Blog " Is selling an art?
In the dynamics of today’s society, where at every step people consume a service, a product, or both, to what extent does selling remain an art? Have we robotized sales? Does the sense of personal satisfaction still exist for both the seller and the buyer? Or has everything become a transaction devoid of emotion?
“The Art of Selling” is one of Napoleon Hill’s masterpieces. Written during the turbulent years of the Great Depression, the book not only offers practical advice but also gives us reason to reflect on many aspects of sales today. Are we experiencing a second Great Depression? At this point, no one can say for sure. We would not be lying if we said that we are somewhat different from our ancestors. We were hit by a pandemic, for which we were neither prepared nor trained to handle economically. After that, the situation continued to evolve due to other external political and economic factors, which continue to mark the decade with memorable events from which we will learn lessons and reap the rewards only in time.
And last but not least, we also differ in the speed at which the technological world evolves, changes, and expands, which in turn creates the necessity for every business and entrepreneur to keep moving forward as well—especially if they want to remain competitive and successful.
Amid all this dynamics, let’s turn our attention to sales and what the agenda looks like today. Sharing his knowledge in our column #SCCTalks will be Vasil Yanev, co-organizer of Sales Club Conference and managing partner of digital agency SFC with many years of experience as a sales director, having closed numerous successful deals and long-term partnerships.
Hi Vasko! It’s a great pleasure to have the opportunity to talk about such an important topic. For many years, you have been part of a variety of dynamic teams, all focused on selling services and products. Today, you lead a digital agency that, in addition to selling its own services and products, aims to help businesses—your clients—sell theirs in the best possible way while building strong brands and a solid public presence. Can you tell us about the key trends you’ve been observing over the past fast-paced years, during which the market has undergone significant transformations?
Hello! Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience and knowledge. Indeed, over the past few years, the market has undergone quite a few transformations, which have had a significant impact on the way businesses sell and promote their products and services.
One of the key trends is the growing role of digital marketing. More and more consumers are using the internet to make purchases, learn about products and services, and connect with businesses. This means that companies that are not present online are losing a significant portion of their potential customers
Another key trend is Another key trend is the growing role of social media. Social media is an excellent way for businesses to connect with customers, promote their products and services, and build a loyal customer base.
In addition to digital marketing and social media, businesses should also focus on other important trends, such as:
Marketing personalization: Marketing personalization: More and more consumers expect a personalized experience. This means that businesses need to be able to adapt to the individual needs and preferences of their customers.
Content is king: Content is king: In today’s competitive environment, content is the key to success. Businesses that can create high-quality and engaging online content are more likely to stand out from the crowd and capture the attention of their customers.
Video marketing is becoming increasingly popular: Video marketing is becoming increasingly popular: Video is an excellent way to tell the story of your business and showcase your products or services. It can be used across various marketing channels, such as social media, YouTube, and websites.
These are just some of the key trends I have observed over the past few years. It is important for businesses to adapt to these trends in order to succeed in the digital world.
Which technologies give businesses more opportunities to reach their audiences at the right moment and in the right way?
There are many technologies that facilitate the connection between a business and its audience. Some of the most important among them are marketing personalization for different clients using collected data, creating engaging content with the help of various tools, social media, the ability to use email marketing, and not to forget новопоявилите се AI инструменти.
Nowadays, chatbots initiate conversations with clients, answer questions, and to some extent replace the human factor. Does this mean that we have roboticized sales?
Chatbots are an excellent way to automate routine tasks, such as answering frequently asked questions and providing information about products or services. As a result, human salespeople have more time to focus on more complex tasks, such as building relationships with clients and generating deals.
However, chatbots cannot fully replace the human factor. They are still unable to understand and respond to complex questions or build an emotional connection with clients. Additionally, bots may provide incorrect information to users and can even come across as annoying or inappropriate.
Consumer groups today have an enormous selection of products and services at their disposal. How does a brand stand out in such a crowded market, and is it easy to sell in such a competitive environment? What are the key aspects a business must focus on to differentiate itself and stay one step ahead in its segment?
The current situation makes it very difficult for businesses to stand out from the crowd and be noticed by potential clients. However, there are some key areas that companies should focus on: Defining the target audience, offering a high-quality product, building a strong brand, being active on social media channels, and delivering an excellent experience.
