Sales Truths: Sell The Sizzle, Not The Steak

TRUTH #5

WHY IT’S TRUE: Ever been to one of those restaurants where they cook the meal at your table? Watching the guy cook my steak, smelling the aroma, and hearing the sizzle made my mouth water in anticipation. Too often, we try to sell the customer the diamond, ruby, or string of pearls before she’s had a chance to hear about the brilliance of the diamond, the romantic story about the ruby, or the opportunity to verbalize how she feels about the pearls around her neck. 

PLAN OF ACTION: Invest valuable time in “romancing” the piece. Involve her by asking questions like, “How do you like the way it looks?” or “How do you like the feel?” Ask opinion-based questions to which you know you will receive an positive answer as you sell the sizzle. Like the chef, who asked me, as he was cooking the steak, “How does you like the aroma?” Mmm…