You might have to sell because you built something purposeful for people.
And, for sure, you have been sold multiple times in your life.
And you hate both.
Got it.
I am a person who is obsessed with Customer Experience, serving People, and, as a result, Marketing and Sales.
Let’s talk about the case when you need to promote and sell. And you feel awkward and embarrassed to do that.
It is so common. I have been working with multiple startups, solopreneurs and folks from big established companies like Facebook, IBM, and Schlumberger. And 90+% of people have the same feeling as you.
Let’s break it down.
Does helping people for free make you embarrassed? I assume not. If you see someone suffering, you will not think about promotion or sales. You will come and offer your hand. It’s almost like a sales pitch without asking in return.
OK. So the problem will come when you ask something back.
Why is it so difficult? In your eyes when you offer and when you are offered.
There is an exchange of Value. You offer Value. They give Value back.
To make it comfortable for a buyer, she should feel that she solves her problem and she gets more than she pays for.
And to make it comfortable for you, you should be sure that she feels like that always. And you also feel that you gave more than she paid.
See, it’s not only Value given (your solution) > Value taken (price).
It’s also Perceived Value given (your solution) > Perceived Value taken (price)
2 things come — the Real Value and Perception by a buyer.
And you should work on both. To help more people, make bigger changes and give pain relief.
Start from the Value you give. Is it solving their problem? Is it significant? Is it worth it?
If not, make it better now. Or stop wasting everyone’s time.
If yes, right now, it’s your duty to explain to people how their life will transform with your product. You can’t just see how they are suffering. Go and sell.