Every day, countless sales transactions happen throughout the world, each one driven by a complex web of decisions and motivations. But what exactly drives these buying behaviors? Understanding the psychology of selling—in other words, the psychology behind people’s buying decisions—could be the key to boosting your sales and fostering long-lasting customer relationships.
The art of selling goes far beyond simply offering a product or service—it involves connecting with customers on a psychological level and tapping into their desires, needs, and problems. This sales methodology has become increasingly useful in today’s highly competitive marketplace where consumers are bombarded with seemingly endless choices.
Today, we’re exploring the fundamental psychological principles that influence your prospects’ buying behaviors and some sales techniques you can use to tap into these principles. Let’s jump in.
6 Key Psychological Principles in Selling
The role of psychology in sales cannot be overstated. Purchasing isn’t merely a transactional process, but rather a deeply psychological one that’s influenced by a myriad of factors. By leveraging these psychological principles, we can craft more effective sales strategies that speak directly to our customers’ underlying motivations and needs. Let’s delve into these key principles and how they can be used to influence purchasing decisions.
1. Reciprocity
“The urge to return a favor when one is received.”
The principle of reciprocity is rooted in our innate desire to return the favor when someone does something nice for us. In business, this could translate into offering something of value to your customers without expecting an immediate return. This might be a free sample, free software trial, complimentary webinar, or valuable industry insights. This act of generosity often prompts customers to reciprocate, either by making a purchase or recommending your services to others. Dropbox, for instance, utilized this principle by offering additional storage space to users who referred their friends, effectively encouraging both sign-ups and referrals. HubSpot found that companies that offer free content like ebooks, webinars, and resources generate up to 60% more leads than those that don’t.
Reciprocity Example: HubSpot
One successful sales strategy based on the principle of reciprocity is the inbound marketing approach used by HubSpot. They offer a vast range of free resources, including educational blogs, webinars, and even tools like a website grader. This generosity often encourages users to reciprocate by choosing HubSpot when they’re ready for a marketing automation or sales prospecting platform.
2. Scarcity
“The higher value placed on things that are (or seem to be) in short supply.”
Scarcity taps into our fear of missing out. Products or services that are in limited supply or available for a short period often seem more valuable. Businesses are known to use this principle in their sales strategies by offering limited-edition products or time-bound discounts. Amazon’s “lightning deals” are a classic example, creating a sense of urgency that encourages immediate purchases. One study found that scarcity messages can increase conversion rates by up to 330%.
Scarcity Example: Booking.com
Booking.com often uses the scarcity principle to encourage quick bookings. When searching for accommodations, users will see alerts about limited availability, like “In high demand – only 2 rooms left on our site!” This creates a sense of urgency and prompts customers to book immediately to avoid missing out.
3. Authority
“The tendency to trust and respect people in positions of authority.”
Consumers are more likely to be persuaded or influenced by individuals we view as experts or authority figures. To apply this principle in business, companies often use testimonials from experts, endorsements from authoritative figures, or showcase their awards and recognitions. A Nielsen study found that 70% of consumers trust the opinions of authoritative figures, clearly demonstrating the role of authority in sales.
Authority Example: Okta
One example of using authority in sales techniques is the identity security software company, Okta. Like many software companies, they display technology accolades and big name partners prominently on their homepage, including Gartner and Forrester, to help boost the credibility of their software and influence consumers’ purchasing decisions.
4. Consistency
“The desire to act in a way that’s consistent with one’s beliefs and commitments.”
People like things to be consistent with what has previously been said or done. In sales, this might mean seeking a small initial commitment from a potential customer, making it more likely that they’ll agree to a larger request later on. For example, a test drive at a car dealership is a small commitment that may lead to the larger commitment of purchasing a vehicle. A study by Bain & Company showed that a 5% increase in customer retention (achieved through consistent positive experiences) can increase profits by 25% to 95%.
Consistency Example: MarketingProfs
The “foot-in-the-door” technique is a successful sales strategy based on the principle of consistency. This approach involves asking customers for a small favor or commitment, like signing up for a newsletter, before asking them to make a purchase. By agreeing to the initial request, customers are more likely to stay consistent and agree to larger requests later on. The marketing e-learning company, MarketingProfs, follows this strategy quite successfully, nurturing newsletter subscribers over the long-term with free content and resources before promoting any paid offerings.
5. Liking
“The inclination to agree with, or be persuaded by, people we like or admire.”
It’s natural for us to be swayed by people who we like or find relatable. Sales representatives who build rapport with customers, show genuine interest, and relate to their needs are more likely to secure sales. Additionally, companies often use relatable influencers or celebrities in their advertisements to draw on this principle. Apple, for instance, has effectively used likable personalities in their ads, such as Justin Timberlake and Taylor Swift, to make their products more appealing.
Liking Example: Nike
Nike frequently collaborates with popular and respected athletes to promote its products. From Michael Jordan to Serena Williams to Cristiano Ronaldo, these partnerships capitalize on the public’s admiration for these figures, driving the liking for Nike’s products.
6. Social Proof
“The tendency to see an action as more appropriate when others are doing it.”
Humans are social creatures, and we often look to others when deciding how to behave. Testimonials, reviews, and case studies are examples of how businesses can use social proof to their advantage. This principle is particularly prominent in the digital age, with platforms like G2 and Yelp dedicated to providing customer reviews. These reviews often significantly influence the purchasing decisions of prospective customers. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 91% of consumers aged 18 to 34 trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, showing the influence of social proof on consumer behavior.
Social Proof Example: Udemy
Udemy’s use of total numbers of students and student ratings on their e-learning platform is an example of how influential social proof can be as a sales technique. By showcasing how many students have taken a course and the average rating it has gotten from students on each course page, Udemy leverages the experiences of previous buyers to reassure potential buyers about the quality and usefulness of the course.
Where to Go From Here
These sales psychology principles provide invaluable insights into customers’ buying behaviors behind selling. By understanding these dynamics and things like psychographic marketing, you can tailor your sales methodology and techniques to resonate more deeply with your prospects and customers, cultivating stronger relationships, and ultimately driving sales growth.
Promoting the Psychology of Selling in Teams
So, how do you help your team apply the psychology of selling? When you effectively promote the understanding and application of sales psychology within your sales teams, it can significantly enhance your employee’s ability to connect with customers, address their needs, and close sales. Here are some ways to accomplish this:
1. Regular Training and Workshops. Cover each psychology principle in depth, and consider incorporating role playing exercises.
2. Educational Resources. Cover the sales techniques from the following books, and provide your employees with copies of them: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini, The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy, and To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink.
3. Guest Speakers and Experts. Invite organizational psychologists, marketing experts, or successful salespeople to give talks or workshops to your team.
4. Online Courses and Webinars. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning offer courses that your sales team can complete at their own pace. Consider offering incentives for sales reps who complete certain courses or certifications.
5. Personalized Coaching. These 1:1 sessions might involve reviewing recorded sales calls with each rep and discussing how to apply psychological principles more effectively.
Experience the Difference with Sales Psychology
By integrating the psychology of selling into your team’s training and development, you can equip every sales rep with the tools and knowledge they need to better understand and influence customer behavior. In turn, this can enhance their sales performance and contribute to your company’s bottom line.
If you’re looking for more data around your prospects, consider adding LeadLander’s website visitor tracking to your toolbox. Try us free for 14 days, no credit card needed.