Learning Outcomes

First Principles in Selling Professional Services

Getting Ready to Prospect

Making the Approach

Lesson Summary

This module examines five rules for selling professional services. Learn to develop your brand with unique business value propositions. Also, discover how to identify your prospects and solve their pain points via solution selling. We discuss the purpose of prospecting and how to persuade prospects by taking them through a purchase funnel.

The Foundations for Selling Professional Services

Building a Case for the Sale

Closing the Sale

Understanding Evasion, Objections, and Aftercare

This module studies the purpose of prospecting and the stages of solution selling. We highlight the skill set for selling professional services. We also reveal what to do after prospecting. Learn to host sales webinars and online meetings and see why people buy or reject a service. Also, learn how to close a sale and handle sales objections.

Diploma in Selling Skills for Professionals - Course Assessment

Earn a sales diploma in this free online course that explains how to find clients and market your professional services.

Diploma in Selling Skills for Professionals

A structured sales process combined with a solid approach to prospecting can increase conversion rates and boost your efforts to secure long-term clients. This sales course helps you to master the selling skills you need to market your professional services in any field or industry. We study strategies like sales prospecting, solution selling and the purchase funnel marketing method. Sign up to earn a sales diploma and learn how to find clients.

Selling professional services requires effective sales skills because, unlike selling cars and solar panels, professional services are complex and difficult to market. Clients typically have a range of alternative options to consider and a variety of information sources to review. Under these conditions, they evaluate product and service attributes before taking action. There is thus a relatively high barrier to surmount to get the potential client's attention. This sales diploma course teaches you a solid approach to prospecting and provides strategies for structuring your sales process.
The course is designed by Ross Maynard, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in the UK with over 30 years’ experience as a process improvement consultant. We begin by presenting five rules for selling professional services before moving on to branding. We show you how to craft a compelling tagline and develop a value proposition for your professional services. We also provide a template that helps you target existing clients and identify new prospects.
The course explains why selling professional services is called ‘solution selling’ as it targets problems faced by prospective clients and offers solutions that you can provide. We demonstrate how to identify your client's pain points and persuade them to move through a purchase funnel. We help you master top-selling skills that avoid traditional sales pitches and aggressive tactics. Instead, we explain how to use cold calls, cold emails and trigger questions to build engagement with prospects. The course also highlights the skills required to sell professional services. Finally, we show you how to close a sale and handle sales objections from problematic clients. This course suits those looking to sell their services, particularly freelancers. Sign up to earn a sales diploma and learn how to find clients and market your professional skills successfully.

[2025] 450+ Free Google Certificates and Badges

Coursera’s 2025 Strategy: Focusing on Campus, Scaling Back Degrees

Miro Acquires Reforge: This Is Not an Edtech Deal

CreativeLive is Live Again: CourseHorse Acquires Platform 15 Days Before Shutdown

SEO Content Strategy Demystified: Coursera, MasterClass, and edX

Can an AI Teach AI? Learning From an Avatar

The Series Finale of Online Education: Coursera Acquires Udemy

25 Resources to Learn Generative Engine Optimization in 2025

25% of Coursera Courses Have Peer Reviews: Here Are the Best

12 Best Data Analysis Courses for 2025: From Data to Insights

Duolingo’s Restaurant Side Business Tops $1.3M

12 Best Laravel Courses for 2026: Ship Sites Fast

[2025] 470+ Hours of Free LinkedIn Learning Courses with Free Certification

7 Best Free Haskell Courses for 2025

DeepLearning.AI to Cross $100M in Sales on Coursera

8 Best Crochet Courses for 2025: Practical, Enriching, Creative

Introduction to the GDPR

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) Role in the GDPR

Personal Data Security Guidance for Microenterprises in the GDPR

Five Steps to Secure Cloud-based Environments

Introduction to the GDPR for the Private Individual

What Can Organisations Do Now to Prepare for the GDPR?

The Key Steps You Need to Take to Ensure Compliance with the GDPR

Learn about the GDPR which comes into effect from 25th May 2018, which increases the obligations on organisations around data protection, and gives greater control to individuals over their personal data.

