Inbound sales may seem like a walk in the park.
I mean, all you need to do is sit back and wait for self-qualified leads to roll in, and then just pick up those warm calls and close deals, right?!
Wrong!
Inbound sales is in fact, a tricky game to master… and although there is a big difference between inbound and outbound sales, both have unique challenges.
The good news is, this article will highlight 11 powerful secrets to help you address the unique inbound sales challenges you may not even be aware of.
Understanding these challenges, and approaching the job with a few secret tactics will make all the difference in your conversions.
Your company is likely spending a lot of money on inbound sales lead generation programs, so you want to reward that commitment with a high close rate.
If you don’t understand how to effectively convert your inbound sales leads, scaling up and reaching new heights will remain just a dream, both for you and your employer.
Key Challenges with Inbound Sales Leads
In the world of sales, inbound leads are seen as a golden opportunity.
That’s a true statement, so long as an effective inbound sales process is followed, and the right inbound sales tactics are employed by the sales team.
It’s critical for sales reps to understand that inbound sales leads are not just dollar signs knocking on the door, but rather they are tricky opportunities that come with unique challenges…
It’s a Competition
The first hurdle is competition. Statistics show, your prospect is being courted by numerous competitors, and has likely approached multiple companies offering similar solutions.
They are reaching out because they are ready (or almost ready) to buy, so they are aware of the pain your solution can solve.
Regardless of your secret sauce, your prospects are viewing you as a commodity and feel empowered to treat you that way.
This is in stark contrast to outbound sales, where sales reps can sweep in with powerful and unique messages that get the attention of leadership.
Outbound sales get a bad rap because of the rejection, but through that approach, you avoid the constant competition that is a hallmark of inbound sales.
Creating Value in the Self-Research Era
In the past, prospects would rely on salespeople to help inform them, whereas today, they do the research themselves before ever contacting you.
This shift towards self-service research means that creating value becomes trickier than ever because prospects expect to find everything on your website.
It’s typical that prospects will come equipped with preconceived notions and expectations about what your product or service should offer them.
Swimming Upstream to Differentiate
All savvy customers attempt to commoditize products. It’s much easier to assume all offerings are mostly the same, so they can negotiate on price or service levels.
Assuming your products are somewhat competitive, and your inbound marketing programs are pulling in curious prospects, you need something special that sets you apart on this crowded stage.
The following sections reveal secrets on how to effectively manage inbound sales leads while overcoming common obstacles along the way, that many of your competitors will get tripped up on.
Let’s dig in!
What are the Secrets?
This list could feature 50 secrets, but these are some of the most critical that should be followed to ensure you maximize your opportunities with valuable, and costly inbound sales leads.
Work hard to integrate these behaviors into every inbound sales call you take, and watch your conversions and sales numbers skyrocket!
Inbound Sales Secret #1 – Follow-Up on Leads Immediately
Time is of the essence when dealing with inbound leads. Statistics show that you can dramatically increase your chances of success by following up in under 5 minutes!
Every sales leader on earth should ensure rapid follow-up is a cornerstone of their inbound sales process.
The moment a potential customer shows interest, follow-up. Don’t check other messages, don’t go to the bathroom, follow-up NOW.
Did you know that 78% of prospects buy from the first vendor that contacts them back?
Your prospects are exploring multiple options and if you aren’t quick enough, they will probably reward your competitor with the business (and commission).
The Power of Immediate Response Time in Sales:
- An immediate response gives an impression that you value their time and business.
- You stand out from competitors who may be slower to respond.
- When prospects fill out a form, they are thinking about your company and solution, and are ready to explore right now.
Remember: every second counts. Don’t let those valuable inbound sales leads slip away by doing other things.
Inbound Sales Secret #2 – Touch Base Before Meeting 1
Alright, let’s dive into our second secret for handling inbound sales leads.
This one is all about timing and communication.
You’ve got a lead and they’re interested enough to schedule an intro call. Great!
But here’s where many salespeople drop the ball: They wait until that scheduled meeting to touch base with their prospect again.
A simple email or phone call can do wonders in establishing rapport and reducing no-show rates.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Take it another step further by reaching out 24 hours prior to your scheduled intro meeting.
This serves two purposes:
- Helps by reminding busy prospects about the meeting and why they should attend.
- Gives you an opportunity to request additional information ahead of time, so you can make deeper progress in the meeting.
