Writing copy that appeals to readers is what it's all about. Hard selling can make your prospects turn away without a second thought, which is why we've put together this list of tips on how to avoid it altogether!
Hard selling is when someone tries to sell something to you as a result of deceptive or manipulative tactics.
Magazines, newspapers and websites are all great examples of places where hard selling takes place.
It's an art to mirror the person you're trying to make a sale for whilst still making it clear what the product is about without being overly aggressive or overpowering your target audience in any way.
Rather than carelessly approach people on their doorsteps with information written down in big bold blocks and phrases like "BUY NOW", think carefully about the way you get your message across and ensure it's not too obtrusive.
If the advertising is done in an attractive enough brand, people aren't going to want to turn away from getting information on something beneficial such as a product that can save them money!
Too many times, it seems that every time a business has something to sell, they feel the need to push and hard sell their product.
It doesn't matter what company you're looking at, it's almost impossible to find one without having a hard sales culture.
This is concerning because while pushing yourself and your product too hard may seem like it can solve a lot of problems, in reality, it just causes more problems than it solves.
One way to avoid "hard selling" is setting clear goals for customers that are about bettering their lives instead of trying to make more money for your company.
Hard-selling behaviour is usually a clear sign that there's something sneaky going on within the organisation itself.
Most of their time and effort will be focused on trying to keep customers happy with what they have, rather than focusing on the greater good of other people or communities.
When someone tries to push themselves so hard to gain more profit for no reason at all; it indicates that their true goal isn't about doing better quality work but instead, finding some legal way to do things.
The most important thing you can do to avoid hard selling is to invest in trust.
If your readers see you as someone they can trust, then it will be easier for them to buy from you.
Speak about topics your audience cares about and provide helpful tips in all of your blog posts.
When you are in a position to sell someone something, it's tempting to turn on the hard sell.
It can be hard to resist a salesperson when they come bearing gifts or offer you deep discounts on items you need.
However, there are five ways to avoid being hard sold:
1. Resist the temptation to buy things on the spot. Salespeople often work in a hurry to close their deals, which makes them more likely to try to pressure you into making a purchase right away. Instead, take your time and consider what you need before making a purchase.
2. Don't give in to pressure tactics like low-ball offers or using guilt to coerce you into conceding your decision of whether you want something they've offered (for example, manipulative slogans like "You'll save $... etc.", rather than giving their product details).
3. Foreign language stores, often have special sales techniques that make them hard sellers. As an international merchant, it is important to know when a store expects you to buy (non-negotiable sales price) and other tactics that make the sale. If a shop does use hard-selling, expect them to align it with national holidays or cultural events that depend on whether they're expected to give as gifts.
4. Know what's included – When something is too good of an offer for true budgeting, it’s just offering half off already discounted prices not real savings.
5. Know when you have to say no – There will be some sales that are slotted in or triggered by special events and other government policies, but it’s important to learn the difference between hard sells (pushing for an immediate sale) and soft sells, which can be more effective ways to persuade someone.
Another important way to avoid being hard sold is to be clear about what you want and why you’re interested in making a purchase. Your results won’t likely be as impressive, but you’ll avoid the pressure to buy.
When you are selling a product, it is easy to feel the pressure that comes with being told you must do your job well. There is a fine line between hard and soft selling, but with these tips, you can avoid crossing it.
That's all for now! See you later with a different topic! Till that keep the conversation going in the comment section below.