Salesperson’s Magic Bullet – 4 Ways to Smile When You Talk
I was driving around last week listening to a guy named Andy Andrews in my car, and he said something that hit me right between the eyes. Mr. Andrews (author of the book The Traveler’s Gift
SMILE WHILE YOU TALK
That’s it- crazy, huh? Seems so simple, but it’s such a common denominator. Listen to people you are on the phone with, you can literally HEAR THEM SMILING WHILE THEY’RE TALKING. I guarantee they are having a more productive and successful day than the person who is NOT smiling. As for these people, you can hear the corners of the mouth turned down and just feel the energy being shut down.
Smile while you talk- if there is a magical sales bullet when you are making cold calls, this is as close as it gets.
Brian Tracy even says that “the most powerful thing a salesperson can do is to be walking into a meeting with a smile just leaving their lips.” Sometimes finding and keeping that true smile is harder to do than other times, but that’s OK.
So how can you do this?
- Use a Mirror
This is a practical physical step and can be useful to check yourself, especially when making sales calls on the phone. - Live a Life of Gratitude
A forced smile is sometimes better than no smile, but clearly the nuclear bomb of persuasion is a sincere smile that comes from within. Being thankful for the things in your life allows you to “not sweat the small stuff.” - Honest Communication with a Coach
Sitting down and just letting someone know what’s really going on inside is usually incredibly liberating. If you are honest and let off a little steam, you will feel lighter after the talk and see better results immediately. I’m not talking about just bitching to anyone who’ll listen (one of the UNhealthiest things you can do), but a proper airing of the soul with someone who can help. - Gratitude Lists – as part of your everyday routine
Practicing gratitude is helpful even when we do it just once, but it’s AMAZING when we make it a habit. By really appreciating yourself, your Life and the people you interact with daily, you find you smile so fast and so strong it will make your head spin. I dare you to try it out.
I imagine there are lots of other ideas that haven’t been mentioned, and I would love to see yours posted below. I hope you have a wonderful week- find your smile and good things will find you.
Be Free!
Roger Seip
Instructor
Roger,
I could not agree with you more:A genuine smile always gives its host an advantage.
As a matter of fact,’Smile Please’is the subject of a recent blog I wrote.
Please read it @ http:www.barbarajhenry.com.
We are definitely on the same page,wave length,on this one.
Barbara Henry
Comment by Barbara J — April 23, 2009 @ 9:11 am
Great Post Raj,
It offers a slightly more literal interpretation of the small picture hanging above the printer in the Madison office that reads “it is impossible to hold a torch to light another’s path, without brightening your own.”
Along the lines of honest communication and gratitude, I would suggest that living in the moment provides ample opportunity to express your inner smile.
When I’m focused and engaged in the moment, joy is just part of the equation for me
Comment by Nick Wodka — April 23, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Excellent post, Roger. I’ve found that saying “YOU have a great day!” BEFORE I pick up the phone makes me smile. Sometimes I follow it up with “I’m the boss of great days.” This has amused my co-workers as well (some have actually tried this too), which adds to the joy. It’s also amazing how smiling on the phone encourages the person on the other end to do the same.
Comment by Jay — April 23, 2009 @ 9:49 am
Thanks Roger…smiling is always my backup plan. When I find myself in a position where I fell like I need to throw my hands in the air, I just start laughing and smiling. It’s amazing how many times I have been able to pull off so much more than I thought possible just by smiling for sometimes no reason. It happened yesterday…long story, but I never thought I was going to be able to pull off my DISCO yesterday. I decided to just smile and laugh about my situation and IMMEDIATELY things got better.
Comment by Loren Barrows — April 23, 2009 @ 11:57 am
Thanks Roger,
I find that listening to a good tune usually is a quick way to help a sincere smile show up on my face. Yes, I love music, but it also just brings me back to the moment, gets me grooving (which I love), and therefore, helps me to be thankful.
Leah
Comment by Leah Simpson — April 24, 2009 @ 10:27 am
So right Roger and Leah, nice addition. Adding music or comedy will get you smiling and in a funny mood. What I have been doing in the morning as I am prepping for the day is find something on youtube to watch. Comedy, music, personal development speakers, inspirational content. Just think about it, watching Dave Chappelle for 5 minutes before dialing the phone or listening to (and belting out) “Yellow” by Coldplay before speaking to a group.
Also, when I am dialing the phone, there is a mirror in front of me and I am making faces, doing stupid things to make me laugh at myself. It works well to keep the smile on, when something does not go the way you want, find something on youtube. The cure all suggestion is “The Evolution of Dance”, this guy with a crush t-shirt on. This one is a good one to start with.
Comment by alan — April 25, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Great advice. I know my subconscious sees it when I smile. Smiling effects the people I come in contact with but it also effects me. When I feel better, I smile. When I smile, I feel better. Kind of a snow ball effect.
Thanks!
Comment by Geoff — May 27, 2009 @ 9:11 am