With these proactive measures, not only are you keeping your prospects engaged but also ensuring smoother meetings as both parties come prepared.
Now that we have established how crucial pre-meeting touches are, next up we will discuss what else needs to happen before call #1.
Inbound Lead Secret #3 – Research Before Meeting 1
Before you even pick up the phone, make sure to do your homework.
Investigate a business’s website to unearth useful information regarding its operations, products, and principles. This information will help you tailor your approach during the call.
In addition to the company’s website, be sure to explore your contacts’ social media presence as well – it can provide insight into their background, interests, and how long they’ve been with their current company.
To really impress, drop hints throughout the conversation that show you’ve done your research. This will demonstrate initiative and genuine interest, and if done right it won’t come on too strong.
Inbound Sales Secret #4 – Open Properly
Opening a first meeting, whether you are targeting a 1-call close or just getting started on a lengthier sales cycle, can be the make-or-break moment in your inbound sales process.
As the salesperson you are leading the interaction, so get started with some friendly chatter to establish an amicable relationship and help everyone relax.
Why Small Talk?
A little bit of friendly conversation helps build rapport and puts everyone at ease before diving into business matters. This Psychology Today article explains how effective it can be.
Small talk is simple, you can talk about the weather or if you’re on a video conference you can inquire where people reside. Make a light joke and watch how people are ready to laugh if you are confident.
Frame the Agenda
Moving from small talk to a more serious discussion requires that you introduce a break, and frame the agenda.
It sets expectations about what will be covered during this time together, and you should always ask if the prospect is happy with the agenda or would like to add to it.
Here’s a helpful guide on how to frame agendas effectively.
Prompt Your Prospect
Now it’s time to get started. Your prospect scheduled this meeting because they have a problem, and they’ve done enough research to know that you may be able to help them solve it.
Ask them what’s going on! This can take many forms, but I find a less formal, open-ended opener is the way to go.
Your goal is to give them the floor and pay close attention to what they are saying.
Inbound Sales Secret #5 – Listen, Uncover, and Restate
Secret #5 is the single most important of ALL the secrets! This is a muscle you need to build in sales and in life.
Your ability to listen, ask appropriate questions in the right way, and then summarize and restate what you are hearing, is where you build credibility and deep trust with prospects.
If you falter at this stage, you will not develop the type of relationship that is critical for you to stand out in the crowd of other salespeople. Remember, this prospect is talking to them about the exact same problem.
Your prospect must feel heard, they must be prompted to dig deep and share information they aren’t divulging to others, and they must believe you are taking every single detail in with empathy.
The Power of Active Listening
We are living in a time of distraction. The salesperson that can harness focus and genuinely apply it to understanding people and their problems, has a major leg up.
So many good things are sub-communicated when you do this, on top of the fact that you will get a deeper understanding of the issues that you will later incorporate into your pitch.
Forbes provides some excellent tips on active listening, so start using them immediately.
The Art of Summarization
Listening and probing are important, but the seed of trust takes root when you clearly show that you understand.
People become really interested when they feel you understand them, even more so if they feel comfortable sharing details and feelings they weren’t expecting to.
This art form starts with your genuine interest in helping others. It deepens with your commitment to going further, through your questions and your ability to identify unspoken details.
Getting good at this takes time and there are levels.
During this phase of the sales process, resist all urges to outline any ways you can help… it’s not quite time for that just yet.
Inbound Lead Secret #6 – Qualify Hard
When it comes to inbound sales leads, an absolutely critical sales strategy is qualifying your leads thoroughly.
This process involves asking tough questions and digging deep into their needs and budget constraints. Don’t get stuck in the Matrix, hearing what you want vs. what is being said.
The aim isn’t just to recognize likely customers; it’s also about verifying that your offering meets their needs.
Weed Out the Tire-Kickers
Tire-kickers show interest, but usually, it’s premature. They don’t yet have a firm requirement or allocated budget, but they’ll spend your valuable time talking.
Desperate salespeople get duped into these time wasters, so don’t let that happen.
Ask probing questions and when you discover a prospect isn’t real, eject.
As you gain more experience, you’ll begin to see the signs earlier. Avoid being cynical or too aggressive, instead make a game of spotting the signs as early as possible, and getting out fast.
Inbound Sales Secret #7 – Rules for Pitching
I’m sure this is becoming obvious, but personalization is the only way to succeed in inbound sales.
