Top 10 Sales Strategies for Success

It's just as important to know what not to do as it is to discover the secrets to success. We have a tendency to keep selling in the same way, avoiding the flaws that are preventing us from reaching our goal. "What's the point of running if you're not on the right road?" You'll need smart tactics and effective sales strategies to stay on track.

Sales strategy is a deliberate activity that aids businesses in increasing sales. It familiarizes you with your issues and shows you the path to take in order to achieve your goals. The right sales strategies can help you support your sales efforts and accelerate your sales goals.

Each year, a new sales strategy enters the field of sales due to the evolution of technology and the rise of business players in the industry. However, some sales strategies have been around for a long time and have proven to be effective for a variety of businesses.

Proven Sales Strategies from Sales Experts

Here are a few sales strategies used by successful entrepreneurs and sales experts that can assist you in reaching your sales goals:

1. Set Specific Goals
2. Analyzing Past Sales
3. Start by Targeting Small Markets
4. Research, Understand and Help your Customers
5. Listen to Your Prospects
6. Differentiate your Company from your Competitors
7. Embrace Storytelling to Sell
8. Be Patient and Negotiate
9. Use the Free Trial
10. Perfect your Sales Pitch

1. Set Specific Goals

In sales, you must have a bullseye to aim for, or you will get lost in the woods. Simply stating that my goal is to "increase sales" is insufficient. You should define this goal more precisely. It is impossible to track the progress of such ill-defined goals. You won't know if the effort you're putting in is yielding fruitful results unless you evaluate your progress.

When you have a clear goal in mind, you will know exactly where you want to go and what you need to do. It is one of the most effective sales strategies for increasing your profits. Do not set goals hastily; instead, think, strategize, and then set a goal.

For example, instead of saying that we want to increase our business revenue, say that our business goal is to reach $100,000 by December 31st, 2018. Assume the average deal size is $50,000, which means you'll need to close 20 deals by December 31st, 2018 to meet your target.

Such specific goals give you a sense of direction and aid in your ability to stay focused. They are measurable, so you can assess your progress to determine how far you are from your goals and what else you need to do to get there.

2. Analyzing Past Sales

Your historical sales records are a valuable source of vital information that you should not overlook when establishing your goals. You can smoothly analyze your past sales and identify areas for improvement by using various reporting tools.

Examining last year's goals and results is also essential for setting realistic and attainable goals. Examine the previous year's goals and determine whether or not you met them. If not, investigate the reasons and determine what went wrong. It will aid in the development of strategies for improved performance in the future.

3. Start by Targeting Small Markets

It may appear appealing to target various business verticals and the market. The larger the market, the greater the reach. Isn't that right? It, however, does not always work. Having a finger in every pie complicates matters. When you target a larger market, understanding and addressing their business challenges becomes more difficult.

So, instead of going big, use this sales strategy to take baby steps by focusing on a specific market and business size. Investigate this market audience and learn about the issues they are dealing with. Try to explain how your product will assist them in resolving their problems.

4. Research, Understand and Help your Customers

The majority of sales representatives call simply to paint a more positive picture of their product and company. Your product knowledge will not help you pique your prospect's interest. It will work if you are familiar with their business issues. Companies want a solution to their problem, not to learn about your product's excellent features.

Before calling, conduct research on your prospects and gather critical information to better understand them.

Try to figure out:

• What are the business objectives of your prospect?
• When did they start working in the industry?
• What are the roadblocks to their progress?
• What steps have they taken to get over the stumbling blocks? How well has it worked out?
• What are some of the things they'd like to improve?
• Are they collaborating with any of your rivals?

Do you have any idea where you can get answers to these questions? Not to worry, the following points will assist:

• Examine the company's website to learn more about your potential client.
• Take a look at their social media pages.
• If they're working with one of your competitors, look at their case studies.
• Learn about your prospect's interests and activities by using Google Alerts, Mention, or Talkwalker alerts.

You will only be able to have a meaningful conversation with them if you are aware of their existence. Making the conversation more personal aids in gaining their trust. Be client-centric, and make it a point to show that you are genuinely interested in assisting them in resolving their business problem.

