Salesperson, Please Sell Me!
As I write this, I'm on a big boat somewhere in the Caribbean... On Vacation... on a vacation where I swore I wouldn't work... but is writing/blogging work? I guess that depends on how well this blog-writing effort goes.
Anyway, this morning, I had my hair French-braided by a charming English girl in the onboard salon. Being a Fun Day at Sea, I'm looking for ways to spend my time and my money on luxuries I wouldn't dream of in the real world at home.
So, I ask my braider about the Total Body Detoxification and Purification Experience I see advertised everywhere.
"How much is it?" I ask.
"Ummm, $129 dollars"
"How long does it take?"
"One hour"
Me again. "Does it make you feel good or tired afterwards?"
"Oh, it makes you feel good."
"Are you all booked up??
"Yes, ma'am, we're booked all day, up til 5:00 I believe."
"Oh." Says I.
A few minutes later, hair freshly braided, I'm gazing at my reflection in dismay.
Me: "Wow - I look tired. Anything you can do to make me look a little more lively?"
Her: "Oh, I hate it when I look tired!"
End of conversation.
I walk out disappointed - not in my hair - it looks great, but I WANTED to spend my money! I wanted an overpriced facial and a one-hour-total body detoxification and purification experience! I wanted that English lass to, yes, SELL me her beautification services.
It's a fine line, isn't it? The line between being obnoxiously ... or helpfully... pushy.
Speaking especially to us introvert-types... how many times do we let sales opportunities slip thru our fingers because we are waiting for a clear go-ahead from our clients? As in, "Jennifer, we love this house and would like to return to your office and prepare a decent offer on it before someone else buys it out from under us."
Well, guess what. That doesn't always happen. Especially if your client is also on the introverted side, he or she may try to feel you out to see if you'll take the ball and run with it. In fact, your introverted client may even feel that she's IMPOSING on you if she asks to take up more of your precious time by writing up an offer. Yeah, this is how we introverts think!
So... what to do, what to do....?
Guess what? You're gonna have to ‘close' ‘em.
Now don't fret, this isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. Stay tuned for help learning to close without fear (of being that obnoxious, aggressive, money-grubbing Real-a-tor!)
copyright Jennifer Allan 2007
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