Online buyer engagement has been rapidly increasing as the years pass. That is why inside sales plays a crucial role in sales cycles, especially in these modern times. In fact, the number of buying interactions jumped from 17 to 27 in the last couple of years.
The people you add to your sales team should have the right mix of skills, drive, determination, and expertise to help you set a new standard for excellence in the sales industry. Today, we will discuss what makes a good sales rep and how you can make your business stand out.
What Is Inside Sales?
Inside sales refers to the process of selling products or services over the phone, email, or other digital communication channels rather than in person. It is a type of direct sales that allows sales representatives to reach customers anywhere, at any time, without traveling to meet with them.
The goal of inside sales is to provide a convenient and efficient way for sales representatives to connect with customers, build relationships, and close deals. So. inside salespeople must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. They also need to have the ability to use technology effectively to manage their sales activities and support customers. Some tools they use to find leads include customer relationship management (CRM) systems, social intelligence software, sales analytics software, and email newsletters.
Inside sales has become increasingly popular in recent years because of its cost-effective and flexible approach. And with 70-80% of B2B buyers preferring remote interactions rather than in-person meetings, sellers need to learn to pivot their business to cater to the growing trend.
Inside Sales vs. Outside Sales
The main difference between inside sales and outside sales is the method used to reach and interact with customers, as well as the sales environment in which the reps operate.
Outside sales involves selling products or services through face-to-face meetings and other traditional mediums such as conferences, industry events, trade shows, seminars, and door-to-door sales. Outside sales reps need to be able to communicate effectively and handle objections and negotiations in person.
In contrast, inside sales reps sell products or services remotely. They communicate with customers through digital means, such as email and chat. This is a more convenient and cost-effective approach. But the sales reps need to have strong communication skills to make up for the lack of in-person interaction.
For many years, companies have relied on outside sales strategies. But with the rise of the internet, there has been a significant change in how buyers and sellers interact. That is why a lot of businesses have shifted their focus to inside sales strategies to stay relevant in these modern times.
Ten Qualities of an Excellent Inside Sales Rep
Customers who interact with your business expect a personalized, informative, and thoughtful experience, even if it is just through a digital channel. So whether you are starting an online business or transitioning to inside sales, finding the right people to help you sell your products is important. When creating an inside sales team, make sure the team members possess these qualities.
1. Strong Communication Skills
Sales reps play a critical role in building and maintaining customer relationships, presenting products or services effectively, and closing deals. But since they must communicate with customers over the phone, email, or video conferencing, they must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. They should be able to articulate the benefits and value proposition of the products or services in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.
Strong communication skills also help inside sales reps build rapport and establish trust with customers. They must be able to listen actively, ask questions to clarify customer needs, and respond to customer objections professionally and persuasively. This can help them build long-term relationships with customers and ensure customer satisfaction.
2. Proven Sales Ability
A successful inside sales representative must have a deep understanding of the sales process, including lead generation, qualification, presentation, and closing. They need to identify potential customers, determine their needs, and present their products or services compellingly and persuasively. They also need to be able to overcome objections and close deals, either over the phone or via email.
3. Customer-Focused
Customer-focused inside sales representatives should be able to put themselves in the customer's shoes and understand their needs and challenges. They can listen actively and ask questions to uncover and provide solutions to the customer's true needs.
When sales reps are focused on their customer's needs, they can provide excellent customer service. They can respond quickly and effectively to customer inquiries, address customer concerns, and resolve issues promptly.
4. Self-Motivated
Inside sales reps need to be self-motivated because their role often involves working independently and managing their own workload. They need the drive and initiative to take ownership of their sales goals and work independently to achieve them. They should be able to work with minimal supervision, prioritize their activities, and manage their time effectively to meet their sales targets.
Moreover, self-motivated sales reps are able to stay positive and driven, even in the face of challenges and setbacks. They can maintain a positive attitude and remain focused on their goals, even when dealing with difficult customers or tough sales environments.
5. Tech-Savvy
Inside sales reps' work revolves around technology. So, it only makes sense that they should know their way around it. They should be able to effectively use sales tools, such as CRM systems, to manage their sales activities, keep track of customer interactions, manage their sales pipeline, and monitor their progress toward their sales targets.
They should also be able to effectively use digital communication tools like email, video conferencing, and instant messaging. This way, they can communicate and build relationships with customers, provide information and support, and close deals from a distance.
6. Organized
Sales reps manage large volumes of information and activity. They should be able to prioritize their tasks, manage their time effectively, and stay focused on their goals, even in a fast-paced and demanding sales environment. They must also maintain accurate and up-to-date records of their sales activities and customer interactions. So they must be highly organized.
7. Empathetic
Empathy has an important role in the success of a sale. Customers are trying to get their problems solved. They may also be feeling frustrated from doing so. By taking the time to listen to their needs and challenges, customers will feel understood. Knowing how to put themselves in their customer's shoes is a good way to understand their needs and respond to them in an effective and helpful manner.
