There are many great things you can do to promote your business both online and offline. Having a great website is a must and a good marketing plan is key. But you should never forget that more than the art or creativity that you sell is you.

People like to buy from people they like. Sounds simple, right? Well, most of the great truths are simple, and this one is no exception.

Think about it. If you were to hire an interior designer, you’d probably be willing to pay more for the same service if you knew you were buying from a designer you really like, both for his creative flair and his personality. He would do it because he knows he’s going to get quality and he can trust them.

Trust is the golden key to getting more customers and buyers.

If you’ve ever been to an art and wine festival or fair where people were selling their creations or services, you’ve had the experience of interacting with good and bad vendors. The main difference between the two is one thing: likeability.

The best salespeople aren’t trying to sell you. They ask you questions about your day, compliment you on your jersey, smile, and are just plain friendly. They only tell you about their products if you seem interested or ask questions, and they are not pushy at all. In the end, if you liked what they were selling and they were kind and genuine, there’s a good chance you bought something from them. They were nice.

It’s no longer about the hard sell. That doesn’t work anymore and often just drives people away. If you want to be successful in your business, learn to focus much more on creating lasting relationships and building trust with people.

Here are some great tips to help increase your likability:

– Smile!
– Ask questions! Ask them about themselves, their family, their pets, their likes and dislikes. People love to talk about themselves.
– If they like what you sell but don’t necessarily want to buy, mention that your creations make great gifts; Do you know someone who has a birthday or anniversary coming up soon?
– Don’t be pushy! Relax and have fun.

Ask yourself: what is your story? What is it about you that makes you unique and special? What do you do differently from others? Why do you do what you do?

The answers to these questions are your story, your brand, one of the other main reasons people like you and want to buy from you. Write your story and share it.