Jeanne Worrick, who attends many of the networking events we help promote at WhizSpark, started a new blog: Sell Like a Girl. I love it when people who I see in local business networking circles start blogging. When Rick started, he asked me how to get people engaged via a blog. He's a natural at engaging people. So, he just needed to learn how to do that online. So, I told him that I found success by splitting my 'blogging' time into 3 activities: 1) 1/3rd reading other people's blogs, 1/3 commenting on other's blogs and 1/3rd writing. (I haven't done this in a while btw, but that's for another post.) That was a long time ago and Rick has done very well with his blog: making contact with people around the country, generating some leads and using the blog as a way to further engage 'local' prospects in his award winning networking activities. (He's speaking here, btw.)
Then, Jeanne came along and started a blog called "Sell Like a Girl". My first reaction, and I am surprised that Rick didn't have this reaction, was why do women need to sell differently than men? Isn't it really about the prospect and solving their problems? Not about the salesperson. I figured I'd give Jeanne a few weeks and see if she addressed my question. But, so far she hasn't. So, now I am asking Jeanne. Officially. You've piqued my interest. Let's get down to business. I want to know.
Coincidentally, at a networking event, Jeanne told me that Rick passed along the 1/3rd, 1/3rd, 1/3rd guideline. So, here's your chance, Jeanne. I am engaging. Read. Comment. Write.
Well, that was quite the invitation. The idea of selling like a girl is to bring attention to the idea that there are different ways to approach selling. I have been selling in a male dominated business (oil) for 20 years now and have often been frustrated by the sales books I have read all by men and for men.
I like the idea of not taking myself so seriously. The girl part aims to poke fun at myself, but at the same time get the attention of others who may be curious about what I have to say. It's funny that you think that selling is just about certain fixed ideas, because there are nuances to sales that I don't know if you would understand at your tender age. So much of selling is reading subtle clues that the prospect is projecting, usually unintentionally. Women tend to have the ability to get a vibe and respond accordingly. Often it's so natural and intuitive we can't explain it to men. Even if we try to, we are often treated like light weights.
Peter, you are part of a new generation that may have grown up seeing women more empowered and so more readily accept and respect what she has to say. If so, that is great. But even if the playing field does someday level out for both sexes, there will still be different approaches based on the differences that will always exist between men and women. Hallelujah!
If you want a more complete answer, you will just have to read my book as soon as I get it copyrighted and put it on my blog. That was my original intent for my blog. I really wanted to make sales feel more inclusive for women and give them a place to share their own experiences.
Posted by: Jeanne Worrick | July 30, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Thank you for such a thorough response, Jeanne.
I am glad you are blogging and know that I don't know it all. So, I am sure I will learn a lot of valuable lessons from your blog and book.
Looking forward to more dialog.
Posted by: Peter Caputa | July 31, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Holy Gauntlet, Batman! I think it's been thrown down. New blog ideas coming. How about, "How to sell like an old person" or "How to sell like a geek" or "How to sell like a golden retriever"? OK, Jeanne. Are you saying that men can't learn how to read the signs, or the women that can don't want to share? What signs? What do they mean?
Posted by: Rick | July 31, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Pete,
I just reread what I wrote and thought I came off a bit high and mighty. It's not easy to be humorous in print without the vocal intonations. Anywhooo, thanks for reading my blog and don't get scared off by my feminist sounding responses. I didn't mean to sound so harsh!
Posted by: Jeanne Worrick | July 31, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Pete,
I just reread what I wrote and thought I came off a bit high and mighty. It's not easy to be humorous in print without the vocal intonations. Anywhooo, thanks for reading my blog and don't get scared off by my feminist sounding responses. I didn't mean to sound so harsh!
Posted by: Jeanne Worrick | July 31, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Hey Jeanne. I thought you and Rick were testing me. Rick'll tell you that my biggest sales weakness is that 'I get emotionally involved' in the process. So, I figured you were testing to see how I'd respond.
I think I passed. Right Rick?
It's all good. I'd rather see someone get fired up. I think you communicated a whole lot more effectively what your goal is - through that comment - than all of your posts. So, mission accomplished. I now understand where you're coming from and what you aim to accomplish. And I am excited about what your goals are. Hopefully, I can help along the way.
I just hope that you'll see blogging and writing and interacting via your blog as much of a journey of learning for yourself than it is for someone else. The blogs that gain readership (and readership will get your message out) are written by bloggers that engage in conversation and learn from other people too.
Anyways. Welcome to the conversation. That you've joined is the most important part.
I got dibs on 'how to sell like a geek', Rick.
Posted by: peter caputa | July 31, 2007 at 07:39 PM