This is good time to take stock in one’s own confidence level. Lately, we are seeing a loss of the
confidence in many printing salespeople. Previously confident printing salespeople have been
shaken by a brutal economy that has seen millions of potential print users leave the workforce
through downsizing or business closings.
To make matters worse, there are the unrelenting changes in technology, pervasiveness of digital media and stiff competition from other printers.
There is a large amount of research that confirms confident salespeople outperform those who
are less sure of themselves. Confident salespeople are more resilient to rejection, more persuasive and believe in themselves.
Many print providers when interviewing new printing salespeople look for it, and most
customers will not buy in large quantities unless they see it. Salespeople know they are
exhibiting confidence when their customers fully trust their ability to provide outstanding
products and services.
Maintaining Confidence in a Tough Market
Confidence in selling printing is much like it is in life. Self‐esteem and self‐efficacy are the
essential ingredients. Sell‐esteem is when a salesperson believes in themselves as a person.
Good self‐esteem can be demonstrated through a calm and executive presence.
Self‐efficacy is when one believes in their own capabilities and skills to support a customer’s
communications requirements. The great coach, John Wooden describes this self‐efficacy as
“coming from faith in yourself in knowing that you are well prepared.”
If confidence is so important in sales than how do you get it or repair it.
Four Ways to Build Confidence
Here are four areas to build personal confidence:
1. Ooze Credibility
Displaying a competent and professional impression is a vital step in building confidence.
Keeping up with and expanding knowledge of printing and uses of media is critical to
building confidence. To do so, salespeople must have a deep knowledge of the company’s
products, competing forms of media plus customer and printing workflows, color,
substrates, design and file preparation.
For instance, if you are selling direct mail and cannot talk about databases or social media,
you surely will be left behind. When selling print, knowledge builds credibility and credibility
builds confidence.
Many top salespeople use sales tools with customers to build credibility. These include:
Case Studies
Testimonials and referrals
High impact print samples
ROI analysis
Industry trends
If you don’t have these developed within your organization, there are plenty
available through printing industry associations, trade shows and MyPrintResource.
Also, some of the best ROI case studies, samples and research we have seen have come
from equipment and substrate suppliers.
2. Look and Act Like a Pro
Nothing can give a salesperson more confidence than knowing that they are well prepared,
looking good and well dressed. Dressing well, looking good and being on time is a minimal
action that salespeople should pay attention to on every sales call.
Also, even experienced printing salespeople must keep their selling skills sharp. That means
coming prepared on every sales call with questions, probes, answers and value statements,
all which builds confidence. Time is a premium for everyone. Most customers are doing
more with less. Customers expect their time to be respected and to receive up to date and
accurate information.
A good way to build confidence on sales calls is to have well designed and professional
looking presentations and proposals.
3. Get in Control
Another confidence builder is getting control of the sale. Leading the customer through a
logical progression of steps that will result in a sale will provide a predictable roadmap for
the salesperson.
For instance, it may only take one or two sales calls to close a small printing project. On the
other hand, getting the printing work for a large advertising campaign may require more
steps including a formal presentation, a detailed proposal, proof of concept and pilot or
test. Knowing what needs to happen and communicating this to the customer, builds
confidence in the salesperson.
4. You “Gotta” Believe
In a competitive environment, it is almost impossible to be confident if the salesperson does
not believe in their product or service. An optimistic and positive attitude can only be
maintained if the salesperson understands and is committed to their offerings.
If you don’t really believe print is an essential communication media, you are in the wrong
job.
Having confidence in your product or service starts with knowing the customer’s business,
who are their customers and what will make both successful. It is hard to project confidence
if the salesperson does not believe his or her solutions.
Selling confidently is a key to success. It is a rare person that can stay confident indefinitely. It
requires work and commitment to selling and to the printing industry. Anything less can lead to a lose of confidence and a loss of sales.
Joe Rickard is a training leader and consultant who works with printing and technology companies in the graphic arts to improve their sales and operational effectiveness. He is the founder of Intellective Solutions, a provider of customized sales, operational and sales management training material and services.