Best Selling Techniques to Improve Your Sales
Are you looking for a simple, low-effort way to train your staff? If so, be prepared because it takes hard work.
It’s not easy to turn your staff into a sales powerhouse, but it is possible.
Oh sure, you’ve probably heard it said of someone, “They could sell ice to an Eskimo,” or something similar to that.
But what is it that makes these people great at sales? Is there some kind of natural talent for retail selling, or can the skill be learned with enough practice and hard work?
Not at all.
If you’re looking to start a career in retail, then look no further than this article. Learn the best selling techniques and find out how being human can really help your numbers.
Some top-selling techniques in retail
1. Sell people on benefits
Selling a product that the customer doesn’t want or need will not help your long-term retail sales numbers. In the long run, if you don’t constantly provide value to your customers, they will stop buying from you.
Your customer will never come back to your store again and they’ll probably trash you on social media too.
One of the most important things that a salesperson needs to do is make it clear why an item will benefit their customer. They need to be able to get across what they are getting from buying your product and not just what you’re giving them.
2. Be honest
I’ve seen many salespeople make the mistake of overselling their product or service. The result is that they look like a fraud and people lose trust in them.
There is a lot of power in honesty. Not only does it make you feel better, but your customers will appreciate the truth and want to work with you more.
If they trust you, your chances of selling them something are higher.
3. Upsell
Salespeople are always trying to get the most sales possible, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Selling is your job, and as long as you’re honest it should be a pretty straightforward gig.
Asking customers about their fears can be a good way to identify what they need. When you know the things that scare them, it is easier for you to suggest products and services that will help alleviate those problems.
A perfect example of this is when you get home, ready to paint, and realize that the only thing standing in your way are a few rolls of masking tape. Luckily for you, we have several types right here.
I’ve also found that in some cases, you need to figure out what the customer really wants. For example, if they don’t know themselves or are vague about it.
There are many factors that go into the purchase of a car, but if you know what your customer is looking for (like a sensible, safe car with some nice features) then it will be easier to sell them on your product.
The bonus of this is that it can often lead to a larger scale, and also result in the customer being really happy.
4. Learn from your mistakes and your successes
You can never stop learning how to be a salesperson. It’s an ongoing process that doesn’t end with training.
5. Go the extra mile
Selling is like learning a new sport, instrument, or language. It takes persistence and patience to make progress but you will get there eventually.
Show your customers that you care about them and want to help by giving personalized contact. Making small gestures can go a long way in increasing sales.
When it comes to wooing customers, there is nothing wrong with making them feel like they are being courted.
6. Pay attention to customer psychology
When you hire a salesperson, it’s important to know that they’ll be able to read your customers and adjust their selling techniques based on their personality type. That way, all of your customers will feel like they’re being treated with respect.
If you’re just starting out in sales, take note of how different people react to your approach. Some might be more interested than others and vice versa.
7. Don’t act desperate
No matter how badly you want to make a sale, don’t let the customer see that it matters. Remember: they are buying something from you and your attitude should reflect this.
Here is a list of things that retail employees should never do:
1. I know it’s hard to resist, but you should avoid looking at your phone during work hours. I don’t care what time of day or night it is.
2. To be a good salesperson, you need to go where the customers are
3. Be rude or disrespectful to a customer.
4. Sexual harassment is never okay, but it’s especially bad when the victim and perpetrator are in the same company.
It’s all about the customer experience
It’s important to remember that it’s not all about the product. There are a lot of factors like pricing, store location, and customer service involved in making sales.
But it’s not enough just being good – if you want to become a top performer, your focus should always be on providing an excellent customer experience.