Another name for the need-satisfaction presentation is the problem-solution presentation

Sales Methods

There are many different sales methods that can be used to close a sale and form relationships. Which sales method is most effective depends on what you are selling, who you are selling to and when you are selling it.

AIDA Method

AIDA is an acronym that stands for Attention, Interest, Desire and Action. This is a method that looks at the steps a client will undertake from when they first becomes aware of the product or service, to when they are making a purchase decision.

• Attention – Get the other person’s interest
• Interest – Spark their curiosity
• Desire – Create the need
• Action – Get them to commit to something

Need Satisfaction

The need satisfaction technique is a question and answer technique to make the client to recognise the need for your offering. This then leads to the client agreeing that they have a need to be fulfilled, which leads to you showing them how your offer can satisfy their needs. This method is based on a win-win approach for both the sales person and the client.

Depth Theory

Depth Theory is when a creation of trust occurs between the buyer and seller. The seller uses expertise in their product, service or industry to create trust between themselves and the buyer. The client will see the salesperson as an expert in that area and will trust them to solve the issues that they have.

7 Step Process

The 7 step process is a plan of action that starts at the planning and preparation to make the sale and leads to after-sale follow ups.

1. Planning and preparation
2. Introduction or opening
3. Questioning
4. Presentation
5. Overcoming objections/negotiating
6. Closing
7. After-sales follow up

→ Learn about the 7 step process

Communication

Good communication skills are key to building strong, ongoing relationships and can make all the difference when it comes to your ability to secure a sale. 

FAB Technique

Using the features, advantages and benefits (FAB) technique when communicating with the client is one of the simplest and most effective ways to show the many features and benefits your offering can have, and how it will help the client. It is ideal for any situation where the end benefit is not clear or there are multiple features and benefits.

• What are your key Features?
• What are the major Advantages of these features?
• What Benefit does this give?
• Using this in conjunction with other sales methods will provide a solid foundation for a great sales presentation.

→ Learn more about FAB Technique

Question structure

Active listening

Listening to your client is vital in sales presentations. It will allow you to pick up clues as to how you can better feature your product to suit their needs, and also help understand the timeframe and budget of the deal. There are 7 ways to become an effective listener.

1. Encourage silence to show you are actively listening
2. Be present
3. Make the client feel heard
4. Become a solution orientated listener
5. Listen for what is not being said
6. Resist the temptation to rebut
7. Listen for information

Evidence

Using evidence in a presentation can solidify trust between the buyer and seller. It comes in many different forms, but always helps to back up what you have been saying about how your offering can help them. The following are all types of evidence that can be used in a sales presentation to help solidify the deal.

• Empirical evidence
• Facts
• Trends
• Accepted knowledge
• Quotes/statements
• Testimonial
• Case Study/example
• Performance
• Market research

Stalls and objections

It is common to come across stalls and objections when in sales presentations. Most salespeople see these as a burden on the presentation, but if controlled effectively, they can benefit you.

A Stall is when the buyer gives no reason for why they are hesitating on the sale. This could just be them saying “I need to think about it.” An objection however gives a specific reason. For example, this could be “I think the price is too high” or “I am not sure if I like the personnel that will be working on this job.”

Handling stalls and objections can be the difference between making the sale or not and should therefore be a point of focus for all salespeople.

Closing the sale

Closing the sale is the most important part of any sales presentation. Some common problems that salespeople face when closing the sale are the fear of “No”, talking too much, being afraid to ask and a lack of confidence.

Knowing the signals for closing the deal is important as it will allow for you know when to move ahead with your sale. The signals that buyers give are both verbal and non-verbal. Some common verbal signals are asking about timing, pricing, ongoing support and who is going to be involved. Some common non-verbal signals will be nodding of the head, particular interest on one feature and pleasure in anticipating the purchase.

Closing techniques

Once you identify the signals that closing the sale should happen, the following techniques can help you complete the deal.

• The order form
• The assumptive close
• The alternative close
• The direct approach
• Incentive close
• Scarcity close
• Already lost close
• Sharp angle close
• Small to large

What is need satisfaction presentation?

What are the three types of need satisfaction presentation strategies?

What type of presentation will you use memorized formula need satisfaction ]?

What are the four sales presentation methods?