Top 26 Negotiation Tactics From Sales Experts 2022

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Negotiation tactics are verified strategies and frameworks that help you overcome objections and finalize the terms of a deal with a prospect. The best tactics are repeatable methods that put the prospect’s mind at ease and work toward win-win outcomes. To help you negotiate great deals for both parties, we’ve put together a list of pro sellers' strategies for salespeople to use before, during, and after negotiations.

Here are the top negotiation tactics and strategies from experts:

Tactics to Use When Preparing for Negotiations: Read more below.
Tactics to Use During Negotiations: Read more below.
Tactics to Use When Closing the Sale: Read more below.

Tactics to Prepare for Negotiations

Before you enter a meeting or call in which you'll likely have to negotiate with a potential customer, there are a few ways you can set yourself up for success. Learn from the pros how best to prepare and close more deals.

David Reid

Sales Director, VEM Tooling

Identify What's Most Important to Your Buyer

"Know your audience by practicing the PPOIB chain, which goes as identifying their problems, priorities, objections, information channel, and buying process. In general, solicit feedback from your target audience after every step of your process. Ensuring customer satisfaction and establishing a loyal relationship between the organization and the customers is possible if and only if one manages to collect and accommodate the unique needs of the customers at the most appropriate times."

— David Reid, VEM Tooling

Lily Wili

CEO, Ever Wallpaper

Negotiate With the Right Person

"The last thing you want to do is negotiate with someone who lacks decision-making authority. You'll have to start over, and you'll have lost all of the rapport and compromises you built throughout your meetings with the wrong prospect. Identifying the decision-maker early in the sales process is essential. Before entering into contract discussions, send an email or phone to the point of contact and ask, 'Who will have the final say on this deal?' If the prospect does not say 'me,' ask if it would be OK to invite the decision-maker to your forthcoming contract negotiation meeting."

— Lily Wili, Ever Wallpaper

Ryan Stewman

CEO, Hardcore Closer

Ryan Waller

Realtor, Home Group Realty

Know Common Buyer-Side Negotiation Tactics

"We've seen it all: constantly looking at their watch, showing up late for meetings, seeming disinterested, getting outraged over a minor issue. Buyers use these tactics to throw the power balance, and most of it is acting. If you're aware of these tactics, you can just ignore them as negotiation tactics and continue on with your presentations. Buyers are still usually listening, but also watching you to see what your reaction is — because if they sense weakness, they'll increase the intensity!"

— Ryan Waller, Home Group Realty

Kathryn McDavid

CEO, Editor's Pick

Know Your Final Number & Terms

"A buyer may try to persuade you to lower your price. Never enter a negotiation without knowing the lowest number you're allowed to give to prevent promising them something you can't deliver. To find this number, speak with your boss or the finance department. A vice president of sales may have greater discounting room than an account executive — possibly 20% vs. 10%. You don't want to be taken off guard by an "I'm not sure we can go that low / make those parameters work" response. This can make you feel out of place while also making you appear inept in the perspective of the prospect. So, before you call, double-check what you can offer them."

— Kathryn McDavid, Editor's Pick

Tactics to Use During Negotiations

While you're negotiating with a potential client, experienced salespeople suggest various ways to get the price and terms you want and close the sale. Read their advice on what to do and say during a negotiation.

Sharon Van Donkelaar

Chief Marketing Officer, Expandi

Ask Open-Ended Questions

"When negotiating with someone and trying to get the best deal possible for you both, you want to encourage a dialogue with the person where you get as much valuable information from them as possible, but most importantly, you want to avoid yes-no answers that limit your negotiating skills. So, instead of asking 'Is this your final number to be able to work with us?' you could ask 'If we could X, how could you Y?' to get the prospect to compromise with you. Even though this strategy doesn't mean you'll always get what you want, it will certainly help you get the most out of every negotiation."

— Sharon Van Donkelaar, Expandi

Travis Lindemoen

Managing Director, Nexus IT Group

Be Positive & Approachable

"I believe many negotiators underestimate themselves because they do not appropriately recognise the power they possess. You have more power than you believe in most bargaining situations. You must believe that the other party requires what you bring to the table as much as you desire a successful negotiation. Also, make sure your positivism shines through during the negotiation. While interacting with the other party, be aware of your voice tone and nonverbal body language."

— Travis Lindemoen, Nexus IT Group

Dan Barrett

CEO, Social Vantage

Mention Discounts to Pique Interest

"Suggest modest pricing reductions you could make in exchange for a certain purchase — even if it's unrelated. (Of course, if they appear interested, it's vital not to let people forget what was talked about, so take notes.) For example, if they want a year of customer support included, inquire if there are any other services you'll need to provide in addition to this. Do they require assistance in setting up or conducting courses? If that's the case, disclose these costs in your initial offer, since it may allow you some wiggle space on the price."

