How can you effectively follow up and close the deal after your commercial design presentation?

2 Follow up regularly

The next step is to follow up regularly with your client until you get a final decision. You don't want to be too pushy or annoying, but you also don't want to be forgotten or ignored. You should follow up every few days or once a week, depending on the urgency and complexity of the project. You can use different channels, such as phone calls, emails, or social media, to keep in touch and build rapport. You should also provide any additional information, samples, or references that your client may request or need.

3 Address any objections

One of the main challenges of closing a deal is to overcome any objections or doubts that your client may have. You should be prepared to handle any common objections, such as price, timeline, quality, or competition. You should listen to your client's concerns, empathize with them, and provide factual and logical arguments to counter them. You should also use testimonials, case studies, or guarantees to demonstrate your credibility and value. You should always focus on the benefits and outcomes of your design solution, not the features or details.

4 Ask for the sale

The final step is to ask for the sale. This may seem obvious, but many commercial designers fail to do this because they are afraid of rejection or they assume that the client will make the move. However, if you don't ask for the sale, you may miss the opportunity or lose the deal to a competitor. You should be confident and assertive, but not aggressive or desperate. You should use a direct or indirect closing technique, depending on the situation and the client's personality. For example, you can ask a direct question, such as "Are you ready to sign the contract?" or you can use an alternative choice, such as "Would you prefer to start the project next week or next month?"

Closing a deal after a commercial design presentation is not easy, but it is possible if you follow these tips. By sending a thank you note, following up regularly, addressing any objections, and asking for the sale, you can increase your chances of winning more projects and growing your business.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?