If you've been in the business for a few years, you have plenty of stories to share with customers.  The best of the best combine their sales skill, product knowledge, and the ability to tell a good story.  People relate to a good emotional story, a similar situation that happened with one of your customers etc.   When I'm in a client store and take a turn for a sales person, I have about 30 seconds to get rapport with the customer.  I always start out with a good story instead of immediately trying to close and talk figures.  People buy from people first and a good story most always relaxing the customer and gets them laughing and that's half the battle.