In highly competitive markets, utilizing advanced sales techniques is essential to driving business growth and standing out from the competition. From leveraging data analytics to mastering personalized outreach, YEC members share the strategic methods they use secure more deals and foster long-term relationships.
Q. What advanced sales techniques do you employ to drive growth in competitive markets?
1. Post-purchase support
If you want to drive growth in a competitive market, the key is to help your customers after they've bought something from your website. Many marketers and business leaders think "the sale" is the end of the road. I've found the opposite to be true—it's actually just the beginning.
I started a success team for my product to help with this goal. What we do is reach out to customers a week and then a month or so after their purchase. We offer to answer any of their questions and even let them know we would be happy to jump on a call and help them in any way we can. All of our customers are extremely receptive to this, which is one of the reasons we are so far ahead in our industry. —Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights
2. Influencer endorsements
Get your products or services endorsed by relevant influencers. People seek recommendations from others before buying certain products or services. And influencer recommendations generally outweigh commoners, as people see them as their role models. Partnering with influencers whose audience resonates with yours gives you an edge in your respective industry and makes it easier for you to convince the masses to consider trying the solutions you offer. —Jared Atchison, WPForms
3. Brand collaborations
One of the sales techniques you should consider to drive growth in competitive markets is collaborating with brands with goals similar to yours. When you collaborate with complementary businesses, you get to leverage their information sources and other resources. Plus, it becomes easier for you to benefit from cross-selling opportunities. You can cross-promote the solutions you offer and come up with lucrative deals or discounts to generate more traction. —Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
4. Ads that target value-based selling
Ads that focus on solutions, rather than on your product, can rise above the rest in a crowded market. If you can identify the pain points of your preferred client, then you can structure your ads and messaging around demonstrating how your solution meets their needs. This targeted strategy not only enhances engagement, but also builds trust, positioning your brand as a reliable partner in your customers' journey toward overcoming challenges. —Peter Boyd, PaperStreet Web Design
5. Strategic generosity
Use "strategic generosity" by offering valuable industry insights for free. This will build trust and reciprocity, positioning you as a thought leader. Combine with data-driven personalization to create tailored offerings which address specific pain points. Prospects will naturally choose you when they're ready to buy, setting you apart in competitive markets and driving growth through expertise. —Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS
6. User-generated content
One way we've been able to grow is by harnessing the power of user-generated content, including reviews. The thing with competitive markets is many of the "emerging" brands lack reviews or any kind of real user interactions. We've been around for a while and realized that this could be the thing that makes us different.
Over the last several years, we started working with our clients to have them write detailed case studies so people can see the difference our product has made for them. We also highlight user feedback on social media so people who are on the fence about us can see that other people have invested in our software and are seeing real results. —Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite
7. Pay-for-success model
We use a pay-for-success model—clients only pay once they see real results. This approach builds trust and sets us apart in competitive markets. No upfront fees mean we’re fully invested in our clients' success from the start. It shifts the risk to us, showing confidence in our ability to deliver. Clients love it because it aligns our goals with theirs—growth for both sides. By focusing on results, we create long-term relationships and more referrals. It’s a win-win and adds pressure to keep innovating and improving our services. After all, we get paid when they win. —Travis Schreiber, Erase Technologies, LLC
8. Showcasing your value proposition
The goal here is to highlight what sets you apart from other alternatives in the industry, be it a particular feature, price, or other characteristic representing your products or services. This makes it easier for you to outmaneuver your competition and convince the intended audience to try the solutions you offer. As you stand out from the crowd, it's easier for you to hack growth and generate more traction in your respective industry. —Chris Klosowski, Easy Digital Downloads
9. Personalization
Personalization is a game changer in competitive markets. We dig deep into data to tailor our sales approach to each prospect’s specific pain point. Rather than going for a quick win, we focus on building long-term relationships. By providing value even after the sale, we build trust, which leads to repeat business and referrals. I’ve also found that showcasing social proof—like using case studies or client testimonials in pitches—goes a long way in showing that our solution works and is trusted by others. —Shay Berman, Digital Resource
