salesmanship
Art of selling
Salesmanship is the skill and technique involved in persuading someone to buy something or accept an idea.
It encompasses not just product knowledge but the interpersonal abilities needed to close a deal—reading customers, handling objections, and creating urgency.
The term extends beyond commercial transactions to any situation requiring persuasive advocacy: His salesmanship got the proposal through committee.
Good salesmanship suggests effectiveness; aggressive salesmanship implies pushiness that may put people off.
Frequency of sound
- charmAttractive personal quality
- convincingAble to persuade
- influencePower to affect others
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
closing · eloquence · smooth-talking · enthusiasm · credibility · assertiveness · trustworthiness · sincerity
Agreement or distribution
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
- hagglingNegotiating a lower price
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- counterofferAlternative terms proposed back
concession · terms · contract · agreement · closing · handshake · walkaway · leverage
Contacting prospects without introduction
- prospectingSearching for mineral wealth
- upsellingEncouraging costlier purchases
- qualifyingMeeting required criteria
- follow-upSubsequent action on something
referrals · networking · door-to-door · telemarketing · pipeline · conversion · funnel · CRM
Short trial presentation
- showroomRetail exhibition space
- featuresDistinctive qualities or aspects
- benefitsGains or helpful effects
- testimonialsStatements praising something's worth
samples · brochure · catalog · comparison · before-and-after · guarantee
Unpleasantly forceful in manner
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
- snake-oilFraudulent cure-all
- hard-sellAggressive persuasion method
- soft-sellSubtle sales approach
high-pressure · ethical · consultative · customer-centric · smarmy · huckster · peddler · hawker
pitch
Frequency of sound
- charmAttractive personal quality
- convincingAble to persuade
- influencePower to affect others
rapport · closing · eloquence · smooth-talking · enthusiasm · credibility · assertiveness · trustworthiness · sincerity · glibness
deal
Agreement or distribution
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
- hagglingNegotiating a lower price
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
counteroffer · concession · terms · contract · agreement · closing · handshake · walkaway · leverage · win-win
cold-calling
Contacting prospects without introduction
- prospectingSearching for mineral wealth
- upsellingEncouraging costlier purchases
- qualifyingMeeting required criteria
follow-up · referrals · networking · door-to-door · telemarketing · pipeline · conversion · funnel · CRM · quota
demo
Short trial presentation
- showroomRetail exhibition space
- featuresDistinctive qualities or aspects
- benefitsGains or helpful effects
testimonials · samples · brochure · catalog · comparison · before-and-after · guarantee
pushy
Unpleasantly forceful in manner
soft-sell · high-pressure · ethical · consultative · customer-centric · smarmy · huckster · peddler · hawker · barker
- business skillsmanagement, financial literacy, leadership, deal-making, delegation
- practical knowledgefolk medicine, home economics, self-help, street smarts, common sense
salesmanshipineptitude
Lack of ability
incompetence · clumsiness · gracelessness · ham-fistedness · poor communication
salesmanshipobjectivity
Freedom from personal bias
impartiality · candor · consumer advocacy · transparency · consumer protection
salesmanshippurchasing
Acquiring through payment
haggling · bargain hunting · due diligence · caveat emptor · discernment
sale, sales, seller, selling, salesman, salesperson, resale, saleswoman, salespeople