How to Sell for Entrepreneurs

Updated: November 14, 2024

Originally Published: June 22, 2020

Live Twitter #StartupChats discussing how to sell for entrepreneurs

Q&A with Startup Canada Guest Advisor Christine Whone

What does every entrepreneur need to know about how to sell? Sales funnels, tools, technology, and software to streamline sales operations, e-commerce and point of sale for entrepreneurs.

The event had 45 contributors and 29.7 million impressions.

Q1: Why does every entrepreneur need to know how to sell?

A1: It doesn’t have to feel like selling! When entrepreneurs are passionate about their business it doesn’t have to feel like sales, think of it more like sharing and educating others about your products or services and how it will benefit them.

Q2: What are the basic tenets of sales for entrepreneurs?

A2: Mindset, intention, goal, action. Set your mindset for success. Know your intention to serve others is for the good of others and have a target or goal to achieve, then take action!

Q3: What is a sales funnel and what tools, technologies and platforms are available to streamline the sales process for entrepreneurs?

A3: Your website platform choice is key for a hub or start point. Quickbooks Online, WordPress or Squarespace, MailChimp, Acuity, Zoom, Stripe, PayPal, Salesforce. There are many tools that entrepreneurs can integrate to help streamline the sales process or operations.

Q4: What advice do you have for entrepreneurs on moving clients through their sales funnel?

A4: Use a chat app like Chatra to build rapport with clients or help customers move through your sales funnel. Chatra has targeted chat triggers to help customers move through complicated web pages. This app is very easy to add to your Squarespace website.

Q5: What are some of the best approaches to selling online that entrepreneurs can implement today?

A5: Publish video content. Use Instagram to connect with your followers and provide education about your business services or products.

Q6: What are some of the best approaches to managing a remote point of sale?

A6: Use online payment methods such as PayPal or Stripe. QuickBooks Online will collect payments too, while managing your accounting books. Quickbooks transactions offer quick direct deposits to your business banking account.

Q7: How can entrepreneurs leverage trade shows and other temporary sales approaches to sell? What are the benefits?

A7 Trade shows visitors are closer to purchasing or looking to buy, network, and make deals.

Q8: How can entrepreneurs improve their pitch to improve sales?

A8: Watch other successful entrepreneurs pitch their business for speaking techniques, sales strategies and language used. Practice your public speaking by recording yourself with a camera and watching the video for feedback.

Q9: Where can entrepreneurs go to learn more about sales, to improve their sales strategy and to drive growth?

A9: I am a huge fan of a walk while listening to business podcasts. I think of it as taking literal steps toward meeting goals. My favourite podcasts are StartupCanada Thrive, NPR How I Built This with Guy Raz, HBR IdeaCast, and Creative PepTalk with Andy J. Pizza.

I have created an online course and business coaching program to help aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to start a business with the Startup Lean Method.

Q10: What final piece of advice do you have for every entrepreneur on how to sell?

A10: Mindset is everything. Set yourself up for success with positive thinking regarding your business goals.