5 Strategies to Sell in a Recession

5 Strategies to Sell in a Recession

Selling through the slump

How long will it last and just how severe will it get? Economic downturns trigger layoffs and prompt business owners and salespeople to panic.  Now is not the time to panic, now is the time to be checking your sales activities, sharpening your sales activities and using solid sales principles. The economy has changed and since we have no clue when it will thrive again the only choice is to adapt.  Knowing how to sell in a recession will be vital to keeping businesses in business.

Here are five sales strategies to help you sell better:

1.Change your attitude – Your attitude creates the space in which you perform in your business. The good news is that you can control it, the bad news is you can control it and you must to do something about.  It’s one of the few things we have complete control over.  Nobody likes a salesperson with a bad attitude. So take stock of your mental and emotional strength so you can harness your emotions and control your attitude.

2.Commit to win – It’s in the commitment to win that gives you the edge, gives you the creativity and the innovation to restructure and redesign your sales strategies.  Making a commitment to win, gives you the ability to think differently and creates new opportunities that will give you the advantages you need to succeed.  With a commitment to win, you will find ways to grow your business because sales are the only way to keep your business in business.

3.Sharpen your sales skills -Most salespeople don’t spend enough time working on improving their sales skills and techniques.  They might be able to get away with this in a booming market when selling is easy but the sale will go to the salesperson who truly understands why people buy and can help people make the right buying decisions.  Begin now by putting your own plan in place to sharpen your skills and hone your sales techniques. Salespeople who can sell in any market will always be in demand. Effort today reaps rewards now and in the future.

4.Increase sales activities – In a tough economy companies and salespeople cut their sales activities.  They actually have said to me “If we’re not going to sell anything, what’s the point?”  It’s completely backward thinking and that type of thinking will keep you exactly where you are.  If you think there isn’t any business out there, than that is exactly what you will end up with, no business.  Increasing your sales activity will increase sales results.

5.Believe in yourself – One of the biggest problems with all of this recession chatter is that salespeople use that chatter to fuel the fire of self doubt about themselves and their business.  People tend to believe everything they hear and see instead of challenging that belief.   When they lock onto that belief, they look for all the ways to support the negative by searching newspapers, media, news programs. Having a positive and supportive belief structure is essential if you want to succeed in any market but it is vitally essential if you want to keep on selling in a tough one.

We are all hoping and praying that the market turns around sooner rather than later.  Dedicated business owners are in for the long haul and know that having the stamina and fortitude to make it through the storm successfully will make them feel victorious.  Tough times require great focus, so look forward toward the future and get your head out of the past.

Finally, keep in mind that these tough economic times are just a moment in time. It may be a painful moment in time, but it will pass.  Use this time to establish good sales habits and reach out to customers and prospects with a clear and convincing message that sets you apart from the competition. When it comes time for companies to spend money, they’ll be more likely to spend it with you.

One last thing…..If you’re at the point where what you are doing is no longer working or you are not getting the results you work so hard to get, rather than settling and struggling, request a free “911” strategy session with me.  This is simply a chance for us to get to know each other, see where you are in your business, and see if it makes sense to work together. I want to serve you deeply, and in order to do that, we need to have a frank conversation about your business first. Sound good? Then reach out.