Today, I want to challenge the notion that salespeople aren’t creative by asking you a simple question:
“Do you see pictures in clouds?”
When I ask salespeople this question, I often receive responses like, “What? Pictures in clouds? I can’t waste time looking at clouds,” or “Are you kidding?” However, it’s not that you lack creativity, but rather that you believe you don’t have the time to be creative.
Consider this: creativity requires time. Just like any form of art, whether it’s painting, poetry, photography, or even gardening, creativity doesn’t happen instantaneously. It requires practice, repetition, and the investment of time.
To get your creative juices flowing, I encourage you to engage in an art project. If you have children, involve them in this activity. And if you don’t, I’m sure you know some parents who would be thrilled to share their little artists with you!
Additionally, the next time you find yourself stuck in traffic, instead of getting frustrated, take a moment to look for pictures in the clouds. Remember how, as a child, you used to see bunnies, horses, and all sorts of wonderful things in those fluffy formations? Embrace that childlike wonder and let your imagination run wild.
In the realm of sales, metaphor and storytelling are powerful tools to convey your message.
Start incorporating them into your pitches, voicemails, and presentations. As with any skill, the more you practice and repeat, the easier it becomes. So, don’t be afraid to explore your creative side and take risks!
Now, let’s dive into a fun exercise to ignite your creativity. Your challenge for the day is to craft a product/service email using one of the quirky holidays that I discovered for today, all seem to be about walking:
- Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day
- Take Your Pants for a Walk Day
- Walk on Stilts Day
In case you don’t want to walk anything or anywhere… and need a little more (or something different) to let your creativity flourish, it’s also “Barbie-In-A-Blender Day.” Take this as an opportunity to think outside the box and connect your product or service to any of these crazy holidays.
Remember, the key to mastering creativity is practice. So, have fun with this exercise and keep honing your essential sales skill of thinking creatively. Embrace your innate imagination, and watch it fuel your success!
Stay inspired and keep looking for pictures in the clouds!
Lynn
ps: if you need inspiration check out @adailycloud