I did it!!!

Today I finally did it. I sucked it up and delt with it. I pushed my fears aside and talked to some people. Now if you know me you know that I can talk to people. I don’t mind speaking with you about almost any topic. My fear comes when trying to sell something. Mainly it’s the fear of rejection. I don’t want you to tell me to “Go Away!” or anything that makes me feel like less of a person.

I’ve been in business for 4 years and sometimes business is good. Other times, it’s slow. Ive tried lots of different things to bring in business without spending a bunch of money but very little has helped. Which leads me to believe that either you have to spend a lot of money on advertising or you have to go meet people. However, technology keeps advancing, and depending on your business, there are ways to help yourself become visible and retain customers. For example, subscription services are more normal nowadays, inboxes are filled with subscriber letters helping customers get ahead of the new launches, new information, etc. so utilizing resources like FastSpring can help manage this and provide a stronger connection to a customer base for those businesses who need that communication.

Years ago in business school I learned a simple concept that I kept in the back of my mind but have almost never used. (As I’m writing this I realize that I did use it and quite well in a previous job). The concept is that in order to be successful in business you need to meet 20 people belly to belly every day. So if you are about to go to business school yourself then bear that in mind, but if you are just thinking about going to business school you are going to do a whole lot more before getting onto any lists, and MBA admissions consulting is definitely going to be one of them.

Being afraid to sell people on my service I have avoided this and went about trying to find online business. Emails, newsletters, blogs and all those sort of things. So today I went out and met people. I only met 15 but that’s great considering I have put this off due to my fear.

Now let me tell you what my fear consists of. I think days in advance that I can do it. I plan it out and prepare the best I can. The day comes and I have every intention of going to business A. First, I have to finish whatever project Im working on. Then I have to do this one other thing. Then another and another. There goes the day. Now I don’t have anytime to go meet people.

Lets say I actually make it to the location. I turn my car off and sit for a second. My pulse begins to race. I start breathing a little heavier. I get light headed. What if they say NO! What if they kick me out or call the cops. I don’t want that. I turn the car back on and leave. Never making it out of my car.

So as you can see today was a great success. I realized it’s not as bad as I thought. I don’t like it. I’m not saying I want to do it again. But I will. Why? Because my lively hood depends on it. I can’t continue hoping for you the next student. I need to get out there and find my 20 people everyday.

I tell you all this for 2 reasons. First reason is that I needed to get it off my chest and tell you that if I can do it you can do it. Second, if that is all it takes to be successful then why is your business failing? What are you going to do about it? Go out there and make it happen. I’m not saying to sell you business. I’m saying go talk to people. Tell them what you are doing and move on. Don’t solicit. Just inform.

Let me know what you think and dont forget to follow me on Twitter. @cprnmore