The Biggest Mistake in Sales Presentations

So what do you think is the biggest mistake in sales presentations?

* Selling features instead of benefits?

* Talking too much and not listening?

* Not knowing the product?

In a recent presentation, Ron Karr, of Karr Associates, Inc. and author of Lead, Sell or Get Out of the Way,asked the audience, “What are you selling?” People responded by calling out their products and services. Ron went on to say that one of the biggest mistakes in sales is selling the “how” instead of the “what.”

“You’re selling outcomes!,” declared Ron. He challenged the audience to get clear about the outcomes their audience or clients receive from them. The outcome he presents to his audience is to “sell more in less time.” He went on to explain, “Most poeple spend 70% of their time talking about what they do when they should be spending 60% of their time in first impressions and qualifying.

As with all presentations, it first begins with mindset. How do you think of yourself in relation to your audience? Are you an expert? A peer? A trusted advisor? Ron recommended that people begin to position themselves as a resource. Selling is self-focused but a resource is customer-focused. Too often, sales professionals forget this valuable concept. People don’t buy unless they have a need or desire. Your job is to develop trust and solve their problems.

Whether you’re selling a product, or giving a status update, good presenters live by WIIFM-What’s in it for me? They know that the audience cares only about one thing-their own self interests. In other words, it’s all about outcomes.

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Diane DiResta is a speaking strategist and president of DiResta Communications, Inc., a New York City consultancy serving business leaders who want to communicate with greater impact – whether face-to-face, in front of a crowd or from an electronic platform. DiResta is the author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz, an Amazon.com category best-seller and widely-used text in college business communication courses. Blog: businesspresentations.blogspot.com
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