What’s the fastest way to increase your close rate?
Is it by following up at least 5 times?
Is it by pressing on more aggravating prospect pain points?
Is it by listening rather than talking?
Is it by asking better questions?
Is it by seeking out referrals more regularly?
More than likely, it’s a bit of all of those things – and probably some other things that aren’t even on that list. Which is why learning from sales experts who’ve been-there-done-that can put you on the fast track to higher close rates and a more successful business.
And it can get you there much faster than trying to learn everything via trial-and-error.
In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt,
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”
With that in mind, here are 10 quotes from top salespeople that’ll make you reconsider the way you’re currently talking to prospects.
Quote #1 – Estée Lauder
“I have never worked a day in my life without selling. If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard.”
Who is she?
She is the 1946 founder of Estée Lauder make-up company, sitting as one of the richest self-made women in history. Still today, her company thrives under the guises of Estée Lauder, MAC Cosmetics, and Clinique.
Quote #2 – Zig Ziglar
“Every sale has five obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.”
Who is he?
He was the author of more than 30 different books regarding leadership, wealth accumulation, and salesmanship. He is often quoted as an authority on best sales practices and the mindset necessary to convert a prospect into a paying customer.
He spent much of his life spreading his inspirational messages from the stage as a highly sought-after motivation speaker.
Quote #3 – Roy Bartell
“Most people think ‘selling’ is the same as ‘talking’. But the most effective salespeople know that listening is the most important part of their job.”
Who is he?
He is an online business and sales thought leader. He inspires other salespeople and marketers with consistently publishing articles regarding online marketing and salesmanship.
Quote #4 – William Clement Stone
“Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman, not the attitude of the prospect.”
Who is he?
A school drop out, in 1922, William opened his very own insurance agency. Within just 8 years (by 1930), he had bought several other companies and employed more than 1,000 agents across the U.S. Now, he is better known, for his philosophy and musings about success, wealth, and personal achievement.
He is also the author of the New Thought self-help book.
Quote #5 – Bob Burg
“All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like, and trust.”
Who is he?
The author of the highly-acclaimed and international best-seller, The Go-Giver, Bog Burg is an advocate for relational selling and a sort of 21st century Karma – what goes around, comes around.
His book was translated into 22 different languages.
He also regularly speaks for fortune 500 companies, addressing audiences that range in size from 50 to 16,000 attendants.
Quote #6 – Shiv Khera
“Ninety percent of selling is conviction and 10 percent is persuasion.”
Who is he?
Shiv spent his younger years washing cars and selling life insurance. In 1998, he published his first of many self-help books: You Can Win.
As Shiv’s popularity increased, he eventually became a highly sought-after motivation speaker. He is also an extraordinary activist who fights against India’s rigid and unforgiving caste system, inspiring people all around the world to pursue their dreams.
Quote #7 – Brian Tracy
“Approach Each Customer With The Idea Of Helping Him Or Her To Solve A Problem Or Achieve A Goal, Not Of Selling A Product Or Service.”
Who is he?
Brian is the chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company that helps business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses faster than they thought possible. Brian Tracy himself has consulted over 1,000 different companies. He’s inspired over 5,000,000 people at about 5,000 talks in 70 different countries. He continues to teach about 250,000 people per year about salesmanship, leadership, and business growth.
Quote #8 – Patricia Fripp
“To Build A Long-Term, Successful Enterprise, When You Don’t Close A Sale, Open A Relationship.”
Who is she?
Before experiencing massive success as a full-time business speaker, Patricia spent 24 years in the service industry, owned two businesses, and trained salespeople.
She started speaking to big groups about salesmanship and business potential in 1976 and since 1980, she has spoken to over 100 groups every single year.
Quote #9 – Ben Feldman
“Don’t sell life insurance. Sell what life insurance can do.”
Who is he?
Known as one of the most prolific salespeople in history, Ben Feldman was breaking life-insurance sales records in 1979. For some time, he even held the record for most products sold in a career, a year, and a single day. While his records have now been surpassed by other salespeople, there’s no forgetting the massive impact that Ben Feldman had on the sales world.
Quote #10 – Jill Konrath
“You have to drop your sales mentality and start working with your prospects as if they’ve already hired you.”
Who is she?
Author of “Selling to Big Companies” and “SNAP Selling,” Jill Konrath is an ingenious sales strategist and highly sought-after business speaker. She has also served on the board of directors for marketing tech companies and conducted massive surveys regarding the sales industry.
Conclusion
It’s my hope that something you learned here will make a positive impact on your own sales strategy. – that by implementing your own understanding of one of the above expert quotes, you’ll experience a higher close rate and a more successful business overall.
Sometimes, just a single change can make all the difference.
So don’t hesitate. While you have the energy to adapt, get to work and implement these critical sales principles into your own sales strategy as necessary.
And if you’re looking to automate your own sales strategy, schedule a demo with us to find out how we can help you get more done in less time. 🙂