Explore the key pitfalls hindering outbound sales success and learn how to overcome them.

 
Table of contents
1. Excessive Use of Discounts and Promotions
2. Prioritizing Prospects Over Customers
3. Lack of a Standout Value Proposition
Conclusion

 
Building personal relationships and closing deals rapidly has always been the client’s greatest demand in the area of outward sales. Yet even the most skilled sales team with good intentions is faced with some challenges that make them not as productive as they could be. Today we will focus on the three most common mistakes and give the reasons for their existence.

1. Excessive Use of Discounts and Promotions

Leaning heavily on coupons and discounts, inbound marketing can be like the sharp edge of a sword with two sides. Obviously, discounts can be utilized to secure a sale or deal in the moment but will therefore diminish the perceived value of your offering. Imagine this: if you slash prices too often, customers may assume that there is some problem with your product or service. Similarly, if you overdo the promotions, they may start expecting discounts all the time. Which might turn out to be a problem for you if you want to sell the product at full price.

Instead of using discounts as the strategy of the first choice, try to emphasize why your offer is a unique and worthwhile option. What problems is it focused on solving? Does it help to solve specific problems that your customers are having? Instead of arguing about the pricing, the customer is more likely to agree on the value you are supplying them. Living up to this means that the customers will be ready to pay full price if they recognize the true value of what you’re selling. This way, you will not have a reason to sacrifice your margins.

2. Prioritizing Prospects Over Customers

Usually, an outbound sales case has the ideology of ignoring present customers in favor of gaining new ones, which is a typical error. Indeed, widening your market share is imperative, while neglecting those customers who keep purchasing your products or services might well turn out to be counterproductive. In a nutshell, your loyal customers constitute real treasure that is still lying there hidden. This will prompt customers to return and share their experience with other people.

In order to avoid that kind of mistake, it is mandatory to divert both attention and some of the resources towards fostering the loyalty of existing customers. Appoint them as your VIP customers; respond to their needs by giving them excellent customer service, keeping in touch with them regularly, and offering them some courtesy rewards from time to time. In addition to making them happy, you increase their potential to repeat your purchase and become profitable customers. Ultimately, it leads to a growth pattern that will stand the test of time and will compel your customers to stay with you for a long time to come.

3. Lack of a Standout Value Proposition

In the cutthroat sales industry, with lots of companies fighting for clients, you need to make sure the traits that make you stand out are employed against your competitors. Imagine this: You are a shopper at a busy market that is also a place where producers are competing with one another, and each one is trying to be more attractive than the rest. The competition is very tough; how will you make your brand stand out from all the other brands in the market? In this case, a USP that differentiates and sets the business apart becomes of the highest importance.

Picture your USP as your magic bullet that comes with a unique angle that separates your product or service from the others. It is what sets your product apart and grabs customers’ attention, stirring their curiosity about what is on offer. A USP that is vague and lacks flair could be the one that sinks your efforts while failing to attract potential buyers.

In a nutshell, what are the measures to avoid the above-mentioned pitfall? It’s simple: apart from all the tools and services on offer, take time to understand what makes your product stand out. Is it the outstanding quality or superiority that you claim? Maybe it’s the cutting-edge functionality that puts your product on the map, or perhaps it’s the practical application that leads your customers to marvel at your invention. Or maybe the outstanding customer-friendly service specializes in the clientele.

When you have determined your USP, be certain to make it the center of attention in your communications to sales. Highlight the strengths of your product, explaining why it is the superior option for customers. By focusing on your USP as the essence of your pitch, you will capture audience attention, stimulate interest, and, in the end, satisfy the needs of customers who are seeking something out of the ordinary.

Conclusion

Avoiding mistakes is one of the most important things when it comes to outbound sales. Sales operatives can maximize their performance and unveil a better business fortune by staying away from blows such as over-dependence on price cuts, disregard for existing customers, and having an unclear USP. Through offering high-value propositions, fostering strong relationships, and distinguishing from competition, companies can employ outbound sales with ease of mind and easily attain the financial targets they aim for.

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We all understand that account-based marketing is a great way to boost business and sales. ABM allows marketers to concentrate on their strategies, marketing, and efforts on important accounts. But what if you want to go even further and elevate your marketing and business? Well, the answer is intent data.

Nowadays, it is very crucial for businesses to look after their customers’ preferences. Intent data has become a go-to tool for every B2B marketer, as it provides knowledge of prospects’ interest in a product or service, which can help you focus on the ABM strategy, shorten the sales cycles, and close more leads.

Software providers who want a boost in conversions can integrate ABM with buyer intent data to find and reach potential customers more effectively. In this article, we’ll explore three simple ways to integrate intent data into your sales funnel to boost your profits.

Three Ways to Use Intent Data Throughout Your Sales Funnel

1.1 Expand Your List of Prospects

To maximize your marketing and sales efforts, you can start by expanding your list of potential customers. Focus on adding companies that align with your ideal customer profile (ICP) using CRM software. This tool helps track and score leads from various sources, such as your website and marketing campaigns.

Utilize B2B intent data to identify brands matching your ICP and discover contacts showing high interest in your product or service. This approach broadens your reach, allowing you to target new buyers effectively. By concentrating your efforts on leads with strong intent, you can boost the efficiency and accuracy of your outreach.

For example, let’s consider a nonprofit management tech company during the pandemic. Faced with the tremendous expansion of the nonprofit donor management market, they faced challenges identifying potential leads. Leveraging intent data, they created a targeted list of accounts meeting their ICP criteria. By focusing marketing efforts on high-intent prospects, they closed approximately one new deal per week and attributed 90% of their potential new consumers to intent data.

1.2 Flag Customers at Risk for Churn

To ensure continued success, it’s essential to monitor customers who might be disinterested. Even if you’re gaining new customers through ABM and intent data, keeping an eye on potential churn is vital. Intent data helps you analyze and spot customers showing signs of leaving, like reduced web activity or less interest in your content.

When you find a customer at risk of churn, reach out to see what’s wrong. They may be experiencing challenges with your product or considering switching to another provider. Either way, addressing the problem directly is the best way to retain their loyalty and client relationship.

For example, a performance management company noticed that two customers were considering other options. Their account managers reached out proactively to understand why and how they could help. To meet their needs, they retained both clients by adding additional features. This move not only saved $10K in yearly income but also brought in an extra $2K in revenue from their contracts.

1.3 Convert High-quality Leads

To maximize your sales success, it’s crucial to convert potential customers into high-quality leads. After identifying and targeting prospects, use intent data to understand their interests and behaviors. This allows you to score leads, personalize your communication, and increase conversions.

By analyzing behavioral data, you can uncover micro-conversions that indicate strong interest in your product. For instance, if a lead downloads a specific white paper or attends a webinar, it shows they want to learn more. This information helps you segment leads effectively.

For example, a HR processing tech company needed to focus on high-value accounts efficiently. They utilized intent data to monitor and track their top customers’ activity on digital marketing sites. This early buyer discovery led to an opportunity worth $89K, which is three times larger than their usual sales price.

Combining ABM and intent data helps expand your prospect list, identify at-risk customers, and convert leads effectively. This strategic approach boosts sales and ensures long-term success.

Make Intent Data Your Go-to Source

To improve your marketing and sales efforts, prioritize intent data as your main source of information. Look for a reliable provider that offers valuable insights to help you make smarter decisions. By understanding the intentions of your potential customers, you can engage with the right prospects and achieve better outcomes for your business. This allows you to concentrate on growing and expanding your business effectively.

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