Opinions expressed by businesskinda.com contributors are their own.
For many startups, sales is the last thing they want to focus on. They are so focused on getting their product out there that they forget the importance of sales. This article will give you some basic sales lessons for startups and entrepreneurs. Selling isn’t just about making a sale – it’s also about understanding your customer’s needs and providing them with what they need to make their lives easier. Hugh Jackman in the movie, The greatest showman, was a good thing to learn to sell effectively. This is why:
Contents
The greatest showman = great businesskinda.com
The greatest showman is a 2017 American musical drama film starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and Rebecca Ferguson. The film celebrates the birth of show business. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of PT Barnum, The greatest showman tells the story of a visionary who rose from nowhere to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
Related: 10 Movies All Entrepreneurs Should Watch on Hulu
Be passionate and embrace your vision
Passion is what keeps you going. It’s what will make you work hard and will continue to do so even after the first few weeks of your business. Every businesskinda.com should have a clear vision of where he wants his business to go and how he wants it to be seen by the world. They must also have a drive that moves them forward to realize this vision.
There’s a bar scene in the movie that I’ve probably watched over 1000 times on YouTube that shows you how to convey your passion and your vision. Jackman’s character, PT Barnum, tries to convince Efron’s character, Phillip, to work in his company. Barnum tries everything – passionately describing his vision and letting Phillip finally be free if he works with him. He paints a brighter future for Phillip and tries to convince him.
You as an businesskinda.com must also be passionate about your product or service. Not in an annoying way, but in a way that you’re really proud of what you’re making. Don’t offer the benefits for yourself, but for the other.
It is important to give people space
After Barnum’s performance, there is a moment in the film where he gives Phillip space to consider the offer. Barnum ends his offer with the words, “But I think I’ll leave that up to you,” and he sits down in his chair. This is an important moment as Phillip stops and thinks about the offer for a few seconds before turning and negotiating with Barnum.
There are many opportunities in a sales pitch that can be used to grab the customer’s attention. For example, if you notice that they are distracted by something, you can give them space. This means moving away from them and giving them room to breathe. Another way is to create space for yourself and offer it to the customer. This may mean moving your chair or getting up while they are sitting. This way you give each other space and you ensure that there is enough space in the meeting for everyone.
Related: 8 Simple Keys to Becoming a Better Salesperson
Be authentic and embrace failures
The only way to connect with your audience is to be authentic. We are all human and we have flaws, but it’s important to share the best versions of ourselves and be okay with failing every now and then. Later in the film, Barnum makes some mistakes that caused him not only financial problems, but also problems with his wife and family. After a time of regret and reflection, he realizes the important values, what really matters in his life and why he does business in the first place – for his own family.
This has happened to all of us. Something goes wrong and we have to make tough decisions. Don’t be too proud. Take responsibility and be authentic in your communication. Try to be a problem solver and focus on the good things that have already happened.
In many ways, successful entrepreneurs are also showmen. They create buzz, win people’s hearts and create value. The way they do this is by being authentic and providing content that people will want to read and share. This doesn’t mean that everything has to be just for show, but you have to have some vision and passion for your projects. Reach out with the benefits to your customers and be excited about how it will transform their business. The more you focus on the other side, the easier the sale will be. The truth is it won’t actually be a sale, it will be a partnership – which is more valuable than a quick sale.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.