Sales Probing Questions – 20 x To Use Daily

Sales probing questions are a crucial part of the sales process and can be the difference winning the sale, or getting another “I need to think about it” objection.

There are various kinds of sales probing questions; from learning how they buy, to handling sales objections early and finding pain points and desire.

In this article, we’ll be exploring 20 x powerful sales probing questions to help you with:

• Learning how they buy
• Qualifying questions
• Finding pain
• Handling objections
• Asking for the sale

Types Of Sales Probing Questions

In sales, there are various kinds of questions you can ask that lead a potential client towards a decision; whether it be making a purchase and investment or moving onto the next potential client.

Types of questions include open-ended questions, assumptive close questions, close ended questions, and tie-down questions.

Learn more: How To Stop Winging It, And Learn Exactly How To Close Consistent Sales With Ease

Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions are sales probing questions that ask that your potential client to elaborate more in regard to what you’re asking.

Instead of giving you a yes or no type answer; they’ll have to think about their response and give you further information about what you’re asking.

These are fantastic for sales conversations, because open-ended sales probing questions allow you to investigate all kinds of topics; from how they buy, to who needs to be involved and what they’re looking at having solved.

To learn more about open-ended sales probing questions, check out the related article below.

Related article: 15 x Powerful Open-Ended Sales Questions To Close More Sales

Assumptive Close Questions

Assumptive close questions are questions you ask where you’re assuming the response prior to getting an answer.

They can be referred to as rhetorical questions and are usually asked by Salespeople who want to get agreement of some kind prior to moving onto their next line of questioning.

Agreement is important, because it can be very powerful and influential if you want to lead a potential client towards the sale. To learn more about assumptive close sales probing questions, read the related article below.

Related article: What Are Assumptive Close Questions? (With Examples)

Close Ended Questions

Close ended questions aren’t particularly sales probing questions but are still important if you require a definite answer.

If you feel your potential client is skirting around or not being completely straight with you, close-ended questions are great to get the answer you need, and to then move onto your next set of sales probing questions.

When using close ended questions, we recommend using them minimally, and correctly.

Related article: What Are Close Ended Questions?

Tie Down Questions

Tie down questions; also known as tie down sales techniques, are an excellent persuasive and influential tool to add to your sales toolkit.

The aim of tie down questions is to get agreement, or a yes response.

When you get enough agreement responses, you’ll slowly build a stronger case as to why your potential client needs your product or service, as well as build stronger rapport and alignment with your potential client.

Having your potential client agree over and over, is a way to help your client sell themselves. We’re big advocates of doing this and can teach you how in The 5% Sales Blueprint.

It’s easier to help a potential client sell themselves, rather than doing all the hard selling on your own.

Related article: Tie Down Sales Techniques – Your Ultimate Guide

Sales Probing Questions – 20 x To Use Daily

Sales Probing Questions For How They Buy

1 – Can you please share who needs to be involved prior to making a purchasing decision?

2 – When was the last time you bought something like this?

3 – What made you buy (insert product) the last time?

4 – What worked well when you last bought (insert product), and what didn’t you like?

Sales Probing Questions For Qualifying

1 – Prior to moving forward, is there anyone else who may need to be involved?

2 – Out of curiosity; what budget did you have put aside for this?

3 – What timeline did you look at having these issues resolved?

4 – What do you think our next steps should be?

Sales Probing Questions For Finding Pain

1 – What’s currently holding you back from reaching your goals?

2 – What would you say are the top three issues you’re dealing that I need to know?

3 – Please help me understand why you called me to come in today? (one of my personal favourite sales probing questions)

4 – What problem would like me to solve for you?

Sales Probing Questions For Handling Objections

1 – What would you like us to discuss before we move forward?

2 – Before me move forward; is there anything you’d like to discuss more?

3 – How does all that sound to you so far?

4 – Is there anything that I’ve shared so far that you’d like a little more clarity on?

Sales Probing Questions For Closing (Asking For The Sale)

1 – When can we begin?

2 – Would you like me to help you achieve this? (one of my favourite closing questions)

3 – What’s your timeline for making a decision?

4 – For us to come to an agreement, what are your must and should haves?

Final Thoughts

Sales probing questions are an important part of your sales process, because it allows you to find out if there is an actual need, learn about decision makers, and help the potential client sell themselves on a solution.

Many Sales Professionals make the mistake pr presenting too early; and not asking enough questions.

Questions are the most powerful part of your consultative selling process, and we believe that the more you ask – the more you’ll earn. When you speak, the focus of attention is on you. When you ask questions, you put the attention onto your potential client.

Want To Close Sales Easier?

Are you committed to closing sales a lot easier, and consistently?

If so, you should check out our self-paced and affordable online sales training program; The 5% Sales Blueprint.

It’ll give you everything you need to close sales consistently.

To learn more, simply click on the link below for more information.

Our Online Sales Training Program – The 5% Sales Blueprint.