The Sales Tactic that Works

There's nothing that turns me away from a business faster than the feeling that someone is trying to "sell" me. Perfect example: Last week I was in the process of purchasing a new cable television package, when the sales representative I was speaking with started pushing me to upgrade to a more expensive package. She made me so nervous that I was making the wrong decision about the product she was offering that I decided against cable television altogether.

As it turns out, according to this BusinessWeek.com article, I'm not alone in my aversion to the hard sell. The small business owners in the story have seen their sales skyrocket since they changed to a soft sell sales tactic. Their strategy? Just put yourself in the customer's shoes and treat them how you want to be treated when you're shopping. It sounds simple enough, but many businesses feel that an overpowering sales method will get them further in the end.

For more on changing your sales tactic, click here.