Neuro-Linguistic Programming, more commonly known by its shortened version, NLP, is a practice by which, through controlled thoughts and language regarding one’s self and circumstance, one can change and improve their behavior for the better.
Over the years, this has become increasingly popular, especially amongst successful individuals, leading to its recent mainstream adoption.
What Is Neuro-Linguistic Programming?
NLP is simply a set of techniques and behaviors that can be learned and integrated into one’s lifestyle to control themselves better and deal with situations as they arise.
Does It Actually Work?
NLP is a documented process that has been experienced by millions of people throughout the world who swear by its effectiveness. However, if this is not convincing enough, consider the dozens of testimonies and statements by successful people in favor of NLP who have used it in their life to achieve a great many things.
Finally, heaps of literature in the form of books about neuro-linguistic programming and studies on the subject can be enough to make even the most skeptical critic reconsider their position.
How Does NLP Apply to Sales?
NLP helps one achieve greater self-awareness that can help empathize with and convince others.
Moreover, practitioners of NLP also experience a greater amount of self-confidence, which can be extremely important when one is out and about and trying to convince someone else to buy what they are selling. This helps generate more sales and revenue as the consumers can sense that you truly believe in your product, service, or idea.
NLP Phrases for Sales
Any seasoned NLP practitioner will use a series of phrases to generate sales. These include sentences like ‘There is a huge demand for this service; however, it has not yet emerged in the market as a compelling offering.’
A phrase like this establishes the idea that there is demand for what you sell. Furthermore, in one fell swoop, you also discredit competitors and point out to the person listening that they have not purchased this product or service until now because it offered bad value. Something that you are in a position to change.
NLP Techniques to Use NLP for Sales
There are a plethora of different techniques that involve NLP that you can apply to generate sales. The following is but a short list mentioning some of the most effective strategies.
Active Listening
Active listening is generally a very important skill in life as it makes whoever you are talking to feel that you consider what they are saying to be important.
The technique involves making a deliberate and visible effort not only to understand what the other person is saying but to show that you are trying to understand their perspective.
When applied to sales, this can help reassure customers that you are taking their needs, consideration, and wishes into account before pushing a product or service onto them.
Emotional Anchoring
Emotional anchoring is how a salesperson using NLP can make a potential customer invested in the product being sold. Rather than simply being a consumer object, what you are offering the person is something more if you can connect it to their life story or a piece of their identity.
This is an extremely powerful technique used by large brands and famous salespeople to make customers feel like they are purchasing the product and doing themselves a favor.
Body Language and Communication Mirroring
Body language is another way of improving sales using NLP that cannot be taken for granted. Consider, for example, mirroring the physical movements of the customer to subliminally come off as someone familiar, an ally who empathizes.
Additionally, it is also very important to sit with your client, not in front of them in an antagonistic position. Rather, right beside them the way a friend would so they are more likely to believe in you and your product or service.
Mastering Modeling (a.k.a “The Swish Pattern”)
The Swish Pattern, also known as modeling, is to insert someone into a world where they become a different, better version of themselves by making a certain decision.
This is an effective sales technique as it can make potential customers imagine themselves as better or more like after they agree to purchase what you’re selling. The Swish Pattern offers them the potential and excitement of having a dream.
Expressing and Promoting Positivity
Positivity is generally a radiant and attractive quality for people. Through positivity, you can exude a can-do attitude that makes people think that you are the right man for any job.
Moreover, positivity is more likely to make others like you as they experience nicer emotions when they are in your company; hence, those emotions become associated with you.
In the world of sales, this means that by being positive, you can present the optimistic version of the future to your client where the product you are selling has the best possible effects. This allows them to envision the full potential of your offering, which makes them more likely to want to purchase it.
Reframing
Reframing is used in many walks of life to view a situation from a different perspective. This can help someone see the other side of the equation and hence be more receptive to ideas different than their own because they understand the potential.
In the case of sales, by using the reframing NLP technique, you are changing the interaction from a transitional one where you are trying to convince the other person to buy into an advisory or even a friendly one. You can be someone who listens or cares about what the other has to offer.
You even have the potential to be a helping hand in things outside the scope of the transaction. All these help the customer see the value in dealing with you rather than consider it a simple deal.
Common Questions About Using NLP for Sales
Despite the explanations provided enough, it is still possible that you have a few questions regarding NLP. The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions; answered.
How can NLP be used in business?
For businesses, NLP can drive growth and sales by becoming more effective and marketing and persuasion, hence helping the bottom line.
How would you use NLP in negotiation?
As mentioned above, sales techniques such as Mirroring, Modeling, and Reframing can help you sell an idea to someone else during negotiation, making it more likely that they will listen to you.
Why do companies use NLP?
Companies use NLP simply because it is one of the most effective ways to drive growth and improve their business due to the increased sales offered by these methods.
Conclusion: Improve Your Sales Career With NLP Today
After all is said and done, it can be established that NLP is an extremely powerful tool for salespeople to improve their job and create more value in their company and the world.
However, to learn NLP techniques, there is more to it than just reading an article and trying it out on your next client. Instead, a proper training course, such as training offered by NLP Top Coach, can aid you in becoming certified and adequately skilled in the trade tricks to get the job done. We wish you the very best of luck in this endeavor.
