I’ve been luck enough to be essentially self employed on a a full or part-time basis pretty much my whole working life. I launched Ecoworks in 1997 after referrals generated by the first websites I created for Parks Canada. Back then I was just trying to lean this new craft called web development. I didn’t even realize I was in fact a sales person. Having grown up in a family of self employed people and small business owners I guess I learned the value of customer service naturally through osmosis. But what I also learned along the way was that we are all sales ( no matter what your job is ) No this doesn’t mean we are all sleazy underhanded used car salesmen trying to extract every last penny from our customers – what it means is that we must realize that the reason we receive a paycheque each month is because others believe that the work we do for them has intrinsic value – equivalent to the money we are paid. To continue to earn thosw little certificates of appreciation we call dollars , we must continue to “sell” ourselves, our products , our services and our companies value.We grow our businesses by “selling” additional products and services to our existing customers, and by seeking out new prospects to serve. Selling well to the former, generates referrals to the latter.

I have lots to learn about “selling” and growing my business. I read almost every day on this and other topics. Blogs, Email Newsletters, Podcasts and Audio Books are all great sources of inspiration and advice.

Here are 9 Excellent Skills to Sell More Effectively I read in a recent email from BDC.ca

1. Adopt an adviser mindset
2. Listen actively and bring value
3. Call high
4. Be disciplined
5. Be systematic about generating leads
6. Manage your time diligently
7. Be ready to respond to objections
8. Ask for a next step
9. Ask for referrals

Read the Entire Article Here:
http://www.bdc.ca/EN/articles-tools/marketing-sales-export/sales/Pages/how-sell-more-effectively.aspx