Do you remember hearing the old saying, 'If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?' Well, the same thing applies to a great product or service without an effective sales strategy. If you don't sell, no one will care how 'wonderful' your magnificent product or service is because they either won't know about it or won't care to know about it.  I don't doubt for a minute that you believe your product or service has the ability to change the world or make your clients' lives easier. But if you're unable to convey that message to your clients or sound like a used car salesman in the process, you'll just be another person with a 'great idea.' Based on a question I received from aspiring entrepreneur Rachel Meadows, of Minneapolis, I asked the Young Entrepreneur Council for tips on how to become a better salesperson so readers can increase their bottom lines.

Be yourself, be passionate

As a founder of a company you have to be a salesperson. and you might not realize it yet but you are a good salesperson. My best tip is be yourself and a true honest person first, listen second and help beyond making the sale. The benefit we have as founders is a true passion for what we are selling and not every paid salesperson out there has that benefit.

- David Hauser (@dh) of Grasshopper Group

Believe in your product and pick the right clients

I have two tips to becoming a great salesperson: One, LOVE your product. Only work on selling products you truly love. Prospective clients will smell your BS if you don't believe in your products value. Two, only sell to people whom would benefit greatly from your product.

- Eric Bahn (@beatthegmat) of BeatTheGMAT.com

Ask for a closing

So many salesman do not sell simply because they don't ask for a sale. They show all the features of the product, tell you about the company's or products' history, but make the blunder of not asking for a close. A simple, 'Would you like to buy one....?' could get you a sale. So, ask for a sale at the end of your presentation or pitch.

- Devesh Dwivedi (@Break9to5Jail) of EntrepreneurInMaking.com

Don't be too pushy

Most customers don't like to be told they need to buy a product and they don't like salespeople to shove it down their throats. Be yourself and show your enthusiasm about what your business or product is. A great personality can be infectious and make others want to hear more about what you have to say. If they don't want to hear what you have to say then move on to the next person.

- Ashley Bodi (@businessbeware ) of Business Beware