Terms

Overcoming Objections

Overcoming objections is the process of addressing and resolving a potential customer's concerns or barriers that prevent them from making a purchase. It is an opportunity to understand a prospect's true hesitation, build trust, and guide the conversation toward a resolution.

Strategies for Overcoming Objections

Effectively handling objections requires a structured approach rather than a reactive one. By preparing in advance and focusing on the prospect's underlying concerns, you can turn roadblocks into opportunities. A solid framework helps guide the conversation productively.

  • Listen: Actively hear the prospect's full objection without interrupting.
  • Acknowledge: Validate their concern to show you understand and build rapport.
  • Explore: Ask open-ended questions to uncover the root cause of the hesitation.
  • Prepare: Anticipate common objections and practice your responses beforehand.
  • Respond: Address the specific issue with a tailored solution, focusing on value and social proof.

Common Objections and How to Address Them

Prospects' objections often fall into a few common categories. Recognizing these patterns allows you to address the core issue rather than just the surface-level complaint. Here are some of the most frequent types of objections you'll encounter.

  • Price: The prospect believes the solution is too expensive or doesn't fit their budget.
  • Authority: The person you're speaking with isn't the final decision-maker.
  • Need: The prospect doesn't perceive a problem or understand the value your product offers.
  • Urgency: The timing isn't right due to other priorities or existing contracts.

Overcoming Objections vs. Handling Objections

While often used interchangeably, these two concepts represent different strategic approaches to sales conversations.

  • Overcoming Objections is a proactive process focused on resolving the root cause of a prospect's hesitation to move a deal forward. It’s ideal for complex enterprise sales where a consultative approach can turn barriers into opportunities, but it can be time-consuming.
  • Handling Objections is the tactical, in-the-moment response to a stated concern. This structured approach is useful for managing common issues efficiently in mid-market sales or for initial qualification, but it may only address surface-level problems without deeper exploration.

The Psychology Behind Objections

Sales objections are rarely about the product; they're rooted in human psychology. Prospects often raise concerns due to a fundamental fear of change or making a costly mistake. This risk aversion is a powerful defense mechanism against potential loss, whether it's financial or operational.

Beyond fear, objections can signal a lack of trust or resistance to change. A prospect might be skeptical due to past negative experiences or simply satisfied with their current situation. Understanding these drivers helps you address the real issue, not just the surface-level complaint.

Role-Playing Scenarios for Practice

This is how you can effectively use role-playing to sharpen your objection-handling skills.

  1. Pair up with another rep and assign roles for the salesperson and the prospect.
  2. Use a common, real-world objection as the basis for your scenario.
  3. Act out the conversation, with the salesperson responding to the objection naturally.
  4. Conclude the exercise by giving each other specific and constructive feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions about Overcoming Objections

What if a prospect raises multiple objections in a row?

This often signals a deeper, unstated concern. Instead of tackling each one individually, pause and ask clarifying questions to uncover the root issue. Addressing the core problem is more effective than fighting a series of smaller battles.

How can I tell if an objection is genuine or just a polite “no”?

Genuine objections are specific and often followed by questions, indicating engagement. A brush-off is typically vague and dismissive, with the prospect trying to end the conversation quickly. Pay attention to their tone and willingness to elaborate.

Is it better to prevent objections or handle them as they come up?

A proactive approach is always stronger. By anticipating and addressing potential concerns in your initial pitch, you can build value and preemptively resolve issues. This positions you as a trusted advisor rather than a reactive salesperson.

Other terms

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Buyer’s Remorse

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Agile Methodology

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Brand Equity

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Event Marketing

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Channel Partners

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Channel Partners

Multi-Channel Marketing

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Multi-Channel Marketing

CRM Integration

CRM integration connects your CRM software with other tools, creating a unified system for all your customer data and business processes.

CRM Integration

Siloed

Siloed describes the isolation of data, teams, or systems within a company, which blocks collaboration and creates operational bottlenecks.

Siloed

Jobs to Be Done Framework

The Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) framework focuses on understanding customer needs by identifying the specific 'job' they are trying to accomplish.

Jobs to Be Done Framework

Marketing Qualified Opportunity

A Marketing Qualified Opportunity (MQO) is a lead vetted by marketing as a genuine sales opportunity, ready for direct sales follow-up.

Marketing Qualified Opportunity

D2C

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D2C

B2B Marketing Analytics

Learn about B2B marketing analytics, including key components of B2B marketing analytics, & getting started with B2B marketing analytics.

