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How to close the sale

Guest post by: Karen Andrews

Article Overview: For many people just the thought of ‘asking for the business‘ or closing the sale, brings about paralyzing fear of rejection and feelings of being too pushy. So what happens? It gets avoided at all costs and that doesn't help anyone. The problem with letting fear get in the way is that sales drag on way to long and they often get lost as a result of not following-up. Remember if you don't ask, you don't get. Interestingly, it's very rare for someone to be annoyed with you for following-up, if they have been meaning to call you, you're doing them a favour by saving them time. If they haven't made a decision, that's OK just ask them when you should call them back (so your not bothering them unnecessarily in between).

How to close the sale

For many people just the thought of ‘asking for the business‘ or closing the sale, brings about paralyzing fear of rejection and feelings of being too pushy. So what happens? It gets avoided at all costs and that doesn't help anyone. The problem with letting fear get in the way is that sales drag on way to long and they often get lost as a result of not following-up. Remember if you don't ask, you don't get.

Interestingly, it's very rare for someone to be annoyed with you for following-up, if they have been meaning to call you, you're doing them a favour by saving them time. If they haven't made a decision, that's OK just ask them when you should call them back (so your not bothering them unnecessarily in between).

Closing is many things, it's not just about winning the sale; closing is moving the sale through the process and getting agreement at each step, for example:

• Agreeing to a next appointment

• Agreeing to prepare a proposal

• Agreeing to a demonstration

• Agreeing to the next step

• Agreeing to get started

As I've mentioned in previous articles, the more work you do in the early stages of the sale to understand their ‘needs' and their buying reasons, the easier and quicker the sale will be. Here are some tips and techniques that you can follow to make the process easier

1. Spend more time asking questions that uncover needs and any problems, challenges or frustrations they may be experiencing. Businesses pay money to fulfil needs and solve problems. If you have a clear understanding of the problem or the need you can match your solution to it.

2. If you can't uncover any of these reasons, I would suggest there is no reason for your prospect to buy it and the sale will be difficult to close.

3. Ensure that both you and your prospect understand and agree on their needs or problems and the value they will receive when you help them solve it.

4. When your prospects clearly understand "whats in it for them" it's makes their decision easier and quite often they want to buy from you.

5. Tailor your presentation around their needs and "whats in it for them" Great presentations communicate this clearly and gets your prospect into ‘buying mode'

6. Rcognize when people are ready to buy. They might indicate or show they're ready by asking questions about the product or the buying process: "How long will it take for delivery?", "How does that work?" or "Where to from here?". Other signs include positive body language and comments such as "we could use it like this?" or "that's a good idea."

When it comes time to ask for the business there are 3 different techniques you can use. I find the ‘assumptive' close tends to work best for me but it's important to find a technique that works for you. Here is a list of closing techniques you might like to try:

The direct close

This is the most direct because you actually ask for the order. For example "should we get the product ready for tomorrow?" or "Would you like to place an order"

The indirect close

This is where you summarise and re-state the benefits and then ask for a decision. For example "having spoken to some of our clients and heard about the benefits they have been enjoying as a result of our service, are you ready to place an order"

The assumptive close

This is the one I use all the time and it assumes that the customer has made the decision to buy your product. Instead of asking them for an order, you ask them to complete the first step to get the service started or goods delivered. For example "if you need to have delivery next week, I need the order from you no later than tomorrow" or "when would you like us to get started"

If the client is unwilling to move ahead, perhaps you haven't addressed all of their concerns or perhaps they have a misunderstanding about your product or service or fail to see the benefits of what you offer. If your stuck my article on "handling objections" or "what do to when the sale stalls" has some information that will help you.

Related Articles
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  How to Close the Deal Your Salespeople Can't Close
  CLOSING THE SALE - IT'S HIGHLY OVERRATED
  The 5 “Secrets” of closing the sale
  How Well Are You Keeping Your Focus on Increasing Sales?
  How to close the telephone price shopper
  Handling the Greatest Source of Failed Closes
  Help my sales people can’t close sales
  Why You Need A Sales System
  CLOSING - IT WILL MAKE OR BREAK YOU!
  The Ultimate “Closing Technique”
  Sure-Fire Techniques for Closing Sales
  Tips for Closing Business (Part II)
  The Thermometer Close
  Closing the Sale: Assume the Close, But Never the Reason
  Asking For the Money
  Seven Steps to Cold Calling Follow-up
  Direct Sales Strategies: How to Get to the Money and Close the Sale
  Smooth Sailing or Storms Ahead ? How to use the Sales Pipeline to predict your future
  7 Ways To Get To The Truth: When The Sale Disappears

Article Tags: closing sales, fear of rejection, how to close, increase sales, sales expert



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