Everyone’s a Salesperson: 5 Ways to Be a Better One

3 min readDec 16, 2022

When I say “sales,” what do you think of? Do you picture someone persuading people to buy things? Well, I picture myself. Even when I do not want you to buy anything from me. Here’s why.

No matter who you are, a student, salaried professional, freelancer, entrepreneur, or homemaker, selling is never out of the equation. You need to sell your kid that broccoli is delicious. Your boss needs to buy your excuse of being sick on the day of the World Cup Final.

The art of persuasion is integrated into sales. So, we are always selling something that can help us, even when that something is not a product or service, but just an idea or concept. It is basically a life skill at this point.

So, here are 5 ways you can be a better salesperson.

1. Listen intently

Listening attentively to the customer is one of the basic skills all good salespersons have. Before pitching any product, they need to learn the customer’s needs and pain points. This requires asking the right questions and understanding which products and services can help the customer.

Even if you do not work in the Sales & Marketing department, you will be surprised what active listening can do for your career and personal life. Whether you are attending a feedback session with a client, instructing your subordinate, or asking your colleague for a favor — listening is the first step to communication.

2. Combine knowledge with honesty

Salespeople need to be confident about the product they sell. And it comes from knowledge. Knowing everything about the product and how it impacts the client’s life is essential. However, this knowledge should be paired with honesty. A top salesperson will never recommend embellishing a product with false data.

Knowledge about your work will help you progress quickly. Being an expert in any area is a highly appreciated skill. At the same time, be honest about your limitations. It will ignite your constant pursuit of knowledge.

3. Be optimistic

- “No.”
- “Not now.”
- “I don’t need this.”

These tend to be our first responses whenever approached by a salesperson. We only say yes once we have an explicit understanding of the product. This proves every good salesperson knows how to be an optimist. Having a positive mindset and staying motivated are crucial.

Optimism can help you in every aspect of your life. Staying self-motivated will help you overcome any challenges regardless of your job title. Clients will always feel confident handing responsibility to someone who can tackle tough situations with a positive mindset.

4. Be empathetic

A customer is more than just a number for good salespersons. They empathize with the customer, which usually establishes a profound, long-term connection. There is no trust without a good relationship. And you cannot expect anyone to buy anything from you if they do not trust you.

To build great relationships in your personal life, you need empathy. Putting yourself in others’ shoes can help you understand them better and result in a healthier relationship. As inherently social beings, we need these connections to ensure our mental and emotional well-being.

5. Ambitious about growth

Sales is all about constant growth. There is usually no hard limit on how far you can go. As a salesperson, you can always sell one more product, find one more customer, make one more connection, and negotiate for 1% more profit. You will keep looking for new ways to make that deal.

The drive to achieve something extra will reward you in more ways than one. This skill can be significant for a fulfilling life. Constant growth means going beyond that fear of rejection. Instead of stagnating your drive, rejection should only fuel it further.

Do not sell yourself short. Focus on improving your sales skills with these 5 simple steps to succeed in every aspect of your life.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Let me know in the comments. And listen to my podcast for more thought-provoking chats.