The Case of the Vanishing Vada Pav & Other Sales Surprises: Why Attracting Beats Selling Every Time
Alright, my fellow hustlers and dream-weavers, let’s have a real talk about sales. Not the kind that involves cheesy scripts or pushy tactics, but the kind that’s more like a beautiful dance, a natural attraction, a delicious jalebi on a rainy day – completely irresistible. After 25 years in this rollercoaster of a business world, I’ve learned that the best way to make sales isn’t to sell at all, but to attract.
I know, I know, it sounds a bit like those “manifest your desires” gurus, doesn’t it? But trust me, I’m no guru, I’m just a guy who’s seen a thing or two, and I’ve learned that when it comes to sales, it’s often about reversing everything we think we know.
We’re often told to chase clients, to push our products, to sell, sell, sell! But the real magic happens when you stop being so darn desperate and start being so darn desirable. I’ve seen it time and time again, and the best sales successes, the ones that explode and just keep going, they all follow a single principle: attract, don’t chase.
Let me tell you about two situations that forever changed how I viewed sales – and how a little bit of unexpected weirdness can make all the difference.
Story #1: The Vanishing Vada Pav of Vijay’s Veggie Delights
First up, we have Vijay, owner of Vijay’s Veggie Delights. Vijay makes the most incredible vada pav – I’m talking the kind that makes your soul sing and your stomach rumble with pure joy. He started his stall in a busy market, setting up shop each morning, yelling about his fresh vada pavs, trying to get people to stop and buy. He had a solid product, but his sales were… well, let’s just say that even the stray dogs in the market weren’t stopping for seconds.
He was trying everything: discounts, loyalty cards, even a bright yellow banner with flashing lights – it was a whole lot of effort with not much payoff. “It’s the location!,” he’d bemoan, or “Nobody wants vada pavs these days!”
Vijay was pushing and selling, but he wasn’t attracting. One day, during my routine vada pav tasting mission (purely for research, of course), I noticed something unique about his recipe – he used a secret spice blend that made it smell… well, like a delicious dream.
So we got to thinking, instead of telling people to buy his vada pav, why not entice them with that aroma? The “weird trick” was simple: we strategically placed a small fan to waft the aroma of his spiced vada pavs out into the market.
It was like a magical spell – people started following their noses, intrigued by the incredible smell. Suddenly, Vijay wasn’t chasing customers, they were chasing him. Sales soared, and within weeks, Vijay’s vada pavs were selling out faster than a Bollywood movie ticket on opening day.
Story #2: The Confusing Case of the Quirky Jewelry Brand, “Jhumka Junkies”
Then there’s Priya, the mastermind behind “Jhumka Junkies,” an online jewelry store specializing in unique, handcrafted earrings. Priya was a marketing ninja, bombarding social media with perfectly-staged photos of her earrings, paying for ads, and trying to convince people they needed her designs. But despite her efforts, sales were…well, about as exciting as watching paint dry.
Priya believed her issue was her online presence, she was too small to compete and that she needed to spend more on ads. She was trying to “sell” her jewelry instead of “attract” customers to the experience. So, she started focusing on “influencers” and did giveaways that never seemed to convert into actual sales.
One day, while I was being forced (I swear!) to admire her latest designs and give her feedback, I realised Priya’s personality was even more unique than her jhumkas. Her quirkiness, passion, and genuine love for what she did was truly captivating. She was too focused on the product and not enough on herself.
So, we implemented a “weird trick”: we ditched the glossy, generic product photos and instead showcased Priya herself. We created videos of her crafting her jewelry, sharing stories behind her designs, and being her wonderfully quirky self. We asked her to just be her, and that itself was the hook.
The response was immediate – people weren’t just buying jhumkas, they were buying Priya’s story, her passion, her infectious energy. She attracted the customers who resonated with her story, and sales jumped faster than you can say “kundan.”
The “Weird Trick” Isn’t Weird at All
The moral of these two, slightly madcap, stories? Sales isn’t about force; it’s about allure. It’s not about pushing your products or services down people’s throats; it’s about creating an experience that’s so compelling, so irresistible, that customers are drawn to you like moths to a diya.
The “weird trick” isn’t weird at all. It’s about understanding what makes you unique, what makes you irresistible, and using that to attract your ideal customers. It’s about flipping the script and becoming a magnet, not a salesperson. You stop focusing on the hard “sell” and start focusing on the art of “attraction.”
Are you chasing leads or attracting customers? It’s time to ditch the old-school tactics and start making your brand irresistible.
Ready to Stop Selling and Start Attracting?
If you’re ready to embrace your uniqueness, attract the right customers, and watch your sales skyrocket, I’m here to guide you. Let’s uncover your unique “weird trick” and create a sales strategy that’s as compelling and irresistible as a perfectly-made jalebi. Click the link below to schedule a free discovery call. Let’s make your business an irresistible force.
Let’s make your business shine!
– Abdul
P.S. Don’t be like Vijay running after customers in a market or Priya getting lost in generic marketing, let’s find the secret that makes your business shine by booking that call now!
