We are in the middle of the busy December month. Sinterklaas, Christmas and New Year's Eve: we are busy. The enterprising Netherlands also does not sit still during the holidays. And you? Are you as a seller ready for the holidays? No? It's not too late! We give you a few tips to seize sales opportunities at the last minute before the holidays.
Seize and 1. Approach current customers
By the end of the year, many managers want to prepare budgets. If they do not do this, there is a good chance that they will receive a smaller budget next year. It is smart to take another tour of your customers now. This could be the time to sell that product or project that you have been wanting to sell to the customer all year. So approach your current customers and take advantage of the holidays. For example, launch a “last minute advent calendar” with special offers for the holidays or specific Christmas items. If you approach a regular customer in a creative way, you may be allowed to invoice assignments for next year in advance. Or how about carrying out a few more great assignments immediately?
2. Communicate with your relations
December is the perfect time for both internal and external communication. Communication creates opportunities: communication with your customers and employees is very important during this festive month. Consider sending a chocolate telegram with the letters “thank you for the great cooperation”. Or how about sending a bottle of wine with a thoughtful Christmas greeting on the label? By sending a nice gift with a message, you create goodwill among your customers. They see that you are thinking of them and really appreciate receiving something from you.
3. Analyze your customer list
Are you a seller and do you want to sell more? Of course you know your target group well. And by asking the right questions you can effortlessly... need track down. What is the other person looking for? What requirements must it meet? During this busy period, make time to analyze your customer list. Ask yourself whether certain patterns can be discovered. For example, are there characteristics that can be discovered among your current customers that could also apply to other target groups? Why do customers buy your product and what problem do you solve? Answering these questions provides valuable information. You can immediately use this information to offer your product or service to a new target group. This way you can take advantage of new sales opportunities just before the holidays. Make the most of this festive December month. For yourself, but also for your company and your colleagues.
4. Improve your sales skills
Do you want to learn how to seize sales opportunities even better? Immediately sales training you will learn how to improve your sales skills. During a training, practice is central and you will immediately apply the trained skills in interactive simulation conversations.
From transaction to relationship
The best salespeople think not in terms of transactions, but in terms of relationships. They know that the value of a customer lies not in the first order, but in the years that follow. That is why they invest in trust, deliver more than agreed, and are there even when there is no immediate sales opportunity.
In practice, this means that you don't disappear after a sale, but instead remain visible. Make a call without a sales agenda, share a relevant article, or invite your customer to a knowledge event. That personal attention builds a bond that is much stronger than any discount. Customers who trust you become your best ambassadors.
Do you want to get started with this concretely? Check out our training Expert in Sales Basics with Kenneth Smit.