Last night someone rang my doorbell and tried to sell me a daily newspaper - presumably delivered to my door each morning. They failed. It’s not that I don’t read a newspaper, I do, nor is it that I wouldn’t want a newspaper delivered to my door every morning, because I would. So why did he fail? Well here’s a summary of the conversation, see if you can spot his mistake.
Salesman: “Good evening, I’m from your local newsagents, can I ask which newspaper do you buy?”
Me: “I don’t buy a newspaper.”
Salesman: “Ok, sorry to bother you.”
and off he wandered, leaving me looking rather bemused. As he’d taken the time and plucked up the courage to do door to door selling I’d have expected him to try a little harder, but he didn’t, so what could he have done better?
Firstly he could have asked why I don’t buy a newspaper, in which case I’d have told him I get my news online (from the BBC or Times Online). Following that he might have asked if I preferred reading them online and he’d have found out that I’d rather read a real newspaper, I just don’t because it’s easier to access them online than to pop to the newsagents. If at that point he’d pitched me a daily delivery of my favourite newspaper he’d probably have gained a new customer.
The lesson here is, expect objections when selling and be prepared to handle them.
This blog is about business opportunities and ideas that I spot, think of or hear about and think are useful and interesting. It is intended to provide ideas and inspriation for you to help you find the right business idea for you to then grow it into a successful business.
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