6 Easy Steps to Great Telephone Sales Skills

Have you ever heard a true professional on thecompany name and your name is extremely
telephone closing a sale? It's like poetry. There'simportant. People like to know they reached the
no anxiety - just a smooth flow as he steers theright place and to whom they are talking. It also
sales process. How do we obtain such sales skills?establishes you as a representative authority.
We can listen to the pros and do what they do!2) Saying No: He said no to the prospect's low ball
The following comes from a sales veteranoffer. We often get so focused on saying yes
controlling the call from start to finish. You'll onlythat we forget NO is OK too. Don was kind, firm
hear the sales side, but that's all you'll need to getand did not waiver, hesitate or make excuses. He
the gist. (Names, places, products changed forcalled the bluff and was able to move forward
privacy).with little resistance.
Thank you for calling XYZ Corporation my name3) Building Value: In saying no Don built value by
is Don how can I help you? Yes - that is currentlyreferencing market conditions and the quality of
available. The price is $1,000.his product. He used common sense logic implying
No, I'm sorry we would not be able to entertainthe product's market value which must be
an offer that low on a product of this caliber.respected as a guideline. He did not get angry at
You're essentially asking for a 70% price break. I'llthe offer or worry about not getting the sale. He
be happy to work with you, but we'd need to besimply flipped the table. He also "asked for it."
within market prices. Are you able to offer $850?"Are you able to get to offer $850?" and thus
Well - $700 is a bit low. However, if I can get youcontrolled the negotiations and moved them in the
approved today at $750 are you able to purchasedirection they needed to go.
right now over the phone. Great - what is the5) Sales Negotiation: Don negotiated with the
best telephone number and email to reach you.prospect, but on Don's terms. Essentially, Don said
Thank you - and you can indeed purchase this"look, if I'm going to do something for you, you
today if I get you approved - Great! Oneneed to do something for me" i.e., commit to an
moment while I check with my manager.immediate purchase.
OK - provided we can wrap this up now it's yours6) Followed Through: Just because he got the
at $750. What type of credit card did you wantverbal agreement, Don ensured the sale was
to use? Great - are you at your computer? Goodcompleted. The extra time it took to do this is
- I'm going to send the information to fill out andminimal in light of trying to chase people down
we'll get this wrapped up right now....Did you getwhen they don't follow through. He also thanked
my email? Good - I'll stay on the line to ensure allthe client for the sale and provided his contact
goes smoothly and in case you have anyinformation for any future needs.
questions. All set - wonderful and congratulation!The above was done with a positive, professional
Thank you for your business and please keep mytone and attitude. Times are tough right now, but
contact information in case you have anythat's no excuse to skip the basics or to be
questions or further needs!unprofessional. Make these sales tips part of your
Let's review the basic sales techniques that aredaily sales training and watch your sales increase
built into this conversation.exponentially.
1) Sales Introduction: An introduction with the