Types of Virtual Assistants for Sales

Image from Christina Morillo

A-B-C. Always Be Closing. 

This sales mantra comes from the 1992 film Glengarry Glen Ross. It’s one of the most popular sales movies ever, but as time has proven, this particular quote has missed the mark—or the closing. 

Sales are much more than closing. A successful salesperson will probably spend more time generating leads with consistent follow-ups and overall strategy assessments. 

The sales landscape is constantly evolving, and sales professionals must stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices to be successful. The most effective sales tactics are those that are tailored to the individual needs and preferences of each customer and that focus on building long-term relationships and providing value over time.

Several sales tactics that were effective in the past may no longer be effective due to customer behavior changes, market conditions, and technological advancements. That includes the practice of hard selling. This sales concept is perceived as aggressive. Today’s customers are savvier and see through such aggressive concepts. Potential customers would instead prefer to be consulted instead of told what to do. 

Moreover, one-size-fits-all sales pitches no longer have the same effect. This might have been successful when companies wanted to reach a broad audience with a more generic appeal. But these days, a more personalized approach is the norm, and individual needs and preferences are taken into account to establish tailored solutions. 

So, what has changed over the past few years? 

Salespeople today need a different set of skills and competencies. First and foremost, it probably doesn’t hurt if you’re well-versed in digital tech. Technological innovation was and is the catalyst for many changes in the sales industry. Digital tools and platforms are inevitable now as they have gained importance. Salespeople now have access to many different tools, including CRM systems and social media platforms. 

Moreover, marketing automation software companies have developed efficient communication methods with customers or leads. Hence, sales might have become more data-driven and digital instead of an on-the-ground approach, which included more in-person meetings. 

Focus on Customer Experience

Another key component that must be covered is customer experience. Customers now expect —and demand—a more personalized and responsive approach from salespeople, and companies must be able to deliver that in order to succeed. Customers are no longer satisfied with mediocrity. So, salespeople are skilled relationship-builders who need to have a broad understanding of customer needs. 

AI has become a widely-used tool to analyze customer data and provide insights and recommendations for sales teams to optimize their work. This could be a competitive advantage if used effectively. 

Basically, salespeople must now have different skills and competencies than they did in 1992. Apart from using digital tech and platforms effectively, they should also be versed in customer management and data analysis. They should be able to analyze customer and sales metrics data to see if they can identify trends or if there is room for improvement in company strategy. Being a salesperson today means utilizing a customer-centric approach that emphasizes customers’ needs and challenges to offer personalized solutions. Obviously, this requires strategic thinking about the approach and how it fits the broader business strategy of the respective company. 

Salespeople constantly have to adapt when market conditions or customer needs change and should be willing to learn new skills.

How Do Virtual Assistants Help Sales?

This new business environment brings many challenges, and sales teams are often pressured to meet targets and drive up revenue. So, in order to stay competitive, companies and sales individuals singularly increasingly turn to tech solutions. And one of the top solutions? Sales virtual assistants!

Sales virtual assistants are hired to increase team sales or improve individual sales performance. This blog will discuss the different types of virtual sales assistants and the benefits they provide to salespeople and companies. 

Why are sales virtual assistants needed? 

Sales teams and individuals need all the help they can get to stay competitive. Sales virtual assistants provide valuable support to sales teams, helping them be more productive and efficient. Sales teams are often required to manage a high volume of leads, engage with prospects, schedule appointments, and follow up with customers. This is not only time-consuming but also challenging. Especially when there are smaller teams, who has time to do all of that? 

Enter sales virtual assistants. They can streamline these processes by providing assistance with lead qualification, appointment scheduling, and customer support. They can also help salespeople manage their time more effectively, giving them more time for high-profile tasks. This could be relationship-building with customers or closing sales. 

Types of Sales Virtual Assistants

There are many sales virtual assistants, each with specific tasks and functions. We will cover some of the most common ones in today’s competitive sales landscape. 

Lead Qualification Virtual Assistants

As a sales professional, you’ve got to constantly be on the lookout for new leads that can be converted into actual customers. However, not all leads are created equal or should be. It can be time-consuming to identify and prioritize the most promising leads. This is where sales virtual assistants can be extremely helpful. You can outsource the task to a cost-effective sales virtual assistant and reap the benefits of dealing only with qualified leads. Sales virtual assistants are trained to identify and prioritize leads. 

Lead qualification sales virtual assistants engage with prospects via email, chat, or traditional phone calls. They will then ask qualifying questions that help determine their level of interest in a company’s products or services. Furthermore, they gather more personal information like budgets, timelines, and details on a lead’s decision-making process. This is valuable to determine which leads could be converted. 

Salespeople would spend hours engaging with prospects that might not be a great fit. Therefore, hiring a sales virtual assistant is a smart business decision. By concentrating exclusively on the most promising leads, salespeople gain more efficiency, positively affecting overall conversion rates. 

