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Sales Truths: After You Ask a Question, It’s Best to Shut Up.

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Published

16 years ago

on

Truth #6

WHY IT’S TRUE: Salespeople love to talk. We actually believe we can talk people into buying when, in fact, more sales are made (or can be made) by listening the customer into buying. When we ask an open-ended question, we frequently follow it with a second or even a third question. And, in some cases, we even answer our own questions. Asking a question and waiting for an answer is basically uncomfortable … after all, how can we ever be successful selling without talking?  

PLAN OF ACTION: Focus on asking open-ended questions and then, while giving the customer good eye contact, shut up and wait for them to answer. Rather than thinking about what you are going to say next, listen to what the customer says and respond (ideally) with another open-ended question. Ask the right questions and you may find your customers talking themselves into buying.

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Looking for a Seamless Sale? Call Wilkerson

After almost 60 years in business, Breakiron Jewelers in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closing its doors. And the store’s owner, Linda Breakiron, was ready for it. She had run the store as its sole owner since the beginning of the millennium and was looking forward to a change. Of course, she called Wilkerson. Breakiron talked to other jewelers who had used Wilkerson and was satisfied with their response. “They always had positive feedback,” she recalls. With the sales, marketing and even additional inventory that Wilkerson provided, Breakiron insists she could never have accomplished her going-out-of-business sale without Wilkerson’s help. She’s now ready for the journey ahead, but looking back, she’d be sure to recommend Wilkerson. “They just made the whole process very seamless.”

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Dave Richardson

Sales Truths: After You Ask a Question, It’s Best to Shut Up.

mm

Published

16 years ago

on

Truth #6

WHY IT’S TRUE: Salespeople love to talk. We actually believe we can talk people into buying when, in fact, more sales are made (or can be made) by listening the customer into buying. When we ask an open-ended question, we frequently follow it with a second or even a third question. And, in some cases, we even answer our own questions. Asking a question and waiting for an answer is basically uncomfortable … after all, how can we ever be successful selling without talking?  

PLAN OF ACTION: Focus on asking open-ended questions and then, while giving the customer good eye contact, shut up and wait for them to answer. Rather than thinking about what you are going to say next, listen to what the customer says and respond (ideally) with another open-ended question. Ask the right questions and you may find your customers talking themselves into buying.

Related Topics:

click to Comment(Comment)
Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

Looking for a Seamless Sale? Call Wilkerson

After almost 60 years in business, Breakiron Jewelers in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closing its doors. And the store’s owner, Linda Breakiron, was ready for it. She had run the store as its sole owner since the beginning of the millennium and was looking forward to a change. Of course, she called Wilkerson. Breakiron talked to other jewelers who had used Wilkerson and was satisfied with their response. “They always had positive feedback,” she recalls. With the sales, marketing and even additional inventory that Wilkerson provided, Breakiron insists she could never have accomplished her going-out-of-business sale without Wilkerson’s help. She’s now ready for the journey ahead, but looking back, she’d be sure to recommend Wilkerson. “They just made the whole process very seamless.”

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular