Thursday, February 21, 2008

8 Suggestions You Must Know To Selling To An Influencer

Influencers have a high need for approval and recognition. They love to talk. They want to know about you and they want you to know about them. They are likeable and trusting. They will offer you refreshments and inquire about your comfort. In turn, they want to be accepted and trusted.

In negotiations, they are likely to act quickly, take risks and rely on intuition. After the negotiation, however, they may second guess the decision. Nonverbally, they project an overall image of being open and approachable. They smile, nod in agreement when appropriate, and may even touch you on your shoulders, back or arm when introduced.

Here are some of the suggestions you MUST use if the buyer in front of you suits into this description.

1. Relect the buyer's communication behavior

Return simles with smiles, eye contact and nods of agreement with nods of agreement. Portray as much openness in your posture as the Influencer shows.

2. Create a personal relationship during the bonding stage

Show what you want to develop a long term association. That's mutaully rewqarding. " I am not in this for the quick sale. My main interest is in seeing us build a relationship that will be rewarding and satisfying for years to come.

3. Acknowledge personal pictures, photographs or certificate in the office

Influencers create working spaces that are personally fulfilling and meant to reach out to others. Noticing the personal touches will earn points.

4. Emphasize the intangible of your product or service

Highlight whatever prestige, distinction or esteem comes with your solution. Pinpoint its high caliber, reliability and quality. Focus on intangible attributes as much as those that directly solve the buyer's problem.

5. Demostrate how purchasing your product or service will satisfy others who depend on this purchase

The influencer is making a decision that will affect other people throughout the organization. Acknowledge these people. Help the buyer see how much they will appreciate the decision.

6. Listen for underlying feelings and motives

Influencers are in tune with feelings. recognize those feelings through your responses to buyer statements.

" It seems that what you are saying is..."

"The reason you feel this way is because..." ( Let the buyer finish the sentence for you)

"How much help would you like to see them get."

" What you just said shows concern for the people who will use the product."

7. Bring in third party endorsements

Influencers are reassured by learning that others are happy with your products. Offer testimonials and stories about how lives have been improved.

8. Get a commitment for every decision

You want to guard against buyer's remorse. Ask the influencer questions to head off second thoughts. the answers to these 3 questions will tell you what it will take to solidfy the buyer's commitment.

"I am not syaing this will happen. But suppose a week from now you rethink the wisdom of this decision. What will you do?"

"tell me again...what convinced you to buy?"

"What will you do it next week one of my competitors calls asking you to switch?"

Hope you find these 8 suggestions or any of my articles useful for you. If you are find that they make sense, let's keep in touch.

You just need to enter your name and email into the boxes on the left and you will be in my contact list. I will also give you a small token of appreciation.

Feel free to visit my website at www.elitecloser.com

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

6 Tips For Selling To A Steady Relater

Steady Relaters (SR) have a passive approach to problems. This does not mean that they are weak, uninterested or martyrs. They do take a position, but they are neither forceful nor demanding in expressing it. As the term steady implies, these buyers take a measured and balanced approach to conflict and negotiation. They project an unassuming and amiable style. What they may lack in passion they make up for diligence. They are patient and persistent. Nonverbally, they project an openness and non judgmental quality. If the buyer sitting accross you fits this profile, use the following tips:

1. Reflect the buyer's communication style

SRs listen attentively and focus on what you have to say. Their body posture and gestures convey an openness and willingness to discuss. Show them the same. Maintain eye to eye contact. Position your body to see and hear as much as possible.

2. Demostrate a sincere interest

Social bonding is important to SRs. They care and want to know you do the same. Ask about hobbies, family and personal interests. Listen to their answers and comment. Share your personal interests, but only after attending to theirs.

3. Be patient

If you give the impression of trying to impose your agenda or close the sale, SRs will back off. They need to set a measured pace based on their own internal clock. Match you pace with them.

4. Demostrate trust for you and your product/service

The instincts of SRs are to be loyal to you. Give them reasons to see you as a worthy person and to judge your product as dependable.

5. Limit the focus of analysis

SRs like to focus their attention on one particular aspect of your product. Help them gain this focus and at the same time, control the agenda by saying something like, "Given your current concerns and your analytical approach to buying, I think you would be most interested in focusing on . It that right?"

6. Do not mistaken passivity as weakness

SRs are not wimps. They will be as thorough as other buyers. You will have to be as sharp with them as with anyone else. They simply call for a different communication style.

