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If you wandered onto this path of digital marketing and online sales, one thing you’re gonna have to get right with is that you are going to have to ASK PEOPLE TO BUY YOUR THINGS.
Which, I don’t know about you, but I had some hangups about that when I first started researching ways to make money online. Hiding behind a product-based business model seemed way more appealing at first because I would never know the people I was selling to, and they would never know me. I could hide behind my product storefront and the veil of the internet.
However, the more I researched, the more I realized affiliate marketing was actually a better path for me. You can ease into it with little investment, you do not need to deal with inventory and order fulfillment, and the income potential is essentially limitless – particularly if what you are selling is a digital product, which you can literally sell as many times as you can possibly convince someone else to purchase it from you. THAT is how so many people are making six, seven figure incomes within this market.
But, the idea of embracing sales…becoming a MARKETER …. was something I really had to come to grips with. Sales was never a career path I considered for myself, viewing all salespeople with a degree of disgust and a large dose of skepticism, convinced that the motive of any salesperson was just to make a sale and had nothing to do with my best interests.
It took studying some materials from some giant marketers in the online business world (Frank Kern, Dan Kennedy, Russell Brunson, Dean Holland, etc) to bring me around to a different frame of mind and uncover the real SECRET. The secret that bad sales people forget… I think you know the kind I speak of. Those who make big promises of untold wealth if you only just “buy this one thing” like it’s just some sort of easy, push-button, personal ATM machine.
You see, the most successful salespeople approach sales entirely from a client-centric model, meaning they want to bring clients together with the things that they need, the things that will help them achieve their goals. Offering clients with so much more value than the price being asked for. Reframing sales from something that felt “icky” to a service business. Now, that was something I could get behind.
I have essentially worked in client service in different capacities my whole working life, and really value being able to be of service to other people. It gives my work purpose and meaning knowing that what I do helps others be successful. So, thinking about sales as a way of helping others really helped me upgrade my entire outlook on it.
Now, you might also have a fear of sales… of asking people to buy something from you. I get it! I think there is a natural fear of rejection attached to putting yourself out there in front of other people. But let’s just clear one thing out of the way and be very frank – the MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAY NO! If you could actually convert 51% of prospective customers into buyers, you would be a sales GOD. There would be stories written about you in all the sales bibles until the end of time. So just accept the reality that most will say no, especially the first time you ask.
You might also be worried about people not liking you or saying bad things about you. Unless you are being a jerk, chances are people aren’t going to get mad about you trying to sell something to them, and the ones that do probably were not ever your target buyers anyway. Unfortunately, the internet is full of people whose joy in life seems to be tearing down others behind a mask of anonymity. So for a bit more tough love… if you can’t ignore the “trolls” and take it in stride, then this business might not be right for you.
That’s what I have for today. I hope this helps anyone out there who struggled with the same hang-ups I once did about getting into marketing and sales. Now – let’s go out there and focus on delivering the best offers we can think of to serve our audiences and help solve their problems, and leave the haters in the dust!
With love,
Sales creates panic in some people – most people do not want to be salesmen but when someone wants to buy from you that’s another matter.
In fact we are all selling in some way every day, it may be to get a job or to get a date. It may be just to get our own way in something but we are always looking for ways to get what we want and in most cases that involves selling the idea to others.
It’s a strange world. but everything is simply a reflection of how we see things. God bless.
Yes, you are right – life generally is very transactional! Negotiating to get what we want or making exchanges (of time, energy, etc). Its all in the perspective 😉
AK
Love the shift in perspective to see sales as a means of helping others, rather than merely a transaction!
I suffer big time from the fear of rejection in sales so this resonated with me, helping me to see the importance and the power of serving others through our offerings.
Yes, I think it is so critical to find that “thing” we are passionate enough about that we feel compelled to tell as many people about and try and get it into their hands. And when its an honest and well-meaning action, the actual “sell” is a lot easier because we believe in it, and people can recognize that. Best wishes, Tony!
AK
Hello Acasha,
OMG.. this is me.. So afraid of what people will say, the fear of rejection is just so hard to get past. But I’m working on changing my mind set. Working on creating a life other than my 9 to 5.
Great post. I can’t wait to read more.
Thanks Sandy
Absolutely, rejection is a terrible feeling! It is certainly a difficult fear to overcome, but I hope sharing my own mind-shift in perspective was helpful to you. We cast a broad net in online marketing, so most people who see our message are not going to be our customers. But think of the people, “our” people, we are able to reach, and help get them those things that will change their lives. To me, even if it was one person, the effort and facing my fears is worth it!
