The Psychology of SalesmanshipAtkinson, William Walker
Science
The Psychology of Salesmanship
Atkinson, William Walker
Selling -- Psychological aspects
_Shaking Hands._ When you grasp another's hand in the act of "shaking
hands," do not do so in a listless, cold-blooded manner--do not extend
to the other man a flabby, clammy, fish-like hand. But take hold of his
hand as if you liked to do it--throw interest into the proceeding. More
than this--throw feeling into it. Throw into the hand-clasp the feeling:
"_I like you, and you like me_." Then, when you draw your hand away, if
possible let your fingers slide over the palm of his hand in a caressing
manner, allowing his first finger to pass between your thumb and
forefinger, close up in the crotch of the thumb. Practice this well,
until you can perform it without thinking of it. You will find merit in
the method. Grasp the other person's hand "as if he were your best
girl's millionaire father-in-law."
_Voice._ The Salesman should cultivate a voice with expression in it.
His voice should convey his belief in what he is saying, and his
interest in the story. You will find it an aid in this direction if you
will learn to visualize your thoughts--that is, to make a mental
picture of the thing you are saying. One can always describe better
that which they see before them. In the degree that you can see your
mental picture, so will be your degree of power in expressing it to
another in words, and so will be the degree of feeling in your tone. The
voice should express the meaning of your thought rather than being
merely the symbol of it. Try to say "Good Morning" as if you meant
it--then say it in the usual way. Do you see the difference? Throw your
thought and feeling into your voice. Forget all about yourself and the
other man and concentrate your thought and feeling into your voice.
Many people make the mistake of "speaking with their muscles instead of
with their nerves." They throw muscular energy into their words, when
they should use nervous energy, or thought-force. The former has but
little effect on the mind of the other, while the second vibrates subtly
and reaches the feelings of those addressed. _Feel_, when you wish to
speak impressively, and your tones will reflect the same, and induce a
similar feeling in others. It is a point worth remembering that one may
"bring down" the voice of an excited person to one's own pitch, if the
latter is firmly held at the customary pitch, in a firm manner. Not only
does this "bring down" the other man's voice, but his feelings will also
follow suit, and besides, you also manage to keep your own temper and
poise. Never raise your voice because another raises his--resist the
tendency, and maintain your poise and power by so doing. This is worth
remembering.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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