ASK FOR THE SALE, THEN SHUT UP!
Teresa Hollingbery
Business Coachsultant @ Teaser Marketing | Powerful & Creative Sales & Marketing Solutions
The most important aspect of selling is asking probing questions and listening carefully to the answers.
The sound of your prospect’s voice is more useful to you than the sound of your own.
Without doubt, the single most critical time to listen is when you ask your prospect a closing question.
Then you must remain silent and wait.
The answer might not come straight away.
Your prospect may want to mull things over before making a decision.
The waiting could feel uncomfortable for you
It might seem like an eternity.
But you must resist the temptation to jump in.
Do not assume your prospective customer is wrangling with the usual objections you come up against.
Like the price for instance.
Chances are you could be way off base.
If you jump to the conclusion that your prospect thinks the price is too high and you blurt out a discount, you can bet if price wasn’t the issue …??it sure is now!
By breaking your client’s concentration you run the risk of destroying your credibility.
Your client may question whether they are getting your best offer.
Whether you have their best interests at heart.
You need to muster up the courage and the concentration to stay silent.
Give your prospect time to think things over, to process their decision.
The time they take to make their decision won’t seem as difficult or as long to them as it does to you.
Pay particular attention to their body language/tone of voice
Often their body language gives clues as to their train of thought.
An answer will usually arrive after a minute or two.
If the answer is yes.
Great!
If not, and you are confronted with an objection, address the objection in the appropriate manner and ask another closing question.
Then shut up and wait again for the response.
Continue with this process until you receive a definitive answer.
Contrary to popular belief, having the gift of the gab does not work with today’s customer.
Key takeaway …?
In business negotiation he or she who speaks first loses. Be patient. Wait out that awkward silence. And don’t be the first one to mention price because, as the theory goes, the person who speaks first loses control of the conversation.?
Literacy Consultant, Published Children's Author. Managing Director, at Literacy Help, Internationally Recognised Photographer, Managing Director Simply Awesome Photos.
4 年Thanks for the heads-up.
LinkedIn & Sales Strategist – Helping Elevate Your Profile, Clarify Your Ideal Clients & Message, Develop Sales Strategies That Convert & Giving You Confidence To Grow Your Business | Uni Tutor & Speaker
4 年It's such an easy mistake to make, even for seasoned professionals but SO important to learn to be uncomfortable with the pause and let the potential client mull it over and come to a decision. Everyone likes a sale but no one likes to be sold is the old saying that comes to mind.