“If you’re not selling, you’re not surviving!” ~Jim Padilla

Ooh. That’s harsh. But think about it. You do sell, over and over again, regardless of your age, gender, occupation, or purpose.

You’ve been selling since birth!

Whether demanding Cheerios or bedtime stories…

Whether angling for invites to the prom or Ivy League schools…

Whether striving to join a sorority or the Junior League…

Whether applying for a part-time job or a business loan…

Whether offering products or services…

We sell. And much of the time, thankfully, we succeed.

Why, then, do heart-centered, compassionate solopreneurs struggle with biz-related sales conversations?

Fear of rejection? Yep. Lack of clarity? Yes. Lack of preparation? Definitely. Afraid you’re bothering people? That’s part of it.

Whatever the cause, whatever the challenge, we must learn how to clear these hurdles if we want to serve others deeply and make a significant difference in the world as purpose-guided business owners.

Otherwise, as Jim says, we will not survive. We’ll join the ranks of the 90%. (Fact: 9 out of 10 startups fail.)

To help you embrace the heart of selling so you can grow your heart-centered business to the max and serve all of the clients you’re meant to serve, I offer you “15 Tips for the Compassionate Solopreneur.”

1. Know who you are! Show up authentically to every call, every networking meeting, every speaking gig. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not.
2. Know whom you serve. Know their problems, how and where you can reach them, and what results they long to achieve.
3. Know your products and services inside and out so you can convey their benefits easily and readily to your prospective client.
4. Prepare your heart, soul, and mind before engaging with a “future client.” Consider each encounter a divine appointment.
5. Prepare your physical space. Make it sacred. Clear your desk. Light a candle. Do whatever you need to do to help you focus on those you’re called to serve.
6. Prepare your calendar. Schedule time between conversations so you can show up relaxed and ready to focus on each person.
7. Focus on your prospect –> on what they’re saying and not saying. Remember. This conversation is about them, not you. Listen!!
8. Help your prospect give life to their vision by describing their vision in detail.
   • What does it look like?
   • Feel like?
   • Taste like?
   • Whose lives will change — and how?
   • Once the vision is fulfilled, who will that allow your prospect to be?
9. Help them discern their true motivation, their “Big Why” for doing what they want to do (whether they desire to lose weight, grow a business, discover their purpose, or find a partner).
   

   ♥ Awake the Why that Rests in the Center of their Heart. ♥
   

10. Help your prospect see the challenges they must overcome to make their vision come true.
11. Ask them whether they’re ready to do whatever it takes to give wings to their dreams.
    

    Are they 100% committed to solving their problem now?

12. Remember to be yourself throughout the conversation. Don’t go into “Salesperson Mode” — ever!
13. Check-in with yourself. Can your services and/or products help solve their problems and overcome their obstacles to success?
14. Only if they are fully committed to solving their problems now, and only if you’re confident your programs and/or products can help them… invite your prospect to work with and/or buy from you.
15. Help your prospect remove any and all hesitations that arise, as they most likely will. With bold compassion, help them blast through their fears.

Take a stand!

Take a stand for your clients.

Take a stand for your business.

Take a stand for fulfilling your God-given purpose as a compassionate solopreneur.

So then–

Now that you enthusiastically embrace the heart of selling…

Who You Gonna Call?

To the Joy of Heart-Centered Sales ♥

 

 

 

P.S. Tommi Wolfe, Jim Padilla, and Linda Welch. Thank you for helping me see the light!

Image by Lyudmyla Kharlamova