Just as you would never show up to an important presentation dressed in torn jeans and a plain t-shirt, your presentation needs to make a professional impression. Back in 90’s it was perfectly acceptable to use a free template that came with PowerPoint. But, today your PowerPoint is an integral part of your sales and marketing collateral. If you don’t think of your PowerPoint in this way then you truly need to shift your thinking.

Key: Dress your PowerPoint for success.

Today, there are many sites that sell pre-made professional PowerPoint templates. You can simply choose one (from among hundreds) that best matches your company’s look, feel and color scheme. Once you purchase and download template, you can customize it to your liking.

Another option- If you don’t have time or expertise to do it yourself, you can hire an outside firm to do PowerPoint creation and customization for you. This can truly make your presentation stand apart from rest of your competitors, through professional-quality images, advanced charts and by utilizing appropriate animations that enhance and compliment your message.

But, whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a professional, it is definitely worth investment to maximize professionalism and effectiveness of your PowerPoint presentation. You’ll not only be doing your audience a favor, but high return on investment will greatly benefit your company and you.

If that doesn’t get them talking again, then let them go by politely asking for their permission to follow up with them in a few days, and, if you could possibly send them out some literature, along with your business card.

Another common objection is:

I have to ask my spouse.

A good response to this objection would be:

Is your spouse available at this time? I would be happy to speak with him/her.

Again, if this does not work, then let them go, and politely ask to send out literature, and follow up with a phone call.

And one other objection you may run into . . .

I have already taken care of that, or I am working with someone else.

If you are hit with this objection, it is most likely your prospects way of telling you they are not interested.

On other hand, if they tell you they are working with someone else, it never hurts to take a chance, and ask your customer if they would like to see if you could get them a better price, or even a better product. It can’t hurt, and if they are interested than go for it! If not, than let it go right there, and move onto your next prospect.

And remember, challenges are nothing but obstacles on your path to greatness!