Negotiating in English: powerful language in sales negotiations.
The choice of your words during a negotiation can make or break your deal. If you consciously choose the right sales vocabulary, you can give your arguments extra power and convince your client more quickly.
We give you an overview of the words in English you must use as part of your sales vocabulary.
Powerful sales vocabulary
- Benefits and advantages
If you want to convince a customer of your service or product, you should avoid a long-winded list of technical specifications. Instead look for the advantages that are relevant to your customer.
Focus on the benefits and added value you can offer to your customer. This way, you ensure that your product or service matches the customer's needs.
Tip: a negotiation in English may require a little more preparation because you might not be familiar with the most appropriate phrases or words to use. Prepare yourself by making an overview of the correct vocabulary in English beforehand.
- Use strong words
Probably your customer will need to make an investment in your product or service. So it's important they feel secure and believe that your product or service will deliver on its promise.
By using strong words like ‘results’, ‘guarantees’, or ‘authentic’ you will make customers feel more comfortable and convinced of the benefits your product or service will bring to them.
- You
It may seem obvious, but in a sales negotiation it is important to put your customer first. So one of the most important words to use during a negotiation in English is the word 'YOU'.
Tip: during your conversation, aim to use the word 'you' three times more than the words 'I' or 'we'. Avoid talking from the point of view of your company or yourself. You can choose to use 'we' to make it clear that you are in this partnership together.
- Create possibilities
Your customer is looking for a solution or an improvement on the current situation. Make sure you present all possibilities to your customer if they start working with you.
Use words like 'imagine' or 'picture this' to talk about future solutions you can offer them.
- Appreciation
Show appreciation by being polite and respectful to build and improve your relationship. It is small a gesture, but don't forget to thank your client by using phrases like 'thank you', 'you're welcome', etc.
Involve your customer in your story as well so that you remain in dialogue and you don't try and sell your product or service through a one-sided conversation. Ask for feedback from your customer every now and then by asking questions such as 'How do you feel about…?', 'How feasible is it for you to...?', 'What are your views on...?'.
- I don't know
It would be great if you could give the perfect answer to all questions, but if not, it is better to just be honest.
Let your customer know if you don't know the answer and that you will find out. That way, you are being honest and also showing that you want to help.
More tips on negotiating in English? These articles might also interest you:
- How to negotiate in English
- 50+ key phrases to help you with negotations in English
- Negotiating in English: words to avoid in sales
Do you need help for your sales negotiations in English?
Are your language skills too much of a barrier to feel confident while negotiating in English? Then you can book one of our language coaches.
Together with your coach you will prepare your negotiation, broaden your vocabulary, practise standard phrases until you can negotiate in English with complete confidence.
Create your account on Squidll, find a business language coach who fits your needs and start today on Squidll!
Do you want more tips on boosting your sales skills in English? Find out all our tips on our blog.