Best wishes,
AK
Love this post! I can totally relate. When I was younger, when picking a career, I always had an icky feeling when someone would propose sales. I thought of the sleazy salesperson trying to push a product or service on you for money, but my views have completely changed. Like you I know look at it as a way to help people, that is what is so great about affiliate marketing, it is a way to take lessons learned and share products that really provide value! It is so funny what a mind shift can do; sales doesn’t have to be about pushing an agenda. It can be a way to legitimately help people! Look forward to your next post!
Yes! And when your approaching people with a genuine belief in your offer and how it can help them, people can see that! I’m glad that my insights was helpful to you. Best of luck to you!
AK
I completely agree.
I never thought I would ever become a “salesperson” until about 15 years ago I got into a medical job that actually did require persuading people to do something that weren’t really excited about, and spend money they didn’t want to spend. But when I knew I was actually helping them, and when most of them were thankful that I changed their lives for the better, I learned to deal with and quickly get over the occasional unpleasant (and sometimes terrible) interactions.
Now I know that if my motivations are correct, and I believe in what I’m doing, and the product I’m “selling”, I can sell it – even if it’s not always pleasant. In the end, it’s rewarding for me and the people I help – and I love that.
I hadn’t thought of the medical profession as an avenue for sales negotiation, but I have absolutely had that kind of interaction now that I think about it; negotiating with a doctor on the best path forward. Thank you for sharing!
AK
Oh, you’ve hit the nail on the head! I have a fear of making offers. I am at a point where I should be doing follow-up emails, but I am afraid to do so. I don’t want to ask people to buy things. Dare I forget, these people asked to be on my list and are interested in what I have to say? It’s hard to have faith they actually want to hear from me. It helps me to think I have something they are interested in, and I can present them with ideas and products that have helped me along the way. I can help them solve their problems. I like that idea. Very helpful post!
Im so glad this was helpful to you! Just remember that you have insights and experience that no one else in the world has – you are entirely unique. And there are others like you that would benefit from what you have to share with them. Imagine if you could help just one other person change their life for the better – would that be worth the effort?
I believe in you!
AK
What you are talking about is a shift in the way you perceive- in this case, how you perceive being a sales person. The shift from sales to service is a matter of complete mindset shift. The success follows thereafter.
Yes exactly. And I think our mindset makes all the difference in our success, at anything really. How we perceive and react to things can make the next step easier or harder. In this instance for me, shifting my perception of what sales is has completely transformed my approach and my energy to this whole endeavor.
AK
Hi Acasha: I agree with your statement about sales. I totally agree with you. You must get joy out of what you are selling that is going to benefit others. I am glad you have a different feeling about sales people. They are not all bad people. There are some good ones out there also.
Exactly! Having passion about your offers is CRITICAL. We humans are pretty good at spotting self-serving and dishonest messages. When someone is passionate and believes in what they are doing, we take notice.
AK
Hi Acasha – Really informative post, I enjoyed reading it. You offer great value to consider for those thinking about embarking on the Affiliate Marketing Route. As an Affiliate Marketer myself I thought this point you made was great…
“The more I researched, the more I realized affiliate marketing was actually a better path for me. You can ease into it with little investment, you do not need to deal with inventory and order fulfillment, and the income potential is essentially limitless” This is so true and was a definite attraction to me when I was looking into it. I look forward to revisiting your blog, reading your posts and watching your progress. I wish you a wonderful and productive week ahead.
https://karenelissabeth.com/hello-2024/
I am so glad to be of service to you on your journey! I do believe affiliate marketing is a perfect beginners vehicle for starting your own online business. The skills we learn in doing this translate to any other kind of marketing business venture we wish to endeavor upon. As Dean Holland would say, we are learning “foundational skills.”
Best wishes!
AK
Acasha, I love your perspective on sales and marketing.
I think there might another way to look at sales and marketing.
If you can consistently convert 10% of cold traffic (people who have never heard of you) to sales, it can be a very successful business.
What this means is you can fail 9 out of 10 times and still build a very successful business.
Yes, I agree – 10% is doing very well! But I think its hard for some of us, at least at first, to come to grips with the fact that this also means 90% of the people we encounter are going to “reject” us. So a shift in mindset is really needed to keep us from freezing up and failing to make the pitch at all. We have to remember those 10% of people that we are able to help (and truly believe in and have passion for the fact that we are in fact helping them!)
