If you have a business, your goal is likely to make money. But the only way to make money is to sell something, either your products or your services. So what happens if you’re deathly afraid of selling? Predictably, you won’t make much money and then you’re really managing a hobby instead of running a business.

If you’re ready to ramp up your income, then you need to overcome this fear of selling. Here are some tips for reframing your selling mindset and overcome your fear of selling:

1. Don’t sell; have a conversation. If you’re worried about being perceived as that pushy, hard-sell salesperson who follows you around the store, then start off by simply having a conversation. You won’t convince anyone to buy the first time you meet them, so ask them questions about their business instead. By asking questions, you’ll qualify them as prospects (or not) and then you can follow up at a future time.

2. Offer your help instead of selling. What is the end result of every product or service? They ALL solve a problem. Approach each potential lead with the idea of helping them solve a problem instead of selling them your product. Helping has a more positive connotation than selling does and this frame of thought may make it easier for you to start those qualifying conversations.

3. Start small. Don’t try to conquer the world in a single day. Start small and talk about your business to family and friends. Spread your reach in your local community by networking in person at business events. Start networking online. Become a social media darling by posting consistently. Rinse and repeat all these steps until you have a well-oiled networking machine that produces leads.

4. Focus on your goals. Promoting your products and services becomes much easier when you remember your WHY: Why are you in business? What are your goals? What is your timeframe for meeting those goals? Setting reasonable deadlines will keep you motivated to sell instead of taking the day off to binge-watch Netflix shows. Also share these goals with your spouse, business associate, or accountability partner. When you know other people will ask you about your progress, you remain motivated.

5. Get excited about your products and services. When you’re proud of your offerings, it’s much easier to get into selling mode. Do your market research. Understand your audience’s pain points. Create your product or service to alleviate those pain points. Make your product/service the absolute best it can be and then offer it to the world. Your excitement will become contagious among all your followers and fans.

Bonus Tip: Ask for testimonials from happy clients and read them when you have a moment of doubt. Reading those success stories and kind words will do wonders for your failing confidence.

Lastly, just be yourself when promoting your business offerings. Don’t try to copy your competition. Don’t try to look like your favorite mentor or guru. You are unique and your tribe will be attracted to YOU based upon your authentic self.

If you need more action tips for confident selling, especially through social media and email marketing, let's talk! I offer complimentary consultations we were can discuss your needs to see if I am the right fit to help you. Book your appointment here!

Tracey Lee Davis, founder of ZingPop Social Media, turns busy small business owners into online marketing rockstars! A social media expert and Certified Solution Provider for Constant Contact, she coaches entrepreneurs in how to grow their business using social media and provides total management for their email marketing campaigns. Tracey Lee is also a featured speaker for associations and business groups. She is Alignable's 2021 Local Business Person of the Year for San Jose, a Certified Content Marketing Strategist, and the Co-Owner and Vice President of the Women’s Networking Alliance. She also really, really loves cheese.