Sales move at an unrelenting pace; competition is fierce, and prospective clients face a hefty amount of messages and pitches on a daily basis. As such, finding a way to stand out from the crowd is crucial for businesses like yours.
While having a solid base layer of scale (like email and LinkedIn demand generation) is essential, it’s equally important to keep an open mind to new ideas and break the norm.
Don’t be afraid to try new things like mad, “outside-of-the-box” ideas to help you stand out. Creative sales involves taking a unique and personalised approach to a select few opportunities or prospects, and it can make a world of difference in winning over potential customers.
Breaking free from the norm
The art of creative sales revolves around breaking free from traditional sales tactics and doing things out of the norm. It’s about going above and beyond to capture the attention of your prospects and create a memorable impression.
Creative sales professionals are not afraid to think outside the box and try unconventional approaches to get noticed. For instance:
Creative outreach methods
Creative sales strategies often involve creative outreach methods that can leave a lasting impact. For example, some sales professionals have gone as far as buying billboards outside their prospect’s office, displaying a message designed to grab their attention. While this may seem unconventional, it demonstrates a level of commitment and dedication that can impress potential clients.
Others have sent elaborate and hyper-bespoke materials to their prospects, such as custom-made gifts or interactive packages. These creative and thoughtful gestures show that you are willing to invest time and effort in building a meaningful relationship, making it more likely for your prospects to engage with you.
Why don’t you buy a billboard in front of your prospect’s office and use a creative and tailored message? Yes, just for that one person you want to target.
And what about breaking the digital wall and going analogue? Get something printed, and make it bespoke and fun. Something that’s going to hang around in their office.
Personalisation is key
One of the fundamental principles of creative sales is personalisation. Yes, every sales engine needs the base layer of scale from channels like LinkedIn and Email. But if you see a deal you want — how will you personalise your approach to do something different?
Building trust through creativity
In the world of sales, trust is paramount. Clients need to trust that you understand their needs, that you are genuinely interested in helping them, and that you can deliver on your promises. Creative sales approaches can help build this trust by demonstrating your commitment and dedication to the client’s success.
When you take the time to create a personalised experience for a prospect, it shows that you value their business and are willing to go the extra mile. You establish trust when clients see that you are not just interested in closing a deal but in fostering a long-term partnership.
Standing out in a crowded market
It’s challenging to differentiate your business from the competition when every channel is so noisy. Creative sales can be a game-changer in such scenarios. It’s not just about what you’re selling but how you sell it. When you employ creative strategies, you have a better chance of standing out and capturing the attention of potential clients.
While your competitors may be using generic outreach methods and following a conventional sales process, your creative approach can set you apart. This uniqueness can make a significant impact on your prospects, leading to more fruitful conversations and conversions.
Nurturing a few key opportunities
You can’t deploy this strategy for everyone. But it is a useful strategy alongside everything else you need to be doing to maintain a healthy, sustainable and predictable pipeline.
Creative sales isn’t about casting a wide net and hoping for the best. It’s about carefully selecting a few key opportunities or prospects that align with your business goals and truly matters to you.
By focusing these efforts on a small number of prospects, you can invest more time and resources into personalising your approach and building genuine relationships.
This selective approach allows you to better understand your prospects’ needs and tailor your messaging accordingly. It also enables you to invest in creative gestures that can capture their attention, as opposed to spreading your resources thin across a large number of prospects.
Let’s wrap this up.
What I’m saying is: Try something different. Because in this ever-evolving world of sales, the importance of your creativity cannot be overstated.
While having a solid base layer of scale through email and LinkedIn demand generation is vital, incorporating creative sales into your strategy can be a game-changer. It’s about personalisation, trust-building, and the willingness to step outside the box to capture your prospect’s attention.
By taking a selective approach, nurturing a few key opportunities, and harnessing the power of technology, you can create a unique and memorable sales experience for your prospects. Creative sales isn’t just about making a sale; it’s about forging long-lasting partnerships that can lead to sustained success and growth for your business. So, don’t be afraid to embrace your creativity and stand out.