Failure as a precursor to success

Business roles are positions where one shouldn’t only dream of being results-oriented. In fact, you may have secured your current job due to your track record or, you may plan business ventures because you think your skills and enthusiasm would be well-applied. This kind of job involves learning to easily shrug off rejection and move on to the next prospect. Statistically, salespeople are brushed of many more times than they score a sale.

Consider that no matter who you are or what you do, you're obliged to sell yourself to someone. If your marketing ability is effective, then you will successfully promote yourself, your affiliations, products, inventions, research or services. How you interact with people, influences your approach to creating business success and what kinds of outcomes ensue.

Let’s say you sense people turn off from your presentations more than they seem turned on. What can you do about that to improve reception and results? Well, you could ask if you’ve put yourself in front of the most appropriate audience for what you have to share. You may not have done enough market research yet to identify the best target for what you offer. You may feel as though you bark up the wrong tree. As you decide you can’t afford to fail, and you don’t choose to, it's wise to review your attitude and techniques so that you will improve your effectiveness.

1) Focus on the audience. The reason you’re with a prospective client, possible employer or someone else to whom you wish to market yourself, isn’t you, it’s what you think you can do for them. If you boast purely about yourself, what you’ve done, your reputation, capabilities, ect., people in front of you will likely tune out and you’ll lose their attention. Put them first instead.

2) You aren’t (usually) what you sell. Separate yourself from the product, research ,ect. In most cases, it isn’t a mirror image of you. Who will it benefit? If it breaks down or develops problems later, you don’t wish to be seen in the same light. Focus on your style and technique to promote. A prospective client may buy from you because of who you are yet, the person will seek something in return, in the form of a dependable product, follow-up service, what you offer.

3) Look for client signals. The tone of voice, gestures and general reactions to your speel are signs of whether or not a prospective client or employer is receptive and desires additional details of what you can do or provide. If you’re turned down or, for some reason, don’t get the offer you aimed for, consider this an opportunity to ask for additional feedback. Take initiatives to clarify what worked or didn’t work about your portfolio or presentation. What did the person like or dislike about your topic, ideas or product? How could you improve for the next round?

4) Be adaptable. You can’t change people, but you can adapt your approach and become more mature. Finding and meeting gatekeepers is progress which brings you closer to your goals. Next, learn how they think and what they really want. Then, you’ll better sense how to provide it. Your ultimate goal is to give people what they want and be paid to satisfy them.

5) Recognize a 'no' isn’t always 'no.' The timing of your offer may be a bit off. The budget may already have been spent this month. Some people simply require additional convincing to understand that your offer is a value-added opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. Keep in contact with prospects and share news of developments and offers through media releases of invites to product launches.

6) Remind yourself rejection isn’t personal . Tell yourself you need not pay an emotional price for rejection. Review the elements of your identity. There’s more to you than your offer.