— Dan Barrett, Social Vantage

Matt Green

CRO, Sales Assembly

Identify the Levers You Can Pull

"In Todd Caponi's book The Transparency Sale, he lays out the concept of negotiation 'levers' — specifically, four levers that you can pull when negotiating with a prospect. These include volume (how much of the product or service the prospect going to buy), timing of cash (how quickly the prospect can pay), length of commitment (how long the contract is), and timing of the deal (when the signature will actually happen). Be sure to figure out and use these four levers once you get deep into negotiation."

— Matt Green, Sales Assembly

Melanie Musson

Sales Expert, Clearsurance

Frame Negotiations as Teamwork

"Framing negotiations as teamwork can be a powerful tool to close a deal as long as your actions match the words you say. For example, if you say you want to work on the sale together but you’re unwilling to listen to ideas and opinions, it will be evident to the other party that you have no interest in teamwork. They’ll assume you heard about the technique in a webinar and thought it sounded good but that, in reality, you’ll only be committed to doing things your way. So, when you enter negotiations, remind yourself that someone else’s ideas might be better than your own, and they’re worth considering."

— Melanie Musson, Clearsurance

Frederik Lipfert

Founder & CEO, VPNCheck.org

Find Alternatives to Price Concessions

"Never underestimate your own strength or allow fear to keep you from asking for what you want in the first place. Don't be afraid to take a risk. In the event that you've done your homework properly, chances are you've already considered your desired outcome in the context of what you believe the other party will be able to handle in the first place. Be prepared to make concessions, but don't make concessions before the negotiations have even started!"

— Dr. Frederik Lipfert, VPNCheck.org

Max Whiteside

SEO & Content Lead, Breaking Muscle

Avoid Splitting the Difference

"When it comes to price negotiations becoming stuck, many people see meeting in the middle as an obvious and simple option. (I have $100 and you have $90. If we split the difference, we'd end up with $95.) While there's nothing wrong with agreeing to split the difference, you're better off waiting for the other person to propose the suggestion. Then you can agree on a level of the split that's closer to your original proposal. Don't be the first one to suggest splitting the difference."

— Max Whiteside, Breaking Muscle

Negotiation Tactics for Closing the Sale

After the negotiation, it's time to officially ask for the sale. Here are the top pro tips on transitioning from a negotiation to a closed deal.

Lindsay Hamel

Account Executive SMB, Monday.com

Go Above & Beyond for Your Prospect

"It’s a given that salespeople need to add value at every step of the sales cycle. But what takes the most risk out of the deal? A salesperson’s willingness to go the extra mile. Those (seemingly) small client requests end up being highly memorable when it comes down to either your product or a competitor’s. Which salesperson was the most helpful? Who was the most responsive? Who made it clear that this deal was their priority? That’s the salesperson who is going to win the deal. So make it known to your customer that you’re willing to go above and beyond to win their business. And then ask them how so you can close!"

— Lindsay Hamel, Monday.com

Michael Sullivan

Business Development Executive, Leyton Consulting

Schedule Follow-Ups

"At the end of negotiations with a client, it's essential to set deadlines and schedule follow-ups. It's never a good idea to leave things open-ended because then you'll lose control of the conversation. Getting follow-up calls scheduled makes sure that you're staying in contact with the client or prospect, which will keep you informed about any potential roadblocks preventing the deal from moving forward. In addition, deadlines on price discounts will help create urgency and keep you in control of the timeline. While setting deadlines and scheduling follow-ups are super important, don't forget to ask for the deal — that's the most crucial part of any negotiation."

— Michael Sullivan, Leyton Consulting

Jamie Opalchuk

Founder & CEO, HostPapa

Walk Away If Necessary

"Even the most skilled sales negotiations can go wrong at times. If a prospect makes excessive demands and refuses to bend, or if they simply cannot be served adequately under the terms they require, the rep may need to walk away. Often, the prospect's willingness to walk away from a terrible deal motivates him or her to move up and accept a more advantageous solution. In other circumstances, it simply means the salesperson avoids entering a scenario they would regret later."

— Jamie Opalchuk, HostPapa

Bottom Line: Negotiation Tactics

Negotiating with a prospect can seem daunting, but it can help to learn about the skill beforehand and reframe the way you think about negotiating. Instead of seeing it as a chess match of wits and mental fortitude, think of it as a lead nurturing exercise in which two partners are trying to overcome business obstacles to reach the ultimate agreement. Often, these hard conversations will bring you and your prospect closer, making them great beginnings to your working relationship.

For more detailed information on negotiating, read our guide on how to close, which includes steps, strategies, and tips to negotiate and close a sale.

Top 26 Negotiation Tactics From Sales Experts 2022

Tactics to Prepare for Negotiations

Confirm the Value Proposition Before Negotiating