On this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we’re talking about how to close more sales. Of course, you know when it comes to sales, it’s not about you; it’s about them. The more you understand the personality style of the person you’re communicating with, the better you can to guide them to a decision that’s right for them.
Now, before I go on, let me quickly explain what I mean by “right for them.” Zig Ziglar said it best when he said, “Selling is not something you do to someone, it’s something you do for someone.”
I couldn’t agree more. And the better I get at “servant selling,” the more enjoyable leading the sales process is, and the more people say “yes” to doing business with us. A key to selling as something “you do for someone,” and how to actually close more sales, is understanding personality styles. And of all of the personality style tools out there, DISC is the best tool.
Why is DISC the best personality style tool?
“Complexity is your enemy,” said Sir Richard Branson said. “Any fool can make something complicated. It’s hard to make something simple.”
We can’t implement what we don’t understand. DISC is easy to understand, remember, apply, and get your team onboard with.
For example, when you know someone is dominantly a High I (Interactive) and the attributes of a High I, you can lean in their direction, and understand their needs, strengths, and weaknesses.
This helps you lead them in the sales process. If you can’t even remember their personality style, you can’t do this.
Here’s a short, 3-minute video on using DISC to improve communication if you want to learn a little more:
When you know the personality style you are selling to, you can change the way you give information to best serve the other person.
The Different Personality Styles (And How To Close More Sales Knowing Them):
First off, here’s a 30,000-foot view description of each personality style.
It’s important to remember that everyone has all 4 levels, but normally, people have 1 or 2 “high” levels, such as a “high D.”
Also, people’s personalities fluctuate between their “natural” and “adaptive.”
A simple way to think about this is people tend to be in their “natural” when their at home, and “adaptive” at work or when they know people are watching them.
Here’s a breakdown of what to factor into selling to each personality type:
Selling to High Ds:
- Give them info in sound bites. Short and sweet.
- If written, give it in bullet points
- Once a high D has bought…STOP SELLING THEM. STOP TALKING. Transition to the close.
Selling to High Is:
- They are all about people.
- Don’t go into the meeting giving them information right off the bat. Ask them how they are doing?
- But don’t be fake! Be genuinely interested in them.
- They won’t hear a ton of details so follow up with them in a more detailed email.
- Keep the meeting fun and energetic.
Selling to High Ss:
- This is the most difficult style to sell to because change is a conflict for them. Most people give up on them because they take a looooong time to make a decision.
- They’re always asking themselves, “How is this going to impact the team?”
- Give them information. Teach them how your product, or service will help the company AND team.
- Understand it will take a lot of follow-ups. But the effort is worth it!
Selling to High Cs:
- You have to have A LOT OF DETAIL to sell to high Cs. They don’t want salesmanship or hype.
- They just want the facts. It doesn’t need to be exciting.
- If they disagree with your facts…you lost the sale.
- Be prepared.
- Ask them, “Are there any questions?” This allows them to give information back to you so you can fill in more information.
- And remember…DETAIL DETAIL DETAIL!!!
Learning to master selling to different personalities, and servant selling overall, takes years of practice and diligence. But eventually, you WILL close more sales, and it’ll feel great to get there!
If you study top-performing salespeople, they take immediate action when they learn new, useful information. That’s what I encourage you to do with this information! Take action today!
Question: How do you think selling according to personality style can help you?
Resources:
DISC+ Personality Profile
Understand How Personality Styles Contribute To Conflict
Joel, what I need to know next is how to quickly discern a stranger’s personality style. Many of the folks looking at my work in a gallery, at my studio or during a show are people I may have met once or twice before, or maybe not at all. I’d love to be able to apply your 30,000 foot view to them!
Whilst not very skilled at this yet, I have found the biggest difference is learning to listen and observe the person beyond the facts they are telling me. Are their sentences long and chatty, short clipped, dry and factual, or needing reassurance? The biggest barrier? Me thinking about me and planning the next conversation instead of taking time to adjust.
Hope it helps
Jeanine from darwin
Great stuff Jeanine! And can’t wait to see you in a few months!!!
Thank you, Jeanine. This is helpful.
Thank you for this, it really makes sence
JANA!!!! It’s heart warming to be chatting with you!!!! It’s a blast from the past! So great question. Jeanine’s advice below is good. I’ll fill in some more. For instance, High Ds tend to talk about results, their high task and more dominate; high Cs tend to ask a ton of questions and share a lot of detail; high Is tend to be very chatting, higher energy and social and can also share a lot of detail but off topic; and high Ss are the “hard to read” category. It’s funny because you may find yourself thinking “I don’t know what their dominant personality aspect is.” Often, they’re a higher S. But for Ss, they tend to talk about how their decision impacts other people, they’re more soft spoken, more passive, and they need time to process on the decision. Don’t pressure them but follow up and give them space to think. I hope this helps!
Thank you, Joel! As always, you are so very helpful, and I appreciate the summary.
I didn’t fade away because I don’t like you all – it is because your info focuses on team building, and it’s still just me around here. So I just check in when the topic seems relevant and remember the fun early days of the C-Lo tribe.
Ah yes those early years were so fun! I’d love to get that back going again! Do you ever listen or read our “life” content? There’s a bunch of new posts on the blog even.
So good to hear from you Jana!!! MIss you girl!
Thanks, Chris. I like to check in from time to time to bask in the reflected glory of your success.