How to Build Sales Cycle for Seven Stages of Sales?

Have you ever wondered what separates successful salespeople from the rest? It’s not just luck or charm – it’s having a well-defined sales cycle that takes prospects on a journey towards making a purchase.

Similarly, when a company encounters a potential customer or lead, it follows a defined process to convert leads into buyers. This process is known as the sales cycle.

We’ll walk you through stages of sales cycle, providing expert insights and practical advice on how to create a seamless flow that captures attention, builds trust, and ultimately leads to conversions.

What Is Sales Cycle?

If you want to convert a lead into a paying customer, then, what and how will you do it? Well, that process of converting any lead into a customer is called the sales cycle. It presents a comprehensive plan for all salespeople in the company, which consists of the necessary measures to nurture a lead and successfully move it through the sales cycle for closure.

Why Do We Need to Build a Sales Cycle?

When it comes to sales, having a clear and structured process is essential. That’s where building a sales cycle comes in. A well-designed sales cycle not only guides you through the sales process but also ensures that every step is accounted for and optimized for success.

There are several valuable advantages to building a sales cycle. Firstly, it allows you to structure your team effectively to support your sales process. For instance, if your main challenge is finding qualified leads, you can allocate more resources to that stage.

Secondly, having a defined sales process simplifies the onboarding of new staff. It provides a clear picture of short-term and long-term goals and how each stage contributes to the next.

Additionally, it helps identify areas where a lot of effort is being wasted. Understanding your process enables you to eliminate low-return projects and concentrate on activities that yield the best results.

Lastly, it allows you to pinpoint which stages of the sales process need improvement. You may realize that your team excels at generating leads but struggles while making contact. By identifying this, you can offer training in areas such as email writing, getting past the gatekeeper, and addressing other obstacles they encounter.

The 7 Stages of Sales Cycle

Almost every organization uses the same basic stages of sales cycle to close the deal. These stages are:

• Stage 1: Prospecting and lead generation
• Stage 2: Qualifying leads
• Stage 3: Building rapport and trust
• Stage 4: Presenting the solution
• Stage 5: Handling objections
• Stage 6: Closing the sale
• Stage 7: Follow-up and post-sales support

From prospecting potential clients to nurturing relationships and closing deals, each stage plays a vital role in successful selling. Now Let’s break it down step by step for better understanding.

Stage 1: Prospecting and Lead Generation

The first one in stages of sales cycle is Prospecting and Lead generation. This is the stage where you work to identify potential customers and gather contact information. At this time, you should have a goal in mind – starting a conversation and pushing them down the sales funnel.

You can find leads through various methods like cold calling, networking events, social media platforms, and referrals. The key is to cast a wide net to ensure a steady stream of potential customers.

Moreover, while generating leads, it’s crucial to focus on quality rather than quantity. Instead of chasing every possible lead that comes your way, take the time to qualify prospects based on their needs and preferences.

Stage 2: Qualifying Leads

In the second stage of sales cycle, lead qualification becomes the priority. This is where the real work begins, as you sort through potential prospects to determine who is most likely to benefit from your product or service.

Qualifying the leads isn’t just about finding those with a genuine interest in what you have to offer; it’s also about determining if they fit within your target market. While it may be tempting to chase every lead that comes your way, it’s important to remember that not all leads are created equal. That’s why, at this point, having reliable outbound sales software like Salesgear can make all the difference.

With Salesgear, you have access to advanced lead qualification tools that streamline the process and save you valuable time. By using data-driven insights and analytics, you can identify promising leads based on factors such as their industry, job title, company size, and recent activities.

Moreover, you can find thousands of potential buyers from their database of over 200 million records. This allows you to prioritize your efforts and focus on those leads that are more likely to convert into customers.

Stage 3: Building Rapport and Trust

In the third stage of sales cycle, building rapport and trust becomes crucial. This is where you start to establish a connection with your potential customers on a deeper level. One way to do this is by actively listening to their needs and concerns.

By showing genuine interest in their goals and challenges, you can build trust and create a comfortable environment for open communication.

Another effective strategy during this stage is finding the common ground with your prospect. By identifying shared interests or experiences, you can create an instant connection that goes beyond business. This not only helps build rapport but also establishes a sense of familiarity and trust.

Remember, building rapport and trust is an ongoing process that requires time and effort. It’s important to be patient and genuine in your interactions with customers as you nurture these relationships over time.

Stage 4: Presenting the Solution

Till now, you have found leads, qualified them, built trust, and started the conversation. Now it’s time to offer your products or services.

