“So… What Do You Do?”
Why Avoiding the Word Salesperson Is Costing You Trust
Let’s start with a quick, honest question:
Do you ever avoid telling a prospect you’re a salesperson?
Maybe you say:
- “I’m a consultant.”
- “I just help people explore options.”
- “I work with clients.”
- Or you skip the label altogether and hope it never comes up.
If so, you’re not alone.
In fact, this is one of the most common, and misunderstood, behaviors in sales today.
The Word “Sell” Has a PR Problem (And It’s Not Your Fault)
Here’s something that surprises a lot of people:
Merriam-Webster defines one meaning of the word sell as…
to betray.
Yes. Betray.
As in: “You sold me out.”
So let’s pause for a second.
Is it any wonder prospects are guarded?
Is it shocking that salespeople feel awkward owning the title?
The problem isn’t that you’re a salesperson.
The problem is that most people associate selling with:
- Pressure
- Manipulation
- Being talked at
- Being convinced of something they don’t want
And no one wants to be on either side of that.
Why Selling Feels Hard When You Treat It Like Convincing
Here’s a SELLability truth that changes everything:
Selling feels hard when you believe your job is to convince people.
When selling becomes:
- A battle
- A pitch
- A performance
- A need to be liked
It gets awkward fast.
You feel it.
They feel it.
And trust disappears.
SELLability rejects that model entirely.
Real Selling Is an Ethical Win-Win Exchange
At its core, SELLability defines selling this way:
Selling is an ethical exchange where the customer genuinely benefits, and you are paid fairly for helping them make a good decision.
That’s it.
No tricks.
No pressure.
No betrayal.
And when you understand selling this way, something interesting happens…
You stop being ashamed of being a salesperson.
Selling Is a Technology, Not a Personality Trait
One of the most freeing ideas in SELLability is this:
Selling is a technology.
It’s not charisma.
It’s not smooth talking.
It’s not being extroverted.
It’s a step-by-step process, just like a doctor.
A doctor doesn’t prescribe before diagnosing.
They ask questions.
They listen.
They gather data.
Then, and only then, they make a recommendation.
SELLability selling works the same way.
Why Hiding the Word “Salesperson” Actually Hurts Trust
Here’s the irony:
When you avoid owning that you’re a salesperson, prospects often trust you less, not more.
Why?
Because:
- They already know you’re there for a reason
- They sense hesitation or discomfort
- It feels indirect instead of honest
SELLability teaches that clarity builds trust.
And clarity starts with being comfortable in your role.
Not as a “pitcher”… but as a guide.
Trust Is Built by Learning, Not Pitching
If you want to sell in volume, SELLability teaches this:
You don’t pitch harder.
You build trust faster.
And trust is built by learning from the prospect, not talking at them.
That means asking better questions, like:
- “What problem are you trying to solve?”
- “What have you tried already?”
- “What do you hate about the options you’ve seen so far?”
- “What would make this a clear yes for you?”
These aren’t closing questions.
They’re diagnostic questions.
They signal professionalism.
They signal care.
They signal that you’re not here to betray, you’re here to help.
When You Stop “Selling,” Sales Get Easier
Here’s the paradox SELLability lives by:
When you stop trying to sell people, they’re more willing to buy.
Why?
Because:
- There’s no pressure
- There’s no manipulation
- There’s no pretending
- There’s just clarity and leadership
And when both sides win, no one feels sold.
They feel relieved.
Final SELLability Thought
If you avoid telling prospects you’re a salesperson, don’t judge yourself.
That instinct comes from wanting to be ethical, respectful, and trusted.
SELLability just gives you the upgrade:
You don’t sell people.
You guide them.
You diagnose before you prescribe.
You help them make decisions they feel good about.
And when you do that…
Being a salesperson isn’t something to hide.
It’s something to own, with confidence.
That’s SELLability.
