Can academics become comfortable salespeople?

Although it goes without saying that Manchester Metropolitan University’s faculty are academically brilliant, pitching for work isn’t their comfort zone.

So when they were asked by the university’s marketing to run virtual sessions to sell their courses to prospective students, they felt a little uneasy – both in front of the camera, and as salespeople.

We shared tips on putting presentations together, thinking about your audience, and using the virtual environment to play to your strengths. We designed the sessions to get rid of pressure and performance anxiety – even down to delivery and breathing.

And did it work? Were we able to help them make the switch from lecture hall to Zoom?

Well, here’s what one participant had to say.

“Brilliant! Best session I have attended in months. All academics could benefit from it.”

A happy participant