Here are 3 common and costly mistakes in sales and how to avoid sales mistakes.. These mistakes are so easy to commit. Unfortunately, they result in expensive sales losses. Here goes.
Costly mistake, 1: Not paying attention to the business card
This costly sales mistake is more common than you think. You exchange cards with the prospective buyer (prospect) as good business etiquette dictates.
He puts yours away without so much as a glance and you return the favour. Costly sales mistake. Learn from the habits of successful sales professionals.
Whether he studies your card or ignores it altogether has no bearing to how you treat his. Recognizing the card and acknowledging its contents is a gesture of respect and provides an opportunity to thaw any ice still frozen, or further build bridges of connection.
The sincere acknowledgment could be of his title, or the business, or both. “You are the GM here? Congratulations!” (Assuming you didn’t know this and he looks too young to be so). “I see you also do Coaching too.”
Any of these comments can only serve to bring warmth to a typically tense encounter. Now why wouldn’t you want that?
Costly sales mistakes, 2: Assuming attraction is conversion
Sales attraction is not conversion. At least not automatically. This is easily among the most common mistake sales people make. For some businesses, prospecting is done differently from what is generally known. These businesses largely prospect by marketing.
For instance, a moving company can only inform prospects of its existence in the hope that when they do want to move they will contact them.
At the point of moving them, however, an opportunity to sell (market in person) does present itself with the curious onlookers or, nearby neighbours.
The same goes for selling land. Just as with moving, it’s highly unlikely you will call a prospect seeking an appointment to sell land or moving services. “Unahama? I’m selling moving services “
More likely you will wait for the prospect, attracted by your marketing (advertising, referrals, exceptional service) to reach out to you.
And when they do, such prospects are usually not just warm (likely to buy), they are hot (wanting to buy).
However, you’re not Kenya Power that they have no option and will wait. The assumption that they will simply sign the dotted line or, that they will remain perpetually hot and so can be converted, “When I get to them” is a costly sales mistake.
They don’t covert and several such experiences later, you throw in the towel lamenting, “I can’t do sales.” Or, yielding to, ‘This is why sales is tough’.
Strike when the iron is hot without coming through as too eager to close, which creates suspicion; nor too distant as to make the prospect feel unworthy.
Costly mistake, 3: Putting selling ahead of service
“Do you sell airtime for Airtel?”, the prospect calls the supermarket helpline to confirm. Targets driven, the seller on the other end of the line states, “Yes. We do”
The prospect presses, “Are you sure? The last time I was there you didn’t, and I would hate to come and find this is still the case.”
The seller, remembering her internal sales training stating, ‘Just get them into the supermarket. Once they are here they’ll find something to buy’, states: “Yes, I am.” It’s a lie. A costly sales mistake. Perhaps the most expensive one.
The prospect arrives, is told “no we don’t sell it”, is thoroughly ticked off, and calls back to tell off the seller. No sale happens. Likely never again.
Avoid this bad sales behaviour.
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