The problem is in the prospecting.
When someone says they don’t have enough deals to close, or they can’t close the deals they have, the common belief is the person needs help closing.
I’d argue that’s not the case in 95% of the situations. The problem is in the prospecting. That’s right, the problem at the end of the sale is a result of a failure at the beginning of the process. For some, that begins with utter dread before picking up the phone.
via Sub Pop Records on GIPHY
It’s not a cold call if you don’t believe it’s a cold call.
Cold calls are certainly one of the most difficult activities for salespeople. A cold call is when someone randomly calls someone else. Seriously, do you think that approach is going to work?
If you know you can help someone, does that make your phone call a “cold call?” I don’t think so. Yes, the two people may not personally know each other, but there’s a reason for the call.
Here’s a way to look at it: if your car parked outside your home was broken into, and a “stranger” was able to get a description of the culprits and they called to share it with you—would you consider that a cold call? NO! You’d be thankful they called you and cared enough to reach out.
But wait, you didn’t know the person and they didn’t know you, so isn’t that a cold call?
Check out the video above where I talk about cold calling and the role it plays in sales.
The sales you close all start with who you prospect.
The sooner you master prospecting, the sooner you’ll be closing more sales. Emotionally this is a tough concept to swallow, I get it. Early on in my sales career I struggled with this same issue big time. This is why you have to keep coming back to the mindset you have to embrace to succeed.
Your calls are focused on one thing: helping the other person deal with an issue.
Read more about these Phone Prospecting Mistakes to Avoid
Focus on the outcomes.
If you have any hesitancy at all in making calls before you start, take a moment to write down all of the outcomes you’ve helped your customers achieve. It’s critical to focus on the outcome, not on the process or what you sell. Focusing on the outcome will help your mind view the calls you’re going to make in a different light.
via Nick Drake on GIPHY
When you’re focused on the outcome you can help customers achieve, it’s amazing how much better you’ll listen. You’ll find yourself having a conversation rather than reading from a script.
Sales is about a conversation and it starts with how you prospect.
I’ve written extensively about this and also have a number of courses in The Sales Hunter University I strongly suggest you take a look at. Click here then scroll down to see all my prospecting courses.
Cold calling isn’t an unforgivable sin.
Prospecting does not have to be the nightmare people make it out to be, and cold calling doesn’t have to feel like you’re committing an unpardonable sin. With the right mindset and by focusing on the types of people or companies you know you can help, you’ll even weather the icy response from the person who blows up at you for calling them.
via Saturday Night Live on GIPHY
Watch the video, and you’ll hear how I frame up the person who blows up at you and how to not allow it to impact the next call you know you need to make.
Prospecting is not going away. Don’t think for a moment with social media, sales apps and AI you’ll be able to soon forget about prospecting. Sales is still going to be built around a relationship, and it all starts with a conversation.
Episode 89:
Prospecting is about interrupting someone!
Every interruption you have gives you an opportunity to help someone.
Gain some confidence in your calling by listening to this episode of The Sales Hunter Podcast…available now!
Episode 90: Available Thursday 4/13!
How to Cultivate a Champion Mindset
w/ U.S. Olympian Johnny Quinn
How can we prepare ourselves to win big? Listen in to borrow some wisdom from Mark and Johnny. Subscribe on your favorite app!
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Copyright 2023, Mark Hunter “The Sales Hunter” Sales Motivation Blog. Mark Hunter is the author of A Mind for Sales and High-Profit Prospecting: Powerful Strategies to Find the Best Leads and Drive Breakthrough Sales Results.