General Data Protection Regulation - Course Assessment

Do you understand GDPR? Or that a company that fails GDPR can get a €20million fine? Take this free online course.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

This free online General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) course will teach you everything you need to know about European data protection regulations. Data protection regulations can be difficult to correctly understand and apply, however, any company that fails to meet GDPR compliance can be fined for up to €20 million. This free online course will teach you everything you need to know about GDPR to protect yourself from financial loss.

Topic A: Understanding Customer Service

Topic B: Identifying Customer Expectations

Topic C: Providing Excellent Customer Service

Review Quiz

In this module, Understanding Customer Service, students will learn the basics of customer service, identifying customer expectations, and providing excellent customer service.

Topic A: Focusing on the Customer

In this module, Focusing on the Customer, students will learn about putting the focus on the customer and their needs.

Topic A: Customer Service and the Telephone

In this module, Customer Service and the Telephone, students will learn about how the telephone relates to customer service and how to handle phone calls.

Topic A: Handling Complaints

In this module, Handling Complaints, students will learn how to handle customer complaints in a professional manner.

Topic A: Enduring Stress

In this module, Enduring Stress, students will learn about how to endure the stresses of working in customer service.

Customer Service Skills - Assessment

Become expert in customer service and polish your professional communication skills in this free online course.

Customer Service Skills

This training course teaches you the basics of customer service. We show you how to focus on the customer to understand their expectations to help you improve their experience of your business. We explain how to deal with stress and constructively interact with clients on the telephone to handle complaints. People’s perceptions of your company’s brand are defined by customer experience, so sign up to make sure they remember you fondly.

ISO 37301:2021 Introduction

Context of the Organization

Expectations from Leadership

Planning for Compliance Management

Providing Support

Operation of Compliance Management System

Evaluating Compliance Performance

Improving the Compliance Management System

This module will introduce you to ISO 37301:2021, the latest compliance management systems standard published by ISO. You will understand the structure and requirements for establishing, developing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining, and improving an effective compliance management system within an organization.

ISO 37301:2021 - Principles of Compliance Management Systems - Course Assessment

Learn the fundamentals of compliance management systems based on ISO 37301:2021 requirements in this free online course.

ISO 37301:2021 - Principles of Compliance Management Systems

This compliance management course will familiarize you with the latest compliance management systems standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). You will learn the basic elements of compliance management systems by understanding the requirements of ISO 37301:2021. In addition, this course will guide you through establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a compliance management system.

Business-to-Business (B2B) Markets

Types of B2B Buyers

Buying Centers

Stages in the B2B Buying Process

International B2B Markets and E-commerce

In this module, you will learn about the features of business-to-business markets. You will learn also about the types of buyers in B2B markets and the stages in the buying process.

Marketing Channels and Channel Partners

Typical Marketing Channels

Functions of Channel Partners

Marketing Channel Strategies

Channel Dynamics

In this module, you will learn a great deal about the importance and functions of marketing channels. You will learn about the different types and how they are exemplified in real-world businesses. Lastly, you will learn about channel partners.

Buying Behaviour: Situational Factors

Personal Factors and Buying Behavior

Psychological Factors and Buying Behavior

Societal Factors and Buying Behavior

Consumer's Decision-Making Process

Stages in the Buying Process

In this module, you will learn about the various factors that influence the buying behaviour of consumers. You will learn about the social, psychological, personal and situational factors affecting buying behaviours, as well as the consumer's decision-making process.

Components of Strategic Planning

Organizational Objectives and Strategies

Strategic Portfolio Planning Approaches

In this module, you will learn about the components of strategic planning, value proposition and how to develop organizational objectives. You will also learn about some specific portfolio planning methods like the BCG matrix and the General Electric approach.

Marketing Information Systems

Problem Definition and Research Design

Specifying Samples and Form Design

Data Collection and Analysis

In this module, you will learn about the Marketing Information System and its components. You will also learn in detail the steps in the marketing research process.

