Salespersons that use the psychology of time, urgency, choice and stories are those whose business sales are always high. They are the pros of the sales industry.
In the psychology of time, for instance, many sales trainers and coaches suggest using tokens of personal touch such as notes which are handwritten or items such as personalized gifts. These really are effective tools, but whether those notes are handwritten or computerized, or those items personalized or not, it does not really matter. What differentiates you from the rest and makes you more effective is the fact that you spent time to do those things. The moral here is this: devote some time to make a sale of your product or service, add personal meaning and importance to your relationships with your clients and potential customers, and by doing so, make yourself distinctive and stand out from the crowd.
For example, by following up with a personal, well intended handwritten note, it demonstrates the investment of your time. There was once a sales trainer who facilitated a Leadership Development Program which lasted for six months. Thirty-seven people participated in this said program. When it was almost over, the facilitator wrote 37 handwritten thank-you notes. Each note had a personalized comment and was sealed in envelopes with red wax and the facilitator’s stamped monogram. He was not a big fan of letters, and monograms, and wax, rather, he wanted to send a note that was different than any other letter the participants had ever received. The response he got was overwhelming.
By investing your time, you differentiate yourself from the crowd. You invest your time when you spend it on listening, following up, making your customer look good to his or her employer, customizing solutions, structuring proposals and agendas applicable to your customers, referring business to your potential customer’s company, providing important information addressing your client’s personal and professional needs, or simply dropping by for no business reason at all, rather, to catch up or bring food like lunch or snacks like coffee and doughnuts. In addition, responding to emails or phone calls is not only a manifestation of your investment of time, but also a manifestation of manners and courtesy, your openness even before a sale has been made, and sometimes, it is practically just a matter of “the first who responds gets the sale”.
Many salespersons are skeptical in doing these things because for them, it sounds like a lot of work. Some reason out that their priority is on boosting up their business sales and not giving free consultations. Some do not want to waste a lot of time on a single customer. Well, it is definitely easier than you think. And in case you have not noticed yet, wasting time on a single customer and giving consultations for free is part of your job! If you really are dedicated to your job, and if you really are bent on increasing those business sales, use these points to move your sales process forward.
If your prospects would see your willingness to devote your time, then they are more likely to respond with a willingness to devote theirs, with money added, to you.