Sales Strategy

Sales Closing Techniques and Processes for Maximum Success

lemlist team
LAST UPDATED
April 24, 2024
READING TIME
7 min.

To achieve sales success, one cannot overlook sales closing techniques.

Closing is a combination of strategy, psychology, and finesse.

By mastering closing techniques, you can significantly boost your conversation rate.

The Closing Psychology

The best sales are about more than just presenting facts; it's about building a connection that fosters trust and confidence.

What constitutes closing psychology?

  • Hitting the prospect’s pain points

Don’t send out emails where you pitch every single one of your products.

They may be great, but if your prospect is busy or receives dozens of emails every day, chances are they’re not even going to make it halfway.

Do your research and figure out exactly what their pain points are and how you can help them. That way, you can prove to them that they need you.

a lemlist campaign sequence

Take this template (which has an 81% open rate, BTW) as an example.
It’s short, highly personalized, and is targeting pain points.

  • Takeaway close

With this close, you’re basically adding urgency to your offer.

Make sure your prospect knows that the offer on the table is limited and if they don’t act now, it’ll be gone soon.

Example: Don’t hesitate in getting back to me, {{FirstName}}. Our exclusive discount will only be available for 48 hours.
  • Add social proof

You don’t want your prospect to think you’re just another spam message offering things that aren’t real.

Don’t be afraid of adding a link to your work. Whether it’s a podcast, a YouTube video, an article, a LinkedIn post, or feedback from other clients.  

Example: If you want to see how we can help you exactly, check out my most recent podcast on {{Topic}}.

This will prove you’re a real person and the best one at that to solve their issues.

  • Clear call-to-action

When closing your cold email, you want to keep it very simple.

The reader shouldn’t have to do excessive thinking or wondering, so your CTA needs to be clear.

You've presented your pitch; now you obviously want a meeting.

This follow-up example includes a direct link to book a meeting with you.

Your prospect finishes reading, and if they are interested, they'll have a very clear next step.

Simple, direct, and 0 fuss.

Properly using closing techniques allows you to effectively align your solution with the prospect's desires and needs.

If you need help getting started with your cold messages, here are 5 templates to get the ball rolling! ⬇️

By studying their behavior and decision-making process, you can tailor your approach to maximize impact.

Lay the Pre-Sale Foundation for Closing Success

Before closing your sale, you must lay a solid pre-sale foundation.

This means understanding your customers’ needs and pain points to formulate a strategy that resonates with them.

Engaging with key decision-makers requires both empathy and expertise.

Make your Offer Irresistible

When closing a sale, articulating the value of your product or service is paramount.

The use of storytelling and case studies can transform a mundane pitch into a relatable narrative that highlights the benefits of your offering.

  • Develop a value proposition that clearly communicates the advantages of your product or service.
  • Learn to use storytelling and case studies to create a compelling narrative that supports your sales message.
  • Implement effective call-to-action strategies to encourage prospects to take the next step in the sales process.

Advanced Sales Closing Techniques

Always remember that one size does not fit all.

Advanced sales closing techniques require a tailored approach, taking into account each customer’s unique scenarios and personalities.

  • Adapt your closing approach based on the customer's specific needs and situation for a more personalized touch.
  • Use technology such as virtual reality or interactive presentations to bring your product demonstrations to life.
    Check out how to send personalized videos to drive your sales!
  • Gain insights from case studies of top salespeople who have mastered the art of the hard close and other effective sales techniques.

Overcome Objections for a Successful Close

Objections are an inevitable part of the sales process.

However, the difference between good and great sales reps lies in their ability to anticipate and skillfully navigate these objections.

These techniques are not just about countering objections but about embracing them as opportunities to further demonstrate the value of your offer.

  • Learn to anticipate common objections and prepare convincing responses to address them head-on.
  • Discover how to flip objections on their head, using them to highlight the strengths of your product or service.
  • Master negotiation tactics such as the sharp angle close, which can be particularly effective in complex sales scenarios.

Build Urgency: Ethical Ways to Close Deals Faster

When closing, creating a sense of urgency can compel prospects to act swiftly.

By understanding and leveraging the right triggers, you can encourage prospects to make timely decisions that align with their needs and your sales goals.

These techniques are designed to help sales professionals close deals more efficiently while maintaining the integrity of the sales process and the customer relationship.

  • Uncover the psychological triggers that create a legitimate sense of urgency for the buyer.
  • Learn how to craft and communicate offers that are both time-sensitive and value-packed to accelerate the decision-making process.
Example: Last call, Peter… closing soon 🔒
Don't forget about our discussion in last week's meeting. The clock is ticking.
  • Understand the balance between creating urgency and maintaining a pressure-free sales environment.

Leverage Technology for Efficient Sales Closing

Sales automation tools and predictive analytics can revolutionize the way sales professionals close deals.

By integrating these technologies into the sales process, you can streamline operations, personalize approaches, and significantly improve your closing rates.

Learn how to start sending highly personalized (and automated) campaigns with this video! ⬇️

Automation tools simplify repetitive tasks, allowing sales reps to focus on building relationships and closing sales.

Meanwhile, predictive analytics provide insights that refine sales closing techniques, making them more effective.

Together, these tools create a formidable arsenal for any salesperson looking to excel in the modern marketplace.

  • Discover how sales automation can reduce the time spent on administrative tasks and increase the time available for engaging with prospects.
  • Learn how predictive analytics can help you anticipate the needs of your prospects and tailor your closing approach accordingly.
  • See real-world examples of how integrating technology leads to smoother and more successful sales closings.

