2 Thoughts to Reframe Selling
If you (like, well, almost everyone) feel uncomfy when you're "selling," keep reading.
I heard this sentiment most recently on a call with a soon-to-be client. She's a Health At Every Size-aligned body image coach (WOOP WOOP!), so naturally she feels super connected to her mission and her belief that her work matters -- but she doesn't want to feel like she's pushing her services onto anyone.
Here's a thought that I shared with her in return: Diet culture is out there selling 24/7 and doesn't feel the SLIGHTEST bit shameful about it, so why should you?
(Caveat: obvs I would like to shame diet culture ALLLLLLLL the way out of town permanently, but you get what I mean.)
So when you need some more courage to sell, try these two thoughts out:
1) There's someone out there hustling every day, selling exactly the opposite of what you do or believe in, and they're not holding themselves back or stopping.
When you do really values-based work, you can probably bring *those* people to mind right away. But this can still apply to just about any industry.
→ Are you a bookkeeper? You know there's a bunch of overpriced apps out there leading people to believe that software can replace the need for your expert human analysis and support. (Not to mention they don't even have a customer service number!!!)
→ Designer? How many stories have you heard about people out there slapping an expensive logo together for an unsuspecting client and then not delivering any of the actual files that the client needs to make their brand usable? Yeah.
I could riff on this endlessly, but I hope you see what I mean!
So use thought #1 as a bit of motivation to quit holding back, because your people really do need Y-O-U out there.
And relatedly...
2) There's a difference between selling AT and making an invitation. One gives you the ick and the other one's just an extension of you being you.
POP QUIZ:
Are you out here trying to trick someone into investing in some basic-ass, subpar service that wildly underdelivers?
Are you out here inventing a need and then trying to convince someone that you're the solution to a made-up pain point?
^ Congratulations, you just scored 0/2, so here's your permission slip to trust your integrity!
Selling AT someone who wouldn't sincerely benefit from what you have to offer is salesy, absolutely. But when you make an invitation from genuine empathy and your true belief that you can help, you are SO far from being pushy or manipulative.
Your responsibility is to share what you do and why it matters, and it's your future client's responsibility to decide whether they want to accept. That's it!
So go forth and sell. You're not being weird. I believe in you, and the world needs your work.