8. Adaptable
Inside sales is a fast-paced, dynamic environment where everything can change at the drop of a hat. That is why reps need to be able to respond to changing customer needs, market trends, and technology developments. They need to adopt new tools, platforms, and technology as they become available in their workflow. This allows them to remain competitive and continue to achieve their sales targets.
Additionally, different customers have different needs, preferences, and communication styles. That means sales reps need to adapt their communication style and approach to accommodate different prospects.
9. Coachable
Coachable sales reps are open to feedback and constructive criticism. They are able to use this information to improve their skills and performance. This helps them to continuously develop their skills, to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, and to achieve their sales targets.
Plus, this attitude makes it easier for them to collaborate and work effectively with their sales team. Sharing ideas and strategies with their colleagues and learning from each other are vital parts of being part of a team. This helps create a supportive and collaborative sales environment, leading to better results and improved performance.
10. Attention to Detail
Inside sales reps' work involves managing multiple tasks and responsibilities. Having attention to detail means being able to pay close attention to the details of their work so they can easily identify any errors or discrepancies. This is critical for ensuring the accuracy of sales data and customer information. It also ensures all customer interactions are professional and consistent.
Inside Sales Tips and Techniques
When you finally have a strong sales team, it is time to devise a game plan. These tips will help you develop a strategy that works for your organization.
Know Your Product or Service
When implementing an inside sales approach, you must thoroughly understand your product or service. This knowledge allows you to effectively communicate your product's or service's value and benefits to potential customers and answer any questions or concerns they may have.
Having a deep understanding of your product or service also enables you to identify and capitalize on potential sales opportunities. By being knowledgeable about your product or service, you are able to identify potential customers and understand their needs and pain points. This helps you tailor your sales pitch to meet their needs and present your product or service as the solution to their problems.
Create Buyer Personas
A buyer persona is a semi-fictional representation of a company's ideal customer based on market research and real data about existing customers. Creating buyer personas helps personalize and focus your sales efforts.
It can also help you better understand your target audience's specific needs and pain points. This knowledge enables you to tailor your sales pitch and messaging to resonate more effectively with your prospects. As a result, you can better articulate the value of your products or services and why they are the best solution to meet the customer's needs.
Build Relationships and Maintain Connections
Relationships with customers and prospects are the foundation for a strong sales pipeline and long-term business success. They also provide the perfect chance to identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities. By understanding a customer's needs and their business, you can recommend additional products or services that can help them achieve their goals and meet their needs.
But when trying to reach the decision-maker, you might often be connected with managers or second-level executives. They may not make the buying decisions in the company. But they can certainly influence the decision-makers. So don't hang up the phone if you don't get connected to the right person immediately. Talk to them. Build relationships with them.
Use Templates
Inside sales means having to answer a lot of inquiries every day. Having a template ready will save you from repeatedly typing the same email.
Using templates is an effective way to streamline and standardize your sales process. Templates can include emails, call scripts, and other sales collateral repeatedly used in the sales process.
This will save you a lot of time while ensuring consistency in the sales process. You don't need to reinvent the wheel each time you engage with a new prospect. You just have to access the relevant templates and customize them to fit the prospect's specific needs.
Call at the Right Time
When a prospect is available and in the right mindset, they are more likely to be receptive to a sales pitch and make a purchasing decision. On the other hand, calling when they are busy or unavailable can lead to a less productive conversation or even a negative impression of you and your company.
A study by Salesmate found that the best time to make a call is on Wednesday evenings between 4 PM and 5 PM. Of course, that doesn't mean you should only make inside sales calls a few times a week. Study the data carefully. Learn how you can use it to your advantage.
Drop a Voicemail
While phone calls are an important way to make initial contact, a customer may not always be available to answer the call. In such cases, leaving a voicemail ensures your message is heard. A well-crafted voicemail should be brief and to the point, highlighting the benefits of your product or service and why you are reaching out. It should also include a call-to-action, inviting the customer to contact you.
Leverage the Power of Social Selling
Social selling is a modern approach to sales that leverages social media to connect with potential customers and build relationships. As an inside sales rep, social selling can be a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with prospects. You can build your professional network, share content, and engage with potential customers by leveraging social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
This allows you to build a more personal and authentic connection with your prospects, which can help you establish trust and credibility. It can also provide valuable insights into your prospects, including their interests and preferences. This can help you tailor your sales approach and messaging.
Conclusion
A great salesperson isn't easy to find. There's no assurance you will hire the right person 100% of the time. But by looking at their personality traits, you can know if they will do great in sales. The characteristics of an all-star sales rep go beyond just a strong sales skill set. They encompass a combination of qualities that make them stand out from the crowd.
Of course, not everyone will fit right in right away. After all, amazing inside sales reps don't just come by. You need to train and coach them. Cultivating their skills and talent is the right way to excel in the inside sales industry.
