Will Search Engines and Social Networks Replace Salespeople-

By Ron S. LaVine, MBA

Stephanie Losee, Managing Editor at Tech Page One, reported recently on a meeting of social media experts who gathered in San Francisco to discuss whether search engines and social networks are replacing salespeople. I don’t believe they are, and here’s why.

How can a buyer start their buying journey if they don’t know they have a certain type of problem occurring or about to occur- How can a buyer start their buying journey if they don’t know a new technology exists to solve their problems or potential problems-

In my humble opinion, what has to and is going to change is salespeople moving from being sellers to salespeople becoming educators. Search engines and social networks will never completely replace salespeople. Salespeople can and will prevent their replacement by learning how to sell differently.

I would be very careful about making an assertion that “Buyers are getting way further down their buyer journey before they’re willing to be engaged by sales” because, in my opinion, it is inaccurate. I’ve read statistics ranging from over 50% to 75% of buyers having completed most of their buying journey before engaging with salespeople.

Yes, it is true; buyers do have easy access to a lot more information than ever before. Do you think this means salespeople have become order-takers entering the sales cycle at the end to wrap things up- If so, then re-read my first two questions at the beginning of this post.

I think you’ll agree that salespeople are not being relegated to becoming order-takers and are still very much in demand. No one is going to revolt against someone educating them about something they don’t know or are not aware of, especially when the knowledge provided benefits them.

According to Julie Schwartz, SVP of Research and Thought Leadership at Information Technology Services Marketing Association (ITSMA), when buyers were asked when it was most useful to engage with salespeople, “24 percent said during the epiphany stage when I haven’t yet recognized a definite need, but I am learning and exploring the possibilities. 23 percent said during the awareness stage when I have an identified need and I am clarifying my objectives and researching alternatives and 24 percent said during the interest stage, when I am identifying my shortlist.” Source: ITSMA, How B2B Buyers Consume Information, 2012. Although the study was done in 2012, I think the findings, while they maybe different in 2014, are still relevant today.

Search engines and social networks have an important part to play in the sales cycle, however they cannot fulfill the role of the salesperson in many circumstances. I do agree with Jill that salespeople will need to change the way they sell. I don’t believe there will be a buyer revolt when a buyer learns something they didn’t know. Salespeople will need to learn how to sell the way the buyer wants to buy, which may not be the way they want to sell.

Educating and building relationships is the new way of selling. To that degree, search engines and social networks will increase in their importance as tools for salespeople to use, as these tools increase the salesperson’s ability to disseminate information and educate buyers. However, to think these tools will replace salespeople is a fallacy.

Announcing Our New Website

Accelerate Your Sales Results, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its new website, which includes past issues of The SIREN, customer testimonials, our workshop offerings, and more. You can find us online at:

http://www.AccelerateYourSalesResults.com

Until the next issue…

Remember that what you think is what you attract. So choose to think the good thoughts!

Ron
Ron LaVine, MBA, President, Founder and Editor

Follow @ronslavine on Twitter

Forward the SIREN to Your Associates

Please forward the Sales Idea Report Email Newsletter (The SIREN) to your associates who may benefit from reading it, or have them send mail to ronlavine@aysalesresults.com with the word “subscribe” in the subject line, OR they can sign up online right now at accelerateyoursalesresults.com. They will thank you for thoughtfulness. We never send spam. Ever!

About the SIREN

The Sales Idea Report Email Newsletter is the official e-Zine of Accelerate Your Sales Results, Inc. a.k.a. AYSR, Inc.

Give Me Your Feedback!

Send me your best articles, ideas, insults or just plain feedback. Either way, I’m listening: Click here.

Link shortening resource: https://bitly.com/

Contact Information

Accelerate Your Sales Results, Inc.
Live Cold Call Training that gets Results!
818-991-6487 Office // 818-519-3852 Mobile // 818-991-5938 Fax
mailto:ronlavine@aysalesresults.com // http://www.accelerateyoursalesresults.com

REPRINT PERMISSION

Copyright Ron S. La Vine, Accelerate Your Sales Results, Inc. >-Live Cold Call Training that gets Results!

Reprint permission granted in part or whole with the following credit:

“Reprinted with permission from Ron LaVine-s Sales Ideas Report E-mail Newsletter (SIREN). To subscribe, visit-http://www.accelerateyoursalesresults.com-or send a message to ronlavine-@-AYSalesResults.com-with “ADD” in the subject line, or call 1-818-991-6487.”