Sales!!
Oh boy… sales. Ick!!
That is what I thought initially when I agreed to start this module with my mentor. I was not really excited to start learning sales. It seemed daunting, exhausting, and just overall boring. But I didn’t understand what sales was until I saw it on both the producer and consumer side.
So, what even is sales? Sales is the process of identifying a problem, finding or creating a solution, and then reaching out to potential customers to purchase the product or service. That sounds super transactional, but sales are all about building relationships and trust, understanding needs, and providing the solution that adds value to the customer’s life in some way!
Understanding the Buyer’s Journey
One of the first things I did in the last four weeks was learn about the buyer’s journey. In simple terms, the buyer’s journey consists of three stages: awareness, consideration, and decision. Each stage represents where a potential customer is in the process of identifying and solving a problem.
Inbound vs Outbound Sales
I also explored inbound and outbound sales strategies. Inbound sales focus on attracting customers by offering value through content, education, and engagement, allowing them to come to you when they’re ready. Outbound sales, on the other hand, involve proactively reaching out to leads through methods like cold calls or email campaigns.
Over the past four weeks, I’ve gained a foundational understanding of sales through practical concepts and techniques. One of these steps was learning to create a lead list, which is a curated group of potential customers who align with the target audience for a product or service. This involved researching, qualifying leads based on criteria like industry, demographics, and buying potential, and organizing the list for efficient follow-up. Additionally, I learned about using problem-solving frameworks and campaigns to address customer needs. Sales isn’t just about selling a product; it’s about solving problems. Identifying a prospect’s pain points and presenting tailored solutions not only drives conversions but also establishes long-term trust. Campaigns, whether email, social media, or otherwise, help deliver these solutions in a structured, impactful way, keeping prospects engaged throughout the sales process.