Ensure Excellent Customer Experience

After successfully closing a sale, the journey doesn't end there.

Ensuring an excellent customer experience post-close is crucial for fostering loyalty and securing repeat business.

You need to be aware of the customer's journey and maintain a consistent level of service.

The Ben Franklin Close, for example, involves listing the pros and cons with the customer to reassure them of their decision, while the Puppy Dog Close relies on the customer's attachment to the product post-purchase.

These techniques help in retaining customers and set the stage for future upsells and cross-sells.

Conclusion

Integrating these strategies into your sales processes can dramatically increase your ability to close deals faster and more efficiently.

From understanding the psychology of closing to leveraging technology for efficiency, the process of sales is ongoing and dynamic.

The sales closing technique involves a mix of interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and the timely use of proven methodologies. Whether it's the sharp angle close to tackling complex objections or creating urgency with a time-limited offer, each technique has its place in the salesperson's arsenal.

Incorporating these best sales closing techniques will help you close more deals but also build lasting relationships with your clients.

It's about understanding your prospects' needs and desires and guiding them to the realization that your product or service is the solution they've been seeking.

Apply these techniques, refine your approach, and watch your sales performance soar.

Remember, the close is not just an end but a beginning to future opportunities and sustained business growth.

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Summary
Backbone of a business's internal operations.
Backbone of customer-centric interactions and operations.
Goal
To centralize and streamline core business processes in a company.
To increase customer experience, satisfaction and loyalty, and boost sales.
Focus
Internal operations and processes across departments (finance, accounting, inventory, supply chain, HR, and sales).
All interactions with leads and customers.
Manages
Internal business data like financial data, inventory levels, production details, supply chain, HR info.
All customer data like contact info, purchase history, communication history, customer preferences and more.
Users
Finance, accounting, operations, supply chain, and HR departments.
Customer-facing teams like sales, marketing, and customer service.
Benefits
Streamlines operations, improves data accuracy, enhances decision-making, boosts collaboration, increases productivity.
Improves customer relationships, increases sales, strengthens customer service, personalizes marketing campaigns, provides insights.
Price
$150 per user per year on average.
$10 to $30 per user per month on average.
PRM Tool
Rating
Feature
Pro
Con
Mobile App
Integrations
Free Plan
Pricing
4.65
star
star
star
star
star-half
Org-wide alignment
User-friendly layout and database
Suboptimal as a personal CRM
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Lack of tracking system
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Team: $20/month
Business: $45/month
4.7
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Social Media Integration
Easy contact data collection
No marketing/sales features
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Lack of tracking system
square-xmark
7-day trial
$12/month
4.75
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Block Functions
High customization capability
Not a dedicated CRM
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Limited
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Plus: €7.50/month
Business: €14/month
N/A
Open-source
Open-source flexibility
Requires extensive manual input
square-xmark
Limited
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$90/year
3.1
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Simple iOS app
Ideal for non-tech-savvy users
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iOS only
Limited
square-xmark
1-month trial
$1.49/month or
$14.99/month
3.6
star
star
star
star-half
Smart Contact Management
Feature-rich and flexible
Reported bugs
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Rich
square-xmark
7-day trial
Premium: $13.99/month
Teams: $17.99/month
4.4
star
star
star
star
star-half
Customizable Interface
Customizable for teamwork
Pricey for personal use
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
Standard: $24/member
Premium: $39/member
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
Integrated Calling
Integrated Calling
Too sales-oriented & pricey
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
14-day trial
Startup: $59/user/month
Professional: $329/user/month
4.8
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star
star
star
star
Business Card Scanning
Business Card Scanning
Mobile only
square-check
Limited
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$9.99/month
4.45
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160+ app integrations
Comprehensive integrations
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Rich
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30-day
square-xmark
But it offers reduced price to authorised nonprofit organisations
€25/user/month
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Best overall operational CRM
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Comprehensive incentive management
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4.1
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Limited 10 users
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Free plan for very small teams up to 10
CRM goal
Increase the sales conversion rate for qualified leads from marketing automation campaigns by 10% in the next 6 months.
SMART Breakdown
1. Specific: It targets a specific area (conversion rate) for a defined segment (qualified leads from marketing automation).
2. Measurable: The desired increase (10%) is a clear metric, and the timeframe (6 months) allows for progress tracking.
3. Achievable: A 10% increase is possible based on historical data and potential improvements.
4. Relevant: Boosting sales from marketing efforts aligns with overall business objectives.
5. Time-bound: The 6-month timeframe creates urgency and a clear target date.
Actions
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Step 2: Personalize marketing automation campaigns based on lead demographics, interests, and behavior.
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Increased sales and revenue
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Marketing and sales alignment
Data-driven marketing optimization
Table
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Approach
Data-centric
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Focus
Interactions across various channels and touchpoints, both online and offline.
Sales, marketing, and customer service interactions.
Functionality
Automatically collects, organizes, tags, and makes data available in real-time.
Helps businesses track customer interactions, sales pipelines, prospects, and service requests.
Goals
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Better customer relationships, streamlined processes, and improved profitability.
Benefits
Data integration, management, and accessibility, allowing for detailed analysis and segmentation.
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Examples
Insider, Bloomreach, Salesforce Marketing Cloud CDP
HubSpot, Salesforce Sales Cloud Lightning Professional, and Zoho CRM

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