Blog Layout

Ways to Increase Sales: Are you a paid or unpaid consultant?

Evan Polin • August 2, 2022

When a prospect or a suspect (unqualified prospect) asks you for free information, do you provide it?

If your answer is “yes,” you may be an unpaid consultant. If a potential client asks you to help him or her figure out the solution to their problem and you joyfully and immediately respond with the answer, you may be an unpaid consultant. When you are asked for your prices and you don’t have a thorough understanding of not only what, but why they want that specific product or service, you could be an unpaid consultant. If you are giving away proprietary company information for free, without a commitment, you are an unpaid consultant.


Ways to Increase Sales by Using a Sales Process


You should not give away your product or service prior to getting a commitment to purchase from your customer. This is the wrong place and the wrong time to present your proprietary information. When you provide your product specifications, prices, unique characteristics, etc. before you get a commitment from your prospect, you are seriously jeopardizing the chance to successfully land that sale. Prospects will use the free consulting you give them against you. They will take this free consulting to create specifications for your competitors to bid on. If you give them your pricing structure, they will of course try to make money the major issue (which it never is by the way – but that’s a whole different column). When you give them your unique ideas and/or product characteristics, what is to stop them from sharing those with their current provider to see if they can perform or provide the same ideas and characteristics? In all those cases they will have no reason to buy from you.


The professional salesperson will close the sale, or at least get commitment, before providing consulting of any substance. You accomplish this through building trust with your prospect. Your prospect needs to feel confident that you truly understand not only their intellectual needs, but also their emotional involvement in those intellectual needs. Once you are there, the prospect will have the trust and confidence that you are the one to solve their pressing issues. You do this by asking all the right questions, listening intently, and questioning some more.


It is important to have a sales process that will allow you, rather than your prospect, to stay in control of the selling situation. Your sales process should require that your prospect qualifies to get a proposal/presentation from you. When you implement a strong sales process, you will no longer be a free consultant and your business will grow as never has before.


It is important to have a sales process that will allow you, rather than your prospect, to stay in control of the selling situation. Your sales process should require that your prospect qualifies to get a proposal/presentation from you. When you implement a strong sales process, you will no longer be a free consultant and your business will grow as never has before.


Have you developed and implemented a consistent, repeatable sales process to allow you to remain in control when talking with your process? Do you know when you need to still need to ask questions, and when it’s time to present? Do you ever present, and find out after the fact that your solution cost more than the prospect’s budget? Have you ever made a presentation, only to find out after the fact that the real decision-maker was not in the room? Do you know if your team has premature presentation syndrome? If you and your team don’t have a process to qualify opportunities, or if you are losing out too often after giving a quote or making a presentation, it might make sense for us to talk. 


Polin Performance Group provides real-world sales solutions by training you and your team with the sales skills needed to maximize business development performance and increase revenue. Ask about our sales training programs and fractional sales management services. Contact us today.

You should not give away your product or service prior to getting a commitment to purchase from your customer.

Schedule a Time for a

Free Consultation

Contact Us

You might also like

Sales Goals and Business Development Plans
By Evan Polin October 20, 2023
Unlock growth: Discover the crucial link between sales goals and business development for success.
Sales Coaching
By Evan Polin October 20, 2023
Discover how Sales Coaching empowers seasoned service pros. Elevate your skills and drive success. Explore now!
By Evan Polin October 20, 2023
As the end of the year approaches, the pressure to meet and exceed sales goals intensifies. It's a critical juncture where strategic planning and focused execution can make all the difference between accomplishing your sales goals and falling short of your goals. In this article, we'll delve into sales strategies that can propel you towards hitting your goals, ensuring that you not only finish the year strong but set the stage for a successful 2024. 1. Reflect and Reframe: Start by reflecting on your year so far. What worked well and what didn't? Examine the new clients you have brought in this year. How did you get in front of those opportunities? Which prospecting activities converted into new business? Use this insight to reframe your prospecting approach for the remaining months. Sometimes, a small pivot in strategy can yield significant results. 2. Segmented Targeting: Focus your efforts on high-priority segments. Identify the most lucrative market niches or customer profiles and tailor your sales approach to address their specific needs. Are there industries that may be more receptive to your message at the end of the year? Are you looking at the different services you provide and seeking out your ideal prospects? A targeted sales strategy often yields better returns than a broad, one-size-fits-all approach. 3. Leverage CRM Data for Upselling: Your CRM data is a goldmine. Participate in a true account management exercise with the companies in your database. Identify opportunities for upselling or cross-selling based on past interactions and transactions. Existing customers are often more receptive to additional offerings, and this can significantly boost your revenue and your reach within your current client base. 4. Strategic Partnerships for Mutual Growth: Explore strategic partnerships that can complement your offerings. This collaborative approach can open new avenues for business, expand your reach, and create a win-win situation for both parties involved. 5. Intensify Client Engagement: Strengthen relationships with existing clients. Schedule check-ins, seek feedback, and showcase the value you've provided throughout the year. Satisfied clients are more likely to become repeat customers and advocates for your brand. 6. Empower Your Sales Team: Ensure your sales team is equipped for success. Provide additional training, set clear goals, and foster a supportive environment. Motivated and well-prepared teams are more likely to meet and exceed targets. The year-end is not just a countdown; it's an opportunity to strategically position yourself for success. By adopting these sales strategies, you can maximize your efforts, overcome challenges, and achieve your sales goals before the year closes. Remember, the right mix of reflection, targeted approaches, and team enablement can pave the way for a strong finish and set the stage for an even more successful year ahead. If you are interested in learning about how you and your team can be more effective maximizing your sales results before the end of the year, please reach out to Polin Performance Group by emailing us or calling us at 215-970-2360 .
More Posts
Share by: