Introverts in Sales
Who remembers the Muppets with Ms. Piggy and friends from the early 1980s? Remembering this series brings back happy memories from childhood, Sunday night, seven p.m. dishes were done, pj's were on, bookbag was packed, and there was a whole week of school stretching out ahead. When I thought of the concept for this blog, the series and more specifically the "Pigs in Space" skit from the show came rushing back into my memory. Probably, because the concept of "Introverts in Sales" may seem just as outlandish as Pigs in Space.
Now in my early 50s with 25 plus years of professional experience including extensive sales and sales leadership success, I know conclusively that "Introverts in Sales", can be very effective and are sometimes preferred. Of course, I am biased, because I identify as an "introvert" that has learned to adapt and use my technical mind and inherent listening skills to build relationships, provide solutions, and, win business. I have also witnessed many other people use their introverted personalities to build trust to generate revenue.
Sales are about helping people by building trust and offering a helpful solution, that influences a person to conduct business with you. This type of influence can be developed whether you are an extrovert or an introvert. Listen to this podcast with Ruben Dua, Founder & CEO of Dubb.com as he describes the "Golden Age for Introverts in Sales". Ruben's company Dubb.com, empowers users to create, share, host, and track videos to build relationships. Using technology combined with traditional forms of outreach can be a great way to begin the journey to influence.
Here are a few tips for fellow introverts in sales:
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Leverage your strengths: As an introvert, you may be more comfortable in one-on-one interactions and may excel at building relationships and understanding the needs of individual customers. Use these strengths to your advantage and focus on developing long-term relationships with your clients.
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Prepare yourself: Before a sales call or meeting, take time to prepare and research the client or product. This will give you confidence and help you to feel more comfortable in the conversation.
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Listen actively: As an introvert, you may be more inclined to listen more than speak. Use this to your advantage by actively listening to your clients and understanding their needs.
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Use technology: Take advantage of technology such as email, social media, and video conferencing to communicate with clients. This can help you avoid the need for in-person interactions, which can be draining for introverts.
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Take care of yourself: Sales can be a demanding and high-pressure field, and it's important for introverts to take care of themselves. Make sure you're getting enough rest, exercise, and time to recharge.
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Embrace your individuality: Remember that being an introvert is not a weakness, it's just a different way of communicating and interacting with others. Embrace your individuality and use it to your advantage.
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