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Storytelling In Sales – How To Do It Effectively

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storytelling in sales

Storytelling In Sales – How To Do It Effectively

One of the most powerful ingredients you can add into your sales process, is storytelling in sales conversations.

 

From the Bible to the Quran; and from The Epic of Gilgamesh to modern movies and your Netflix TV show stream – stories have been used for thousands of years to share ideas, knowledge, and entertainment.

 

So why are stories so powerful; and how can it be useful in a sales context?

 

In this article, you’ll learn why storytelling in sales conversations is so important, and how you can use stories to win more sales and make a bigger impact.

 

 

Storytelling In Sales – How To Do It Effectively

 

 

What Does Storytelling In Sales Mean?

 

 

Storytelling in sales conversations simply means using stories when conversing with your potential clients, which in turn enhances empathy, rapport, and helps your ideal client see a reason to invest in your product or service.

 

Using stories are a powerful way of engaging and selling, because people have always used stories to communicate an idea.

 

Storytelling in sales conversations will make you relatable, as well as give you an opportunity to explain how your product or service will give them the outcome and solution they’re looking for.

 

 

Selling With Stories – Why It Works So Well

 

 

According to Harvard, there are two distinct reasons why selling with stories works so well.

 

First – telling stories creates a sense of connection.

 

Stories build trust, familiarity, and helps your ideal client place themselves being in the same position as the character in your story.

 

At times; the sales process can be complex, and hard to digest and understand.

 

Stories help break down the jargon and technicalities and makes it easy to understand and relate to.

 

Secondly, stories stick.

 

Because stories are so visual, they also make it a lot easier for your ideal client to retain information.

 

This way it’ll be easier for them to make a decision; and hopefully a buying decision at that.

 

For thousands of years, human beings have transferred knowledge and ideas from generation to generation by using storytelling.

 

Because of this, we’re naturally wired to receive and give information to others by effectively telling stories.

 

Storytelling in sales conversations works exactly the same – the more you share, the closer you’ll become to winning the sale.

 

 

The Elements To Succeed With Storytelling In Sales

 

 

Storytelling in sales conversations is very much like telling a good story; you want it to be memorable, make an impact, and help your ideal client come to some kind of decision.

 

So, what makes a good story?

 

Storytelling experts suggest there are five important elements that you should include to make your story compelling.

 

 

#1 – Premise

 

 

The premise usually includes the location, characters, and circumstances.

 

From a storytelling in sales point of view; this would be mean other similar people like your ideal client who used to perhaps have similar issues to them and were initially in the same kind of space they’re in while you’re having your conversation.

 

 

#2 – The Plot

 

 

The plot includes the details of similar people to your current client, and how they overcame any objections and issues to make a buying decision.

 

We recommend including their previous situation, their pain points, what their ideal outcomes were – and how investing in your product or service helped let them achieve that.

 

 

#3 – Character

 

 

Every good story has characters.

 

Here you’ll have the opportunity to go into more detail about how your current clients were just like your ideal client – facing the same issues, what those issues mean, and what would have happened if they didn’t overcome them.

 

This is a good opportunity to also include other characters such as decision makers, potential hurdles, and what they did to influence and work with these people to make a buying decision.

 

 

#4 – Word Choices

 

 

When telling a good story, it should always be relatable with no confusion.

 

Jargon and using technical words can hurt your sales, so it’s imperative that when you’re storytelling in sales conversations that you always use easy to understand and relatable language.

 

 

#5 – The Theme

 

 

The theme from a storytelling in sales conversations perspective, is how people just like your ideal client may have had objections to initially buying – but why making a buying decision helped get them the same kind of outcomes your potential client is looking for.

 

Always remember when sharing your stories, that you don’t just talk about features and benefits.

 

More importantly; share how people may have been hesitant at first, but now realise that investing in your product or service was an excellent business decision.

 

 

Storytelling In Sales – Extra Tips

 

 

Two extra tips we highly recommend when storytelling in sales conversations, is the use of case studies and testimonials, and knowing objections in advance.

 

Case studies and testimonials are powerful, especially when shared graphically and visually.

 

When sharing stories, demonstrate with evidence how previous clients got their results using your product or service, and what it will mean if your ideal client takes action too.

 

Furthermore, we recommend investigating potential objections in advance, and handling these objections when sharing stories.

 

If you know what the common objections are with clients similar to who you’re trying to close, handle this up front.

 

This will prevent it from coming up later, making your presentation and asking for the sale a lot more seamless.

 

 

Storytelling In Sales – Final Thoughts

 

 

storytelling in sales conversations is an excellent way to relate with your ideal client, because it makes you more relatable, and builds rapport.

 

When you share stories effectively, your ideal client will remember what you share, which in turn will make it easier for them to make a buying decision.

 

Use stories to handle objections and demonstrate what it will mean if they too invest in your product or service.

 

At first; it may feel a little hard to share stories with your ideal clients, especially if you’re not used to it.

 

However, with practice, repetition and consistency, you’ll become an excellent story teller in no time.

 

 

Want To Close Consistently Without The Guesswork?

 

 

If you’re committed to increase your closing rate more consistently, then you should look into our online sales training program, The 5% Sales Blueprint.

 

Our online program is self-paced and is an affordable investment that’ll teach you exactly what to do to close more sales.

 

No more guess work – learn the exact process to win sales without being pushy.

 

Click the link below to learn how.

 

Our Online Sales Training Course – The 5% Sales Blueprint

Khabeer Rockley

Khabeer Rockley is a Sales & Business Trainer, and the Founder of The 5% Institute

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