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Sunday, February 3, 2008

10 Suggestions For Selling To A Dominant Buyer

Dominant buyers try to maintain control and walk away with most (if not all) of the marbles. During negotiations, they seek to control the agenda. They get to where they want to go because they lead, not because they follow. Nonverbally, they are likely to project a forceful, domineering posture and stance. When frustrated or angry, they may pound fists and point fingers. Vocally, they emphasize their position by increasing volume and may even using profanity for impact. Follow these tips when the buyer in front of you fits into this profile.

1. Never convery to a Dominant that you are hungry for the sale

Sure, you want the sale. But don't beg or plead for it. Giving the impression that your next meal depends on this sale will trigger this buyer's predatory instincts.

2. Go to the bottom line and work backwards

A good opening line with a dominant buyer is "Can we fast forward to the end of the movie and then work backwards? What exactly you need to close a deal that will make you happy?"

3. Match nonverbal behavior

Return the Dominant gaze. Move forward in you chair when the buyer move forward Use your voice and body to emphasiza key points. Come across as passive and meek and the dominant will turn you into a "road kill"

4. Limit small talk

Dominants want to get down to business quicky. As soon as you sense that the buyer is ready for business, switch from your social mode to business mode.

5. Draw lines in the sand

What is negotiable and what is not? What is a fixed policy and what is flexible? Without clear answers to these questions before the negitiaton, the Dominant may kick the sand in your face.

6. Probe assertions

Dominants will try to structure the sale to conform to their wishes. They will assert their requirements up front. Move beyond those assertions to uncover unlying issues with statements like:

Yes, I understand you clearly. Why do you believe that?

Why is that so important to you?

Wht do you mean when you say...?

I wonder if we could examine this issue further.

7. Limit your answering of questions with questions

Answering questions with questions is a reliable way to keep pressure on the buyer, but this strategy will alienate the dominant buyer. Provide specific answers when asked specific questions. Follow up with questions after you present your information. "Sure, I will be happy to answer to that. But how does this information help you?"

8. If you are feeling pressure, identify it as an obstacle to crafting the best possible deal.

Dominant want to win. Your feelings are inconsequential unless they get in the way of shaping a good deal. Consider this as a response to pressure tactics: "I am feeling pressure right now and a little uncomfortable. Because of this pressure I am afraid we might not end up witht he kind of best deal that is best for you. Could we take deep breath, sit back and focus on how we can best solve your current issue?"

9. Offer choices

Dominant need control. Limit their alternatives to what will work for you, but offer choices within those alternatives. You win, but the dominants feel as if they had won.

10. Ask for a summary of any agreements

Dominants are not the greatest listeners. Ask them to tell you what they heard. If there are any misunderstanding, clarify them on the spot. In order to verify that, dominants view the agreements in the same way you do, let them, not you, do the summary.

Looking for inspiration for your sales department, team or even yourself? Here's my recommendation: http://elitecloser.com/inspiration

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Obtaining Self-Confidence

Many salespeople cannot meet or surpass sales targets because they do not have the self confidence to ask for the sale. Many fear the feeling of objections and being unable to turn around the objections they face.

Self confidence is very important to be successful in sales. It seems to be one of those areas that people believe "you just have it, or you don't". many people think that you are either a natural, are born talented or you are incapable. However, my belief is that whatever one peson can do, another person can do it too! I also believe that what human have yet to accomplish, can be realised through ingenuity and persistence.

Self-confidence is:

1. A feeling that one can accomplish what one sets out to do
2. The state of being certain
3. Trust of faith in one's abilities

When a person says, "I lack the self confidence to close that sale", what is he or she really saying? He is really saying that he is not certain or that he lacks trust of faith. So how does one achieve self-confidence?

- One has to have trust and faith that one is capable.

- Create results in advance by envisioning your desired goal or outcome, and then detail out a specific plan of exactly how you will get there.

- Model after someone who is already successful. Because if someone has done it, then so can you. Once you have found the right people to copy, find out what they believe about themselves and their success. Adopt their beliefs or pretend that you believe the same thing. Do this until you become the success you want to be. Pretend long enough and it will be in you. You will realise the you are no longer pretending. you actually believe the same things that successful people do because you are one of them.

Sometimes, just by having the confidence alone sells...

