If you think about the process of selling it’s easy to understand why most experts say it’s all about relationships. Clearly successful sales people are good at developing rapport and trust. While a good salesman has to learn how to overcome the objections that prevent the buyer from purchasing their product, when it gets right down to it has as much to do with how much the buyer likes the seller as it does with how much he or she likes the product.
One could argue about just how much influence the likeability of the salesperson has to do with whether or not someone will buy from him but it’s hard to argue with the point that the buyer must actually like the sales person. So how do you get a buyer to like you? Each sales person has her own techniques for doing this but many will tell you that there is nothing like a good a sales joke.
Sure, it sounds strange but humour can go a long way to getting you accepted and help pave the way to a receptive buyer. Used under the right circumstances sales jokes can break the ice, diffuse stress, and improve your relationships with your clients.
Whether you choose to use jokes about sales when you are talking one on one, delivering a presentation, or addressing a group of buyers, strategically placed humour can work wonders. Just listen to the stories told by many of today’s top comedians about how they learned that being funny worked for them as kids. Many tell stories of avoiding bullying, escaping their parent’s wrath, or getting away with antics in school because they knew how to deliver a good line.
It’s the same when it comes to sales. Jokes about sales can help both you and your buyer relax and help to make the sales process much more effective. Of course effectively delivering a joke is not necessarily and easy thing and can require some practice.
If you aren’t accustomed to using humour during your sales work then you may want to consider getting some professional training. Or you can practice on your own by delivering some jokes on sales in front of the mirror or in front of friends. Chances are you may have a few failed attempts but with a little work and the proper timing you’ll be delivering your sales jokes effectively in no time at all.
Of course you’ll need to judge your audience when deciding exactly what type of sales jokes will go over best. It may be wise to stay away from adult sales jokes unless you know your audience very well. Even at that be careful that the adult jokes you choose do not cross the boundaries of good taste.
With a little practice and some careful thought into where your sales jokes would be most appropriate, you’ll be on your way to lightening up what can be a fairly serious process. Your levity may be just the trick you need to put your buyer at ease and make it easy for them to close the deal. At worst, you will have brought a little smile to someone’s face, maybe even your own.
Your levity may be just the trick you need to put your buyer at ease and make it easy for them to close the deal. At worst, you will have brought a little smile to someone’s face, maybe even your own.
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