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Archive for February, 2011

Sales Conversation Skills – What to Say When You Hear “I’d LOVE to Work with You, BUT…”

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You’re having a heart-centered sales conversation with a potential client about your awesome programs.  She’s at the point of making a life-changing decision, and then says, “I’d love to work with you, BUT…”

“… I don’t have the money…”

“… I don’t have the time…”

“… I need to think about it…”

“… I don’t think I’m ready for this…”

“…I need to check with my husband…”

What you are bumping up against in your sales conversation is a client objection.  It’s natural for people to think of reasons why they can’t (or shouldn’t) do something, especially when it involves spending money.

If you’ve been having a heart-centered sales conversation with her, in which she’s discovered the cost of not taking action, and sees the gap of where she is, compared to where she wants to be, her objection is fear-based.  Emotionally, she wants what you have to offer and the transformation awaiting her.  And, ingrained and limiting beliefs—“old mental tapes” that play over and over again in her mind—are holding her back.

As human beings, we resist change, because it places us in “unknown territory.”   This is natural.  Even though we intellectually know “change is good” for us, emotionally, we automatically throw our weight against change and push it away.

The good thing about hearing objections like ones stated above is your client is interested in your program.  Your role, as a coach, is to support her through the objection to help her make a decision and say, “Yes,” to stepping into the transformation that awaits her.

Think about this.  If your potential client could navigate through solving her problem herself, she wouldn’t be talking with you.  She needs you to help her gracefully break through this barrier that’s probably been holding her back for a very long time.

Having good sales conversation and coaching skills are critical to help your potential client push through her,” Yes, buts…”  This is a tremendous opportunity for you to make a powerful difference, and transform her life.  So, don’t give up on this magical moment.  Embrace it, and help your prospective client through this knothole.

Here are some word-for-word scripts you can use in your sales conversations to help your prospective client get the transformation she’s craving and needs:

1. “I’d love to, but… I don’t have the money.”

Most entrepreneurs state the money objection readily, without even thinking if it is actually true.  The truth is “money objections” are rarely “about money.”    If we truly want something, whether it is investing in a coaching program, or buying a fabulous new pair of shoes, we will find a way to get it.  So, it’s your job to find out if it really IS about the money, or some other limiting belief.  To get to the bottom of the issue, ask your client:

“If money weren’t an issue, is this something you would do?”

If they say, “Yes,” then you can say, “Okay, let’s explore this a bit deeper.  Is there something else that could be holding you back from moving forward?”  By doing this, you sidestep the money issue, and try to reveal the real issue holding people back, and coach them through making a decision.  What you’re doing is displacing money as the reason for hesitation, and getting the client to focus on the real issue.

2. “I’d love to, but… I don’t have the time.”

This is a common objection, because many people feel time-pressed.  The real issue is usually lack of a time management strategy, and the ability to set priorities.  You can find out if they truly have “too much to do” with this question:

“If I waved a magic wand and created all kinds of time in your schedule, is this something you’d want to move forward with?”

If they say “Yes,” then they only think they don’t have time. You’ll help them by exploring how they spend their time, and helping them reset priorities.

3. “I’d love to, but… I need to think about it.”

If your program is a fit for them, the “I have to think about it” statement usually means “I’m afraid” or “I’m not sure I can do this” or I’m not ready for this, yet.”

Simply say, “What is it that you need to think about?” or “what don’t you know now, that you will know later?”

They will then tell you their concern, or realize they have nothing to think about except their fear and limiting beliefs.  If you let them ‘think about it,” most assuredly, their shadow beliefs will convince them while “thinking it over” that “now” is not the right time—when it’s probably the perfect time.

4. “…I need to check with my husband…”

Out of all the noted objections, this is one of the easiest to manage.  It’s a good indicator they have open communication with a spouse, and need to get approval before investing family finances.

You can say to your prospective client, “I understand you need to talk this over with your husband, and I respect that.  I would do the same.”  Then, gently remind them of your generous “Take Action” incentive, and ask them to get back to you within the next 24 hours.

Using heart-centered sales conversation skills puts you in a position to help the people who really need you most.  You’re giving them the opportunity to step into a place that will have a tremendous positive impact in their lives, and will help you meet your life goals, as well.

Do you want more resources about what to say during sales conversations?  My “6 Steps to Create a 6-Figure Business 1-Day VIP Intensive” is now available!  It’s complete with all the training tools, scripts, templates, and examples you need to create a 6-Figure business in 12 months (or less)Only 2 openings available.  Email me at Bonita@BonitaRichter.com to get more information.

Communicate Results in a Fashion that Makes Your Clients Want To Buy From You

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I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times: “Talk about results to get clients to buy from you.” But…

You can’t promise results, right?

This simple fact makes many people uneasy and unconfident when having a sales conversation with a client. The result is they then unintentionally undermine the impact of their work, and lose a potential client.

The straight truth is nobody can promise results.

The reason is because your client has to do the work; the responsibility of achieving the results belongs to your clients.

It’s your job to facilitate your clients’ transformation; it’s their job to show up and GET the transformation by doing the work.

So, how do you talk about results of your services so clients ‘see’ the possible transformation awaiting them when they work with you, without feeling insecure about promising something you can’t possibly promise?

Here are 3 tips to help you describe results of your services in an authentic fashion:

1. Make results physical.

If you struggle to describe the transformation you facilitate in your clients, make the results ”physical.”  All transformation within each of us has a physical manifestation. Think about how does your work “show up” for your clients in the physical world?

Let’s say you’re a sales coach who helps her clients dissolve inner blocks that paralyze her from having a conversation with a prospective client to sell her services.

When you remove this block through coaching, mindset shifting, and by applying practical techniques, what happens? How will the removal of these blocks show up on the physical plane for her?

Your client may finally be able to pick up the phone (physical) and confidently talk with a prospect (physical), ask for a sale, get a new client (physical), and generate income (physical). These are physical manifestations of how a sales coach’s work transforms.

2. Know what outcomes and results your clients want.

It’s your responsibility to connect with your clients and find out what outcomes and results they are looking for. You can find out what they want by asking them through marketing surveys, and during strategy conversations with clients (which is the most powerful way to find out what your client wants, because you are then in a perfect position to help them and offer your services). When you know what results they are looking for, you can include this language in your client conversations.

3. Talk about results in a graceful fashion.

We can’t promise results. However, we can talk about possible outcomes and results of our services, by being facilitators of transformation.

Here is simple language you can use that communicates the essence of what’s possible for your clients when they show up, and do the work:

“When you show up powerfully in your VIP Day and take action, here are some of the results you can expect.”

Or:

“Here are some of the results that are possible for you in our time together…”

Notice how in both of these statements,  the responsibility is put on the client for achieving desired results – not on you.

Apply these simple techniques when describing results with your clients, increase your confidence, and get more clients saying “Yes” to your offers and buying from you.