It drives me crazy when I speak with one of my clients who is all excited after having a great conversation with someone, who can use his or her products, but my client hasn’t asked for the business.

Here’s how the conversation goes.

My client: I just got off the phone with an amazing person that I know I can help. I finally get how important and valuable what I am doing is.

Me: Awesome! When are you starting to work with him?

My client: I don’t know. We spent an hour on the phone and they were so excited about everything I shared.

Me: Did you ask them to work with you? Did you ask for the sale?

My client: Ummm, not really, but I told him all about what we could work on together and how great it would be.

Me: UGH!

Imagine you are looking for a specific product. You see it in a store. The sales person tells you all about the product. She doesn’t let you touch it, and doesn’t let you take it home.

That’s exactly what you are doing when you don’t ask for the sale.

In order to solve your prospective client’s problem you must give them an opportunity to engage with you and get a solution. That means you must ask for them to work with you, that is to say, ask for the sale.

I know it can be scary or feel uncomfortable, especially when you are selling something that you personally created or deliver. But I have to ask you, wouldn’t you want a solution to your problem if someone had it? Wouldn’t you want someone to get over their discomfort if they could help you?

Here’s my challenge to you.

Next time you’re having a conversation with someone you know you can help with your products or services, take a deep breath, tell them you can help them, and ASK them to work with you.

The more people you ASK to work with you the more who will say yes. Not only will your bottom line appreciate it but so will the many people who you’ll help.

Have you been on sales conversations and avoided asking for the sale? What will change in your business if you changed that around?

Author's Bio: 

Carrie Greene is a speaker, author and business coach. She is a business strategist who helps entrepreneurs get clear on what they want and create simple and straight-forward plans to get there. She is the author of "Chaos to Cash: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Eliminating Chaos, Overwhelm and Procrastination So You Can Create Ultimate Profit!" Free resources at http://carriegreenecoaching.com/