You must differentiate through the sales skills of listening, digging and relaying your understanding back.
As you run through the process from secret #5, you will uncover all the little details you’ll need to start attracting the prospect into your orbit.
Finally, it’s Time to Pitch
I recommend starting your pitch with a very brief (1 or 2 sentence) statement of how you help, and preferably how you have helped customers with similar problems.
Also, state that you feel confident in your ability to help them.
Your pitch should be tailored to address your prospect’s unique pain points that you previously uncovered. Use similar language to what you heard.
Take it higher with stories
Storytelling has to sound natural, and your narrative has to be appropriate for the moment.
Ultimately, you are sharing how your organization has successfully helped similar customers overcome comparable challenges.
According to studies, narratives are powerful tools for building trust and empathy.
- The first step? Weave the precise pain points of prospects into stories showcasing problems your company consistently solves for other clients.
- Avoid generic tales – take a moment to go deeper and make them more relatable and impactful.
- Create an emotional connection through well-crafted narratives, making sure your prospect sees themself mirrored in success stories from past clientele.
- Practice your tonality and delivery for maximum impact.
Remember: Every prospect wants to feel understood. Every prospect is hoping you can help them, and a well-timed and delivered story will provide those assurances.
Depending on what you sell, an advanced-level skill is to go back and forth between asking questions, and summarizing what you hear with relevant stories sprinkled in.
This secret might seem simple but its impact cannot be overstated when converting inbound sales leads into loyal customers.
Inbound Secret #8 – Lead and Identify Objections
When working inbound sales opportunities, you are leading the interactions with your prospects.
Leading does not mean dominating conversations or pressuring people into making hasty decisions. In fact, you should be talking less, way less, in the early phases of your first meeting.
Your role is to guide conversations in a way that uncovers valuable data, and potential objections early on.
Finding Potential Roadblocks
Most young salespeople think the goal of a first sales call is to skate through and keep the vibe happy. Nothing could be further from the truth.
You want to have a real conversation that includes a focus on identifying red flags.
On top of leading an honest communication that will build trust, you need to uncover deal-killers that you can either overcome or will lead to a quick disqualification.
Red flags could be anything from budget issues to functionality requirements, to other doubts about your solutions or company.
Don’t fear objections. Getting through them properly will get you one step closer to a deal. Here’s a short, handy reference for objection handling.
Inbound Lead Secret #9 – Relationship Build at Warp Speed
A great inbound sales team is taught to build strong relationships rapidly. Sales leaders know that success demands an effective inbound sales process that emphasizes relationship building.
Your prospect will decide if you’re a viable option in the first few minutes. Often you will only have the first call to advance the sale and stay in the game.
Forming a strong connection with prospects is not just about understanding their needs, it also requires that they feel you really care.
This process begins from the very first moments. It’s essential to stand out amongst competitors who are vying for attention too. How do you achieve that?
- Be Happy: It seems so simple, but if you bring a happy demeanor into your calls and show it clearly, your prospect’s mood will almost always brighten up.
- Genuine Curiosity: Show real interest in the person, their business, and its challenges. Ask open-ended questions and let them share.
- Find the Pain: So they want X, Y, or Z, but why? Why do they need it? Maybe they told you a reason, but keep asking yourself (and them) why? If you do this effectively you will get to reasons that most other salespeople won’t find, and then your relationship will deepen.
- Show Empathy: Demonstrate empathy by acknowledging their struggles, mentioning that you’ve helped others address them before. Express your sincere desire to help. Forbes discusses how powerful empathy can be within sales..
It’s cliché, but always remember that people buy from people.
If someone is on a call with you, it’s because they want to buy from a person and not do it all online. Respect that and bond with them, to ratchet up your results.
Inbound Secret #10 – Identify All Key Stakeholders
Depending on the size and complexity of your product or solution, inbound sales (and outbound sales) will often involve multiple meetings and stakeholders.
Some of these stakeholders will be influencers within a decision-making committee.
In some cases, there is a single decision maker, but often these days decisions are made by a group of key influencers and the ultimate budget owner/decision maker.
This can make it challenging to navigate through a sale, but keep going.
Understanding the roles and perspectives of all stakeholders involved is crucial for success and as with everything in sales, it’s all about asking and uncovering.
The Researcher
Your initial contact will often be a researcher.
Sometimes they’re gathering information before presenting options to key stakeholders or decision-makers within their organization.
