Think you know what you’re doing in sales?

Maybe you do, and you’re spot on, making a total killing.

But sales changes so fast that maybe what you used to think was true isn’t anymore.

Things aren’t working, and you’re not sure why.

Check out these sales stats and see what the case might be for yourself:

 #1. Most Sales People Give Up Before the Prospect Even Considers Buying

Amazing as it sounds, it’s true: 44% of salespeople give up after just a single followup, but 80% of prospects require 5 follow-ups before they’re even willing to consider buying.

Wow! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot…

#2. Just 25% of Leads Should Even Advance to Sales

This stat comes from Gleanster Research. So did you read in between the lines: 75% of the leads you get in any process, you shouldn’t even try to sell to them.

Evaluate your qualification process if you’re advancing too many leads that don’t close to sales.

#3. 30-50% of All Sales go to the Vendor that Responds First

Takeaway from this: your prospects feel like you care more if you respond to them quickly. If you’re a small business of just a few employees, respond to all new inquiries immediately.

If you’re a bigger company, respond within the hour, or as fast as you can. Clearly, the faster, the better.

#4. Using Marketing Automation Increases Qualified Leads 451%

That’s the stat, according to ANNUITAS group. Marketing automation may take more time than you want. So if you’re a smaller business, you might be able to get away with a simpler DIY system for nurturing.

The point is, though, you need some way of staying in regular touch with your leads.

#5. 78% of Salespeople that Use Social Media Sell More than Their Peers

Yep…social media does work in helping you sell. But you have to figure out how to use it to make that happen.

In an interview at Forbes, social selling expert Colleen Francis offers her thoughts.

#6. The Best Times to E-mail Are…

8 AM and 3 PM, so schedule your e-mails to go out then. Plus, Tuesday gets the highest open rates of all days of the week.

This data comes from GetResponse and Experian.

#7.But Don’t Call at These Times…

Monday from 6 AM to noon and Friday afternoon. Execs are recovering from the weekend slew of e-mail and phone calls and are getting on track for the week. Then, just like everyone else, they’re getting ready for the weekend.

#8. Increasing Customer Retention by 5% Grows Profits 25-95%

…According to Bain & Company, anyway. So once your sales people get those customers in…it’s up to your professionals to keep them in.

Armed with that information, how are you going to do things differently? Or, did you already know all that?

Let me know in the comments below:

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