5. Listen to Your Prospects

If you want to succeed in sales, you must master the art of listening. Keep an ear out for your prospect's needs to understand what they want. Active listening exposes you to a wealth of information that can aid in the closing of the deal.

You have two ears and one mouth, so use them appropriately. Spend more time listening to the prospect rather than telling them about your product. Instead of thinking about what to ask next, ask open-ended questions and pay attention to the responses.

Be patient and attentive to your prospects and their time. Listening can help you not only understand your prospects but also build a good rapport with them.

However, with sales targets looming over their heads, most sales professionals concentrate on pitching their products to as many companies as possible. Prospects often feel ignored when you focus on selling a product, and as a result, they lose interest in your offerings.

6. Differentiate your Company from your Competitors

How do you outperform your competitors? The answer to this question can help you grow your customer base. Raise your standards and focus on being unique to outperform your competitors. It is one of the sales strategies that most major brands employ to succeed.

To differentiate itself from its competitors, Nike, for example, provides customer-tailored solutions. NikeiD allows customers to personalize some of the products they purchase. It even bears the names of professional athletes to attract the attention of young people, such as the Nike Air Jordan Retro XI sneakers, which were modeled after the originals designed for Michael Jordan in 1996.

Companies are always looking for the best people to work with. They compare the products to determine which is superior and which will be beneficial to their business. As a result, it is critical to identify and effectively communicate your competitive advantages.

7. Embrace Storytelling to Sell

When used correctly, storytelling can be an effective sales strategy. Prospects can easily digest a product's complex details when presented in this creative medium. Stories give your product meaning and set you apart from competitors. According to one study, displaying the artist's story beneath a painting increased its value by 11%. A good story piques the reader's interest and elicits strong feelings. It provides prospects with a reason to invest because they can relate to your product.

Storytelling is a sales strategy that can be used throughout the sales process. During a product demo, for example, you can tell your prospects the story of how one of your uncertain prospects became a satisfied customer and show their testimonial to add credibility.

8. Be Patient and Negotiate

Negotiation is the most crucial stage of a sales process where a deal can end. It is the point where you need to be extra careful while communicating with the client. Being patient while negotiating is a sales strategy that can help you in saving a deal.

The prospect might get aggressive, but you need to stay calm as you might end up losing a deal. Moreover, there are chances that in the heat of the moment, you might give discounts or agree to terms that could get you in trouble. So, think and take your step. Prospects might seem reluctant initially, but you need to convert the no into a yes smartly.

9. Use the Free Trial

One of the most common sales strategies used to attract new customers is the 'Free Trial.' Renowned brands such as Skype, Dropbox, Netflix, and the Buffer app provide free trials to allow customers to experience the benefits of their services.

Because companies are hesitant to invest in an unknown product, offering a free trial is the best way to demonstrate the true value of your product to your prospects. However, you must take care not to extend your free trial period for too long. Furthermore, you must capitalize on the time the prospect is using your product or service. Because everything is still fresh in their minds, now is the time to call and share a little more information to receive a positive response once the trial period is over.

10. Perfect your Sales Pitch (Make it Exciting)

You must have a strong sales pitch. One that catches your prospect's attention and keeps the conversation moving in the right direction. Spend too much time talking about your company, the benefits of your solution, the clients you've worked with, and why your prospect should sign up right away, and you risk ruining the relationship right away.

In your elevator pitch, how do you demonstrate your expertise? Lean heavily on demonstrating to your prospect that you've already developed an understanding of the challenges they're facing in the area of the business where your solution will help. Do your research ahead of time, and use your knowledge of your prospect's industry to take control of the conversation in your sales pitch by teaching, fine-tuning your message, and not being afraid to share controversial views if they are ultimately in the best interests of your potential new customer.

Final Thoughts

There is always something to be learned from the experiences of others. Whether you are new to the sales industry or a seasoned pro, these tried-and-true sales strategies may come in handy when selling. It is not enough to have a strong sales strategy; you must also use it wisely.

If you have enjoyed reading this Blog, TWN recommends you to read our Blog on "How to Build a Marketing Pitch?" Click on the Image Below!