3 Shocking Reasons You Keep Losing Sales

3 Shocking Reasons You Keep Losing Sales

Have you ever wondered why you keep losing sales that you thought you had?
Most salespeople blame their prospects for them losing the sale by saying things like, “they weren’t qualified for my product or service,” or “they just don’t see the need” or “they didn’t have the money” or “they just weren’t that serious about solving their problems” and the list of excuses goes on and on… when in reality, the reasons why the salesperson loses the sale 9 out of 10 times is because of the way they are communicating with their potential customers.

Here are the Top 3 Shocking Reasons Why You Keep Losing So Many Sales:

Reason #1: You’re Viewed as Just ‘Another Salesperson’ By Your Potential Customers

Have you ever stopped and wondered how your potential customer actually views you?
What sets you apart from every other salesperson trying to sell your potential customer something? Selling has changed dramatically changed even in the last 5-7 years.
Now with the power of technology, social media and the ease of the Internet, we live in a completely different era. The consumer knows all about your company: your products and services, your pricing, your competitors, how long you have been in business, they know everything about you by doing a simple Google search on their phone or computer. Because of this technology your potential customer will no longer be manipulated or pressured by a salesperson since they know they have many other choices to choose the exact product or service you sell.
Realize your potential customer and all of us, as a matter of fact, now live in a 24/7, 300+ channels, and everyone is always connected to the online world. The huge effect of this is countless companies and salespeople are trying to sell YOUR potential customer something all of the time and everyone competes for their attention and their money. However, once you realize the solution, you will keep not only their intention but also their business!
So, if you’re still using the same old traditional selling techniques of posturing your prospects, assuming the sale, and being pushy then most of your prospective customers will look at you as just another salesperson trying to stuff your solution down their throat. They treat you like every other salesperson by being defensive towards you, throwing out objections and rejecting what you’re offering.

So, what’s the solution?
Learn how to ask skilled questions that will take you deeper into your conversations with your potential customers. Ask them in a calm, relaxed, conversational way and then sit back and listen to their answers. Then ask more questions to probe deeper. When you learn to do this effectively, your potential customer will WANT to stay engaged with you, communicate with you and do business with you.
When you focus on your potential customer’s world and what they’re looking for rather than focusing on your world, your agenda of trying to make the sale, you will notice your prospects will become very open to you and treat you with respect. They will start to view you as the ‘Trusted Authority’ in your industry rather than just another salesperson trying to sell them something.

Reason #2: You’re A Product Pusher Instead of Being A Problem Finder and Solver

99% of Salespeople are what I call, “Product Pushers.” It’s not their fault per se, as they have been taught by their companies and the ‘old sales gurus’ they need to ask a few questions to find the needs of the prospect, and then go into their sales pitch, then present all the features and benefits of how their product is the best and how much it’s going to help them etc., etc.,
But, whose opinions are these? Well, they are yours of course and who do you think your potential customer cares more about? Your opinions and your agenda of making the sale, or are they more concerned about themselves and what they are looking for?
So, what’s the solution?
Remember, as sales professionals, we are in fact Problem FINDERS and Problem SOLVERS. It is not enough in the “Post Trust Era” we live in today to be excellent at just solving problems.  You must now be even better at Problem Finding. Meaning, uncovering challenges they may not know they have. Without helping them uncover their own problems it’s impossible to be a problem solver.
We have always been told that great salespeople are excellent at problem-solving. They can assess their potential customer needs, and then deliver their solution. And this ability to solve your potential customer’s problems matters to your success. But today, when information is abundant and accessible rather than limited and hard to find, it matters relatively less.
After all, if your prospect knows precisely what their problem is – whether they are hoping to buy a new computer or take a 5-day cruise… they can find that information to make a decision without you.
The services offered by salespeople are far more valuable when your potential customers are mistaken, confused or clueless about their true problems. In those situations, the ability to persuade others hinges less on problem-solving than on problem finding.
Remember only a short time ago buyers faced several challenges to solving their problems on their own. They had to rely on salespeople because the salesperson had access to information that the buyer did not have access too.
But today, with the power of the internet and social media, that information is at the buyer’s fingertips. This technology has completely reshaped the sales process in the new world of selling. The just “trust me” line is no longer relevant in the “New Economy”.
To be in the top 1% of salespeople you have to be an expert “Problem Finder.”

Reason #3: Your ‘Outward’ Enthusiasm is Causing Your Potential Customer To Run Away From You.

Here’s the myth: be enthusiastic about your product or service, and when the customer sees you excited, they will be excited too! I almost have to laugh at this one. You can never ever assume that because you are excited and enthusiastic about your product or service that they are going to be as well.
In fact, in the “New Economy,” we live in today, your potential customers do quite the opposite. They are to use to every salesperson having a big smile on their face, eagerly waiting to pitch and sell them their product or service. So your potential customer has built defensive walls to protect themselves from enthusiastic salespeople.
When they feel your outward enthusiasm from you, they will do one of two things:

1. They will withdraw from you because you have overwhelmed them and they disappear from you, by not returning your calls, your emails or texts, OR…
2. They will get defensive, throw out objections, and flat out reject you and what you’re selling.

So, what’s the solution?
Instead, switch your enthusiasm inward and be excited about what you sell but keep it to yourself. Be calm and relaxed when communicating with your prospective customers. Be conversational like your talking to a family member or friend, and notice how your prospects will start to open up to you and treat you like an adviser rather than the dreaded salesperson whose trying to stuff his or her solution down their potential client’s throat.