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29 TELESALES TIPS

YOU CAN
USE RIGHT NOW
By Art Sobczak

©Copyright, 2007, Art Sobczak, Business By Phone Inc.


This ebook may not be reproduced or forwarded without
permission. Anyone can get their own free copy of this ebook,
and get more free Tips each week, by going to
http://www.TelesalesSuccess.com. Or send a blank email to
TeleHotTips@BusinessByPhone.com with ‘Join’ in the
subject. Or, call 402-895-9399.

Reprint permission granted for up to SIX of these tips in part


or whole when the following credit appears:

"Reprinted with permission from Art Sobczak's ‘29 Telesales


Tips You Can Use Right Now.’ To get your own free copy of
this ebook right now, and get more free Tips each week, by
going to http://www.TelesalesSuccess.com . Or send a blank
email to TeleHotTips@BusinessByPhone.com with ‘Join’ in
the subject. Or, call 402-895-9399."
29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 2

Get out your notepad! We're going to travel through every part
of the professional sales call, in order, discussing proven tips
that can help you right now. Let's go!

Pre-Call Planning

1. Have a primary objective for every call.

Defined as:

"What do I want them to DO as a result of this call, and


what do I want to do?"

2. Prepare questions for your call using your call


objective.

Ask yourself:

"How can I persuade them to take this action as a result


of asking questions, as opposed to talking?"

Remember, people believe more of their ideas than yours.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 3

Before Reaching the Decision Maker

3. Treat the screener as you would the customer.

This person determines whether or not you'll even have a


chance to speak with the buyer.

4. Gather as much information as you can from


whomever you are able, prior to speaking with your
prospect.

Busy decision makers get bored when they answer basic


factual questions.

Say to screeners:

"I hope you can help me. So I'm better prepared when I
speak with Ms. Big, there's probably some information
you could provide me . . ."

5. Have a reason for needing to speak with the


decision maker, and be prepared to sell this to the
screener.

What they're thinking about you:

"Does this person have anything of interest, or of value


for the boss?"

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 4

6. If leaving a message on voice mail, or with a


screener, be certain it offers a hint of a benefit/result
that sparks curiosity, but doesn't talk about
products/services.
Screeners are told to get rid of salespeople who sound like
salespeople. They talk about products and services. Those
who are put through talk about the results they may be able to
offer the company and decision maker.

Opening Statements

7. The objective of your opening is to pique curiosity


and interest so that they will willingly and
enthusiastically move to the questioning.

You must answer, "What's in it for me?" for the listener, or


they will immediately begin the getting-rid-of-you process.

8. When prospecting, don't start the call with,

"I was just calling people in your area . . ."

People want to feel like they're the only person you're calling .
. . not just one of the masses from a list of compiled names.

9. Use what I call "weasel words" when opening


prospecting calls:

"depending on," "might," "maybe," "perhaps," and


"possibly."

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 5

These are non-threatening words that intimate you might have


something of value for them, but you really need to ask
questions first.

For example:

"Depending on what you're now doing in the area of


employee benefits, I might have something that could
potentially increase the number of options you offer,
while possibly decreasing your overall contribution. I'd
like to ask you a few questions to see if this is something
you'd like more information on."

Questioning

10. Get information before you give it.

How could you make an effective presentation otherwise?

11. Don't use a "benefit list" to present from.

Instead, use it to create questions to determine if those


"benefits" truly are of value to your prospects and customers.
Some "benefits" could actually be liabilities.

12. Ask one question at a time.

That's how many they'll answer at a time.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 6

13. After asking, be quiet.

Resist the urge to jump in if they don't answer immediately.


Don't be intimidated by silence. They're likely thinking about
what they're going to say.

14. After they've finished, count to two (silently, of


course).

This ensures they're done, plus they might continue with even
better information.

15. Be confident in your questioning.

One reason reps ramble with questions is that they're not


prepared or confident. Prepare your questions. Role play them
with yourself if necessary.

16. Always know where you'll go with answers.

Regardless of the answer.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 7

17. Quantify the problem whenever possible.

"How often does that happen?"

"How much do you think that is costing you?" "How


much time does that take?"

18. Resist the tendency to present too soon.

Some reps get so excited when they hear the slightest hint of
an opportunity they turn on the spigot of benefits.

Hold off, ask a few more questions, get better information, and
you're able to craft an even harder-hitting description of
benefits, tailored precisely to what they're interested in.

