The Top 10 FAILED Tactics That Will Turn Prospects Off
Clarence Cheong
Author of "More Than 100%" | Insightful & Funny | Wielder of Dad-Jokes | MDRT | CFP | DLI | Senior Group Financial Services Director | Podcaster | International Speaker | Woah what a mouthful... Still reading? ??|
Introduction
There's no question that sales is a tough game. And while there are many things you can do to increase your odds of success, there are also plenty of things you can do to torpedo your efforts.
You've probably heard that it takes about seven impressions to make a sale. But what about the other side of the equation? What about the tactics that will cause prospects to run for the hills?
In this newsletter, you will see the top 10 failed tactics that will turn prospects off. Some of these may seem obvious, but others are more subtle and can easily be misinterpreted.
Keep in mind that these tips are general in nature and may not apply to every business or industry. With that said, here are some of the most common ways to turn prospects off.
1. Spamming Social Media
You might be eager to promote your business to the world, but spamming social media with your offers is one of the quickest ways to turn prospects off. 61% of people say they would rather go to the dentist than listen to a promotional message.
So how can you share your content without seeming pushy? Try starting with a personal message, post at the right time, or join relevant discussions. And always be respectful of people's time and space—remember, you're not the only one promoting your brand! No Pitchslapping please.
2. Bombarding With Emails
As you know, email is an essential part of any salesperson's toolkit. However, it's important to use it wisely, or you might just end up turning your prospects off.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is bombarding their prospects with emails. If you're constantly barraging them with messages, they're going to start ignoring you—or worse, unsubscribing altogether.
Instead, try spacing out your emails and only sending them when you have something valuable to share. That way, you'll stay on their radar without annoying them.
3. Making Assumptions
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to close a sale is making assumptions about what the prospect wants or needs. Maybe you think that they're not interested, or that they don't have the budget for your product. Whatever the reason, making assumptions will only end up turning prospects off and ruining your chances of making a sale.
To avoid this, it's important to take the time to understand what the prospect is looking for and what their needs are. Ask questions and listen carefully to their answers, so you can provide them with the best possible solution. Don't make any assumptions, and you'll be on your way to closing more sales!
4. Not Listening
One of the worst things you can do when trying to persuade someone is to not listen to what they're saying. If you're not interested in what the other person has to say, it will be very obvious and you'll quickly lose their trust.
Instead, focus on their words and try to understand their perspective. Show them that you're taking an interest in what they have to say by asking questions and responding in a thoughtful way. Not only will this make them more likely to listen to you, but it will also help you build a stronger relationship with them.
5. Talking Too Much
You might be excited to talk to potential customers, but there's a fine line between talking and overloading them with information. When you talk too much, you not only bore your prospects, but you also give them a chance to tune you out.
Remember, the goal is to get your prospects interested in what you have to offer, not to overwhelm them with facts and figures. Try to stick to the most important points, and let your prospects ask questions if they want more information.
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6. Interrupting
Don't try to sell your prospects by interrupting them. It's rude, and it will only make them lose interest. Let them finish what they're saying, and then politely introduce yourself and your product.
7. Being Late
One of the quickest ways to turn a prospect off is to be late for your meeting. If you can't be bothered to show up on time, they're going to wonder what else you don't care about. Try to arrive at least 10 minutes early so you have time to settle in and prepare. That way, you'll start your meeting off on the right foot.
8. Ignoring the Competition
There are many reasons why you might ignore the competition, but it's never a good idea. In fact, it can often have the opposite effect and turn potential prospects off.
Here are some of the top reasons why you should never ignore the competition:
9. Not Having a Niche
It's important to remember that you can't be all things to all people. If you try to appeal to everyone, you'll end up appealing to no one. This is why it's so important to figure out your niche and target your marketing efforts specifically towards that group of people.
Not having a niche is a big mistake because it means you're not targeting your marketing efforts specifically towards any group of people. This will cause your brand to be less visible and less appealing to potential customers.
10. Making It All About You
You've probably heard the saying, "It's not about me, it's about you." Well, when it comes to selling, that phrase couldn't be more true. In order to turn prospects into customers, you need to make it all about them. And that means avoiding these 10 failed tactics that will only turn them off.
Number 10 on the list is making it all about you. When you talk endlessly about your company, products, or services, you're not giving prospects a reason to care. Instead, focus on highlighting how your products or services can benefit them and their businesses. Show them that you understand their needs and want to help solve their problems.
Conclusion
In this newsletter, you’ve seen the top 10 failed tactics that will turn prospects off. Don’t be that person who is constantly turning people away. Be sure to avoid these tactics at all cost!
Anything to add? Anything I missed? Would love to hear your comments!
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Britain's Chief Wellbeing Officer ?? Let's Make the People of this Nation Healthy Once Again! ??Workplace Wellbeing Expert & Social Wellbeing Champion
1 年??
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1 年Precisely, well explained and super valuable post #ClarenceCheo.....
Elevate Your Career & Life Without Anxiety, Fear or Stress ???? International Awards-Winning Coach | Executive Coach | Life Coach |
1 年sales is an important skill to have for everyone, not just those in sales.
Chief Compliance Officer | FinTech | Payments | Crypto | Open Networker
1 年Absolutely
跨国企业高级副总裁, 擅长于内审、科技审计、反舞弊、风险评估/管理,可持续发展审计,合规审计(包括道德合规)、咨询、业务合作和 SOX (CA, CIA, CCSA, CRMA, CFE, CISA, CRISC)
1 年Thanks for sharing the experience, Clarence.