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When it comes to winning at sales, being ready is super important! One helpful tool that sales teams use to tackle competition is called a battle card.
So, what is a battle card? A battle card is a simple, quick-reference guide that gives salespeople important info about their product, the competition, and what customers are looking for. It helps them answer tough questions, focus on what makes their product stand out, and feel more confident in sales conversations.
In this blog, we'll break down how to use a battle card template in the best way possible. So let’s get started!
What is a Battle Card Template?
A battle card template is a simple tool that helps sales teams stay organized. It’s like a cheat sheet that has all the key info about your product, your competitors, and the market.
Salespeople can use it during conversations with potential customers to quickly find important details. The template usually includes things like:
- Product features,
- Customer pain points, and
- Comparisons with competitors.
It also has talking points to show why your product is the better choice.
The main goal of a battle card template is to get sales teams ready with the info and strategies they need. With everything in one place, sales reps can answer questions confidently, handle objections, and adjust their pitch to fit what the customer needs.
In tough sales situations, a battle card template is especially helpful. It sums up all the important info about competitors, customer needs, and what makes your product stand out.
When a customer mentions a competitor or has concerns, the sales rep can quickly look at the battle card and respond with accurate, strong points that show why their product is the best choice.
Benefits of Using a Battle Card Template
Using a battle card template comes with several benefits that can really help a sales team succeed:
- Consistency: A well-made battle card makes sure that all sales reps are saying the same thing. This builds trust with customers and keeps the message about the product clear and strong.
- Quick Responses: With a battle card, sales reps can find the info they need fast. This means they can answer questions and handle objections quickly, keeping the conversation going smoothly.
- Handling Objections Better: Battle cards give sales teams ready-made answers to common objections. This helps them tackle concerns effectively, so they’re less likely to lose a deal to a competitor.
- Boosted Confidence: When sales reps know they have a solid resource to rely on, they feel more confident. This confidence usually leads to a more convincing and successful pitch.
What are the Key Components of a Battle Card Template?
A battle card template isn’t just a bunch of information thrown together. It’s a smart tool that helps sales teams handle tricky conversations. Knowing the key parts of a battle card helps your team be ready for different situations.
Purpose
The purpose section of a battle card sets the stage for your conversation. It reminds sales reps to focus on what matters most to each potential customer.
Some people care about product features, others about customer support, and some about innovation. This section helps reps tailor their talk to hit those key points.
For example, if a customer is worried about customer support, the battle card should guide the rep to highlight your company’s excellent support. If the focus is on innovation, the rep should talk about how your product leads the way with cutting-edge features. Addressing these topics directly builds trust and shows that you really understand the customer’s needs.
Method
The method section helps sales reps tell a story that fits with the customer’s needs and shows your product as the perfect solution. A good story doesn’t just list features; it connects those features to the customer’s specific problems and goals.
For example, if you’re selling software, start by talking about common industry problems, like integration issues. Then, explain how your product solves these problems with unique features, and finish by discussing the long-term benefits the customer can expect.
This method turns a simple product rundown into a story that feels personal and relevant, making it more likely to lead to a positive outcome.
Example Tactic
The example tactic section gives sales reps specific strategies to use. One effective tactic is starting the conversation by agreeing on common industry standards or challenges. This helps create a connection and trust between the sales rep and the customer.
Once that connection is made, the focus can shift to how your product’s unique features offer a better solution.
For instance, if you’re in the healthcare industry, you might start by talking about the importance of data security. After agreeing on how crucial it is, you can then highlight how your product not only meets these standards but goes above and beyond with advanced security features.
This approach not only aligns your product with the customer’s needs but also positions it as the better choice.
When to Use
Knowing when to use certain tactics is just as important as knowing how to use them. The "When to Use" section helps sales reps figure out the best times to bring up specific strategies.
For example, if a customer mentions concerns about future growth or scalability, it’s the perfect moment to talk about how your product can grow with their needs. Similarly, if the conversation turns to long-term planning, this is a great time to discuss how your product’s features are designed to adapt and evolve over time.
Timing these tactics right can turn a generic sales pitch into a targeted, persuasive conversation that leads to a sale.
How to Use the Battle Card Template?
1. Go to Distribute.so: Follow this link to access the Sales Battle Card template.
2. Activate the Template: Press the "Use as Template" button located in the top right corner.
3. Make It Yours: Tailor the template to match your brand and meet your specific requirements.
4. Share with Your Team: Share the link of the customized template with your team members.
5. Track Results: Utilize our analytics tools to check the effectiveness of the template.
Conclusion
Using a battle card template makes the sales process smoother. It keeps the focus on what’s important to potential customers and helps build trust with a consistent message.
Adding battle cards to your sales strategy isn’t just a good idea—it’s a must in today’s competitive market. Being able to quickly find and share the right information can be the difference between closing a deal or losing a prospect to a competitor.
Start using battle cards in your sales process today, and you’ll see your team handling conversations more effectively, overcoming objections with ease, and closing more deals.
