I can’t remember having a bad selling experience, and I’ve been selling the Freedom Socialist newspaper for a long time. I easily recall many good experiences. When Bernie Sanders came to Seattle, I attended two events and sold a hundred papers. Honestly, sales like these are possible at any event with a good-sized crowd.
I love the rush of talking to people and having them want to read what the Freedom Socialist Party has to say.
It’s easy to keep up enthusiasm because I believe in the ideas in the paper and want others to read them. I feel it’s my responsibility to get these needed ideas out. And I’ll admit to making it a competition with myself to see if I can do better than the last outing. Also setting a goal for sales pushes me forward.
Hopefully these tips will help you tap into your sales persona. Isn’t it a goal as radicals to promote our ideas?
I start by assessing the topic of the event — what article will appeal to this particular crowd? I have a paper opened so I can show that story to potential buyers.
I come prepared with change for $20 and Venmo information. Make it easy for people to pay. Let’s not give away the paper; it’s worth the dollar. Ask for money and do it right away. Don’t delay in telling the cost or the request for payment.
Tenacity is key to selling. When I attend an event, I like to be in the crowd, asking as many people as I can to purchase.
Making my first sale buoys me up. I have the most luck with individuals, not groups of three or more. If one person in a group says no, the rest will inevitably say no, too.
While selling I am polite, civil and make eye contact. Talking at a person is deadly; don’t monopolize the conversation.
I always open with something about socialist feminism and try to incorporate what our sister organization Radical Women is working on.
After a few initial comments, I look for a response. What would the potential buyer like to learn more about? Which protests have they participated in? We’ll probably have a story on something that sparks their interest in the paper. I move the conversation forward with tidbits on the FSP.
I do whatever I can to complete a sale and get contact information.
Don’t waste time talking with someone who isn’t interested, just politely move on. The seller is in control of the interaction.
That’s it. Practice makes perfect! Things are crazy right now. It’s nice to have a paper we can offer people with ideas on how to fight back.
