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C-Level Selling, 4 Steps for Closing Phone Inquiries

Guest post by: Sam Manfer

Article Overview: Turn 70% of incoming calls, Telesales and Call Center inquires into sales by establishing credibility and excitement within the first 30 seconds.

Free Download - C-Level Selling - Large Account Plans Require Both Parties’ Participation By Sam Manfer
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C-Level Selling, 4 Steps for Closing Phone Inquiries

Interest and credibility are the keys to successfully leading incoming callers to buy your products or services. When someone calls into your business, be it your, receptionist, multi-person phone bank or home office with an inquiry, obviously interest is high. However, you have to keep that interest burning while developing credibility and avoiding frustration. So how you answer and your next few statements are critical to moving this opportunity forward. Step 1 - Create Rapport with Your Greeting

Rapport starts with friendliness, respect, and being polite. For example, Ring! Ring! "Hello, thank you for calling Sales Mastery. My name is Sam. May I ask what your first name is?" Notice, "Thank you for calling," (polite); offering up your first name, (friendly); "May I ask your first name?" (respect). You can also ask for his/her phone number just in case you get disconnected or need to call back for any reason (thoughtful and helpful).

Step 2 - Build Trust by Getting the Prospect to Take over the Conversation

Getting the prospect to explain, while you listen with an ear to understand is what builds trust and keeps interest high. Once s/he has outlined the challenges or problems s/he is having, keep asking "What else?" This gets her to open up more which will build her trust in you while you build an arsenal of information you can use later in your presentation. Additionally, the prospect will now know, you understand her situation because s/he told it to you. If you really want to enhance credibility, feedback your interpretation of what s/he said and then say, "Is this correct?" Nothing builds rapport and trust more than this simple confirmation technique.

Step 3 -- Show Them Your Expertise

You're probably already very good at telling prospects how you can solve their problems. However to differentiate and show expertise be as specific as possible, using numbers names and details. Numbers names and details create a vivid picture, and showcase your competence. Ambiguities leave the prospect with doubt and concerns.

Step 4 -- Ask the Prospect for His or Her Feelings

Use these exact words after your presentation. "How do you feel about what I just explained to you?" This is the most important sales question for a salesperson. It indicates position with this prospect. If the prospects says s/he feels great/good, go directly to closing.

If the prospect gives the indication s/he doesn't feel great, she has some issues that you have to pull them out of her. Once s/he starts telling you, listen, and don't argue or try to address them. Then you can address them. Then ask her again how she feels.

Call-ins should close 70% of the times or higher. Follow the steps above and you'll see how easy and rewarding converting incoming calls into sales can be.

And now I invite you to learn more.

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Home > Sales > Sam Manfer > CLevel Selling 4 Steps for Closing Phone Inquiries >
Article Tags: call centers, closing sales, incoming phone sales, Phone selling, selling on the phone, Telemarketing, telesales

About the Author: Sam Manfer
RSS for Sam's articles - Visit Sam's website

SPECIAL BONUS OFFER: If you liked this article grab an autographed copy of TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER$ by Sam Manfer. This 160 page best selling book is full of great selling tips for closing sales, handling price objections, beating competition, overcoming other selling challenges, and of course C-level selling.

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Related Forum Posts
How do i answer the phone? How do i answer the phone? - I learned this technique from a successful businessman who earns over a million dollars a year. He just uses his name like this... Phone rings... " This is Dwayne..." It kind of throws people off who have a preplanned script and gets right into it. Phone rings... " This is Dwayne..." No Hello, no good morning/afternoon/evening Phone rings... "This is Dwayne..."
New Guy Here - Automobile Industry New Guy Here - Automobile Industry - Hi Everyone, My name is Ray and I work as a sales trainer in the automobile industry. I have just completed a new training curriculum for automobile salespeople in the industry. It is called The Baby Steps of Selling Automobiles. I am beginning my marketing efforts through press releases and seminar formats. I joined the community due to my continued desire to work independently creating my own happiness and growth. Thank you for having me and I look forward to more correspondence in the future.
Re: Can you read body language and convert it into a sale? Re: Can you read body language and convert it into a sale? - I can definitely read their mood by how they speak on the phone. You can usually also tell by the way they respond to the things you are saying. Phone sales aren't as easy as when you see them in person, but I still believe their tone can tell a lot.
We need a call center or individual to perform B2B / B2C ope We need a call center or individual to perform B2B / B2C ope - We need a call center or individual to perform B2B / B2C operations. Telemarketing and Closing for the following services, VOIP and international calls, We related project, CRM and tele communication hardware and softwares. Only experience centers need apply! Contact –admin@eshreya.com
Re: Can you read body language and convert it into a sale? Re: Can you read body language and convert it into a sale? - [quote="mbrand2222":3738chdj]I can definitely read their mood by how they speak on the phone. You can usually also tell by the way they respond to the things you are saying. Phone sales aren't as easy as when you see them in person, but I still believe their tone can tell a lot.[/quote:3738chdj] Hi Mary, Would you have a specific example you could share with us on how you cab turn an unfriendly tone (from a client) into a positive one or even a sale?


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