Tips: Insurance Sales
Nearly of the insurance agents I talk to are trying to impress their prospects with what they know, what they’ve accomplished, the great companies they represent and the competitive products they offer. However, as top sales professionals know, to make more sales, it’s all about you being interested, and not about being interesting.
Being Interested Closes More Sales
During your sales calls, are you asking probing questions? Are you interested in and really listening to what your prospect is saying? Or, are you thinking about what you’ll say next while the prospect is talking to you? If you ask enough probing questions and really listen to what your prospect says, you’ll discover what it is they really want and they will tell you exactly what you must do to close them. Most agents tend do all the talking and never listen long enough or carefully enough to find out what the prospect truly wants. Consequently they miss the real sale.
Being Interested Creates Trust
Prospects need to feel that you understand what they ‘Want’. (Notice I didn’t say, “need!” People donʼt buy what the need! They buy what they want!) Only by asking questions and listening, will the prospect feel that you understand their situation, trust you and have the confidence to follow your recommendations.
The best sales people I know diagnose a situation before they prescribe a solution, just like physicians do. How confident would you be with your doctor if you walked into his office with serious concerns, and he asked you only one or two questions before immediately writing a prescription or sticking you with a needle? You’d have zero confidence in his abilities.
How good are you at diagnosing the prospects situation, before you prescribe solutions? Do you take the time to ask questions to build credibility in your expertise and your recommendations? The answer to the above question goes a long way in determining your insurance sales success – or lack of success. It’s what separates the top producers from the average producer.
