3 Ways to Promote Yourself and Sell (Without Feeling Pushy)
You’re in the right place if you’re looking for sales tactics that won’t make you cringe, and sales strategies that feel modern, authentic, and more aligned with your values.
If you’ve ever thought about trying to promote your products something and immediately been left with a feeling of discomfort then this post is for you.
So, you’ve started a business but the thought of promoting yourself and ‘selling’ feels a bit alien to you. You know you need to market yourself but you’re not sure how or where to start. And as soon as you think about drafting that email or posting that story on IG you feel uncomfortable and back out… or you do it but don’t really say what you actually want to say.
I’m sharing my top 3 tips for selling from a place of authenticity so you can embrace marketing and stop fearing it.
The reality is that in order to make money and build a sustainable business you’re going to need to market yourself, in some way… how you do that is up to you!
But whatever tactic you choose you’ll need these tips to hand.
Focus on 'Goal-led' Messaging Rather than 'Pain Points' when it comes to writing copy:
Imagine a marketing approach that taps into your dreams and aspirations, rather than dwelling on challenges - it already feels better, right? That's what we’re striving for here. Drawing from my experience, I've learned that embracing positivity and focusing on the goals we wish to achieve creates a shift in mindset, and when it comes to ethical selling, we want people to buy because they want to, not out of fear. Let's shift your narrative by highlighting the incredible outcomes and benefits your business can provide. It’s good to refer to the problems your customers have too - but don’t let 100% of your content be all problem-focused.
Invite Action Throughout Your Content:
Calls to actions are you telling your customers to take action - you’re literally calling out to them to ‘do’ something. However, when we bark orders constantly, people switch off. Yes it’s OK to have ‘buy now’ but in the surrounding copy and language, try to use invitations as much as instructions. This is important as it creates a sense of a two-way conversation, which builds trust. And as we know, trust=sales.
For example: you sell an online yoga membership. Instead of simply ‘sign up here’ you could add a sentence that says something like ‘you’re sense of calm and connection is waiting - join now for 10% off’. It reads better and feels more like an invitation.
Leveraging Social Proof and Testimonials:
To build trust and credibility, weave the stories of your satisfied customers into your marketing strategy. By sharing their testimonials and experiences, you create a tapestry of success that uplifts and empowers others. People like to be able to envision your products being used by them - this is why photos of actual people work so well. We like to see what we’re getting ourselves into! So bring your feedback, testimonials, reviews, and experiences through in all your copy and marketing.
Conclusion: As you navigate the paths of entrepreneurship, remember that it’s OK to feel unsure of your next steps. Build strong foundations and the rest will follow.
By focusing on 'goal-led' messaging, extending invitations as calls to action, and embracing social proof, you’ll forge a connection with your customers that transcends the confines of traditional marketing.
In the spirit of fostering a warm and inclusive community, I invite you to explore the next steps in your business journey with joy and curiosity and start weaving a goal-led sales approach into your business plan.
