Are you struggling to close deals over the phone? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many home services businesses find it challenging to seal the deal when it comes to phone sales.

As a business owner in the home services industry, you understand the importance of closing jobs on phone calls. But the truth is, it's not always an easy task. The good news is that with the right techniques, you can turn those difficult phone calls into successful sales.

Whether you are a salesperson, customer service representative, or business owner, knowing how to close better on phone calls can help you retain customers, build relationships, and increase revenue. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips to help you close jobs more effectively on phone calls.

‍

1. Answer the Phone

The first and foremost tip is to answer the phone. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's surprising how many businesses miss out on sales simply because they didn't answer the phone—many customers will simply move on to the next company if their calls go unanswered. Ensure you have a reliable system in place to handle incoming calls promptly and efficiently. If you can’t answer the phone in real-time, reach out as soon as possible to show that you care about their business.

Here are some tips to help you ensure that you're answering the phone in the most efficient and effective way possible:

- Use a reliable system: Use a reliable phone system that can handle incoming calls efficiently. This can include call forwarding or a virtual receptionist to ensure that calls are answered even when you are unavailable.
- Set up voicemail: If you are unable to answer a call, make sure to set up voicemail and check it regularly. This shows that you care about the customer's business and are committed to following up with them.
- Respond quickly: If you miss a call, make sure to respond as soon as possible. This can include calling the customer back or sending an email to let them know that you received their message and are working on a solution.
- Show that you care: When you do speak with a customer, make sure to show that you care about their business and are committed to helping them. This can include actively listening to their needs and concerns and providing a clear solution.

By answering calls promptly and efficiently, you can show potential customers that you are committed to their business and are eager to help them find a solution.

‍

2. Active Listening

When you’re on a call with a customer, actively listen to their needs and concerns. Take notes if necessary so that you can refer back to them later. This will show the customer that you’re interested in helping them and that you’re taking their concerns seriously.

Here are some tips for practicing active listening during customer calls:

- Eliminate distractions: Find a quiet place where you can give the customer your full attention without interruptions.
- Take notes: Jot down important details about the customer's needs and concerns to reference later. This also shows the customer that you're taking their concerns seriously.
- Repeat or summarize: Repeat back what the customer has said or summarize their needs to ensure that you understand them correctly. This can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that you provide the best possible solution.
- Stay focused: Resist the urge to multitask or check your phone during the call. Stay present and engaged in the conversation with the customer.

By following these tips, you can actively listen to your customers and provide them with the best possible solution to their needs. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately benefiting your business in the long run.

‍

3. Ask Questions

Asking open-ended questions is an effective way to gather more information and help the customer feel heard. This also helps you identify the customer’s priorities and tailor your solution to their specific needs.

Here are some tips for asking effective questions during customer calls:

- Start with open-ended questions: Open-ended questions encourage the customer to share more information and help you understand their needs more fully. Examples include "Can you tell me more about your specific needs?" or "What are your main concerns regarding our service?"
- Avoid leading questions: Leading questions can skew the customer's response and may not give you an accurate understanding of their needs. Instead of asking, "Don't you think our service is the best in the market?" ask, "What are your thoughts on our service compared to our competitors?"
- Use follow-up questions: After the customer has shared their initial response, follow-up questions can help you dig deeper and get a more complete picture of their needs. For example, "You mentioned that price is a concern. Can you tell me more about what you're looking for in terms of pricing?"
- Stay focused: Keep the questions relevant to the customer's needs and avoid asking unnecessary or irrelevant questions that may frustrate them.

‍

4. Provide a Clear Solution

After understanding the customer’s needs, offer a clear and concise solution that addresses their concerns. Provide all the necessary details, including pricing and timeline, to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

Here are some tips for providing a clear solution:

- Address their specific concerns: Ensure that the solution you propose directly addresses the customer's concerns. This demonstrates that you have actively listened to their needs and are committed to finding a solution that works for them.
- Be concise: Avoid using technical jargon or complicated language that may confuse the customer. Instead, provide a clear and simple explanation of your solution.
- Provide all the necessary details: Be transparent about all the necessary details, including pricing and timeline. This can help to avoid confusion or misunderstandings down the line.
- Offer alternatives: If the customer's preferred solution is not feasible or suitable, offer alternative options that may better fit their needs.

‍

5. Close with Confidence

Once you have offered a solution, confidently ask for the customer’s business. If they need more time to think about it, schedule a follow-up call or meeting to keep the conversation going.

Here are some tips for confidently closing a conversation with a customer:

- Recap the solution: Before asking for the customer's business, recap the solution you've offered to ensure that they fully understand how your solution meets their needs.
- Express confidence: Use positive and confident language to show the customer that you believe in your solution and are confident in its ability to meet their needs.
- Ask for their business: Confidently ask the customer if they are ready to move forward with your solution.
- Schedule a follow-up: If the customer needs more time to think about the solution, schedule a follow-up call or meeting to keep the conversation going and show your continued commitment to their needs.

‍

6. Following Up

If a customer needs time to think about their decision, make sure to follow up with them in a timely manner. Send them a reminder email or call them back to see if they have any additional questions or concerns. This will show the customer that you value their business and are committed to helping them.

Here are some tips for effective follow-up:

- Timely follow-up: Follow up with the customer in a timely manner, whether it's via email or phone call. This shows that you value their time and are committed to helping them.
- Be specific: In your follow-up message, be specific about what you're following up on and what the next steps are. This helps avoid confusion and ensures that both you and the customer are on the same page.
- Address concerns: If the customer had any concerns or questions during your initial conversation, address them in your follow-up message. This shows that you were listening and are committed to finding solutions that work for them.
- Express gratitude: Express gratitude for their time and consideration, whether or not they ultimately decide to move forward with your solution. This shows that you value their business and appreciate the opportunity to work with them.

‍

Closing jobs on phone calls may be a challenge, but it's a critical part of your home services business. By answering the phone promptly, actively listening, asking questions, providing clear solutions, closing with confidence, and following up, you can increase your success rate and build a loyal customer base.

Remember, every phone call is an opportunity to grow your home services business. With the right techniques, you can turn those difficult phone calls into successful sales and grow your business.

‍