It’s all too easy to get the feeling that you’re bad at something like sales. It can take a long time to develop the ability to sell things consistently, with some people finding this process much harder than others. Unfortunately, though, many people make the same mistake from the very beginning; they try to sell something they can’t make themselves feel passionate about. To help you out with this, this article will be exploring some of the steps you will need to take if you’re going to be successful selling something you love.
Finding Something You Love
There is a huge market for handmade products around the web, with sites like Etsy providing an excellent platform to sell items that you’ve created from scratch. A lot of people have creative hobbies or pursuits in their lives, providing the perfect opportunity to start making something that can be sold. It’s worth having a look around for some inspiration when you’re taking this approach, ensuring that you’re not choosing something that can be made much cheaper on a commercial scale.
Of course, not all hobbies and interests result in something that can be sold. In this case, you may need to think about the objects and products that can surround the interest in other ways. For example, if you love rock climbing, you could think about selling books and other resources that surround this topic. It can be a challenge to find exactly what you want to sell, but you should know when you feel excited enough to achieve big things with your efforts. Finding something you love can be an excellent way to improve your ability to sell things.
Doing Some Learning
There will always be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to selling, even for people who seem to be complete naturals. For example, you’re going to need to figure out how to talk to people when you want them to buy something from you. There are several different levels to this, with those who sell face to face usually having the waisest time. Selling online or over the phone can be trickier, as you can’t rely on facial expressions to make yourself feel friendly. Thankfully, there are loads of guides around the web that can help with this.
Alongside learning how to talk to potential customers, it will also be very helpful to learn about the methods and techniques used with your specific product area. There could be laws that prevent certain sales tactics, and this is something you need to learn about before you dive right in. Learning how to become an antiques dealer, for example, will involve building an understanding of how auctions work, while also developing a keen sense for a good deal.
Depending on the type of selling you’re going to be doing, you may also need to think about marketing as you go through this process. Marketing a physical business isn’t always necessary, but those operating online will have to put a lot of work into this side of their company. Social media, SEO, and adverts all work together to improve your chances of making sales. This can be a difficult job, and is an element of sales that most people aren’t used to, making it crucial that you do some learning before you start.
Use The Right Tools
Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about the tools you’re going to be using for this work. As mentioned above, Etsy is a great place to sell products that you have made yourself. There are loads of private sellers on websites like this, and the whole platform is geared towards this kind of creativity. This means that there are loads of options available that can help you to sell more.
For those selling other products online, it makes a lot of sense to be diverse with the platforms you use. Having your own website will be great, but it could take years before you’re able to dominate searches with it. To start with, you’re far more likely to make money through a platform like eBay or Amazon.
Selling something is rarely easy, and a lot of people have struggled with work like this throughout history. While this can make it all the more daunting, it also means that there are loads of resources available that can help you to improve your ability to sell. This is only getting easier to manage as time goes on.
I read your post and joined Etsy, I now sell handmade products from home during lockdown. Thanks for the recommendation. You’re a lifesaver.