Each station is responsible for fund raising and program sponsorships. While it’s not like making a traditional sale, there is a beginning and an end to the process. The end, or commitment, is commonly referred to as closing, much the same way most salespeople refer to it. PBS asked me to do a one hour session called “Closing The Sale.” As a sales trainer, I had spoken many times on the subject of closing skills, however this was the first time anyone asked me to speak exclusively on this subject. I decided to do some homework. The first thing I did was look up the word in a dictionary. What a surprise! It wasn’t defined exactly the way I anticipated. According to the dictionary, “to close” meant to “liquidate, neutralize, and eradicate,” among other things. If closing comes at the end of the selling cycle, it really signals the beginning or opening of the account relationship, not the closing of it, and certainly not its eradication. Personally, I feel some salespeople fail to “close” the sale because they don’t find it easy to do. With few exceptions it’s hard to say that closing is a positive experience. Let’s reframe it and call it something else. Instead of closing the sale, how about securing commitment or asking for the order or getting the decision. These are more positive and accurate descriptors of what actually happens at the end of the selling cycle. Enough theory: Here are several ways to help someone say yes or no. Naturally we’re looking for yes’s. We don’t want maybe’s. If all the maybe’s salespeople had were cashed in tomorrow, we would have enough to eliminate the national debt. Real winners don’t bank on maybe’s, they’re searching for the “Yes’s.” Here are a few simple, yet effective, ways to carry out closing the sale. You should only use these statements after all potential customer needs have been identified, your solutions have been presented, and after all major concerns have been effectively handled. Once you’re in this position consider one of these options:
This one is really good!
Think of all the reasons you put off “closing the sale.” If you ever get anxious about securing the commitment in the future take this advice. Decide how you will ask for the order before you make the sales call. Since it will be brief, write it down. Count the words, once you feel comfortable with your approach, and practice it at least twelve times. Your total time investment will be less than a minute. The return on your investment will be an incredible boost to your self-confidence. Everything gets easier with practice. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes for a minute. It’s easier to say no to someone who is winging it. It’s more difficult to say no to a professional. Bringing closure to the selling cycle, is no time for improvisation. In the business of selling it pays to prepare. It pays more to practice. It pays even more to prepare and practice often. If you want to be paid more, do what pays more. When the timing is right, go ahead and close the sale!
P.S. - If you want to sharpen your closing skills, this CD was recorded for you! 
Closing The SaleClosing is easiest part of selling - when you know the secret to doing it right. This Closing Skills CD has it all for you.
Selling tip - in sales your attitude is everything! Always stay positive. Start selling more today and everyday . . .
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