Using AI in sales is a hot topic in the industry. If you haven’t used AI yet, you’ve at least heard about its impact on sales. Nearly 70% of sellers say they’ve used generative AI and will continue doing so, SalesFuel found.

Smart sellers realize that AI will be an integral part of everyone’s future. And now is the time to learn how to leverage it. Writing for Forbes, Aytekin Tank discusses the hesitation that sellers may feel about the tool. But he encourages them to reframe how they approach it.

“Instead of viewing AI as a disruptor…you can see it as another powerful productivity tool to incorporate into your workflows.”

HubSpot’s Jay Fuchs agrees. Using AI as just another digital resource frees up time for sellers. They can work even more efficiently using this resource. He cites the following findings:

• Sellers using AI for automation save approxmately two hours and 15 minutes daily.
• 78% say AI helps them spend more time on the most important tasks.
• 74% say they can spend more time on their most enjoyable tasks thanks to AI 

How to use AI in sales

For those who haven’t integrated AI into their sales process yet, there are some basic ways to do so. One way to leverage this tool is streamlining and optimizing engagement. According to SalesForce research, AI is most used in sales to help sellers understand customer needs.

As prospects’ businesses and needs evolve more rapidly, tapping into AI helps sellers go deeper. For example, they can use AI to analyze conversations and pull out key points. Sellers can also use AI to analyze historical customer data to mine trends, Dasha recommends.

“AI-​powered systems can identify patterns and trends, allowing businesses to anticipate customer demands and tailor their offerings accordingly.” 

This saves time for sellers, as well as positions them as knowledgeable and qualified. Thanks to AI’s efforts, sellers can pinpoint exactly what issues the prospects face and how their solution can help.

“AI systems can predict purchasing behaviors, personal preferences, and even sentiments based on customer interactions,” adds Collins Ayuya.

This can help sellers tailor their strategy and communications to each prospect.

Personalizing interactions

Fuchs reports that another way sellers can use AI in sales is to personalize engagements. 

He recommends harnessing the power of AI to:

• Use pre-​defined customization fields for automating outreach messages.
• Ensure your outreach is optimized by running A/​B tests.
• Personalize sales pitches with prospect-​specific details.

Sellers can also use AI in sales to write and polish their sales scripts. This tool can enhance and hyper-​personalize what you say to a prospect. And it can be especially helpful when making cold calls where you must capture interest immediately. 

Phillip Topham agrees, noting that sellers can simply feed a basic script into an AI program to get started. 

“Starting with high-​impact, low-​complexity scripts allows teams to quickly witness the benefits of AI, builds confidence and lays the groundwork for more.”

This agile approach to script-​writing frees up valuable time for sellers. And it also ensures that each script is uniquely tailored to each buyer. 

Now is the time to adopt AI

From these examples, it’s obvious that even a little integration of AI into your strategy is beneficial. Even the most hesitant sellers can easily use AI programs to automate basic tasks. 

You’ll find that the more you tap into what AI can do, the more comfortable you’ll feel using it. And the benefits will quickly become obvious. Prospects will take notice and you will ensure you remain competitive against competitors.

Photo by Fabian Irsara