Sales virtual assistants don’t only save time but also improve the accuracy of the leads. Relevant data is collected to create a comprehensive picture of each lead. With that, sales teams are able to make more informed decisions about which leads to pursue. 

Using sales virtual assistants for lead qualifications has the benefit of providing more personalized prospect experiences. Hence, companies can rest assured that the first impression is positive and fruitful. This can help build trust and credibility with potential customers immediately, increasing the likelihood of a successful conversion. 

Simultaneously, sales virtual assistants can identify objections at the beginning of the sales process. In time, they can point to common concerns that may arise. Then, sales teams can tailor their approach and address these concerns head-on.  

Can you see why sales virtual assistants are an absolute asset? 

Appointment Setting Virtual Assistants

Appointment setting is a crucial part of the sales process, and you can think of it as an excellent opportunity for salespeople to shine, connect with prospects, and build relationships. 

Setting up appointments requires a large number of resources and effective time management. Sales virtual assistants can do all the heavy lifting here. They can focus on this task alone or take on even more responsibilities. Basically, they are the broker between the salesperson and the prospect. They will find a convenient time for a meeting or call. They can either reach out to individuals who have expressed interest in a company’s services or products, or they generate more qualified leads with outbound call efforts. 

Salespeople no longer have to spend hours figuring out when to schedule appointments. With a sales virtual assistant, they can prepare for the organized meetings. And similar to lead qualification virtual assistants, appointment-setting virtual assistants increase efficiency and help to improve the sales process. As revenue growth is the target, sales virtual assistants are the perfect solution. 

Customer Support Virtual Assistants

Customer Support Virtual Assistants often become essential for customer service and support. Sales virtual assistants for customer support can drive more revenue by ensuring customer satisfaction. They provide timely and effective support to potential and existing customers. These sales virtual assistants are pros in various tools and tech, including the ever-important CRM systems. 

Sales virtual assistants provide valuable support in the sales process. They can answer any inquiries about products and services, provide pricing, and offer guidance on how to use products or compare services. They can also resolve issues that might occur during the sales process. This could entail billing issues or technical problems. So, sales virtual assistants can smooth out the sales process, and customers might be more likely to make a sale.

Of course, sales virtual assistants will know everything about your company. They will have in-depth knowledge and be your perfect representative. CRM systems are widely used, and salespeople must utilize them effectively. Sales virtual assistants can manage those tools and add all relevant data, including contact information or all interactions with the company. CRM systems provide a more holistic view of a potential customer, and it is used to personalize customer experiences. CRM systems track and manage customer inquiries so they don’t get lost. But, with a sales virtual assistant, you don’t have to worry about that. Leave it to the pros. 

Follow-up Virtual Assistants

Another task that can be outsourced to a sales virtual assistant is following up. Here, all the above skills are combined. Sales virtual assistants can send follow-up emails and text messages, or make phone calls on behalf of the sales team. They can also schedule appointments and set reminders for the sales team, ensuring that follow-ups are done promptly and efficiently. Moreover, they can also engage in customer support during the follow-up. 

By automating the follow-up process, these assistants help reduce the sales team’s workload, enabling them to focus on more critical tasks such as building relationships and closing deals. They can answer questions, provide additional information about products or services, and address any concerns or issues that may arise.

Depending on a company’s preference, sales virtual assistants can manage follow-ups individually or automate the process. They can use AI technologies to personalize and automate messages. These tech tools can analyze customer data and develop on-brand and on-target messages. 

Social Media Sales Virtual Assistants

The rise of social media platforms has dramatically changed how businesses engage with customers and promote their products or services. A top-notch social media presence is necessary to increase brand awareness and drive sales. To achieve this goal, many businesses turn to sales virtual assistants who specialize in managing a company’s social media accounts, creating content and engaging with customers. 

Sales assistants can leverage the power of social media, and they are likely to become even more critical and essential as social media platforms continue to play a crucial role. This task also ties in with all the above types, as within social media, sales virtual assistants can qualify leads, set appointments, talk to customers, and follow up on inquiries. 

Benefits of Sales Virtual Assistants

One thing is clear: Sales virtual assistants are a game-changer. As we’ve mentioned, there are many benefits to hiring sales virtual assistants. One is increased productivity, as salespeople have more time for tasks, and their unique talents are needed. With a sales virtual assistant, companies can expect improved customer engagement. A sales virtual assistant can be available at your discretion and convenience. This also leads to enhanced customer experience with a highly personalized approach. 

On the other side of the coin, we also have costs. And sales virtual assistants can be true cost savers. They are more cost-effective than hiring in-house assistants. So, for many tasks, you don’t need additional resources. 
The Bottom Line

Hire a sales virtual assistant right now and take advantage of all these benefits. She’s A Given is here to help. Click here and schedule your Discovery Call, and She’s A Given will provide you with a personalized business solution.