Sales Recommendations

19. Again, you should only talk about your


product/service after knowing specifically how it will
solve the problem, meet their need, etc.

Then you can tailor your remarks specifically and personally


for the listener.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 8

20. Avoid the question, "Anything else?" when


attempting to upsell.

Just like when a convenience store clerk asks the same


question, the answer is usually, "No."

Instead, give them a suggestion, and help them answer.

For example, after they agree to buy an item, or a service,


say,

"Many of our customers who get _____ from us, also find
that ____ is also very beneficial for them. What are you
now doing/using/buying in that area?"

Getting Commitment (Closing)

21. “Closing” is not the major event in a sales call.

It's the natural, logical, validation of the professional sales


process up to this point. It is like the football team running the
ball in from the one-foot line. What is most important is
getting the ball to the one-foot line. What IS important when
you get there is that you run the final play: asking.

Commitment also must be gained on every contact in order to


move the process forward. If there is to be a follow-up contact,
and information is to be sent or faxed, there must be
commitment on behalf of the prospect regarding that material.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 9

22. Ask large. Think big.

Buyers will often move down from a large recommendation,


but they rarely move up from a small one. Those who ask the
biggest have the largest average order size.

Never suggest more than is in the best interest of the


customer, but not making a large enough suggestion when
appropriate is actually hurting the customer.

23. If you're going to schedule a follow up call, get a


commitment of some type.

Why would you call back otherwise?

If they won't commit to doing anything, reviewing your


literature and preparing questions, surveying their existing
inventory, etc., they likely have no interest.

Addressing Resistance (Objections)

24. Objections can be avoided by doing everything


else correctly up to this point in the call.

When they do occur, resist the tendency to attack in defense.

You must back up and revisit the questioning stage of the call.
The voiced objection is simply a symptom of the real problem.

Start by saying:

"Let's talk about that."

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 10

25. Most price objections start in the mind of the


salesperson.

Many sales reps aren't 100% sold on the value of their


product, therefore they're apt to offer price concessions even
when the prospect doesn't flat-out ask, or they present price
with a shaky tone of voice.

Ask the right questions, present the results of what your


product/service can do, and state the price boldly.

Wrapping Up, and Setting Up the Next


Action

26. When sending information, samples, demos, etc.,


know precisely how they'll evaluate the material.

How will they know if they like it? What criteria will they use?
This way, you'll both be clear as to what would need to
happen in order for them to buy.

Your Attitude and Self Motivation

27. You never have to experience rejection again.

After all, what is rejection? It's not an experience, it's your


definition of the experience. So, ensure that you accomplish
something on each call, and you can hold your head high with
a sense of achievement.

Remember, a decision of any type is better than shadow-


chasing someone who will waste your time with wimpy or
misleading statements that cause you to believe there's a
chance, when, in fact, there's not.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 11

28. A good way to end a call where you don't


accomplish your primary objective (and to never
experience rejection) is to plant a seed for the future.

Give them something to look for, based upon what you


uncovered during the call . . . something that might just cause
them to call you back.

For example:

"Pat, it looks like we don't have a fit here, today, but I


suggest that if you ever find yourself needing an
emergency job finished, and don't have the staff to handle
it, give us a call. We specialize in those type of projects,
and would love to talk to you."

Everyone has been surprised by those written-off prospects


who later called to order. This is a way to proactively make it
happen more often.

29. As a sales professional using the phone as your


main method of communication, you perform a
function that very few people in the world could do
well, or would even want to try.

And that's persuading someone to take action and make a


decision, based almost solely on the words and ideas that
come from your mouth. It's quite an awesome feat when you
think about it.

And do think about it. It takes a talented individual to be able


to do that well. You are that person. Feel proud of what you
do, and always strive to get better!

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 12

We’ve just scratched the surface with these 29 tips. If you’d


like more in-depth, how-to material on each of these parts of
the professional sales call,

After going through these tips,

Questions I often get are,

“How can I get to the decision maker without being screened?”

“What can I say on voice mail?”

“What can I do to create interest at the beginning of a call?”

“How do I avoid getting brushed off?”

“What do I say when they try to brush me off?”

“What are some great questions to ask?”

“How can I be persuasive on the phone without sounding like


a telemarketer?”

“What can I say to close the sale, appointment, or move the


process to the next step?”

