert


    8. Know that a good sales person is always an expert. He knows his product or service inside out. There is nothing about the product that he does not know. By having confidence in what you sell, you will be able to sell whatever you have in a much more effective manner.

  8. A good sales person takes the initiative or goes the extra mile


    9. A good sales person takes the initiative. What this means is that if your customer asks you for something, don't just show them only that. Encourage them to see similar things and provide them with a variety of choice. Also always go the extra mile. If your client is a regular customer offer them a discount or some sort of rebate on the items they have purchased.

  9. A good sales person is personally accountable


    10. To be personally accountable is hard, but it also shows the customer that you are not afraid to admit to your mistakes. This in turn encourages a stronger relationship with your clients as they will feel that they can trust you more. Trust is the most important tool that a good sales person must possess at all times.

  10. A good sales person says "I will", not "I'll try"


    11. The word 'try' should not be in a good sales person's vocabulary. The reason for this is that it shows your customer that you may or may not make it happen. By using the word 'will' you show that you are in charge and that you 'will' move mountains to see the sale through.