Outbound sales and online dating have a lot more in common than people give them credit for. I would go so far as to say that all I need to know about outbound sales, I learned from Tinder. Think about it, the keys to success to getting a date on Tinder are actually pretty similar to the keys to success to closing a sale.
1.Put Yourself Out There to Find Dates Clients
Getting on Tinder might be scary the first time, you kind of need to throw yourself out there, right? Hoping to find a date in a bar is one thing but getting on an online dating platform is definitely another! It works pretty similarly in outbound sales: you need to get out there and find potential clients instead of waiting for them to come to you. Cold calling prospects the first time can be just as nerve-wracking as sending the first message on Tinder, and the only way to go about is to just go for it.
2. Embrace Rejection
Putting yourself out there can be terrifying at first. What if you think you´re a perfect match but she doesn´t return any of your messages? Nobody wants to be on Tinder and only get left-swipes. It works the same with outbound sales. It´s not easy hearing “no” all day, but that’s a big part of being in sales. So with both online dating and outbound sales, in order to get some hits, you need to stop worrying about being rejected and realize you have nothing to lose. You don´t have a date now either, so even if you only get left-swipes it´s not much different. Actually, you can only get better. If you change your mindset and embrace rejection you’ll stop caring so much and just go for it. Confidence is attractive.
3. Your First Impression is Everything
On Tinder it´s all about the first impression. It only takes a second to make a decision, so your picture and bio better be golden. If you don’t immediately hook them with your first impression, it’s too easy to swipe left and move on. And even if they swipe right and it’s a match, if your first message doesn’t land, you can forget about a response. First impressions are just as important to be a successful sales person. When you cold-call a lead, your fate will also be decided in a matter of seconds. If you don’t capture their attention with your first few sentences, the rest of the phone call will be an uphill battle. We’ve all had people call us trying to make a sale, but they open the conversation so poorly that you´re wondering how on earth they got the job. Don’t be that person.
4. No Cookie-Cutter Messages
You might feel a quick rush when you get a Tinder match, but don’t go crazy just yet. This is just the beginning. Don´t send the same message to every match you get, personalize it to increase your chance of success. This works the same when trying to make a sale: when initially reaching out to a prospect, you need to customize your message and approach to suit the situation. A one-size-fits-all approach is never the way to go.
5. Don´t Be Pushy
So you got a match, sent a message, and got a response. The conversation is flowing and you’re in the home stretch. Don’t blow it by being too pushy (getting their phone number, meeting up, etc). The same goes for outbound sales. Once you have that first lead, don´t harass your lead and try to close the deal too quickly. Be confident and make sure to follow-up, but don´t overstep!
Have you used your Tinder skills to close a deal? Or the other way around? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
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