A 'prospect' is someone who has not yet bought your services but who, if taken through the sales cycle step-by-step can be turned into a 'client'. We all know people don't like to be sold but they do like to buy! So remember when you are selling, put yourself in your prospects shoes and think about how you would like to be 'sold to'.
The good news about a prospect having an objection is that they are actually engaged in conversation with you AND they want to know more! You may be the best home stager on the planet but the reality is you are always going to have to deal with objections. So let's find out how you can do that.
TYPICAL SALES CYCLE - HANDLING OBJECTIONS - TURNING A 'NO' INTO A 'YES' SALE!
My previous life (not as a home stager) I was a Sales Manager for a billion dollar service company. I trained account reps and account managers how to turn a 'prospect' into a 'client'. The selling system that I used then is the same one I use today and teach in my home staging course. Most times this 'Typical Selling Cycle' follows this exact pattern yet it can a miss a step or two. You may find that you need to go back and handle the prospect's objections more than once.
Typical Selling Cycle:
- Prospecting - who might be interesting in purchasing your home staging services?
- Qualifying - how serious are they about staging and when?
- Consultation/Information Meeting - gather information and build rapport
- Offering Features & Benefits - what will you offer and how will it benefit your prospect?
- HANDLING OBJECTIONS- clarifying and understanding what exactly are they objecting to
- Trial Closing - getting the head nodding 'yes, yes, yes'
- Closing the Sale - the client signs your contract and gives you $$$$$
HANDLING OBJECTIONS
One of the very best ways to handle home sellers and/or realtors objections is to anticipate them already. The most common objection for home sellers and realtors is about the cost. They often have a preconceived misconception that home staging is extremely expensive. My question back to them when they ask me this is: Expensive compared to what? Having the house sit on the market because it doesn't stand out from the competition. Does that make sense to you?
OBJECTION FROM A HOME SELLER: I don't know if I can afford this?
YOUR RESPONSE: From my experience I know your home is one of the biggest investments in your life. Wouldn't you be willing to invest a small percentage of your future profits to make the most possible money you can? (this is a trial close - head nodding YES...)
For a few thousand dollars you stand to make many more thousands of dollars from selling quickly and no longer paying your monthly carrying costs. Is this something that might appeal to you? (this is a trial close - head nodding YES...)
OBJECTION FROM A REALTOR: I don't want to pay for the staging services?
YOUR RESPONSE: You don't have to pay for the staging services. In my experience, most realtors who pay my nominal consultation fee look really great in the eyes of their client. I can upsell my services once I meet the home seller, and they can pay for the staging. How does that sound? (this is a trial close - head nodding YES...)
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