Best of luck,
AK
Acasha,
As I read your blog post I cannot help but think of the book GO FOR NO. If you are in sales this is must read book. It uses reverse sociology where your goal is to get as many NOs as possible and in doing so you will find some YES.
Whether it be traditional sales or internet sales it all is a numbers game. That is why you hear it said over and over know your numbers because the numbers tell the story of your yess and nos.
Thinking of the change in your thought process from sales to servant I leave you with one of my favorite quotes by Zig Ziglar. If you help enough people get where they want to go you will get where you want to go.
CJ
CJ – thanks for the book recommendation! I am adding that one to my bookshelf to read very soon.
AK
Acasha, I can relate to everything you said, particularly the fear of selling to others. As you said, when you come from a place of service and filling a need for someone, it feels a whole lot different.
I believe it is one of the skills that a lot of affiliate/digital marketer has to work on as they get out there. How else can you become profitable if you aren’t able to sell what you have?
One thing that I realized over time is that regardless of the type of work we do, we all do sell or promote to a certain degree. We just haven’t realized it yet.
Wishing the best on your journey!
A great way to look at sales Acasha! I hate selling to others, I detest cold-calling and have a fear of it, but seeing it as helping others is a great way to view sales. Thank you – Martin
Bad salespeople I think is what really has given sales a bad reputation. We’ve all experienced them! I think as long as we believe in and are passionate that what we are selling is going to help others, and we approach it from that way, we can overcome that prejudice against the role of a marketer.
AK
Acasha, firstly, I must say the photos you put on your blog are really good very humorous. Once you’ve learnt how to sell someone else’s product, and when it takes off then you will be able to create your own, and by then you’ll have the experience of knowledge to do it. You are absolutely right when you say most people are going to say no, which is why it’s even more important that you have a relationship with your audience who will know you, like you and trust you and they will buy from you or may even refer their friends, family and colleagues to you, because of their recommendation. So it might be a little slower, but it’s a better model and higher quality audience. Great post and great advice. Thank you very much. Look forward to the next one, Atif
Haha thanks! I am a goofball at heart. And I agree, the relationship we build with our audiences is so important. Not only for making the first sale, but for continuing to promote goodwill and see repeat customers… building a real “fan base.”
AK
Hi Acasha, I always had difficulty to sell my chocolate box. You know those chocolate bars you sell to finance a sportive or social activity? These comes whitin a full promotional box you have to empty with the sale income you put inside an envelope on top. Most of the time I’d sell one or two bars and the remaining of the box was either bought by my parents or by some generous relative. I was no good at selling things. When I first met with the idea of doing sales online, I thought It was not for me. As an engineer I thought I had more chance at inventing something than selling that something. I changed completely my mindset, and realized soon that I can do it and even be motivated at selling. Now I’m surprised that I made a passion out of it. Yes, I’m an affiliate marketer!😊
Martin
That’s fantastic! Passion is required of this business – there is so much to learn and so many challenges to overcome. Having a passion for it will help see you through to success.
Best of luck!
AK
Hello Acasha,
I love how you break down the “sales” aspect and put it into perspective! A lot of people would not realize some of the things you pointed out. It is definitely how you go about “selling” that makes all of the difference. providing help and support along the way, instead of just selling something and moving on to the next person, is definitely the way it needs to be done! Good luck in your journey!
Kelli
To me that was a critical step – really thinking about what I am passionate about (entrepreneurship) and how I can help others change their lives the same way I am working to change mine. Now I see it all as almost a mission to tell as many people as I can! The thought of helping to change just one other person’s life for the better makes all the struggle worth it to me.
AK
Hi Acasha,
In this world of ads promising the “Get Rich Quick” theme, you are right to think of clients first. Allow them to get to know and trust that you really do have their best interests in mind.
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
Those darn social media algorithms know I have an interest in digital marketing, so I sometimes feel like I’ve seen every kind of ridiculous promise possible. It really is pretty gross the lengths some people will go – the wild promises they make – to try and lure customers. It really makes me pretty mad because they are taking advantage of people’s hopes and making it harder for honest people like us to convince them that we actually have their best interests in mind. But, hopefully that will also mean that our honesty will shine through that much more clearly.
Best wishes!
AK
Brigitte – yes exactly. Its all in how you frame it to yourself. And it took thinking about sales as a service to really turn the lightbulb on for me.
Best wishes!
AK