Why Should I Buy From You?

Virtually every business you contact has this question in their mind. To truly maximize your revenues you need give people a reason to buy from you versus a competitor. Here are a few strategies that will help you differentiate yourself from your competition.

First, it's important to understand that people make their buying decision on two levels ? logical and emotional. The logical aspect revolves around the product or service and includes such things as product specifications, warranty, price, colour, size, ease of use, etc. Anything directly associated with the product is a logical need. The second buying motivator and, perhaps the most powerful, is the emotional aspect of the sale. These criteria are the less tangible needs and include feelings of success, relief, pride, joy, fear and concern. For example, a person buying a pair of jeans will have specific logical needs such as waist size, inseam length, colour and style. But, ultimately, the emotional aspect of how they fit and look will influence that person's buying decision.

To uncover your customers emotional buying requirement learn to ask, "What are you looking for in a??" followed by "Why is that important to you?" The first question helps you learn the logical need while the second question will help the customer express the emotional reasons behind their purchase. In the hundreds of sales training workshops I've conducted, I've learned that most salespeople and business owners have a tendency to leap into a product demonstration before they have learned what is important to the customer. Invest the time accurately and thoroughly learning your customer's need and wants. This will help you to begin differentiating yourself from your competitor.

The next step is to give a presentation that focuses on the customer's needs. Rather than discuss everything about your product or service, focus first on what the customer identified as being important. This demonstrates that you listened to what they said and will help you separate yourself more effectively.

When presenting your product or service ensure you discuss the benefits as well as the features. The feature is "what it is" and the benefit is "what it means to the customer." A great way to phrase this is to say, "Our equipment extracts 97% of the water from your carpet (feature) which means your carpets will be dry to the touch within three or four hours (benefit)." This addresses the customer's emotional buying needs which means there is a greater likelihood they will buy from your versus a competitor.

People also make buying decisions based on their overall experience in your store or place of business. Here are just three influencing factors:

1. Ease of business. Are you easy to do business with or do I, as a customer, have to jump through hoops to return something? Are you well staffed or do you reduce your costs by scheduling a skeleton staff at any given time?

2. Staff accessibility and attitude. Is your team friendly and well trained in customer services procedures? Do they exhibit the mentality that the customer is important and comes first or do they spend their time gossiping and gabbing? Do they eagerly approach the customer or do they wait for customers to come up to them first. I recently bought an aquarium and although the staff was knowledgeable they made me feel like I was intruding on their time.

3. Product selection and availability. Do you have a good supply chain management or order fulfillment process in place. Prior to buying my aquarium I placed my order at one store and at the time of writing this article almost six weeks later I still haven't been advised that my tank has arrived. And this was a stock order!

Lastly, equip your team with the tools they need to properly do their job. Take advantage of the product training most manufacturers provide, invest in the on-going development of your people, and help them succeed. I've worked with companies who invest a great deal in their employees and others who spend a bare minimum. The difference in their overall results is always significant.

Today's business environment is more challenging and competitive than ever before which means you need to give people a clear reason to do business with you rather than someone else.

Copyright 2003 Kelley Robertson. All rights reserved

Kelley Robertson, President of the Robertson Training Group, works with businesses to help them increase their sales and motivate their employees. For information on his programs, contact him at 905-633-7750 or at Kelley@RobertsonTrainingGroup.com. Receive a FREE copy of "100 Ways to Increase Your Sales" by subscribing to his 59-Second Tip, a free weekly e-zine at http://www.RobertsonTrainingGroup.com. He is also the author of "Stop, Ask & Listen ? How to welcome your customers and increase your sales."

---

Telling the Value Story

You arrived on time and completed your calculations. You worked... Read More

Peak Performance ? What You See Is What You Get!

Would you like an easy way to track the performance... Read More

EXHIBITORS - Check Your URL

How many of you have a corporate web site? Everybody... Read More

Sales 101: Handling The Angry Customer

I am often reminded of the following true story whenever... Read More

What Successful Sellers Know - Others Dont ... The Subtle Art of Closing

Ask any salesperson, "At what point in the selling process... Read More

6 Steps on How to Install Confidence Into Your Clients

What methods can we use to install confidence into your... Read More

Flea Marketing Lessons

A few days ago, I was signing copies of my... Read More

Tapping The Potential Of Your Customers

Business owners of long standing know the cardinal rule "take... Read More

Whats So Special About You? Defining Your USP

Your prospect is in the market for a widget, just... Read More

How to Sell Your Products Without Competition

Selling your products at shows can be difficult when you... Read More

Your Clients Buying What Youre Selling

Linda felt like she had reached a plateau in her... Read More

Are You a Winner or Whiner?

I've found that winners say "I choose to." Whiners, on... Read More

Why You Buy, Part Three

Still more discoveries from the recent studies in behavioral economics:Over-Valuing... Read More

Secrets to Buying Without Being Sold

Have you ever asked yourself, now how did I let... Read More

Is Sales Profession an Oxymoron?

If you are in Sales, you have probably heard these... Read More

An Introduction to Store Fixtures

Everybody is familiar with the old retail chant, "Location, location,... Read More

Define Your Best Customer

To be more effective at developing relationships, one should always... Read More

How To Profit From Initial Consultations

"I'd love to work with you, but?"How many times have... Read More

Are You Selling What They Want To Buy? Is It An Appropriate Solution?

Let me tell you about my friend Peter who has... Read More

How To Make The Most Out of a Business Networking Event

You're not alone. Most people are uncomfortable walking into a... Read More

Do Your Customers Buy On Price Alone?

Here are four simple things you can do to take... Read More

10 Mistakes That Reduce Profitability

In my professional experience as a sales and marketing coach/consultant,... Read More

Cracking The Billable Hours Ceiling

How many of you made as much money as you... Read More

Hurrican Selling Styles

As I prepare this issue of this Newsletter, at 37,000... Read More

How to Blow Rapport Really Fast

Do you have 5, 10, or 20 years of sales... Read More

Incentive Dilemma:

Manufacturers and distributors are rolling out more sales incentive programs... Read More

I Don?t Want To Be Sold; I Want To Buy

I went shopping for clothes today.My plan was to buy... Read More

How Can Fundraising Consulting Help Us Raise Money?

If you need to hold a fundraiser and don't know... Read More

How To Set Goals and Achieve Them

We use only 5% of God's given potential, 95% of... Read More

How Sellers Can Take Control

For centuries ? at least since the serpent convinced Eve... Read More

Ten FAST Ways to Sell Your Products

Always give a reason for the sale for credibility. 1.... Read More

Selling Your Way To Success

I wonder when we decided to become a sales person.... Read More

How To Sell Your Products or Services on Value And Stop Selling On Price Alone

Have you ever met with, or talked to a prospect... Read More