To your success!

Andy. P
www.elitecloser.com

Saturday, January 12, 2008

4 Basic Personality Types

As a sales professional, we meet, speak, sell to many different types of people everyday. None of them have the same decision making process, thinking or character. In order for you to become a better closer, you need to understand the differenet personality types and to understand how do they make decisions.

I am a certified psychometrist and have been through few training how to deal with different people. I would like to share with you some simple personality types of customers you will face.

Once you have understand the different distinct types, you are able to place your customers in the category they belong to and respond better to them.

1. Dominants (D)

These are the people who has high control desire and independence. In negotiations, they tend to keep information to themselves, identify the other person's weakness and exploit that weakness for personal gain. they focus on the bottom line, which to them is winning. Dominants want to make their own conclusion or decisions instead of being led to it. They tend to talk more than they listen.

2. Influencers (I)

Influencers are very much like Dominants. They are assertive and have a need for autonomy. However, they are "softer" and have a great need for recognition and acceptance. They love to talk and will provide a great deal of information about their needs. They do not try to win at your expense because of their need to be liked. In negotiations, they rely very much on gut feel and impulsive decisions, which sometimes sours their long term satisfaction with a deal. They, more than the other 3 types in this list are susceptible to buyer's remorse.

3. Steady Relaters (S)

Steady Relaters want to maintain working relationships and aviod conflicts as much as possible and at all costs. They control their negative emotions so as not to offend people. Like Influencers, they have a need to be liked and to build relationships. However, they are far less assertive and impulsive. because change make them feel uncomfortable, they are usually more skeptical about new ideas, products and proceures. They do make decisions. But, these decisions tend to be abit too long to wait.

4. Compliants (C)

Compliants are risk averse and moticated by security. They are the people who needs to know everything about the product or services they are considering to buy. Because of their great need of protection and their underlying insecurity, they continually seek reassurance that they are doing the right stuffs. They focus on details, making sure everything works the way it should and do not like surprises. They make their decisions slowly and systematically, weighing all criteria. Because of their insecurity and reassurance, they will ask for more inforamtion during the sales call than the Dominants or Influencers.

Now that you know the 4 types of personality. It is time to remember them and learn to learn with different personality types when you are doing a sales call, attending a sales meeting or doing a sales presentation.

Check out my personal website www.elitecloser.com to get more ideas, tips and advice about selling. You can even grab your FREE ebook there.

Alternatively, you can also submit your email at the top left of this blog for me to send you my ebook.

Friday, January 11, 2008

A Salesperson's GIFTS

Are you using all the G.I.F.T.S that the higher power has given to you? When I ask most sales people, the almost immediate answer I have is, No. They often tell me that they don’t even know what are G.I.F.T.S.

So how does a person use his or her G.I.F.T.S to instantly create more sales? Here, let me present to you, the G.I.F.T.S of a salesperson.

G = Greed

This is one the few that almost all of us know how to use. To use greed is to throw in as many FREE or CHEAP bonuses as possible.

“If you were to buy/register/sign up now, you will get bonus 1, bonus 2, this and that and all of this are worth more than $XXXX.”

I = Indifference

Not many people will agree with me when I tell them to use Indifference. Most of them will tell me that this will allow customers to have an option to say no. But, let me ask you, how many of you like to be sold and let the salesperson make all the decisions for you? I believe less than 5% of the population in the world will like this idea.

Therefore, I use Indifference in almost all of my sales pitch and it works perfectly fine. All I need to add in my pitch is, “It is up to you. In fact, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain.” After mentioning this and adding some selling points, I would proceed to perform another test close.

F = Fear Of Loss

Fear of Loss is one of the commonly used GIFTS by salespeople and marketers. You must have heard of people telling you that this offer is only for today and you will not get the same offer the next day.

Sounds familiar? That is Fear Of Loss. Alternatively, you can also use terms like, “I only have 2 more sets left” or anything similar. Just need to let the customer feel that they will be losing out something if they do not take action today.

T = Theory Of Jones

This theory of Jones is one way to give assurance to customers who are almost buying but still hesitating. Use this to turn around negatives and objections. It is a wonderful tool that sales people can use.

“I understand that concern of yours. In fact, 90% or my clients have this concern initially when I spoke to them. However, like I have mentioned…”

Use someone that the client knows or see to make him or her feel comfortable. “Before Bill got this product, he asked me the same question too and I will let you know what I told him.”

