5 things to avoid when trying to make a sale.

Every person in a sales job knows how it feels when they make a simple mistake that lets a great opportunity slip away. This article will explain five of the most frequently made mistakes, and provide tips to help avoid them. 1 Relying on PowerPoint 
Used correctly, PowerPoint can be a great way to enhance a speech or sales pitch. Unfortunately, too many people use it poorly, and rely on it as a crutch to prop up their pitch. Individuals who are simply reading from slides are unlikely to be successful at engaging their audience. Sales is about making a genuine connection with prospects, and it's hard to do this when rigidly following onscreen text. Instead, getting rid of the computer, and focusing on having a real conversation to discover the prospect's real needs and challenges, is often a far more effective tactic. 2 Failing to listen 
Practically every salesperson will have heard the advice that they should listen more than they speak countless times - but actually putting it into practice is easier said than done. To make a sale, it's important to identify what problem a prospect has, and then solve it. In many cases, the only way to discover these challenges is by listening. Salespeople who spend all their time talking will be alienating their prospects, and reducing their chances of achieving a positive outcome.
3 Failing to tailor a pitch
Reeling out template pitches is rarely a good idea, unless the prospect is short of time, or has already indicated they want the product/service. In most cases, it's the salesperson's duty to research the individual's company, challenges and business needs before a meeting, and to devise a bespoke strategy that will add real value to their company.
<h2>Making this effort will show the prospect that the salesperson is serious, competent and can be trusted. </h2>
4 Pitching to the wrong people 
Time is money, and countless hours are wasted each year by salespeople who pitch to the wrong individuals. There's no point delivering an elaborate pitch to someone who does not have the authority to make a purchasing decision. Specifically asking to speak to a key decision maker can make a huge difference to how productive salespeople are. On a similar note, there's no point wasting time attempting to sell to a prospect who simply does not have the budget available for the product or service. 
5 Failing to follow up
One of the worst things a salesperson can do is fail to follow-up on meetings. Prospects are busy people, and even if they said they would call back, many will simply forget. Asking the prospect if they mind receiving a follow-up call during the initial meeting is a good way to ensure they will be receptive to contact at a later date. 
<h3>
To be successful selling, it's crucial to focus on understanding exactly what each customer needs, and to then provide the solution. </h3>
Template selling is unlikely to be successful, as the salesperson will be unable to convince the prospect that he or she completely understands their specific situation - which generates trust, and makes a sale more likely. Sales pitches should usually be a two-way conversation, rather than a lecture.

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skills