From private jets to villas for pets, the best sales professionals have the ability to sell even the most outrageously extravagant products.
Not every deal you make will be this big but there are lessons to be learned from the major league players.
How to be a high flier
For Father’s Day in 2013 Beyoncé splashed out on a Bombardier Challenger 850 jet for Jay-Z for a cool $40 million. But how was she convinced this was the one for her rapper romeo?
Firstly, her salesperson would have to be an expert in their field, as it’s unlikely Queen B knows a Cessna Citation XLS from a Gulfstream G650.
To show they were a plane pro, they would have been confident and communicated the specs in a way the singer would understand without feeling baby talked.
It doesn’t matter if you’re selling a private jet or flogging a cheap perfume – if you come across as confident, you’re going to make more sales.
Who you gonna call?
As an avid believer in the supernatural, Lady Gaga purchased an Electromagnetic Field Reader to keep ghosts away while on tour. It only cost a mere $50,000.
Although it looks like a TV remote with fairy lights, she was evidently convinced this was the real deal – so her salesperson would have been passionate about the product as well as being trustworthy.
Customers need a lot of trust so showing off your knowledge and charisma never hurts.
Appearances matter
Tiger Woods treated himself to a $60 million pad in Jupiter Island, Florida, complete with running track and golf course.
To sell this property the estate agent would have looked the part. Smart, groomed appearances are vital if you meet customers face to face at work – studies have repeatedly shown people make judgements about service and product quality based on image alone.
Follow your leads
Who let the dogs out? Not Paris Hilton. While most of us break down in despair when there isn’t a two-for-one offer on dog biscuits, the socialite bought her pooches a two-storey villa complete with wardrobe and chandelier.
It might not be difficult to convince Paris to splurge $325,000 on a kennel, but for anyone else you will need perseverance.
If it doesn’t work out for one customer, keep trying. People who are effective sales reps don’t take rejection to heart. Dog villas aren’t for everyone but with resilience and motivation you can find the right person for any product.
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