One of the first things that sales training courses teach is the techniques of talking. The problem is that you are never taught to listen to people. The emphasis is laid on talking and selling the product.
But for once, try to imagine yourself in the position of the customer. How would you feel if someone started talking to you but wouldn’t listen to what you had to say! Disgusted and annoyed, to say the least, right? Thus, in order to be a good salesman, you need to develop the art of listening. Listening is one of the most effective ways of getting people to trust you and like you, so try to listen when you are dealing with your customer.
There are certain techniques in sales training courses that can help you have better interactions with your customers and become a successful salesman. You need to be a patient listener – and that is one of the primary criteria for being a good salesman. Patience is very important in this job because:
Remember that the person on the other side, that is your customer, also needs some time to think and react to your words. Be patient and give your customer that time.
When you are conversing with your customer or even a prospective one, remember that the more opportunities you give to the person, the more you get to hear from him or her.
Always avoid being unusually hasty while talking. A little bit of patience and pause will open new avenues and give a whole new dimension to your interaction.
One thing that your sales training courses tell you is that you are there to know more about the customer and his preferences. Thus, you are the one who will be most benefited by listening to him or her. Thus, when it comes to gaining something from a conversation, you can do it only by letting the customer talk and voice his or her opinions.
In fact, a pause or two can also prove to be quite helpful to you because it gives you the time and the space to think about your next question.
How will you take that pause without any awkwardness? Whenever you are interacting with someone as important as your customer, try to keep one thing in mind – never lose your concentration. You need to take close notice of everything that the customer has said. Missing something will do you no good, so pay your undivided attention!
When your customer is talking, a very important thing to do is to look interested. This will encourage the other person to be more comfortable with you and share their thoughts more openly.
After you ask a question, give your customer the time to think and answer. Do not pile up your questions and baffle your client!By using these simple techniques, you can improve your communication skills and that will, in turn, help you interact with your customers better.
Just follow these simple techniques from your sales training courses and you will notice a marked change in the sales!