NURTURE THE SALE.
MONEY WILL FOLLOW.
Most often, the sales teams are quick to try and get a sale. They fail to understand the consumer's need-state or the consumer’s business and its pain-points. Each consumer undergoes a specific set of challenges or issues that they believe is unique to them. The Art of Selling involves the ability to converse with the consumer, identifying those areas of challenges/ issues and making the product/ service at hand seem the ideal choice.
An example of how most salespeople in businesses approach selling
While there are some products and services that can be sold with an approach that is bold or even brash, most products and services require a nurturing (subtle) technique.
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THE ART OF SELLING: STEP 1
Understand the nature of the product or service in context to the consumers life. What some people consider a small purchase might not be for all people (considering their cultural background, income level, upbringing, purpose of the purchase - be it a gift or for self. Be explicitly clear WHY you exist, HOW you have made your product unique and WHAT you offer consumers.
THE ART OF SELLING: STEP 2
Understand the prospect consumer. Does the product or service fall under a 'Want to Have' or a 'Need to Have'?. Your prospect consumer already has access to information (via the internet) - from product videos to consumer reviews. Stop trying to sell to him, instead nurture his discovery and aid his decision process.
THE ART OF SELLING: STEP 3
Understand Assumption Vs Reality. Just because companies believe their product is superior or consumers will accept bulk buying for discounts does not mean consumers feel the same way. Assumptions are just that - Assumptions. They are not the Reality of the consumer. Businesses don’t need festive seasons or discounts to actually sell. If they continually build solid relationships with prospect consumers they can and will get sales year round. Engage your consumer in his/her reality, not with your assumptions.
THE ART OF SELLING: STEP 4
Leverage Technology to build relationships. Make information easily available in exchange for contact details. Create integrated, multi-channel experiences, monitor and proactively manage your online reputation. Use Technology to break the ice instead of Cold Calls. That way when you do call the prospect consumer, the ice is already broken (They know your company and its credibility, you know their Wants, Needs and Desires). The call is actually a WARM Call with the singular goal of removing last-mile friction. Engage your consumer where he is looking not on what you are comfortable with doing.
THE ART OF SELLING: STEP 5
Understand the difference between Value Creation and Transactional Value. In the absence of establishing a relationship and demonstrating value creation, prospects are going to rationalise the purchase by its transactional value. The buyer of a BMW or Mercedes will always rationalise the purchase by the Value Creation of having that brand Vs the transactional value. Ask yourself the question - Why have brands like MG KIA taken the market by storm while other brands are shutting down plants and working alternate days. Engage with your consumer with his needs not your price of fulfilment.
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Trigger Worldwide is a Brand Marketing Agency, built specifically for businesses to create Sustainable Growth. Our proprietary tools and process methodologies harness Technology, Creativity & Innovation, leverage Economic Drivers and Consumer Beliefs to help businesses overcome marketing inefficiencies and achieve their Growth Agendas.
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