Converting prospects into paying customers is always a testing point in the sales process. If you embrace the skills you've learned during the pandemic, then there's a good chance you're going to be one of the salespeople who leap ahead of the competition in 2021 and beyond. But reconnecting with your sales instincts is still a route to converting prospects to customers.
Fine-tune your sales instincts
Hopefully, a lot of the time we'll be able to close after one call or meeting. Other times, we'll be up against those prospects that take their time and require a lot of looking after and negotiating to get over the line. The secret is to keep them in your sights and be persistent. Keep in mind that 60% of customers are likely to say no four times before they give a yes.
Understand who your prospects are
Selling has changed over the last 30 or so years, and prospects can no longer be put into a single, homogenous category. They have access to the same information everyone has, at the click of a mouse and they know exactly what they want when they want it, and at what price. It is no longer a matter of the marketing team generating a lead for sales to go ahead and close it. The constant search for ROI has moved the goalposts and prospects are probably more difficult to close than they ever have been before. Technology, greater competition, higher expectations, and lower production costs have all contributed to the intelligent prospects of today.
“An educated consumer is our best customer”.
– Sy Syms
Life (and sales) is never meant to be easy so we have put together our top tips to convert lingering prospects into paying customers.
Keep in touch with your prospects.
If you want to keep prospects engaged, nurture them. Maintaining contact until their need to buy matches your desire to sell will keep you at the forefront of their minds. Whether this is a courtesy call, a newsletter keeping them informed of all the latest happenings at your company, a whitepaper, regular social media interactions or even an email with your latest customer success story…it really can be anything. Front of mind is exactly where you want to be so when they are ready to buy, they think of you.
Prospects want now, not tomorrow.
I’ll admit it, and I’m sure most of us would, that when we want something, we want it now, not in 10-14 working days. If you can, use this innate human desire to your advantage in your sales process. Remind your prospects that your product or service will solve their pain points quickly. Quick arrivals, exclusive promotions, speedy delivery, and instant gratification can sometimes be just the incentive a customer needs to buy.
Prove your worth.
Sales in today’s world don’t come easy. You must first prove value without requiring prospects to buy from you. Offer free information, help, or advice that will build trust with them. Writing a blog (ta-dah!) is the perfect outlet for building value, trust, and expertise. There has to be some sort of established relationship before you can sell to them.
Don’t hard sell.
It has never worked and probably never will do. Prospects are far too educated to be pressured into buying anything. Information is easy to access so a pushy sales pitch will not be likely to stick, especially if you are stretching the truth. Couple this with customers tightening their belts and a fluctuating economy; the only things that will improve your conversion rates are patience, building value, and establishing relationships.
Features or benefits?
Take a look at your basic sales pitch. Are you just reeling off features or really selling the benefits? At any point in the sales process, you will have to present some value for the product or service you are offering. Has it got all the latest bells and whistles? Great. But what benefit does that really bring me as a buyer? Will it help me to speed up a mundane task? Will I save money? These are the answers you need to be presenting as a salesperson.
