6 and a Half Crucial Mistakes to Avoid When Selling

Here are 6 and a half mistakes I have seen salespeople make. We are all guilty of some of these. However, I hope that this list will serve as a reminder to help you from engaging in the following mistakes.

1. Never quote price to an unsold buyer. Far too many salespeople fall victim to the urge of quoting price prematurely. Until you have defined the prospect's or customer's issues and presented a solution that is on target, your price will be perceived as being too high because you have not established value. To create value, you must first understand what your prospect or customer perceives as valuable. Address their pressing business concerns and issues, then receive buy-in that you are on target and that your solution is agreed upon before you ever present your price.
2. Zip your lips and listen. Telling is not selling. Ask your prospect well-thought-out questions that will allow them to express their situation and then LISTEN to the answers. Don’t be tempted to tell them how you can address their situation until you uncover all the reasons they may buy from you.
3. Be prepared. Nothing is worse than to be in front of a prospect, reach down for your materials and realize that you are missing a crucial piece of information. Take the time before your sales call to check and recheck that you have all your needed materials. This will prevent uncomfortable, embarrassing moments and put you in the situation of making excuses in front of a prospect.
4. Stop the small talk: Our research has shown that 75% of all prospects find small talk to be negative. I’m not saying you shouldn’t warm your prospect up with initial pleasantries and a proper greeting, but talking about the trophy on their bookcase or the fish on the wall is not going to be well received. If your prospect wants to engage in small talk they will initiate the conversation. Otherwise, stick to your reason for meeting and clearly define your objective to the call.
5. Don’t under-dress. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a decision maker laugh at how a salesperson appeared when they entered their office. Wear the appropriate dress for the occasion. Your attire will convey the message that you are a business equal and not an unprofessional salesperson.
6. Avoid failing to take the active steps to build rapport and establish trust. Learn the techniques for building rapport by matching your communication style to their communication style. Trust comes as you do what you say you are going to do. Don’t tell a prospect you will call them back and then forget to do so.

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Don’t forget the following formula:

Knowledge + Effective Action = Phenomenal Results

If you truly want to be successful you have to constantly be a student and learn to be a master of your craft. Once you know what needs to be done, you have to take the right actions if you want to receive results. Sitting around thinking is not going to produce anything but a starving thinker. Be effective and efficient. Have a clearly-defined strategic plan and then take the actions necessary to implement your plan.

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The Three Sure-Fire Ways to Kill an Organization’s Sales Efforts

Click on the “Play” button to view the video. Tony Smith talks about the three sure-fire ways to kill sales efforts in any organization.

Click on the "Play" button above to view the Vlog

Three Powerful Words in Sales

I was speaking to a salesperson the other day and was asked if there are any specific power words to use in selling. While there are many words that work from a sales and marketing perspective, I have found that there are three words that — when used properly — carry tremendous influence, no matter what the situation, regardless of the industry and irrespective of the type of person you are meeting with. They are:

1. Because: This is probably the most powerful word you can use. From an early age, we have been programmed to accept this triggering word “because”. Remember when you asked your parents why you couldn’t do a certain thing and they responded “because I said so.” Not the best answer, but we learn to accept it. The same is true as adults.
   There has been direct research demonstrating this word alone is powerful enough to cause people to allow you an appointment, maintain your price and successfully negotiate. One study showed that people were willing to allow others to cut in line in front of them to make copies with the statement “I need to cut in line because I need to make some copies.”
2. Recommend: This word is great for presenting your solution, but it can be used in many different areas depending on the situation. In my own sales consultations I often say, “based on what you told me, I recommend…” or “I recommend we set up a time next week to review our solution.” Whatever the situation, the word recommend positions you properly and allows you to be viewed as an expert endorsing valuable solutions, as opposed to just a product-pushing salesperson.
3. Instantly: When applied conservatively and accurately, the word instantly is excellent to use in your sales letters, marketing collateral, during a presentation or any other area that is appropriate. The reason it works is because we live in a society which, to some extent, has conditioned many people to expect immediate results. We have microwaves, fast food, video-on-demand, drive thru oil change facilities, and up until recently, easy credit. We all expect instant gratification instead of waiting for long-term results or gain. Prospects and customers want to solve their problems instantly.

I think we must always pay attention to the words we use and seek to understand why certain words work or do not work in the context of our day-to-day selling. I sincerely believe these words will help any salesperson sell more and secure more appointments.

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