Body language key sales ingredient

June 24, 2009; 04:46 AM

While salespeople spend hours worrying about what to say, they probably don’t give much time over to thinking about how they look when they say it. That’s a mistake because the words make up a mere seven percent of the meaning we convey. Tone of voice accounts for 38 percent and a whopping 55 percent comes down to body language, says a new sales skills article on Marketing Donut.

Renowned expert Robert Phipps says the most important way to ensure you have good body language is to make a conscious effort to be relaxed. He says the most important things to think about are breathing, posture, and the position of the head.

"Controlled breathing is the key to relaxation. Before going into a meeting, take five deep breaths, breathing in for five seconds, holding for three and breathing out for five.

"Keeping your head straight and level both vertically and horizontally will make you feel better, because it automatically releases endorphins in the body."

Backed by Royal Mail and Google, Marketing Donut is a free resource for small business that offers advice on all aspects of marketing. Marketing Donut’s sales section has a huge range of information for small business on topics as diverse as sales techniques and negotiations through to sales tools and technology.

The Marketing Donut is at www.marketingdonut.co.uk