Every WineShop at Home consultant has at some point had this fear (or at least this worry): “What if I don’t know enough about wine to seem educated when I try to sell it?”
It’s a big, scary thing for people. And yeah, wine can be intimidating if you don’t know a lot about it; even I find myself intimidated from time to time (hello? The wine industry is notoriously snobbish – all those jokes on Frasier are funny for a reason).
So, whether you’re a team leader looking to build your ranks or you’re new to WineShop at Home and grappling with doubt around your knowledge of wine, you’re in the right place.
This week, let’s explore this topic and find out what it really takes to sell wine. (Spoiler alert: you don’t have to be an expert to be wildly successful in our business.)
Acknowledge the Fear
As a company, it’s important that we pay attention to how intimidated people can be about their wine knowledge (or lack thereof). New consultants and seasoned vets get nervous about pronouncing the wine correctly, saying the right thing, and worry that someone at their tasting will turn out to be a Napa Valley sommelier and make them look like a chump.
I hate that this is true, but sometimes a lack of wine knowledge keeps otherwise enthusiastic people from joining the company.
So let me take the first step in easing your fears and the fears of potential recruits you’re speaking to with a big, fat confession of my own: I subscribe to Wine Spectator Magazine just for the pictures.
There. I said it!
As the most highly-ranked consultant at WineShop at Home, rest assured that I am far from an over-educated wine snob – I’m just a girl who loves wine, wants to enjoy it with her friends and family, and happens to sell it. If I can do it, you can, too. I know what I like and a handful of fun facts. That’s about it!
Tackle the Fear
Some of our fears around wine culture can be easily addressed with a few simple steps. Take action to tackle your fear and you’ll feel much more confident when you walk into a tasting with people you don’t know.
Unsure about pronunciation? Youtube is your best friend!
In fact, I always recommend looking up a wine online before you go to a tasting. Make sure you know how to say it correctly! If you have to, record yourself saying it the right way into your phone and sneakily listen to your recording before leading a tasting. Ask other consultants or listen to our company launch videos to learn more.
Want more wine knowledge? Go to the bookstore!
There are a ton of books you can read to educate yourself about wine. Honestly, 12 years into the business, I give the same 20-30 tips over and over again. People love them, I’m comfortable with them and it makes me looks a teeny bit like a wine smartie!
Worried about bringing the wrong wines? Do your homework!
There is a legitimate fear around bringing the wrong wines. Realizing that you brought all the wrong wine for a group can certainly lead to an uncomfortable evening, so make sure you do your due-diligence. Ask your host what they and their close friends like, have them take our vino-type quiz and post the results (I offer a .50 gift to those that take the quiz and come to the tasting) and look at what wines were purchased from past tastings with folks from that same group.
Overcome the Fear
A top-level leader from Tupperware, Tina Oscar, once said something to me that has been so true in my experience with WineShop: “Keep people laughing and learning and you’ll keep earning.” She said that to me 10 years ago and it still sticks.
That’s really all most people want from you in a tasting. They want to laugh, they want to learn, they want to try wines they like and they want to have a good time. You can do that! I know you can, because I have!
Ready to take the plunge? If you want to begin your journey as a WineShop consultant, let’s talk. Click HERE to connect with me directly.