How to sell to anyone – two business lessons (from a 12-year-old)

I was invited to a school fare towards the end of last school year. They were raising money for a charity.

It was a hot day, at noon time. The booths were outside, nicely styled, and excited kids and proud parends were buzzing around.

“Would you like a glass of cold water?”, a 12-year-old boy approached me with a big smile and a glass in each hand.

And whether you said “yes, please” or “no, thank you”, his next question was “And would you like to buy something?”, proudly pointing at his table, and adding quickly “we are raising money for a school charity project”.

A school charity project? Yes, tell me more about it young man!

I bought more stuff than I needed. Of course. How could one possibly refuse such a kid, right.

I left the fair feeling good about myself spending my money on such a good charity project. I had some nice hand-made products in my bag, and I was treated in such a nice way. No pressure to buy anything at all. It was me who wanted to spend the money!

I realized later that I had just experienced first hand a lesson in “selling without selling”.

This boy didn’t start the conversation by giving me all the ins and outs about their charity cause, or about the products they were selling there. He simply offered me what I needed most at that very moment – a glass of cold water. And, please note, only after he had offered me that glass of water he directed my attention to the things they had on the table.

Here are the two lessons. Lesson #1 – give your clients what they need the most at the moment you meet them. Lesson #2 – offer your range of products after your clients’ most urgent need is met.

A lesson to remember! “Selling without selling” done in its purest form, straight from the heart.