5 Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Ideas

1. Listen.

Don’t just analyze what people tell you about their lives and ideas just so that you can pick and choose pieces to cram into your neat, tiny philosophical framework. If your conversation partner repeatedly hits a brick wall, you’re no longer discussing ideas with them, you’re just like any other door to door salesman peddling cheap goods.

2. Compassion.

People like to think that other people care about their feelings and ideas. Let your customer share their reactions. Let them deliver their reviews. Let them ask for what they want, so you can better package your thoughts for their needs.
Even if you don’t agree with something your potential customer says, whatever the subject, they need to feel comfortable expressing them to you, or else they will not listen in return. (Who knows, you might just learn something yourself…)

3. Body Language.

You don’t have to physically touch your intended customer to make them feel uncomfortable. Be careful, as this can lead to closed ears. People can sense when you want something from them. Give them the chance to figure out for themselves if they want more. Let people come to you with their questions. Do all you can to advertise that you are an expert body of knowledge and are eager to field questions.

DO NOT, for any reason, step in someone’s path, grab their arm, and follow them in order to get their attention. DO NOT try to detain them if they walk away before you’ve finished your thought. It’s their loss. End of story.

4. Marketing.

Nothing will turn a potential buyer away faster than poor presentation. Think of your beliefs neatly displayed behind large department store windows during the holidays. Make them as flashy, attractive, and complicated as you want, but leave that barrier between the goods and your customers. Cater to their apparent needs and interests (this can be tricky, it requires some powers of observation). Does she look frumpy and wrinkled, but otherwise cares about her appearance? Suggest an iron. Did you notice her eyeing the tracks before you caught her by the ear? Suggest an afterlife, or the reasons why life might possibly be worth living.

5. Know Your Shit.

Do you think I’m going to buy a 600 dollar vacuum if the sales associate can’t tell me where it was made, what type of filters it contains, or even what kind of warranties are available? Then why do you think you can sell your philosophy to me if you can’t tell ass from elbow, if you stumble over the most basic questions? Did you even take inventory of your warehouse?

Now, while I may personally not buy into your product, I do enjoy talking to people about their principles and value systems, whatever they may be. This advice is only given to make the process more enjoyable for everyone. God forbid anyone have an engaging conversation.

Good luck to you!