A key for success as a freight broker is sales
abilities. I read this article and
found Susan’s insight appropriate and succinct. So here are a few sales tips that will get you far.
No matter what type of business you’re
in, you’re in the business of selling. And many small business owners
admittedly don’t like sales. They are passionate about their product or
service, but when it comes to closing deals, they fall short. Why? Often
it’s the fear of rejection. But good sales people view “no” as a mere
objection they will fight to overcome, not a reason to stop trying.
How do you face rejection and keep your
confidence level high? For the most part, you must have a thick skin. The
sales game is a game of a law of averages — the more sales presentations you
make, the higher your probability is of getting a deal. But the reality is
you’ll hear many more “no’s” before you get to one “yes” — particularly in the
early days of your business. However, there are a few things you can do to
improve your chances of getting to a “yes.”
1. Be prepared
Good preparation can enhance your
ability to succeed. Before you make a sales call, take the time to do your
research. Know a little history about the company and your prospect. Visit
their website. Do an Internet search and look for recent press releases or
other pertinent information. Pay attention to the company’s advertisements and
marketing strategies. And don’t forget to check out their competition.
After many requests, I finally agreed
to meet with a representative of a large, regional bank who wanted my company’s
business. It was clear very early on in the presentation that the young
woman had no idea what my company did or who I was. She brought information
about local organizations for women-owned businesses, and unbeknownst to her, I
served in national leadership positions with several of the groups. Shame on
her for not doing her homework! Getting to know your prospect is a right
of entry in today’s market.
2. Listen and get to know your prospect
During the sales call, ask open-ended
questions to learn as much as you can about your prospect. Look for
common interests so you can build rapport. Listen carefully so you can
customize your presentation. When it comes to selling, no two prospects are
created equally. Make sure your presentation is directed to their particular
needs.
In my experience, I’ve found most sales
people don’t understand their customer’s needs. They make the mistake of
jumping right into a canned sales pitch. And as a result, many get pitched
right out the door.
3. Don’t give up too easily
When faced with objections don’t give
up and race out the door. Handle objectives in a positive, professional
manner. Make sure you clearly understand what’s being said, and if you don’t,
ask for clarification. Find out what you could do to resolve the objection.
Then, armed with that information, you can devise an appropriate solution to
close the sale.
The more calls you make, the more opportunities
you’ll have for success. With that in mind, every “no” you receive takes you
one step closer to a “yes.” And remember, every sales appointment is a
new opportunity, so don’t carry negativity from one into another. It’s
like my mother used to say, “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.”
http://blogs.constantcontact.com/fresh-insights/three-tips-sales/
Moving forward,
Jeff Roach
www.transportationtraining.com
