Dan Kennedy and Bill Glaser discuss five fundamental closing techniques to increase sales. They emphasize the importance of clear calls to action, primacy and recency in sales presentations, order form essentials, the alternative sales close, and the strategy of moving into product usage or service fulfillment.
The importance of clear and specific calls to action in sales to improve conversion rates.
The use of assumption summaries to help prospects remember and focus on the next steps after purchase.
The effectiveness of the alternative sales close technique in presenting choices to increase response rates and overcome resistance to making a buying decision.
Deep dives
Clear Call to Action
One of the fundamental closing techniques discussed in the podcast is the importance of having a clear call to action in sales. The speakers highlight that many sales letters and online sales experiences often lack clear instructions for the prospect on what action they should take. They emphasize that being clear and specific in your instructions can significantly improve conversion rates. They mention examples of sales letters that fail to clearly communicate what the prospect should do and what will happen when they take action. They also highlight the importance of being clear in face-to-face selling situations. Overall, the key point is that a straightforward and unambiguous call to action is essential for increasing sales.
Assumption Summary
Another important closing technique discussed in the podcast is the assumption summary. The speakers explain that in long and complex sales presentations, prospects tend to forget details as they progress through the presentation. To address this, they suggest providing a summary of the offer or product in a way that assumes the prospect has already made the decision to buy. This summary should focus on what will happen next, such as the delivery of the product or the steps the buyer should take after the purchase. By shifting the focus from the buying decision to the usage and fulfillment of the product or service, the assumption summary can help bypass the need for a traditional close and increase sales.
Alternative Sales Close
The podcast highlights the effectiveness of the alternative sales close technique. This approach involves presenting the prospect with choices, such as different payment options or multiple premium offerings. By giving the prospect the power to choose, it becomes more difficult for them to say no. The speakers mention examples of offering different payment plans or multiple premiums with varying degrees of relevance. This technique allows the focus of the decision to shift from whether or not to buy to which option to choose. The alternative sales close can significantly increase response rates and help overcome resistance to making a buying decision.
Urgency in Sales
Creating a sense of urgency in sales is emphasized as a key closing technique in the podcast. The speakers explain that without a deadline or urgency, prospects often delay making a purchase. They discuss the importance of establishing a strong reason why for the deadline or scarcity claim. Multiple reasons and creating the perception of benefits for immediate action, as well as risks or loss associated with delayed action, can help increase urgency in the buyer's mind. The speakers suggest using time-sensitive deadlines or limited quantity offers to strengthen the sense of urgency. They also mention the effectiveness of countdown tactics, such as day-to-day or hour-to-hour countdowns, to further drive immediate response.
Assumption of Sale
The podcast concludes with the technique of assuming the sale and focusing on what happens next. By bypassing the buying decision and shifting the conversation to the next steps after the purchase, the speakers stress the importance of guiding prospects into the usage and fulfillment of the product or service. They mention examples of highlighting where the product will be placed or delivered and how it will be used. The assumption of sale technique helps move the prospect into the mindset of already owning the product, increasing the likelihood of closing the sale.
Closing the sale can be considered both a delicate dance and an inflexible formula whose steps must be followed precisely to guarantee success. Dan Kennedy and longtime business partner and friend Bill Glazer know this all too well.
Using real world examples, Dan and Bill discuss five closing techniques that are foundational to increasing closing percentages and therefore your sales. Whether you're closing a sale in print or in person, these methods are a must for every entrepreneurial tool kit.