We have been talking about websites alot on one of the other threads and how we can get them looking as professional as possible without using a professional.  Obviously this is important because it draws in potential customers and encourages them to call or email.... so any tips on how to close the deal?

I have always been a rubbish sales woman, its just not in my nature to do it but i do get a fair amount of calls and emails that amount to nothing.  I know a lot of guys are just time wasters but i cant help feeling that i could be more persuasive or tempting on the phone/emails to get them to commit. 

Anyone want to share tactics on the subtle art of closing the deal?

Lexie

Don't get into a long chat or discuss your services on the phone - these are virtually always timewasters who will never book. I get questions like 'So, what can we do during the hour?' - I tell them politely that I do not discuss my services on the phone and refer them to my website, although if they ask for specific information (do you kiss, do you do OWO, etc) I do answer even though it is all on the site. It never hurts to tell someone that they sound nice/friendly/have a nice accent either (I'm a sucker for Glaswegians) but don't be over the top - I only do it if it's true!

I get people ringing asking when I am available - rather than say 'January' or some such, I now try to bear in mind when the next time I want to take an appointment is and tell them that my next availability is then (clients quite often don't seem to have a specific time in mind, unless it's in the next hour).

If you know you are going to freeze, fake a bad signal/line and end the call - my hearing is terrible and I quite often do this. You can take a deep breath and call straight back (has to be straight away though) and sometimes just that split second really helps me to focus.

nice advice Amy.  I already try to avoid too much detail over the phone, if they push it (and i think they are trying for a free dirty phone call) i tell them that there is someone in the next room so i cant go in to detail but its all on my website.   Similar with emails.  I dont mind them being specific about the service they require but i try not to reply with too much detail and i dont want to get in to a long string of emails with someone as it would make me suspect they were not for real.

I like the bit about cutting them off and calling back if i need to get my breath.... nice move!!

Thanks

Lexie

I really don't think that there's any way to "close a deal", as such. Imho, genuine clients don't need to be persuaded. If they call you, they already have in mind to book you. Just as timewasters have no intention of booking you at all when they call. You can't persuade timewasters otherwise.

There are guys who are nervous for various reasons. It being their first time, or their first time coming to see you. You get guys who've had their own regular for so long, then when they come to see you for the first time they can still get nervous, even though they've been punting for so long.
All you need to do is to sound confident. When you sound confident they feel confident in you. That would tip the nervous guys over the edge and make a booking with you.

Quote from: foxy on 02 October 2008, 06:45:33 am

I have to be honest,there are days when I do entertain timewasters smply because I fid them so obvious and amusing and they make for good reading. All in all though, spotting timewasters cums..sorry comes with experience.

The devil in me loves this idea, but doesn't that encourage them to keep calling back? I think that would really start to irritate me. 

In my case, no. They're so embarrassed that I've rumbled them they've never called back.

It's not only me with the pink box trouble 

x

That's what happens when you have too many quotes in one post.

no i definately dont get too persuasive with them.  i think that might be what i thought i was doing wrong.  even if they asked me to meet them in 2or3 hrs i would still make it sound like i was checking my diary.  I just think i need to be a little bit more flirty on the phone maybe.  Im just not a natural flirt.  if anyone wants to start a flirt school do let me know lol

L.x