Put your best foot forward no matter who you are talking to, and ensure you make that short-list or whatever the next step is.
See what you can discover about the stakeholders, timeline, budget, etc. even with a researcher.
Tips To Identify Key Players:
- Determine early if your point of contact has authority over budget and implementation decisions – ask directly.
- If you discover that there are other influencers involved, identify them and request an introduction or meeting with them too.
Whenever possible, meet with all key stakeholders separately or if that’s not possible, in a group. It’s important to discuss each person’s unique issues, pain points, and desires.
Identify and discuss any conflicting information. Be consultative.
Remember: Selling isn’t just about persuading one person; it’s about knowing who’s involved, knowing their level of influence, and winning over each key stakeholder.
Inbound Secret #11 – Never Send a Proposal
Ok, this heading is misleading! You definitely want to send proposals, but always request a meeting first to review the proposal before submitting it.
If you don’t do this, a large portion of your proposals will end up in an abyss and you will never hear back from the prospect.
You won’t find out where you went wrong, or what you could have done differently.
However, if you make this a habit you will get more valuable facetime with your prospect, and you will have the chance to read their reaction and adjust accordingly.
An easy way to secure this meeting is to state that you need to ensure the proposal meets their needs, and would like to make any necessary revisions in a live call before sending it over.
Most prospects that are seriously interested will agree to this step, and if not you have a red flag to explore, discuss and address.
Don’t Forget to Close!
This one is so obvious that we can’t call it a secret! Closing doesn’t always mean a signed contract.
It’s about understanding your next desired step in the sales process and ensuring you secure that buy-in from your prospect.
In the event they resist for some reason, it’s about knowing how to handle it and get to a desired outcome.
You are responsible for the sales process as an inbound sales rep, so you have to gain commitment for the next step.
Tips For Closing Effectively:
- Prioritize active listening during conversations so you can identify key pain points and opportunities where your product/service fits perfectly.
- Maintain professionalism throughout all interactions – this helps build trust which plays a crucial role when it comes time for decision-making.
- Avoid rushing prospects; instead offer guidance based on their unique needs while showing patience throughout the buying journey.
- When the time is right, ask for the next commitment in your process and do so with confidence.
- Have some techniques up your sleeve to address hesitancy and resistance.
Remember: The close isn’t always about making an immediate sale. It’s often about building relationships that lead to future business.
So even if things aren’t progressing as quickly as you’d like – stay persistent. Your perseverance will often be rewarded.
FAQs
Where do inbound sales leads come from?
Inbound sales leads are generated through an approach known as inbound marketing.
Most modern buyers want to learn about the products & solutions that can address their problems before engaging with a salesperson. They’ll search online and identify possible vendors.
Eventually they are invited to complete a form. From there, the lead lands with the sales team, and the inbound sales process begins.
Do inbound sales reps handle outbound sales also?
This really depends on the company. Inbound and outbound sales are not the same and involve a completely different sales strategy.
Outbound sales tactics include cold calls & emails, where the sales person tries to connect with someone that may not even be aware they have a problem that needs fixing.
Inbound and outbound sales both have their place in a successful organization, and the best salespeople can be proficient with both selling approaches.
Why is an inbound sales strategy important?
Inbound sales are the more modern method of selling, so companies need an effective inbound sales strategy and the commitment of marketing to pull it off.
An high quality inbound sales process includes behavior that differs from outbound sales tactics, so it’s important to have clear steps outlined for each approach.
What is the success rate of inbound sales?
The success rate varies based on factors like industry, strategy, tactics, offering and of course the quality of the sales team and sales reps.
The key difference between outbound and inbound sales is that outbound involves more rejection, but interested prospects are more likely to close. Inbound sales opportunities are easier to open, but tougher to close due to the frenzied competition.
Conclusion
Outbound and inbound sales are different, and both have unique challenges.
As a sales rep, converting inbound sales leads is no walk in the park. It’s a delicate dance of quick follow-ups, engaging meetings, and compelling pitches.
But it doesn’t stop there. You need to touch base before calls, open discovery meetings with finesse, and always remember to close your next steps.
The secret sauce? Customization and storytelling. Weave your prospect’s pain points into narratives about how you’ve helped others just like them.
Follow these secrets to get a leg-up on your competition.
And if you work hard and follow the advice in this article, you’ll convert more inbound sales leads into happy customers than you thought possible!