7 Reasons Why Note Taking Improves Your Sales Presentation

I’ve always been a note taker. It’s the way I process information. But I find that very few sales people take notes during a sales presentation. Why?

Sales people have given me numerous reasons why they can’t or don’t take notes:

• “It breaks my emotional connection with the buyer.”
• “It will make my buyers feel uncomfortable.”
• “I’m just not good at taking notes.”
• “I can’t read my writing anyway so what’s the point.”
• “I’m too busy to take notes.”

These are stories we tell ourselves to rationalize our non-note taking behavior. But I’d like to propose that you reconsider your excuses – I mean stories.

In truth, note taking is a massively underutilized and underdeveloped sales skill. And like any skill, you can practice and improve.

Here are seven reasons why taking notes should become a key part of your sales presentation.

1. So you can remember what the buyer said.

Basic, right? But think about it. How long do you spend with your buyers before they purchase? 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 60 minutes?

What percentage of an hour-long conversation can you remember? Go ahead… guess. I can’t answer that question either. But I know it’s not 100%.

Buyers expect us to remember what they tell us. And the only way we can improve our chances of doing so is to start taking notes.

2. It shows you care.

Because note taking is a selling skill that so few sales people use, you will stand out to the buyer. You can also show that you care by simply asking permission to take notes before you begin. “Mind if I take notes? I don’t want to miss anything that’s important to you.”

This will show that you care not only about what they have to say but about making them feel comfortable with the sales process in general – win, win!

3. It shows the buyer that they are important.

When someone says something and someone else writes it down, it makes that person feel important. It’s that simple.

4. It puts the buyer at ease.

What is this newer trend in restaurants where the servers don’t write down your order? Does this bother anyone else besides me?

Am I the only one anxious the whole time I’m waiting for my meal to arrive because I’m pretty sure they’ll miss an important detail like the extra butter and bacon I requested on my baked potato?

Want to put me at ease? Write. It. Down.

5. It is a listening skill.

When you are writing, you are not talking, and as salespeople we usually talk way too much. Our customers must be heard.

Practicing the skill of listening and writing down what we hear tells the customer that what they are saying is important.

6. It improves your follow-up.

Hate follow-up? One reason is probably because you’re not sure what to say.

If you’ve taken good notes all you have to do is use them as talking-points in your follow-up routine. Talk to them about the things they told you.

7. It helps you create a better buying experience.

Our motive for everything we say and do is to look out for our buyer’s best interest.

If we’ve asked good, strong discovery questions, listened to the buyer and taken our notes, we’re ready to present our product or service in a way that feels special to them and for them.

So these are the seven reasons why I believe taking notes should become a key part of your sales presentation.

You may feel that note-taking just isn’t your style. Note-taking isn’t for everyone.

But if you want to establish a better connection with your buyers, so you can better meet their needs, give note-taking a try. I think you’ll be happy with the results!