Salespeople have gained a bad reputation over the years. Typical consumers will automatically shut them off when they hear that they're from that company selling this product. Now if this is the case, how are you going to be able to sell your products if most, though not all, consumers are not willing to listen to your sales team anymore? Luckily, selling can be compared to dating. Sometimes, you need to take it slowly but surely. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8489166

1. The 7-Step
Sales
Process

2. Salespeople have gained a bad reputation over the years.
Typical consumers will automatically shut them off when they
hear that they’re from that company selling this product.
Now if this is the case, how are you going to be able to sell your
products if most, though not all, consumers are not willing to
listen to your sales team anymore?

3. Luckily, selling can
be compared to
dating. Sometimes,
you need to take it
slowly but surely.

4. Step 1:
Finding your
prospects

5. In dating, you don’t go out and feel like dating
everybody. The same goes with professional selling,
you don’t just venture in the field and offer your
product to everybody. Though sometimes it can
work. Just think of the time and effort you’re going to
waste compare to having your leads qualified into
the people who really needs your product.

6. Step 2:
Pre-approach

7. Of course, the first date will always be the getting-to-know-
each-other phase. The next step after having
your qualified leads will be the pre-selling or the pre-approach
which is more like having a first date with
your potential customer. You have to know more
about your consumer and determine their needs.

8. Step 3:
Make a great initial
Impression

9. This is the part where you’ll be confirming the needs
you determined on the pre-approach. The ambiance
of the place should also be considered thoroughly.
Learning how to build rapport and making your
audience feel at ease before starting the
presentation is always a must. Otherwise, you’ll
probably look incompetent as a salesperson.

10. Step 4:
Present like it’s
now or never

11. In dating, think of it as your first and last chance to
win someone over. In sales, this is your only chance
to make them see the unique selling proposition of
your product. I’ll leave you with a thought to ponder
upon from Bill Gates, “You know how you
survive? You make people need you. You survive
because you make them need what you have.
And then they have nowhere else to go.”

12. Step 5:
Accept the rejection
but bounce back

13. Remember that it’s better to hear questions from your
prospects rather than hearing nothing at all because it
means, at least, they’re interested to know more about
your offering. Don’t worry. Having an objection in a
presentation is just normal. It doesn’t mean that you don’t
have a chance anymore to close the deal. There are
different strategies on how to handle an objection and
you should know which one is the most appropriate to
use depending on the issue raised by the consumer.

14. Step 6:
Close it properly

15. This step requires a perfect timing. You should never
be too early nor too late. Either of the two, you must
never fail to close your sale. Make sure that there
are no more objections from your potential customer
and see to it that you’ve answered all their questions
nicely. Don’t be pressured on closing the deal but
don’t be too relaxed either.

16. Step 7:
Commit to a long term
relationship

17. If you have already turned your potential lead to a
customer, be ready to commit into a long-term
relationship with them. Not because you’re done
with your selling, you’ll leave them hanging in the air.
Follow-ups should always be done to make sure that
the promises made are not underdelivered.
Remember to stay in touch, you’ll never know you
might get a referral from them too.