How To Handle Sales Objections – Step By Step
One of the most important parts of the sales process as well as your sales conversations, is learning how to handle sales objections the right way.
Knowing how to handle sales objections can either help you close the sale, or potentially break rapport if you handle them incorrectly.
So how should you go about overcoming objections in sales?
In this article, we’ll explore the five-step approach we teach Sales Professionals and Business Owners, but before we do – we’ll also look at where sales objections come from.
Where Do Sales Objections Come From?
Prior to learning how to handle sales objections, first we should learn the origin behind where the come from.
Sales objections generally come from one of two places.
A lack of trust.
And a lack of commitment and desire for change.
It’s a lot easier overcoming objections in sales conversations when you have established that they do in fact have a desire for change, and that they trust that you and your business can help get them there.
So how do you establish trust and desire?
Read on as we’ll detail how to do both.
How Do You Establish Trust & Desire?
You should be dealing with sales objections early in the sales process, as well as during your sales conversations; specifically, when you’re asking your sales interview questions.
The first thing required prior to starting your sales conversations, is to find out whether or not they qualify for your offer.
We recommend using the BANT method to identify whether or not they qualify, which’ll prevent sales objections and sales conditions coming up later on.
BANT stands for:
- Budget
- Authority
- Need
- Timeframe
If there is a lack of time frame or need, then you’re not going to have much desire; which will make dealing with sales objections difficult.
Secondly, you establish desire by asking deep diving and probing sales questions, which unlock the pain and desire about what it will mean when they find a solution for their problems.
The more pain you uncover, the more desire you’ll establish to find a solution.
Trust is built by building a deep rapport with your clients, and by asking well timed questions that display empathy, understanding, and that you’re there to solve their problems – rather than make a quick sale.
Related article: How To Overcome The Two Main Sales Objections In Two Minutes
Many Sales Professionals use the wrong approach when selling.
- They build some rapport
- The presentation or pitch then starts
- They then ask if there are any questions
- Objections handling, and asking for the sale
This model is not only backwards but is also very commonplace.
Fortunately for you; you’ve found this blog post, so you can prevent making the same mistake your competition is making.
We call this outdated model Premature Presentation; and it is massively costing you sales.
As per our article in Entrepreneur; we share that Sales Professionals have a hard time overcoming objections in sales conversations because they present way too early.
You should never present an idea, without completely learning what it is the potential client wants to solve.
To learn more about presenting correctly, check out the related article below.
Related article: 10 x Effective Sales presentation Tips You Need To Use
How To Handle Sales Objections – Step By Step
Now we’ll look at exactly how to handle sales objections, by dissecting the framework in five easy steps:
How To Handle Sales Objections Step #1 – Listen Carefully
The first step to learning how to handle sales objections, is listening very carefully to their sales objection or area of concern.
Does the sales objection sound like they have a lack of trust, or a lack of desire?
It’s very important when overcoming objections in sales conversations, that you listen intently and don’t interrupt when they’re speaking about their area of concern.
Most of the time; the objection is coming up because subconsciously – if they’re going to buy, it will mean change.
People generally don’t like change and can associate change with pain.
How To Handle Sales Objections Step #2 – Repeat Back And Ask Them To Expand
The next step to learning how to handle sales objections, is in two parts.
Firstly, you want to show empathy, and that you’re not being combative; this will only break rapport.
You show empathy by demonstrating that you truly care about what it is they’re asking, by repeating back what they’ve told you in dot form if need be.
The second part is asking them to expand on it further.
This is very important, because if you make assumptions and try to handle the objection based on something they’re not concerned about, not only will you break rapport – but you will lose the sale.
By asking them to expand on it further, you’ll find overcoming objections in sales conversations will become easier, because a lot of the time here; they’ll realise that their concern isn’t really a true concern.
It’s most probably a fear of change.
However – we want to ensure it’s completely diffused before proceeding.
Related article: “I’m Just Looking” – How To Handle The Sales Objection
How To Handle Sales Objections Step #3 – Validate The Objection
The next step to learning how to handle sales objections, is validating their area of concern.
This may come as a bit of a surprise to you; however as previously mentioned, we want to maintain rapport, and position ourselves as a partner for their solution, not someone on a different path or mindset.
Validate their area of concern by letting them know that you understand where they’re coming from, that’s it’s a normal area of concern.
You’ll notice I haven’t given you a sales script here, because we believe sales scripts don’t work. Instead, use a structure like what we’re outlining in this article.
Here is where you can now ask “If we could handle that area of concern, would you be happy to proceed?”.
You don’t have to ask this exact question, as your question type may change from time to time depending on whom you’re speaking with; however, you want to identify here whether this is their real area of concern, or if they have other sales objections.
How To Handle Sales Objections Step #4 – Re-Frame
The next part to learning how to handle sales objections, is your re-frame.
If you’re able to handle the sales objection by clarifying something, giving them what they want, or perhaps alleviating their area of concern (price instalments, longer warranty, training after purchase etc), then do so there and then.
If you need permission, let them know and be transparent. However before leaving the conversation, clarify that if you are able to handle the sales objection, that they would be ready to invest/ buy.
The re-frame means turning the problem potentially into a solution.
You want to change the way they’re looking at it, by solving the issue they may have with a potential solution you can offer to alleviate the sales objection.
The Final Step – Confirmation
The last stage to learning how to handle sales objections, is confirming that they’re satisfied with your solution to their area of concern.
Ask your potential client if they’re happy with the solution, and work with them to completely ensure that they have no other issues.
This is important, because you want to close out any other areas of concern before proceeding to asking them your closing questions.
When you’re getting a yes, ensure that is isn’t shaky or that they’re still on the fence. It’s critical here that they’re 100% committed, so that you can ask for the sale.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to sales objections is an integral and vital part of the sales process, and one that you should thoroughly know how to handle.
This guide will help you with this and give you the framework to use to handle them a lot easier, and close sales a lot more easily.
This framework works because it’s easy to remember, and it’s consultative – rather than leaning on an outdated script instead.
If you’re interested in learning how to do this in more depth, register for our 7 day sales challenge here.
Want To Close Sales Easier Without The Guesswork?
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.
