Relationship Selling Skills - Asking Open Ended Questions

Relationship selling is all about getting to knowtheir emotional reason for wanting to make a
your client so that you can find out the best waypurchase. People buy on emotion and support
you can be of service to them. When speakingtheir purchase with logic. It's their wants rather
with your client you want to be asking questionsthan their needs that creates an emotional
to stimulate conversation. Think of yourself asattachment to a product or service
reporter and ask the 5 Ws: who, what, where,Sales objections are a natural part of any
when, why and how. Think of it as an interviewpresentation. Welcome them, don't be afraid of
process. This way you will uncover informationthem. It's a good sign that they are listening to
that will allow you to come back on anotheryou. Be prepared for them. You want to develop
appointment to prompt them to purchase.questions that will help you overcome objections.
Your initial questions are to establish rapport, trustThese objections are the reasons why they are
and respect. If they trust you they are morenot yet ready to make a purchase. Expect more
likely to make a purchase. The only way to getthan one objection. Common objections like no
to know your customer is to engage them in atime or no money are typically a smokescreen to
dialog where they expand beyond a simple yes ortheir real reasons for not buying. By asking them
no. You can get to know their needs and wantsif there are any other reasons aside from no time
better if you ask the right questions. These wouldor money to help flush out the real objection.
be open-ended questions. These are fact findingThey may say they want to think about it or
questions. Ones that can't be answered with aspeak with their spouse. Rather than arguing with
simple yes or no.them; support them. By all means recommend
The age old FORM acronym is a good way to getthey speak with their husband. But be sure to set
them to open up about themselves. Ask aboutthat follow up call. Simply ask: "Shall I get back to
family, occupation, recreation so they areyou in a day or two? Great lets book that time
receptive to your message. This will help you tonow."
find some common ground outside of your salesDuring this question and answer process you will
presentation. Having a hobby in common forwant to get them to repeat so they can hear for
example goes a long way towards them beingthemselves what they are thinking. This gets
pleased to hear from you again on a sales followthem to voice the decision to purchase as though
up call. For example, when you do follow up youit is their idea not yours. You are just supporting
can ask about the latest hockey game and letthem through the process.
them respond. The more they talk the higher theTo summarize, interviewing your prospect as part
likelihood of a successful call.of relationship selling process qualifies them as
Your next series of questions will be to discoversomeone worthy of your time. Asking
their needs and wants. You want to discover theiropen-ended questions allows you dig deep in a
wants in addition to their needs. Oftentimes ashort amount of time. Spending 10-15 minutes on
customer will not reveal their real reason forthe phone is far better than meeting with
wanting to buy a product or service. By askingsomeone for coffee or lunch only to find they are
enough questions you can dig deeper and discoverwasting your time.