In Praise of the Un-Natural Salesperson

Jennifer, 

Here are some titles I am kind of working on:

Sales Management Strategies - Sales People are a Different Breed - Learn the Secrets into Harnessing this Powerful Personality to get Quantifiable Results on Your Time Schedule

Sales Training Tips From the Real World - Overcoming the Barriers of the Dominant Sales Personality to Teach them the Techniques and Relationship Strategies to Win for Your Company's Bottom Line

Winning at the Sales Game - Tips, Techniques and Tactics to Turbo Charge Your Sales and Top Your Customer's Expectations During the Sales

Of course, one for real estate would be fun, my expertise in sales has been Aircraft Sales, Franchise Sales and "fleet vehicle washing contracts" of all things. But, if we could help some realtors, that would be very nice. Yes, let's talk, maybe we can do a project. I have about 250 articles 300-500 words completed, but they would need some upgrading and editing for a book and could be custom tailored to Real Estate. Or since I am writing about 4,500 words a day now, it would not be a problem to start from scratch. You my friend are a very good writer, I love it, you very talented at this writing thing. Anyway, I subscribed to your blog, I think folks could learn a lot from you, Everyone at Active Rain should be subscribed to your Blog.

 

Sorry to interject, but Susan, what a killer story. That is really cool and you deserve it too, BTW - Susan, I enjoyed your Blog very much and it made me hungry to read about your food making there for the family. Hope you are staying warm, I hear it is cold there.

I don't think I'm a particularly brilliant salesperson.  I think I'm good at marketing and data collection and presenting the information.  I can't sell, sell it makes me queezie.

One other thing to point out is this...Have you ever bought something large from someone you didnt like?  Unorganized, yes...Sloppy even...sure.  But, likable!  Thats the key.  People dont buy things...people buy people.  And then they buy things from those people they like.

Thanks for the post. Have not seen your blogs in a while good to see you back

Jennifer, I think a lot of us have trouble with the "sales" part of real estate.  It's a paradigm that does not really fit, especially for those of us who see ourselves in a more consultant role in the transaction.  And your punctuality, preparedness and responsibility will go a lot further even if you have no personality whatsoever - and something tells me that you have more than your share of that!  

All I can say is that a clean desk is a sure sign of a sick mind! ;-)  As a broker I've seen both ends of the spectrum....from the agent who makes sure that every paper clip in their desk is accounted for to one lady who would come into the office in gym shorts and a tank top on her way to a listing.  Personally, I think that a happy balance is the BEST way...but as long as they make what they have work for them, I'm cool with it.

 

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. 

Jennifer, I think we all have seen those agents and yes I just can't figure it out...LOL. 

How about those of us that are unorganized, write notes on whatever we can get our hands on while we're driving, and couldn't sell a glass of water to someone lost in the Sahara for days?   I'm not a 'people person,' can't stand being in a crowd, and God forbid I need to go up to someone cold and start talking. 

I wonder how I've been doing this for so long myself.  Someone must be looking out for me.

 

- James 

Jennifer, I just stopped by to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very successful 2008!  Thanks for all of your support this past year!

Yes a good laugh at the right time can get many people to do business ... just think of how many men have bought things they really didn't even want because of a smile a laugh ... personally I would rather hire someone that knows what they are doing

 

Merry Christmas

Jennifer... YOU KNOW ME! YOU REALLY DO! This is the area of real estate that was so intimidating when I got started and actually is still probably the big stressor to me. I am not a sales person naturally. I do not like to get "sold" on something. I would much rather be allowed to make a decision after I have seen my options based on what I like/want/need. I try to do the same in real estate. I do not believe in the hard sale. The home should sell itself when it matches with the buyers dream...

I'm kind of like that flibbertygidget (sp?) agent...though I am not a salesperson.  lol.  I want to be organized, but shoot, a lot of what you described about him (except for the presentation parts) sounds like me.  When I meet clients I am totally organized and have a kick butt cma to give them, our weichert doors program, etc....but they  never see the trunk of my van or the drawers in my desk...

Jennifer - I want to be more organized. I have bought books on the subject. I just can't get my wandering right brain under control. I usually have an idea where things are but there are times when I can not find that napkin that I wrote myself a note on. I have notebooks, all of them sort of half full of notes and numbers. My entire career is in a collection of spiral notebooks or composition books.

I have three or four data bases and I am constantly trying to coordinate them. I hate it. I have been successful in the eyes of outsiders. I also know in my heart of hearts that I have lost ten times the business I have closed. You organized folk that break into a sweat at the thought of speaking extemporaneously do not comprehend the angst that accompanies flying by the seat of your pants.

I work with 2 or 3 people at a time. This job is a struggle keeping track of who wants what and so on. I don't think the grass is greener on either side of the fence. It is just grass on both sides. One side is one kind of grass and the other is a different kind of grass.

I have my most success just hanging out and driving around and visiting folks I know. One advantage to living this long and spending it in the same place is I know a lot of people.

So, remember, those of us that can just smile and chat easily are often conflicted when faced with recording what the hell we have done.

Interesting...SOI is the source of success for both styles.

Jenn - Probably so in her office, but at home we are two pigs in a pen. I hope all the people that have given us gift certificates over the years never know..........we can't find them. We could paper the office with forgotten rebate receipts.

But, she can cook a  non-carb meal that makes me forget about mashed potatoes and she has the most powerful focus on some issues, I am amazed.

She does handle all the money. I am always asking, can I get $20 bucks out of the bank. she shakes her head and says yes dear. I guess we aren't broke.

I admire those that can keep track of everything. I envy the piece of mind they must have. Then I realize that they must envy my freedom. The voila, it hits me, there is room for all of us here.

The main point I wanted to make is that organized or foot loose, working your SOI is the most productive way to promote whatever you are doing.

I suppose being a blonde with a pretty smile doesn't hurt. (but little old semi-bald guys are cute too)

Jennifer - what are you doing in my head?  :-)

This sentence resonated with me: wouldn't dream of using our personalities to cover up poor preparation (yeah, like we could!). While I'm no longer the wall flower, I'm not the life of the party either.  What I don't have in "sparkle" I make up for in consistency.  Great post!

Jackie - you totally get me...