We all need to sell ourselves at one time or another. Whether it is in a business culture and your strategy is to try to move up the corporate ladder, whether you are an entrepreneur who wants to expand his or her own business, or whether you need to sell an idea, part of what you’re selling is YOU.
I’m not saying this to scare you away. But let’s get real here.
What “you” are we talking about?
You are the messenger, the influencer, the person sharing the value of the product, service, or idea. Additionally, it is important for you to recognize that you are a product also. Before they believe in the product, they need to trust the source of the information. That happens to be YOU.
So let’s start thinking about “YOU, the product” rather than “YOU, the person.”
Products have features, benefits, and outcomes. When you think about yourself as a product, it is helpful to think about what skills and attributes you bring to the table. We are not talking about you, the person–we are talking about YOU, the delivery vessel.
- What are the positive outcomes that can be achieved when someone works with you?
- What makes you different?
- What unique abilities can you bring to the table?
When you can answer these questions and believe in the value you bring to the conversation, these are positive thoughts. Believing that you have the assets that are useful in convincing someone of something can help you overcome sales reluctance hurdles that can get in your way.
So – what ARE those “YOU, the product” assets?
Note: This is our 3rd post in a 10 part series dealing with personal marketing strategies. Many people struggle with the idea that they have to sell themselves, either corporately or in their own businesses, and these posts are intended to help them get over that hurdle. Watch for these posts in the next few months, or subscribe to our blog to receive them automatically in your inbox!
