Advantages & disadvantages of Personal Selling

After several years of face-to-face selling in diverse sectors and with several years of experience in telesales, I have summarised the pros and cons of personal selling.

PROS:

• You can create a deeper connection with the client, making it easier to win their sympathy or bond with them on a certain level in person.

• You have more influence and can make a significantly bigger impression on the client. Physical presence allows you to respond to body language and open up opportunities. If the client crosses their arms, you can confidently give a brochure. They surely would take it, and with that move, you've not only opened up their arms but also their mind!

• More control: Reading the client's body language enables you to understand their thoughts earlier than you would over the phone.

• (In my opinion) It's more enjoyable and fun. Personal connection is powerful and preferable to online interactions. I think, I would prefer driving two hours than doing training or coaching online. 🤔 (How about you?) I find it way more powerful and better.

• Wider range of development opportunities, including mastering decoding body language.

CONS:

• You can't hide, which might give a 'thrown into deep water' vibe. You cannot cozy up on a rolling chair, swinging left-right-left if you feel shy or play around with things on your desk. If you were to accidentally roll your eyes, the chance is gone (not that it would be acceptable anyway)

• Your insecurity is more noticeable, potentially working against you if you aren't mentally prepared. A bad posture, sluggish walk, grumpy face, glassy gaze, crossed arms, etc - you start already from a drawback.

• It may require more travel.

In summary, personal selling has its perks, like building strong connections and having more influence. But, it also has challenges – people can see you more, and your insecurities might show. It's like finding the right mix of strengths and challenges to be a great salesperson. Learning to understand body language and enjoying personal connections can make you better at what you do. It's a dynamic world out there, and these skills can be your secret weapons.