Many people have trouble making decisions for fear of making the wrong decision and usually prefer to leave things for the last minute
. As a sales professional, you need to be able to persuade your prospect to make a decision, either yes or no, so that you can close the sale or move on to another customer.
Closing a sale actually begins at the initial encounter with a prospective customer. You should always be in the state of "closing" from the very beginning. Your words, thinking and actions need to be directed towards closing the sale. Successful closing requires that you are sensitive to a customer's needs and wants. Sensitivity allows a sales person to understand the thoughts, emotions and motives of customers.
Tips to Remember When Closing Sales:
1. Understand your customer Establishing a good relationship with your prospective customer is a key element in closing a sale. The better you understand and know your customer, the easier it will be to get them to say yes to the sale. The process of learning about your customer will provide you with a list of reasons as to why your product or service can best suit his or her needs.
2. Pay attention to your prospect's emotions - Never try to close a sale when they are in an emotional state that is negative.
3. Know your competition - Knowing your competitors will equip you with more reasons to present to your prospect why they should choose your product or service over the competition.
4. Consider your leverage - Although cost is a big factor in purchasing decisions, it is not the only one. Be prepared to list the strengths and benefits of your product or service and use this knowledge to leverage the close.
5. Know when it's time to close - The best time to close is when you and your prospect have all the necessary information needed to make the right decision.
Closing sales does not have to be difficult if you are prepared for it at the beginning. Knowing both your customer and your products and services will make this process a lot smoother. With time and practice, closing sales becomes a lot easier.