“How should I handle objections by phone?”

“How can I beat rejection and stay motivated when I get ‘no’
after ‘no’.”

Maybe you’ve asked, or wondered about these questions too.

Usually I’d give a brief answer, and perhaps direct the


questioner to my website to see an article or look at one of my
books or audio programs that might answer it.

Well, I decided to put together one single resource that


answers all of these questions.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 13

It’s a brief 70-page e-book: "How to


Place the Successful Sales and
Prospecting Call- Exactly What to Say
and AVOID to Get Agreement and
Eliminate Resistance."

And you can have it in your hands


and get these questions answered
within seconds

In this book I take you step-by-step


through the Seven-Step sales call
process. This is the same process I
teach at my $895 Telesales College
two-day seminars. The same process
companies pay about $10,000 per day to have me customize
and deliver in a training session for them.

Here Are The Specifics You'll Get


In this step-by-step guide, we cover

Planning For Your Call- Exactly what to do before picking up


the phone to ensure success, and set your call apart from
every other one they receive that day. Bonus: Also see how
you can AVOID rejection and never experience it again.

What to Say Before Asking for the Buyer- Regardless of


whether you’re prospecting or selling to existing customers,
you can get valuable information before you ever get to the
buyer. Learn how to ask, what to ask for, how to avoid being
screened, and how to deal with voice mail.

How to Create Interest in the First 20 Seconds. Most


people blow it right here. See what to avoid, and what to say
in order to seize interest.

Questioning to Move Them Into a State of Mind Where


They WANT What You Have. Lousy salespeople don’t ask
questions. Good salespeople ask the most basic questions.
The BEST salespeople ask questions at the next level. Use
the simple “Iceberg Theory of Questioning” and you’ll get to
that level.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 14

Persuasive Recommendations. See what to say in order to


get them to say YES!

Commitment for the Next Step. Follow all of the other parts
of the process, and the close/commitment is easy. See word-
for-word examples of commitment and closing questions you
can use to get that YES.

Setting Up the Next Action. The secret to having a great


follow-up call isn’t really that secret at all. You’ll see how to do
it here.

In addition to those steps in the Call Process, you’ll get,

The Professional and Successful Way to Deal With


Objections. Forget about what I call “Goofy Objection
Rebuttals.” That’s when you hear an objection, and are
supposed to respond with some nonsense like, “I understand
how you feel, many others have felt the same way, but after
they found…” Stuff like that is laughable. I’ll show you how to
deal with objections conversationally and professionally.

Dealing With Early Resistance. We’ve all heard “I’m happy


with what I’m using,” and “I’m not interested.” Those are NOT
objections. They are attempts to get you off the phone and
they work. I’ll show you what to say to deal with them so you
can call their bluff and have a shot of at least staying on the
phone

An Actual Case Study of a Call. I’ll go through an actual Call


Guide sent in by a sales rep, and point out what is good, and
what should be changed. You will likely be able to use many
of the same things on your call.

How to Get and Stay Motivated and Beat the Hell Out of
Call Reluctance. Let’s face it, most people would rather have
a colonoscopy than make cold calls. There are two reasons: 1.
Most people are horrible at placing them, and, 2. They don’t
do anything to keep their attitude up. The process in this book
blows away the first reason, and this section gives you ideas
to keep you performing at the highest level.

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939


29 Telesales Tips You Can Use Right Now 15

Any one idea in any one of these sections could make the
difference in getting to and selling that tough decision maker.
Or, helping you reverse a tough objection that in past blew you
off the phone

"I just got off the phone with a prospect who informed me that
this was the first time he gave a sales call more than 3
seconds over the last 10 years. I used your opening
statement advice to attract his interest.”
Cameron Mitc hell, Ryzex Group

“Art, I have been in some kind of marketing, mostly sales, for


just short of 50 years. Your stuff is among the very best I
have come across.”
Peter Quinn, Sr

And by following the process, you’ll be more confident in


EVERY call you place. And you’ll sound like a polished
professional.

What would all of that be worth to you?

Many times more than the tiny ridiculously low investment in


this e-book:

Just $29.

That’s it. Just $29. for everything in this book.

Don't wait. Don't even think twice about it. Order it right now.

Go to http://www.businessbyphone.com/HowToPlace.htm

©Art Sobczak - www.BusinessByPhone.Com – (402)895-939

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