The Needl by Wabel team
Published on: Feb 20, 2023
So, you’ve just attended a Wabel Online Summit and met with some potential and qualified buyers – that’s fantastic news! Congrats on taking this huge step to grow your business!
But, it’s not time to sit back and relax just yet. We all know that first impressions matter. Then again, so do second impressions.
If you matched with a buyer you’re interested in, you’ve got the start of an extremely fruitful connection. Now it’s time to keep that momentum going and focus on how to turn those potential buyers into long-term partners.
In this post, we’re going to go over some easy steps that can help you win over buyers and close the deal faster after your online meeting:
If you want to keep the ball rolling after an online B2B meeting, a follow-up is a must! Not only does it keep the conversation going, but it also shows that you value the buyer’s time and want to build a lasting relationship.
Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to clarify any doubts, provide more details and set yourself apart from the competition. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to increase their chances of closing the deal?
You just finished an online meeting with a potential buyer, but don’t pop the champagne just yet. The reality is that they may not make their decision right away. They may need some time to think things over or have other suppliers to consider before making their decision.
This is where it’s essential to keep the lines of communication open and follow their interest. After the meeting, buyers will let you know about their level of interest and the timeline they want to follow up on Needl.
It’s important to consider their time frame when following up, as after a Summit, buyers tend to receive a flurry of emails from all the suppliers they met. Sometimes it’s a good idea to check back in at different times to avoid getting lost in the masses.
💡 Pro-Tip: Buyers are more likely to do business with someone they trust and like. So take the time to get to know them, understand their needs and offer solutions that meet their requirements.
💡 Pro-Tip: Having open message threads with all the buyers who expressed interest in following up with you provides you an opportunity to come back and reignite connections later when the buyer’s needs may have changed from those during the Summit.
This is your time to shine! Ensure the buyer is fully aware of what they’re getting when they decide to work with you.
If the buyer requests it during the meeting, be sure to send them all the information they need, including pricing, packaging options, shipping and logistics, materials, or anything that can help them make an informed decision and show them why your product is THE one!
💡 Pro-Tip: Be open to negotiating terms and pricing to meet the buyer’s needs. If you can collaborate with them to find a mutually beneficial solution, you’re more likely to win them over.
💡 Pro-Tip: Keep your products on Needl up-to-date with photos, descriptions, and sales info. It’s essential that buyers can see what they’re buying! Don’t hesitate to send them additional products if they ask for more information or if their needs evolve over time. They may need more than they initially thought!
If not already done before the online meeting, sending samples can be an effective way to keep buyers engaged, showcase the quality of your products and stand out from the competition.
Buyers want to see, touch, and taste products before making a commitment to a partnership. This gives them an opportunity to try your products firsthand and offer feedback. Make sure to follow up after the buyer receives the samples to get their feedback and discuss any questions or concerns they may have.
💡 Pro-Tip: You can include a brochure or informational packet with your samples that outlines your brand’s values, mission, and history. This will help the buyer understand your brand better and develop a stronger connection with it.
When following up with potential buyers on Needl, it’s essential to make your messages actionable and clear.
Outline what needs to happen next, who is responsible for taking action, and what the expected timeline is for each step. Keeping your messages short and sweet, but also clear about what you want to accomplish, is the key to successful follow-up.
Your ultimate goal is to deliver value and build trust with the prospect. Your conversations should be so valuable that the buyer looks forward to discussing with you (and eventually, working with you!)
You want to show them that you are committed to providing the best service possible and that you’re invested in building a long-term partnership.
If you’re going to a trade show in the near future and know that one of your potential buyers will be there, why not set up a face-to-face encounter with them via Needl?
This is an excellent way to keep the momentum going after your online meeting and to build that all-important trust with the buyer.
It’s pretty incredible how many suppliers have shared their success stories about meeting buyers at a Wabel Summit and then running into them again at a trade show. Since they already had a chance to connect once before, this second encounter helped them establish an even stronger relationship and close the deal even faster.
Reconnecting in person not only helps to further establish a stronger relationship but also demonstrates your dedication and willingness to invest time and effort in building a partnership.
We’ve developed an easy-to-use sourcing platform to help you access the right business opportunities at the right time, so why not use it to your best advantage?
Needl is a popular choice for FMCG buyers around the world, with over 8,000 active buyers using our platform for their sourcing needs all year round. This means more chances for you to close new contracts and grow your business!
With Needl, you’ll have access to a variety of features that will help you achieve your export goals.
For example, our Business Mapping feature will help you define your export priorities and identify the distribution channels that match your needs and goals. Product Requests and Category Benchmarks will help you respond promptly to specific or broad buyer needs in your category. Furthermore, with our Sourcing Days feature, you can meet one-on-one with buyers throughout the year to discuss their sourcing projects and work together.
So, why not take advantage of these features and give your business an extra boost?
When it comes to winning over buyers after an online B2B meeting, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
It’s all about communicating effectively, showing off your value proposition, staying up-to-date, and building trust. With these easy tips, you’ll be able to turn those potential buyers into long-term customers and grow your business!
If you’re ready to take the first follow-up steps, go ahead and sign in to your Needl account.
And if you’re not a member yet, what are you waiting for? Sign up here and let the opportunities rain down on you!