Hello, blog readers!

Than and Andy entertaining the crowd.

I’ve been in San Francisco the last couple of days, for an educational event on sales and negotiation techniques. It’s really more like lessons in how to help people figure out what they need, then figure out how you can help them. The presenters are Than Merrill and Andy Tanner, who are always funny and real. They may not be the kind of folks I’d have for personal friends, but they are engaging and they treat everyone so kindly.

There have been lots of exercises and role playing, which have actually been a lot of fun. I’ve met new people, of course, and that’s been great.

However, I’ve had a pretty icky case of bronchitis which has sapped my energy and made all the loud talking I’ve needed to do a bit difficult. I persevered, and hey, I’d even say I triumphed in the exercise we were supposed to do for overnight last night.

Gorgeous room where the dining and bar are at the Fairmont Hotel

We each had to buy a copy of a book by one of the two speakers. Then we were supposed to go out and sell that book to a total stranger. We were divided into teams of four, and the team who brings back the most money will win some of the money we spent on the books. The rest goes to the charity arm of our organization. I was so sad to be sick for this. I knew I should not go out and wander San Francisco in the rain all alone (my team lectured me on how important it was that I do this regardless of being sick, then went off without me).

So I went to the incredibly beautiful hotel bar at the Fairmont San Francisco, had a drink, ate chicken soup and pondered. I looked at all the folks there, figured out who was NOT with our organization, then went up to a group of four women who seemed to be having a lot of fun. I asked them where they were from and got a nice story of their friendship, then I explained that I had this book to sell for charity, but was too sick to go out and really DO the exercise. They each chipped in five dollars, posed with the book, then said they didn’t want it, because I had germs! OK…success I guess.

The ladies who bought but did not take the book, because I have germs.

I went back and ordered an Irish Coffee to soothe my throat. The room was filling up. A couple walked in and was looking for a seat. Since I was about to leave, I offered them my table. As they sat down, I noticed an accent, and asked if they were from New Zealand (they guy sounded just like my neighbor, Ralph). That impressed them. We ended up having a great chat, and I almost forgot to mention the book. But, then I told them the story of the four ladies, which made them laugh. The husband looked at my book on wholesaling real estate and wondered if that worked were he lived. So he said, hey we are leaving tomorrow and I have all this American money, so let me buy the book, too! So, I got ANOTHER twenty dollars. He said they didn’t have room in their luggage, so they would order it on Amazon when they got home.

So, I didn’t leave the hotel, sold the book twice, and still have the book.

I rock.

PS: Russell shares his book selling experience here.