Are you in sales? Do your customers trust you? I read something from HubSpot recently that made me pause. According to HubSpot, only “17% of salespeople think they’re pushy — compared to 50% of prospects. And along similar lines, only 3 % of buyers trust reps.” — HubSpot Sales Statistics 

I knew there was a disconnect between salespeople and decision-makers, but I had no idea it was so broad. Only 3 % of prospects trust sales reps. So, what can a professional salesperson do about it?

Do Your Customers Trust You? Are You Sure?

Stop Thinking Like a Salesperson

To stop thinking like a salesperson. Begin by not calling yourself one. Take the title of consultant, adviser, or customer service specialist but not salesperson because your job isn’t to sell people – your job is to help them. And when you help people, they come back to you and tell their friends.

Get Personal

If you have a canned, one size fits all pitch that you use for every customer on every presentation. You will not inspire trust – just the opposite. If you want to build trust, research your prospect and create a presentation based on who they are and what they need.

This means you need to do your research and understand the customer, their culture, and their needs, and their industry, competition, and other providers.

Come from Help

If you want to be a consultant that clients find trustworthy, then come from help. There was a saying when I was learning sales, always be closing. The way I was taught the ABCs of selling didn’t make sense to me. When I was always closing, I wasn’t listening, learning, and helping clients solve problems. I made a lot of sales because I was overbearing, pushy, and good at it. But because I didn’t build relationships, my sales were usually one and done. Had I been taught ABH (Always Be Helping), I would’ve been a more productive salesperson.

  • Tie your offerings to your customer’s success, not your needs.
  • Offer options – give prospects a choice based on their needs.
  • Add value by giving your help outside of the sell. How do you do this? Start by connecting them to potential customers. If you want to build loyalty and develop trust, bring your customer a new client.

When you can, offer help outside of the sale. I recently gave a PDF version of one of my leadership books ( The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management) to a customer. I permitted them to make the book available to their more than 4,000 employees. I didn’t make a dime on it, but that’s not the point – I helped a loyal customer, and they’ll remember that.

Communicate Openly

To begin with, this means to talk with customers, not at them. How is this accomplished? It’s achieved by asking questions and listening to your client to learn their opinions, needs, and problems. “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. Most people listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey.

It also includes being transparent and honest. Prospects don’t want to be oversold or overpromised. They want the truth, and they want you to deliver on your promises.

Open communication also means understanding customer communication preferences. Don’t send a text to a client who wants a phone call.

And once an order is being processed, clients shouldn’t have to call you for information. You should stay ahead of them and provide all the information they need, especially any changes.

So, Do Your Customers Trust You?

Do your customers trust you? Good question. You hope so, but how can you be sure? To begin with, ask them. Okay, don’t call them and ask, “Do you trust me?” instead, send a survey about customer service, or visit them and ask their advice on how you could better serve them.

Do your customers trust you? Do they come back, or are they one and done? Have customers left positive reviews on social media and Google reviews? Do clients refer new customers? If so, the answer is yes, your customers trust you, but if you’re uncertain, it might be time to reevaluate your sales approach.

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me.