Say No to Thank You?

I have been reviewing some of my selling manuals and tapes over the past few weeks. One reference that I have been looking at is my Bruce Baker CDs. In his Sales CD, he suggests that an artist NEVER says thank you when someone compliments their work, unless a sale is underway.

That sounds really counterintuitive to me. But if you think about it, it does make sense. If you have done any craft shows, think back at what happens when you say thank you to a compliment. Does that person typically pick up some of your work to purchase, or do they walk off to the next booth?

On rare occasions, I have had someone compliment my work and then buy something after I accepted their compliment. Most times however, I have seen a customer compliment me, I said thank you, and they went to the next booth down the line.

Bruce Baker suggests that instead of saying thank you, that we use that opportunity to sell our work. It might go something like this:

Customer: This is such a great design.

Artist: I am so glad you like my work, let me tell you what makes this unique…..

By saying No to the Thank you, we now have a chance to create a more intriguing conversation about our work. We have a chance to tell the story behind our creations.

Just some food for thought. Enjoy your day!