When to use this prompt
When preparing for discovery calls or demos with target prospects.
When encountering common objections around budget, authority, or timing.
When improving sales team performance through better objection handling.
When refining messaging to align with prospect concerns in a specific industry.
The prompt
Advise me on how to handle objections during sales calls with [Job Title] in the [Industry] more effectively. Provide strategies, example responses, and tips for addressing common pushbacks while keeping the conversation professional and persuasive.
Variables to replace:
Real-life example of how to use this prompt
To start, let’s assume I’m a senior marketer at HubSpot. The prompt in the context of HubSpot would look like:
As you can see, this example demonstrates how the prompt focuses on providing actionable strategies and real-world examples to confidently navigate objections from a specific audience.
Example output from ChatGPT for this prompt
And here's the output:
1. Understand Common Objections
Common pushbacks from Marketing Directors:
“We already have a solution.”
“It’s too expensive / budget constraints.”
“We’re not ready to implement something new.”
“How is this different from competitors?”
“I need buy-in from other stakeholders.”
2. Strategies to Handle Objections
A. Use Empathetic Acknowledgment + Value Reframing
Strategy: Recognize the concern, then pivot to the unique value your solution provides.
Example:
Objection: “We already use a platform for this.”
Response:“I completely understand. Many of our clients felt the same way initially. What they found was that our platform actually complements their existing tools by [specific differentiator, e.g., automating reporting or improving cross-channel analytics], which helped them save X hours per week and uncover new opportunities for growth.”
Tip: Show that you’re not replacing what they have but enhancing it.
B. ROI & Metrics-Focused Persuasion
Strategy: Marketing Directors respond well to data. Translate features into measurable business outcomes.
Example:
Objection: “It’s too expensive.”
Response:“I hear you—budget is always a concern. Based on similar clients, companies using our solution saw an average increase of [X%] in lead conversion while reducing campaign spend by [Y%], which often offsets the cost within the first [Z months]. Could I share a short case study?”
Tip: Have at least 2–3 real-life metrics or case studies ready.
C. Use the “Discovery” Approach
Strategy: Turn objections into diagnostic questions. You gain insight and guide them toward seeing the problem themselves.
Example:
Objection: “We’re not ready to implement something new.”
Response:“That makes sense—implementing new tools is a big decision. Can I ask how your team currently handles [specific process]? I want to understand if there’s a way we could make things easier without adding complexity.”
Tip: This subtly positions you as a problem-solver, not a salesperson.
D. Differentiation & Competitive Positioning
Strategy: Highlight what sets you apart in a way that matters to their goals.
Example:
Objection: “How is this different from [competitor]?”
Response:“Great question. Unlike [competitor], our platform [key differentiator, e.g., provides AI-driven insights that integrate with all your ad channels, giving you a unified view of performance]. This means your team can make faster decisions and optimize campaigns without juggling multiple tools.”
Tip: Avoid bashing competitors—focus on unique value and outcomes.
E. Gatekeeper & Stakeholder Strategy
Strategy: Marketing Directors often need alignment with CMOs or CFOs. Equip them with talking points or create joint calls.
Example:
Objection: “I need buy-in from other stakeholders.”
Response:“Absolutely—decision-making is rarely done in isolation. Would it help if I provided a one-page summary highlighting ROI and benefits that you could share with your team? I’m also happy to join a brief call with any stakeholders to address their questions directly.”
Tip: This keeps momentum and positions you as a supportive partner.
3. Additional Tips for SaaS Conversations
Do your homework: Know the company’s marketing stack, campaigns, and industry trends before the call. Tailor your examples to their context.
Speak in business outcomes: Focus on KPIs—lead generation, conversion rates, cost per acquisition, or customer retention.
Use “proof points”: Case studies, references, and statistics matter more than features.
Stay consultative: Don’t push a product; uncover pain points and align your solution as a strategic advantage.
Keep the dialogue two-way: Ask open-ended questions like:
“What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing with [campaign/channel/metric]?”
“How do you measure success in your current initiatives?”
Handle objections early: The sooner you acknowledge and address potential concerns, the more trust you build.
Or to be more specific:
Pro tips
Research common objections for the target job title and industry beforehand.
Practice responses to sound natural rather than scripted.
Focus on empathy and understanding the prospect’s perspective.
Prepare supporting data, case studies, or examples to back up your responses.
