There tends to be a negative connotation when discussing sales habits. Most people talk about what you should not be doing. But not all habits are bad. There are many good sales habits that recruiters agree sales reps can utilize to improve.

Here are 5 of the top sales habits top sales reps have in common:

1. They keep their word

This is perhaps the most important habit of all in the sales industry. So many sales reps speak out of both sides of their mouth, telling clients what they want to hear, and failing to follow through on their promises. If you keep your word and are honest with your customers, you will be a breath of fresh air that will be welcomed.

2. They build relationships first

Top sales performers understand the importance of building a relationship and establishing a connection BEFORE attempting to make a sale. People are much more willing to buy from people they know and trust. So, get to know your customers and gain their trust. It will make selling that much easier.

3. They approach sales from the customer’s perspective

You hear this a lot, but putting yourself in your customer’s shoes is one of the most effective ways to gain understanding about your customer’s perspective. Showing your customers that you understand where they are coming from helps to establish rapport and shows that you are not just about closing a deal, but you actually want to help them find a solution that works for them.

4. They do their homework

Top sales reps understand that putting in the time to understand a client’s needs is one of the most important sale habits. This also means you need to know everything about your products and services, and what your competitors are offering. Since these things can change regularly, top reps are always on top of things – something that helps them to identify customer needs and how to solve them.

5. They take notes

Remember all those great insights you learned during your client meeting? Probably not, because you didn’t write them down. Most people forget most of what was discussed with their clients during a call or meeting. Top reps take a few minutes to jot down ideas during meetings and spend a few minutes afterward writing down their thoughts and insights.

More Sales Habits, Strategies, and Advice from Sales Recruiters

They Said WHAT?! 6 Things Salespeople Should Never Say to a Customer

5 Tips to Make a Successful Sales Pitch Over the Phone

5 Tips to Handle Lost Sales Deals

SalesForce Search is a sales recruiting company which specializes in the recruitment and placement of sales professionals. We recruit sales people in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. Find the right sales person for your organization, start your search here.