In many cases, first impressions are truly the last ones! A sales interaction is one such setting- a lot depends on the impression the salesperson makes right from the word hello.
Communication is a skill intrinsic to the sales profession that not only involves speaking but also listening and non-verbal communication.
As a salesperson, it’s important to hone each of these skills to the highest degree – the best salesperson not only makes the right first impression with a great opening statement but is able to hold an engaging and compelling first conversation to follow it.
Communication, as you might have caught on to by now, involves much more than a good grasp of the language.
These 5 effective communication tips should help you make a great first impression on your next call to a new prospect–
1. Start off on the Right Note
The tone of the conversation is set right from the way you say your opening line. If you sound like you’re reading off a script or rattle it off like you’re said it 1000 times before, the prospect is going to hear it as disinterest.
Aim for a warm, friendly, welcoming tone – think of it as talking to your friend’s parents.
2. Put Sincerity Front and Center
Remember that your prospect has shown interest in your product because they have a problem or a need they’re hoping to solve. So, you’re not just answering or responding to a call – you’re fulfilling a need and answering genuine problems. Let that sincerity shine through.
3. Listen First, Worry About Your Script Later
What your prospect is saying is much more important than worrying about your script. The first call is where you’ll get the most information about the prospect’s needs and expectations, and also where you’ll make a lasting impression about your company.
Kylas Pro Tip– Remember you can always ask questions or confirm if you think you haven’t understood the prospect and create notes after the call so you don’t forget.
4. Learn to Understand Beyond the Words Being Spoken
First conversations tend to happen over the phone and the tone plays a huge role here. Without the benefit of face-to-face interaction, there’s always a risk of miscommunication or a lack of rapport in the conversation.
It’s always a good idea to practice your tone in different use cases with a colleague.
5. Be Honest and Close the Conversation With a Summary
Most first calls will end with an actionable one at your end. If there’s something you can’t help the prospect with, don’t make false promises.
Before you hang up, remember to summarize the conversation and the actionable you will revert with, so the prospect knows you’ve listened and you are both on the same page.
We hope these effective communication tips will help you in making a great first impression! If you haven’t had a look at our feature set yet, you can browse them here.
If you have any questions or would like to share some tips that have worked for you in the past, feel free to drop a comment below. Kylas is here to help small businesses, like you, scale with expertise.
