Tag Archives: Selling

What Seth Godin Taught Me about Selling

Seth Godin

Seth Godin

Guest Post from Lois.

I hate selling. Don’t you?

I had to sell ice candy at my grandma’s sari sari store when I was a kid and it ruined me for life. I would cringe when anyone asked what flavor it was. I didn’t know how to make them buy it. And every time someone walked away without my ice candy, I felt so rejected! Selling sucks.

But more than 20 years later, here I am doing exactly that. It’s not ice candy this time, mind you. Let’s start at the beginning. Back in January 2011 I had quit my job, sold most of my stuff and embarked on a 6 month journey across India and Southeast Asia. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, without considering the financial repercussions. Fast forward to 6 months later, I was homeless, unemployed and not sure where the money was going to come from. So I employed myself. I googled a couple of companies and asked if they had a job for me. A leadership consultancy firm met with me and offered me a job. I managed to get a position as tadah: Project Manager. To say I was overjoyed is an understatement. I was ecstatic! I had a job to pay the bills and maybe even fund some future trips!

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When I Manned the Store

The Art of Selling

The first time I manned a store – I think I was 14 at that time (maybe) – I chased the customer away.

Yes, I had one customer.  Because my mom would not let me talk to any other customer after that.  I think.  (my recollection is a little hazy)

We were selling batik clothes and some imported goods in a dry good stall and I was being very enterprising, butting in the conversation, giving the one customer (a man, I think) this option and that.  He almost bought something but I think he got confused because I kept showing him stuff after stuff. (giggles)

He left without buying anything and I was kind-of blamed.  I never really tried to sell after that.

But last weekend, I had to.

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