Customer Communities

Loyalty Management

Customer Satisfaction

Ethics, Laws, and Customer Empowerment

In this module, you will learn about the relevance of ensuring customer satisfaction, and strategies to employ. You will learn also about loyalty management and the ethics to observe.

Principles of Marketing - Course assessment

This free online diploma course explains how to conduct market research to sell yourself and build customer loyalty.

Principles of Marketing

This free online diploma takes you through common buying trends in business-to-business and business-to-customer markets. We show you how to gather market intelligence using market information systems so you can manage and leverage customer communities to build up customer satisfaction and hence loyalty. This comprehensive course teaches you how to get ahead by selling ideas, products or even yourself.

Introduction to B2B Customer Success Management

Customer Onboarding

Customer Support Strategies

Driving Long-Term Customer Success

This module serves as the foundation for understanding the critical role of customer success in the B2B landscape. You will explore the concept of customer success, learning how it differs from customer support and customer experience. Gain insights into the key metrics that define customer success and how to use them effectively.

B2B Customer Success Management - Course Assessment

Explore B2B Strategies to boost customer satisfaction, retention, and business growth in this free online course.

B2B Customer Success Management

Embark on a journey to become a top-tier Customer Success Manager with this expertly designed course, crafted to empower you with the skills and strategies needed to enhance customer satisfaction and ensure loyalty. You'll learn how to drive customer satisfaction, boost retention, and fuel business growth by mastering the strategies of B2B Customer Success Management. Build a high-performing Customer Success team for your customers. Enrol now!

Retail Management Industry, Progression and Skills

Merchandising

Pricing and Displays

In this module, you will learn the basic principles of retail management and how to advance your career in this field. You will learn what is involved in merchandising and pricing and get a thorough overview of the responsibilities of a retail manager.

Checkout, Sales Concept and Required Skills

Consumer Behaviour and Interpretation

Pre-empting and Solving Issues

In this module, you will learn the importance of using the checkout correctly, the factors involved in the sales process, and how to manage any problems that may occur. You will be introduced to the concept of consumer behaviour and its importance to the retail sector.

Trends and How to Use Them

Targeting Customers

Communicating with Customers

Dealing with Unhappy Customers

In this module, you will learn how to effectively target and communicate with consumers so as to maximise your sales. You will gain an awareness of different trends, and learn how best to communicate with the consumers who enter, how to pitch trends to them, and how to anticipate and deal with any problems which may arise.

Retail Environment and Key Concepts

Creating an Environment

Customer Relationships

Dealing with Relationship Issues

In this module, you will learn how to curate a positive and ideal environment within your store. You will learn how to create and maintain good, healthy customer relationships, and how to handle any issues that may arise with customers, so that your retail output will remain high.

Retail Management: Merchandising, Sales and Customer Communications - Assessment

Learn basic merchandising and communications skills involved in retail management with this free online training course.

Retail Management: Merchandising, Sales and Customer Communications

This free online retail management training course will provide a thorough introduction to the basics involved in managing a retail outlet. You will learn the principles behind sales techniques, how to effectively merchandise your products, and the most constructive ways to communicate with your customers. This course is all about how to sell your products and win over your customers, so if you are an aspiring retail manager, get started today.

Introduction to Rental Property Management

Financial Management, Property Maintenance and Relationships

Property Management Software and Sustainability

This module is an introduction to rental property management. You will learn about different types of rental properties and the roles and responsibilities of a property manager. Also, you will discover marketing strategies for attracting potential tenants, the tenant screening and selection process, and the factors affecting financial management.

Rental Property Management Fundamentals - Course Assessment

Learn how to be a successful landlord in this free online course that lays out the basics of rental property management.

Rental Property Management Fundamentals

Do you want to acquire the techniques and best practices used to rent out property? Would you like to know the risks associated with being a landlord and how to reduce them? This course explores the basics of rental property management and explains how property managers find suitable tenants and make sure that the property is properly maintained. We also break down the components of a lessee/lessor relationship to help you interact with tenants.