Graphic Media Alliance

Complete Story
 

09/04/2024

Bidding Differently

Source: Bill Farquharson, The Sales Vault, September 2, 2024

bill f

Imagine you are putting a bid in on a house. It’s just a number, right?

But in response to your offer, the homeowner comes back and says something unusual:

“My house is special. I am interested in knowing its future. You are one of two parties I am considering. Your bids are virtually equal. But I have one question for the both of you and depending on the answer, I will make my decision. My question is, “What 3 changes will you make to the house if you are awarded the bid?”

As the new homeowner, you are coming in with a fresh pair of eyes. Some of the changes are upgrades while others are just personal preference. But you will undoubtedly do things differently.

Take the same thinking to sales and, in particular, working to gain a new account.

Imagine approaching a prospect’s bid by adding, “Here is my price. Should you decide to make a switch and bring me in, you can expect:

  1. I will question assumptions
  2. I will look at everything with new eyes and a fresh perspective
  3. The result will be innovation; a new look from top to bottom and a better way of doing things. You don’t know what you don’t know. “Let’s find out together.”

Differentiation can take on many different forms. Don’t just throw a number at someone. Give them a better reason to look your way.

Changing vendors is scary, but there is an upside, too. Complacency is the enemy of innovation. Remind your prospects of that.

Watch Bill present this week's sales tip


The Sales Vault, created by Bill Farquharson, is a subscription-based resource and sales community featuring a calendar packed with live workshops, on-demand sales courses, peer-to-peer discussion groups, and 35+ years of sales training content all searchable by sales challenge. Think of it as a sales conference where the seminars and workshops, full of instantly applicable ideas, are ongoing and more programs are added constantly.

The Sales Vault is available on a monthly subscription basis, normally at a no-brainer monthly price of $45/participant, but… GMA members can take advantage of an exclusive offer: FREE membership for 30 days followed by a discounted monthly subscription price of just $40/participant. 

Bill has been a friend of GMA for many years and is, no doubt, known to our members as a top sales trainer and content creator for the graphic arts.

Other Vault resources:

  • NEW: Replays—Insider exclusive recordings of Office Hours sales discussions
  • Downloadable prospecting letters
  • One killer-good intro letter only the bravest of the brave send out
  • A downloadable voicemail script
  • 15 on-demand video sales courses
  • Archived sales content searchable by sales challenge

Check out the Sales Vault!

Printer-Friendly Version



2026 Print Week Celebrations

Michigan, you're up! Not registered? It's not too late. During this event, we will recognize the inaugural recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Innovation Award. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Four Points for the night of March 26

Read More

GMA University

Graphic Media Alliance is excited to expand GMA University with new courses designed to support today’s print workforce. With more than 120 on-demand trainings, this platform helps you onboard new hires faster, cross-train your team with confidence and keep your entire operation sharp. From print fundamentals to sales strategy and beyond, it’s everything you need to build a more versatile workforce. Register today and start exploring!

Read More

Mailpiece Design Professional Certification Course

Join the Detroit PCC for a guided Mail Design Professional (MDP) certification course designed to help successfully navigate the USPS curriculum.

Read More

Email Marketing for Print Shops that Drive Reorders

Are you constantly chasing new print jobs while past customers quietly drift away? Many print shops invest heavily in sales outreach but overlook one of their most profitable assets, existing clients.

Read More

Columbus Will Become Second-Largest Data Center Hub in the Great Lakes Region

About 20% of all the data centers in the U.S. are located in eight states around the Great Lakes. As of 2024, the region had 525 data centers — with another 224 planned by 2030.

Read More

The Non-Salesy Sales Call

It's hard not to sound salesy when you are, you know, in sales. In this week's Short Attention Span Sales Tip, Bill Farquharson gives you the words to be effective but not pushy.

Read More