This stage of sales cycle is incredibly important and needs thorough preparation. Your goal here is to show how your product or service can solve the customer’s problem. You should be prepared to illustrate how your product can enhance the customer’s daily operations and why your company is the best choice to witness this improvement.

Remember, in this presentation, you are not only selling your product but also yourself. Your body language, behaviour, and appearance can impact whether you make the sales or not.

Stage 5: Handling Objections

After presenting your solution to a potential customer, it’s common to encounter objections about your products or services. Objections are a normal part of the sales process and should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a roadblock.

When handling objections, it’s crucial to remember that customers raise concerns because they want more information or reassurance. By addressing their objections effectively, you can build trust and credibility, increasing your chances of closing the sale.

The key to handling objections is listening attentively and responding empathetically. Remember that objections often stem from misunderstandings or miscommunications, so take the time to understand your customers’ perspectives fully.

Acknowledge their concerns and address each objection directly without becoming defensive or dismissive. This shows that you value their opinion and are genuinely interested in finding a solution that meets their needs.

Stage 6: Closing the Sale

You have come a long way through different stages of sales cycle, and now it is time to seal the deal! At this stage, you have built a strong relationship with your prospective leads, addressed their needs, and demonstrated the value of your product or service. It is all about making that final push and closing the deal.

Closing the sale is the most critical stage of the sales cycle. It is where all your hard work and effort finally pays off. However, this is important to approach this stage with care. Pushing too hard or using aggressive tactics can backfire and create a negative experience for both you and the customer.

You can gauge the prospect’s interest and readiness to buy without putting too much pressure on them. By asking questions like:

• Does this sound like something that could benefit your business?
• Are you ready to move forward with this solution?

Moreover, it’s crucial to keep in mind that if a sale isn’t closed in the very first meeting, it doesn’t signify the end of opportunity. Certain products, such as business software or large machines, may require several weeks or even months for closure.

The sales process remains active until either the sale happens, or a prospective customer decides not to proceed any further.

Stage 7: Follow-Up and Post Sales Support

Now that you have received the good news about sales, it’s time to maintain strong customer relationships and foster future business opportunities. It’s important to stay in touch with your customers after the sales to ensure their satisfaction and address any concerns they may have.

The follow-up process should begin immediately after the sale. Sending a thank you email or making a quick phone call demonstrates your appreciation for their business and shows that you value them as a customer.

Additionally, staying engaged with your customers through regular check-ins shows them that you are committed to their success even after the sales are made.

Another important aspect of post-sale support is providing ongoing assistance or training, if necessary. Some products or services may require additional guidance or troubleshooting, so you should be available to answer questions or provide further assistance that can enhance customer relationships.

Best Practices to Build a Sales Cycle

It’s no secret that building an effective sales cycle requires careful planning and attention to detail. One of the best practices to consider is communication. It’s crucial to establish clear lines of communication with your team members, customers, and prospects. This can include regular check-ins, email updates, or even using collaboration tools like Slack to ensure everyone is on the same page.

To streamline and optimize your stages of sales cycle, consider implementing tools like Salesgear. With Salesgear, you can manage all aspects of your sales cycle in one place. From lead generation to closing deals, this powerful software allows you to track progress, automate tasks, and analyze data on a seamless platform.

Here’s How Salesgear Can Assist in Each Stage of Sales Cycle?

Salesgear is a powerful tool that can greatly assist sales teams in each stage of the sales cycle. From finding leads to closing the sale, this HRMS software has got your back.

• Lead Generation: Salesgear allows users to build an accurate and up-to-date list of prospective buyers quickly. It offers access to a vast database of over 200 million records. Moreover, after the lead generation, this software can help you in scheduling meetings with potential customers.
• AI Writing Assistant: Salesgear offers automated email warm-up processes to improve email deliverability. It ensures that emails are more likely to land in the inbox and not in the spam folder.

Additionally, it provides an AI-powered writing assistant to help users create compelling messages. This tool can assist in creating engaging email copies, subject lines, and other messaging across various channels.

Multi-channel Outreach: The platform supports outreach across multiple channels, including email, phone, and LinkedIn. This multichannel approach increases the chances of reaching prospects where they are most active.

• CRM Integrations: Salesgear seamlessly integrates with popular CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Pipedrive CRM, and Zoho CRM. This integration ensures that you can access and update buyer information, schedule follow-up tasks, make calls, and send emails directly from your CRM, enhancing the overall workflow efficiency.

In summary, Salesgear simplifies outbound sales for sales teams by offering a single platform equipped with lead generation, outreach, engagement, and CRM integration tools. This can lead to increased productivity, improved email deliverability, and a more efficient sales cycle.

Key Takeaways

FAQs Related to Sales Cycle Stages