We are in some very competitive times. People are hesitant to make buying decisions so businesses are making previously unheard of offers to get whatever slice of the market pie they can. If any of your clients tell you they’re considering doing business with the competition, you need to be prepared.

If you’re at the top of your game, you constantly act as if each and every client may consider making a change at any time. In other words: If you want to keep them as clients, treat them like gold. If you do, they’ll find it difficult to part with you and your high level of service even if the competition comes in with a better offer on a similar product.

If you’re prepared to hear an inkling of change, you’ll come across like the true expert you are rather than someone scrambling to keep their business. You’ll want to fight a clean fight with the competition, but never give up a client without a fight! (more…)

Everyone sells, one way or another. As parents, we sell our children on our belief systems and our values. In courtship, we sell ourselves to our prospective partners. At work, we sell ourselves every day to our employers and our co-workers.

However, there’s something keeping us from doing the best job of selling in every situation. It’s the fear of rejection. And, rejection most often comes in the shape of one of the smallest words in the English language–”no.” Isn’t it amazing how such a small word can have such a huge impact on us? (more…)

Objections are not meant to stop you in your tracks. While you may envision them as brick walls, learn to see yourself hurdling over them. When you really want what’s on the other side (like a closed transaction), you’ll do everything in your power to jump over, tunnel under or take down any walls brick by brick to get there.

Objections are nothing more than your potential client asking you to slow down, clarify a point or educate them better before asking them to make a decision. In many cases a brief summary recap of what you have covered thus far is enough.

In other cases the client will raise a new question or provide you with new information that requires more time and attention. Either way, the sale is still moving forward. It hasn’t been completely blocked. People just won’t waste their time objecting to something they aren’t feeling motivated to own.

Your job is to keep them emotionally involved in the benefits they’ll receive from your product or service. Once they own it emotionally, they (and you) will find plenty of reasons to rationalize the final ownership decision.

LEARN MORE>>

This information is copyrighted by Tom Hopkins International, Inc. for reprint permission, contact Judy Slack (judys@tomhopkins.com).

When you’re with a potential new client, it’s wise to know where they’re coming from. Do your best to uncover any other companies or products they’ve investigated before talking with you.

Hopefully, you’re on top of your game and know the features and benefits of your top competitor’s products and how they compare to your own. It’s wonderful when you can compare and contrast your product to that of another company, in effect, allowing your client to ‘shop around’ right there with you rather than going off to talk with a salesperson at another business.

True professionals are not afraid of other companies in the industry. They’re prepared to deal with them. Potential clients will find this approach novel and refreshing as long as you come across truly interested in their best interests…never slamming the competition.

If you’re the expert on the competitor’s products you save the client the mental energy of trying to compare products in their minds while you rattle off the features and options of yours. This tack puts you strongly in the position of being a consultant or expert advisor…someone they can talk openly with about their thoughts on the competition.

Once you know what other product or service they’re considering, you can customize your presentation, highlighting the key elements they’re interested in. When a salesperson responds properly and non-defensively about a competitor’s product, the client will be impressed with both your professionalism and confidence in your own product. This goes a long way toward building your sales volume and referral business.

Learn more on this topic.

This information is copyrighted by Tom Hopkins International, Inc. for reprint permission, contact Judy Slack (judys@tomhopkins.com).

Have you ever heard this from a potential client: “Okay. Well, thanks for the information. I want to shop around and will get back to you if this is really what I want.” Unless you’ve only been in business a day or two, you have.

In most cases what are they really saying to you? They’re saying, “I want to know if I can get it cheaper somewhere else.” It’s usually a money issue when you hear those words. Occasionally, the client will not really be certain that the product meets their needs and be looking for other colors, options, or services along similar lines to what you have offered. (more…)

If you’ve been in business longer than a week, you’ve probably heard this objection from at least one potential new client: “It just costs too much.” Or, you might have heard it in this way, “I’m really interested but I think I can get it cheaper somewhere else.”

Everyone wants a bargain, but not everyone really believes they can get your product somewhere else for less. And, many who use this line will never invest the time required to shop around for a better price anyway. So, how do you handle this situation? (more…)

You’ve just invested the last 30 minutes of your day with someone who truly needs your product or service. You feel like you’re on a roll. That your product is truly good for them and they can afford it.

It began when they explained what they were looking for when you first met. They answered all of your questions about their more specific needs. They listened intently to your explanations, watched your demonstration carefully, handled the product, selected colors or sizes that would work for them. Basically, they seemed very involved and moving toward the purchase. Then, the brakes went on. They just stopped. Then, they started hedging, asking questions you had already answered and physically backing away either by sitting back in their chair, crossing their arms or literally leaning or stepping slightly backwards.

What happened? (more…)

In the business of selling products and services, you’re bound to hear objections or concerns that interfere with or slow down the sales process. When it comes right down to it, most objections or concerns can be addressed or overcome. Usually, it’s just a matter of clarifying information about the product. Sometimes it can involve switching gears to another product entirely, but most challenges can be overcome. (more…)

Fear is the greatest enemy you’ll ever encounter as a professional salesperson. Your fear, the prospect’s fear, market and trend fears and so on.

What do we fear? As salespeople, we fear saying or doing things that may halt a potential sale. Hopefully, you’ll learn to recognize and conquer your fears through continual education, practice, drill and rehearsal of strategies and tactics that will keep you ahead of the pack.

A tough part of our jobs as salespeople is in helping others understand and overcome their fears so we can earn the opportunity to help them make decisions. Fear is what builds that wall of resistance we so often run into. You must master the skills to either climb over or break through those walls.

Here are some other common, normal and potentially paralyzing fears that many people face in decision-making situations and what you should do about them. (more…)