7 Ways To Lose A Prospect’s Attention And Interest Very Quickly
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again but those first few moments in ANY sales interaction will either set youself up for success or failure.
Here are 7 ways to guarantee that you’ll really hack them off in your first encounters with them:
1. On the telephone – you manage to get through and then with a big cheesy voice say “How are you?”
Oh come on! Most people just hate this and know that it’s just lip service so don’t use it
2. On the telephone or face to face – don’t launch into a monalogue about you and your company, it’s way to early for that, they are not interested yet.
3. On the telephone – lose the smile and dial. This is the over enthusiastic tone that you use.
Come off it, you don’t even know them yet! Why should you be so happy to talk to them? Is it because you want their money….
There is a time to up the ante with the enthusiasm but it’s not at “Hello”
4. On the telephone or face to face – don’t use pointless “chit chat”. Make your rapport building focused and meaningful. They’ll see straight through this.
5. On the telephone or face to face – you’re too nervous or lack the skills so you just talk, talk and talk with the viewpoint that they can’t object if they can’t get a word in!
Just don’t do it!
6. Face to face – “And here’s another one of our product lines” BORING! Don’t sit and go through a brochure or information if it’s of no interest to your prospect. Use it when the time is right and then only scan it briefly
7. On the telephone or face to face – don’t talk too quickly! Don’t be like a whirlwind or this will really hack your prospects off. Slow down and gauge the pace of your prospect and then match them.
Those first encounters make or break the sale so make sure that you can generate and keep your prospect’s interest and attention and you will be way on your way for a successful sales interaction.
Happy selling
Sean
Sean McPheat
MTD Sales Blog
MTD Sales Training
Telephone: 0800 849 6732
Have you downloaded my latest report yet? “The Sales Person’s Crisis” has been downloaded by over 10,000 sales pros and entrepreneurs. Don’t miss this unique report that lifts the lid on modern day selling!
Click on the image below to find out why you’re very existence as a sales person is in doubt…
Great advice again Sean.
So many telesales people start with “How are you?” and other inane comments in pathetic attempts to establish rapport.
Look you have just interrupted me while I was doing something much more important than your call. I am irritated because I know that I should have been more disciplined but you could have been a prospective client.
So don’t think you can charm me. Get to the point.
“How are you” is just as bad as the door to door salesperson who says “Sorry to interrupt you” and is begging for the “Don’t do then” retort.
Hi Paul
Thanks for your comments.
Oh yes, the “How are you?” opening makes you want to vomit!
You feel like replying “I’m having an awful day. My wife has just lost her job and we’ve had a falling out about money. I’ve got an operation booked on my leg for next week and my football team just get relegated for the secone year in a row. Added to that, I’m 2 stone overweight, my wife has been having an affair with the next door neighbour and this morning some nutter pranged my car door in the car park. So overall, I’m having a very bad day”
“I’m sorry to hear that Mr McPheat. Anyway, the reasonf or my call is……”
Thanks again Paul!
Sean