Selling involves offering something of value, usually tangible goods but sometimes intangible services or ideas, to a potential buyer in exchange for money or another item of value. Both the seller and buyer engage in a negotiation process to determine if an exchange is mutually beneficial, with the goal of both parties feeling rewarded. The typical stages of the selling process include initial contact, assessing needs and values, presenting or demonstrating the product, overcoming objections, closing the sale, and following up to begin building a long-term customer relationship.