sales advice that you should ignore

I have A LOT to say on the subject of selling. I have sold my own products into Waitrose, Eurostar, The Ritz, Soho House Group, Virgin Trains, in short I love selling and have done it a lot. ⁠⁠
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When I started my first business I got some TERRIBLE advice which I am horrified to notice is still occasionally passed around so let me throw a bucket of ice-cold water on it now once and for all so that it shrivels to nothing.⁠⁠
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1: 'Play your cards close to your chest' If you achieve a sale it is the beginning of a relationship with the customer that you want to be collaborative, long lasting and beneficial for both sides. Being open and curious from the beginning is the only way to achieve this.⁠⁠
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2: You have met the 'Always be closing' guy at a party, he is the one that gets 'listening' muddled up with 'waiting to speak' and sprays flecks of food into your dress as he broadcasts his opinion. Don't be the 'always be closing' person.⁠⁠
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3: 'Rehearse your pitch' How about don't rehearse, it's not a performance...I have never 'pitched' to a buyer, I have never used powerpoint or taken a laptop into the room with me. Bring yourself and your knowledge of your product, your market, the buyer's needs into the room and have a conversation WITH A PERSON. That is all. ⁠⁠
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