Selling is not a dirty word! Unfortunately, it’s gotten a bad reputation over the years. Many service-based businesses believe it’s hard, selling your services and convincing people to become clients. But the problem isn’t the word itself – it’s how you perceive it, as a business owner. 

The problem is twofold. Firstly, for many VAs the issue is they’re not confident marketing themselves. Secondly, they’re not sure how to sell in an authentic way, because of their beliefs around selling. If this is ringing true for you, here’s how you can change both.

Stop seeing selling as a negative thing

The only way you’ll overcome these problems is to stop seeing selling as something bad. It is something you have to do if you want your business to grow. So stop seeing and thinking of it as negative, change that viewpoint. Start by changing how you talk about it. It’s not a necessary evil, and it’s not something that’s annoying and pushy. Selling is simply a conversation between you and a potential client.

Know that people want solutions and answers

You can only sell what people want. And if you have a potential client on a discovery call, there’s a good chance they want the solution you can provide. When someone visits your website, it’s highly likely they’re there to learn more about something. It could be the answers and tips you provide in your blog posts or the free resources you have. It may be to find out more about who you are and what you do, the solutions you can provide. Because that’s what potential clients are doing – they’re looking for solutions and answers to a problem or need they have.

Selling is serving

And that’s where selling comes in. You’re serving your clients by delivering solutions to those problems and needs. You’re making their life easier in some way. Whether you free up their time, tidy up their inbox, set up their website or manage their calendar – you’re serving them in some way. Because what you sell is how you serve your clients.

Remember you’re in business to make a profit

But it’s also essential that you remember, you’re in business to make a profit. Or put another way, you’re in business to make money and grow your business. Get comfortable with that. If you want your business to grow, you need to be promoting and selling the service you provide. If you don’t want to make a profit and earn money, you wouldn’t have a business – you’d have a charity.

You need to sell yourself

That’s why you need to get comfortable with selling yourself. Because you are the face of your business. The type of work you do means your clients need to like and trust you. Selling yourself is what you’re doing when you market yourself and have a discovery call.

You want to build the relationship, so they like and trust you enough to work with you.

So remember, you have something to give the world, and the world needs your talent. You can’t afford to hide away – it’s time for you to shine.

Extra resources

If you need a little extra help with your selling skills, check out Selling without selling, how to talk about what you do

Looking to get better results? Read this blog to discover the 5 steps you need to take for better selling results.

And if you’re looking for help building and growing your business and your confidence, check out the VA Membership site. It will provide you with the practical support and expert help you need, to sell yourself, grow your business and succeed as a VA.