Congratulations! You’ve been trying to meet with a new prospect for some time now and you finally got the time of day. The people in this meeting have the ability to make your dreams come true. There are many things you do to prepare, and you feel ready to give it your all. However, one important thing to remember is that although they are everything to you, you are just another salesperson to them. That is, until you wow them while delivering a sales pitch. We’ve decided that we want to give you tips on what NOT to do. Based on experience doing the following will not end very well:

1. MAKE SURE TO NOT GO IN BLIND

I almost feel like this goes without saying but do your research. Make sure you know who you’re calling on and how you bring value to their endeavors. Know not just who they are but also what they wish to accomplish in the futures that you can mold and how you will help them get there.

2. DO NOT ABUSE TIME

Time is a salesperson’s #1 asset, and it also happens to be the main thing we waste. If you have a meeting at 4:00 pm make sure you are there at 3:50. If they have set aside 20 minutes of their day for you, do not take one second more unless you time-check and they give you the go-ahead to continue. ALWAYS time-check. Do this once when you set the meeting, again when you confirm, another when you start your meeting, and lastly when time is nearing.

3. NEVER SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD

This is where research is your friend. You may have a general sales pitch (which is fine) but if a prospect is giving you the time of day, you need to make them feel special. Make sure your pitch is tailored to their needs so that they can understand the value you bring to their company.

4. AVOID OVERTHINKING

Although being nervous is completely normal, you don’t want to look it. After all your practice, you should try to remain cool and collected. Your nervousness will show. Remember what you practiced and just take it step by step. Don’t overanalyze.

5. DON’T TELL SOMEONE HOW THEY FEEL

So many salespeople go in saying their product is “life-changing” and they’re “going to love it.” So many of them lose the sale. The key to a successful sales pitch is staying in control while your buyer feels like they are. Although they may love your product, you want them to think it without your biased input.

6. BE CAREFUL ON JUMPING THE GUN

Remember these are real people and they have real lives. Now, you don’t want to come off too strong and start asking extremely personal questions. However, make sure that you take the time to build rapport and then go into your pitch.

7. DON’T TALK THE WHOLE TIME

You may love the sound of your voice, but not everyone else does. If  all you do is talk for 20 minutes straight about your product, you are going to have a major snooze fest. Make your pitch interactive. ASK QUESTIONS. Make sure you’re talking about what matters to your customer and give them a chance to talk.

8. NO ASSUMPTIONS

You’ve practiced this pitch a million times… hopefully. So, you know and understand the product, but your buyer doesn’t. Stray away from lingo that isn’t known to the common world. A great rule of thumb to follow is to practice explaining your product to a 5-year-old. If you can do that then you truly understand what you’re selling.

9. DO NOT FORGET TO CLOSE

Good job! You made it to the end of your pitch. All the time you spent preparing paid off and you killed it. So, now what? Well, now you ask for the sale. Sometimes even the best of us get so caught up in the delivery that we forget to close. Remember to close no matter what, even if that means closing at the next meeting. If you don’t, you’re in for an awkward ending.

10. DON’T BE AFRAID

More often than we want, we get no’s- even after all the research, preparation, and objection handling. Unfortunately, that’s just part of being in sales. Don’t be afraid to hear no. Take it and try to understand why. Use it as a learning experience and one step closer to yes.

IT’S OKAY IF YOUR PITCH IS RUFF AT FIRST

Unfortunately, we can’t all stumble our way through like these good boys. Delivering a sales pitch takes time and practice. Although we can all agree that the doggos above can probably get away with anything; if you do any of the things on this list when delivering a sales pitch, we can almost guarantee you’ll end up in the dog house. If you can remember NOT to do these 10 things, you are setting yourself up for a world of success.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!