Most freelance trainers I know are very confident and outgoing people – when they are in the training room. However, the minute you mention the word ‘selling’ they are much less sure of themselves, in fact many trainers I know freely admit that they hate this part about being freelance. Maybe you are one of them? If so, here are 5 tips that will help you to feel better …. you may even start to enjoy it! 

1.  Don’t over complicate the process. Selling is just about building relationships with people - which all trainers are naturally good at.

2. Try and identify specifically what your fears are. Is it a fear of rejection, a feeling you’re not very good at it, or worries about appearing too ‘pushy’. Once you have really pinpointed what’s getting in the way it’s much easier to start working on a solution.

3. Pay close attention to what other people are doing when they try and sell to you. Note the words and behaviours that make you feel inclined to buy. Also record the things that turn you off! Try this exercise over a specific period of time -  a week or a month – and see what patterns emerge.

4. Don’t panic or put pressure on yourself to achieve targets. Don’t beat yourself up if people don’t buy from you the first time around. People buy from people who they know like and trust and that process takes time.

5. Don’t beat yourself up when people don’t respond. Don’t assume they are not interested in you. A great NLP tip I learnt was to stop mind reading and in this situation ask yourself ‘What else could it mean?’ There are plenty of other reasons why people don’t always respond as quickly as you would like them to such as holidays, pressure of work, budgetary constraints and shifting priorities. Try focusing on the positive and see what difference it makes!