You have been taught that "No" means "No." However, in sales, you should always consider "No" to actually mean "Maybe" or "Not right now." In all cases of "No," you should actually hear "tell me more, I haven't made up my mind."

View the word "No" as a challenge. Consider it a challenge that will spice up your day and make you a better, stronger salesman. Turn that "No" into a sale. In order to do this, you will need to learn and develop the following five techniques.

1. Know everything that there is to know about your product or service. Be prepared for any and all questions. Have the ability to answer questions in a way that the customer not only understands, but in a way that makes the product or service more attractive to the customer. This will vary from customer to customer. Always have an ace in the hole. When the customer says no, pull out your ace. Have another ace ready in case they say no again.

2. Find out why the customer said no. Is it a money issue? Are they just not interested in the product? Find out what is preventing the sale, and figure out how to work around it. Figure out what doubts they have, and erase all doubts.

3. Believe in your product or service. You simply cannot be convincing if you don't believe your own words. Use the product or service yourself. Does it do everything that you claim it does? Your own use of the product or service gives more credibility to your potential customers. Be excited about your product. The customer will feel that excitement and become more interested. They want to be happy and excited as well!

4. Sweeten the deal. How can you add value to the offer you have already made? Make it impossible for the customer to walk away. Hang out at a car lot and pay attention to how the salesman works the customer. The more the customer balks at the sale, the more the salesman works to make it. Be prepared to do that yourself.

5. Be persistent. Even if the customer leaves without buying anything, make sure that you get their contact information and follow up with them on a regular basis. Keep letting them know that you are there ready to help them, and you more than likely see them again.