B2B Marketing Analytics

Generic Keywords

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Generic Keywords

Reverse Logistics

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Reverse Logistics

User Testing

User testing involves observing real users interact with a product to identify usability issues and improve the overall user experience.

User Testing

Buyer's Journey

The buyer's journey maps the path a potential customer takes, from first becoming aware of a problem to making a final purchase decision.

Buyer's Journey

Page Views

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Page Views

Persona-Based Marketing

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Persona-Based Marketing

Closed Question

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Closed Question

Branded Keywords

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Sales Training

Sales training is the process of honing a salesperson's skills and knowledge to enhance their effectiveness and drive sales success.

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Learn about B2B contact base, including building an effective B2B contact base, & strategies for expanding your contact base.

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Customer Journey Mapping

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Ramp Up Time

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Ramp Up Time

Google Analytics

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LinkedIn Sales Navigator

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B2B Data Solutions

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Upsell

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Quality Assurance

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Quality Assurance

Sender Policy Framework

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Sender Policy Framework

Talk Track

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Phishing Attacks

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Phishing Attacks

Data Mining

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Data Mining

Outbound Sales

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Employee Advocacy

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Employee Advocacy

Content Syndication

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Content Syndication

B2B Buyer Intent Data

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B2B Buyer Intent Data

Inbound leads

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Revenue Operations KPIs

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Revenue Operations KPIs

Net Promoter Score

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Application Programming Interface Security

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Application Programming Interface Security

Marketing Intelligence

Marketing intelligence is gathering and analyzing data about your market, customers, and competitors to inform strategic marketing decisions.

Marketing Intelligence

Channel Sales

Channel sales is an indirect sales model where a company leverages third-party partners, such as resellers or affiliates, to sell its products.

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Adobe Analytics

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Adobe Analytics

Channel Marketing

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Channel Marketing

Performance Plan

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Performance Plan

SAM

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SAM

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

Total Addressable Market (TAM) represents the maximum revenue a company can earn by selling its product or service in a specific market.

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

Sales Velocity

Sales velocity is a key metric measuring the speed at which your company makes money. It shows how fast deals move through your sales pipeline.

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Sales Dashboard

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Smarketing

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Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks, theft, and unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity

Business Continuity

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Sales Development

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Batch Processing

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AI-Powered Marketing

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Account Development Representative

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MOFU

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Closing Ratio

Closing ratio is a key sales metric that shows the percentage of leads or proposals that result in a successful sale.

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Cost Per Click (CPC)

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Cost Per Click (CPC)

Marketing Analytics

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Funnel Analysis

Funnel analysis is a method for understanding the steps users take to complete a goal, revealing where they drop off in the conversion process.

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Unique Selling Point

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RESTful API

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RESTful API

CRM Data

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Weighted Sales Pipeline

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Weighted Sales Pipeline

Applicant Tracking System

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Applicant Tracking System

Sales Territory Management

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Marketing Attribution Model

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Contract Management

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Contract Management

Event Tracking

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Event Tracking

Sales Funnel

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Sales Funnel

Responsive Design

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Lead Nurturing

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Lead Nurturing

Virtual Private Cloud

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Virtual Private Cloud

B2B Intent Data Providers

Learn about B2B intent data providers, including evaluating intent data quality, leveraging intent data for growth, & B2B intent data: key providers comparison.

B2B Intent Data Providers

ETL

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Sales Script

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Sales Automation

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Sales Automation

Cloud Storage

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Cloud Storage

C-Level or C-Suite

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C-Level or C-Suite

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Target Buying Stage

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Target Buying Stage

GPCTBA/C&I

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GPCTBA/C&I

Request for Quotation

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Request for Quotation

Payment Processors

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Payment Processors

Discount Strategies

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Discount Strategies

Cost Per Impression

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Cost Per Impression

Conversion Rate

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Conversion Rate

Lead Magnet

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Lead Magnet

Account View Through Rate

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Account View Through Rate

Lead Routing

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Lead Routing

Outside Sales

Outside sales reps sell products/services in person, traveling to meet clients and close deals face-to-face, outside of a traditional office.

Outside Sales

Sales Prospecting Techniques

Sales prospecting techniques are methods used by sales teams to identify, contact, and qualify potential customers, also known as prospects.

Sales Prospecting Techniques

Shipping Solutions

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Shipping Solutions

Voice Broadcasting

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Voice Broadcasting

Predictive Lead Scoring

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Predictive Lead Scoring