S = Sense Of Urgency

Use sense of urgency by showing excitement in your body language and the speed you speak. Do not speak too fast though. Just imagine a salesperson talking to you in a monotone and slowly. What will you do? For me, I will be totally uninterested and cut him off.

Do you want to be cut off or bored people? If not, show more interest in your product and speak with excitement. Selling is about transferring emotions.

Find out out more sales tips at my webby at www.elitecloser.com. I will give you another gift for you to increase sales revenue and make selling easier.

Happy Selling!
Andy P.
elitecloser.com

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

15 Ways To Warm Up To Cold Calling

It is exciting to pick up the telephone to call buyers who are waiting to hear from you. We bet you could make these calls all day, everyday, and with your eyes closed. You don’t need advice to help you with this seller’s dream. You do need this list for the kind of prospecting most salespeople would rather not do, cold calling. Some salespeople see an impending cold call as a threat to their self-esteem; others see it as an opportunity to make money. Look for at least one idea in this list to help you overcome your reluctance to make cold calls, and turn threats into opportunities.

1. Recognize that you will need to make some finite number of dead-end calls before the next positive response

You have no idea what that number is. It might be one, this next call. Or it might be 50, and this next call will reduce the number to 49. Either way, you are always getting nearer to a good response or Yes. So pick up the phone and make that call.

2. Build rewards into your day for achieving milestones

Once you achieve each milestone like making 25 calls, do something that you like to reward yourself. Whether it is reading the favorite section of the newspaper, go out for some ice cream or call up a friend to plan your weekend.

3. When the last call was a real bummer, use a prescribed routine to get beyond it

Maybe it is a cup of coffee, reading a page in a favorite book, going outside for fresh air, or a few moments of prayer. Get back to the phone within 15 minutes.

4. View the next call as your first call of the day

Even though it may be 3 pm, assume you have made no calls yet today. Imagine the one coming up is your first. Be as fresh and energetic as you were at the start of the day.

5. View the next call as the one that will decide whether you can pay your bills

Be sure to call this person who is waiting to put money in your pocket.

6. View the next call as an opportunity to help someone solve a problem

You have got a great job. Your job allows you to help people relieve their pain. Get busy so that you can find someone who needs you and your product.

7. Practice positive mental imaging

Try this sequence:

Close your eyes
Take a deep breath
Relax your body
Picture in your mind the smile that was on your face when the last buyer accepted your proposal
Exhale slowly keeping this picture in your mind
Put that same smile on your face

8. Recall your favorite positive affirmations

Woody Allen said, “Eighty percent of success is simply showing up.” General George S. Patton said, “I don’t measure a man by how high he climbs but by what he does after he falls down.”

9. Picture your competitor sitting at a phone about to dial that number

Don’t wait another second. Your competitor has this buyer in mind too. And if you don’t dial the number, your competitor may dial the number faster than you do and get the sale.

10. Think about the cold calls that resulted in meetings and in sales

You have got rejections, but you also have successes. Think about the cold calls that confirmed your belief in yourself and the product.

11. Next to your telephone, post the running total of the sale volume that’s resulted from cold calls

Calculate the sales you have generated throughout your career that can be traced to an initial phone call. Keep that number next to your telephone and tell yourself that you are going to increase the number. Pump it up every time you have another success.

12. Post your current year sales to date and current year sales goal

Successful salespeople have vivid and specific goals. Stop focusing on your reluctance to call and start focusing on the likelihood this call will get you closer to your goal. When it does, update your numbers. What you focus is what you will achieve. Focus on that numbers you want to achieve and the reasons why you want to achieve that numbers.

13. Hone your appointments-getting skills

Become so good with the tactics to get through the gatekeepers and setting appointments so that you can speak to more buyers and set more appointments. More appointments is equivalent to having more opportunities to close a deal

14. Stop trying to change the rules of the game

Don’t kid yourself. Selling is a number game. The faster and the more people you speak to will bring you to a nearer Yes. Do not even try to change the rules. You cannot beat the natural law.

15. Imagine that you are only paid for your performance. You make money only when you make a sale or keep a current customer happy

Do not be complacent just because you have a basic salary. Try imagining that you are only paid for what you closed. Try to live on only your commission and take that basic salary of yours as a bonus.


Andy.P

www.elitecloser.com