25/08/2024
One of the Biggest Mistakes I Made on Demo Calls (and How You Can Avoid It)
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Let me share with you one of the biggest mistakes I ever made on a demo call.
It’s something that still makes me cringe when I think about it, and I hope by sharing it, you won’t make the same misstep.
I spent years in the corporate world, where the sales process is like a well-oiled machine.
I was trained in the consultative selling model - a methodical approach where you listen, diagnose, and then present the solution.
It’s a great system, especially when you’re dealing with large companies where decisions go through layers of approvals, procurement processes, and sometimes, months of back-and-forth...
But then I transitioned to working with small business owners, and let me tell you, it’s a different game altogether.
It’s faster, more direct, and often a lot more personal.
And this is where I stumbled.
Here’s how it went down:
This was many years ago, back when I was just transitioning out of the corporate world and into working with small business owners.
I was on a demo call with a potential client—a small business owner who seemed genuinely interested in what I had to offer. We walked through our services and offer, and everything seemed to be clicking.
Then, at the end of the call, the prospect said the words every salesperson dreams of:
“That sounds great. How do we get started?”
Now, back in those days, fresh from my corporate experience, I did what I thought was the right thing.
I responded, “Fantastic! I’ll send you a proposal link”
At the time, I felt like I had done everything by the book.
But as days turned into weeks, I noticed something unsettling, the client wasn’t getting back to me.
No signed agreement, no payment, no follow-up. Just silence.
Back then, I didn’t fully grasp the difference in urgency between corporate clients and small business owners.
I hadn’t yet learned that when a small business owner says they’re ready to start, they mean right now.
There’s no waiting around for a PO or approvals. It’s direct, it’s immediate, and it’s personal.
Looking back, I realise how much that delay probably cost me.
Not just in lost sales, but in lost trust and momentum.
It was a lesson I had to learn the hard way, but one I’ve never forgotten since.
So, if you’re ever in a similar situation, here’s what you should do instead:
When the client says they’re ready to get started, resist the urge to send them off with a link or proposal.
Instead, say something like, “Fantastic! Let me get you entered into the system right now.”
Then, take their details immediately.
It doesn’t matter where you capture them, whether it’s on a CRM, a simple spreadsheet, or even a piece of paper.
What matters is that you act on their readiness.
Take their payment details right then and there, confirm their commitment, and get them started on the spot.
Looking back, I wish I had done this from the start.
So here’s a rule of thumb: when someone is ready to start, don’t make them wait.
Seize that moment, because in the world of small business, that moment is everything.
The faster you get them going, the better it is for both you and your client.