10 Pros and Cons of Developing a Sales Script for Your Business

What do tech industry heavyweights like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Cisco all have in common? The answer: a top-ranked and finely tuned sales process.

Effective sales teams drive business growth. Point blank. Period. So having a pre-designed blueprint to guide your sales calls is nothing short of enticing.

A sales script offers the lure of consistency, a safety net against wandering minds, and the promise of a structured delivery. It’s like having your own guidebook on converting even the toughest of clients.

But are sales scripts the magical cure-all? As much as it can be a game-changer for some sales representatives, for others, it could feel like a straitjacket stifling creativity and genuine connection.

So can a sales script help you meet and exceed your sales targets and grow your business? Or are they holding your sales team back from unleashing their true potential?

Let’s find out.

What is a Sales Script?

In its simplest terms, a sales script is a pre-written conversation guide that salespeople use when interacting with potential customers. It’s a powerful tool that provides a roadmap for sales discussions and helps guide the flow of conversation.

These scripts can range from a few bullet points highlighting touch points during a sales call to a full-blown dialogue that covers every phase of the sales process—from the initial introduction to overcoming objections and closing the deal.

Most organizations implement a sales script to maintain consistency in sales messaging so that every customer hears the same key points about your offerings.

Here’s a basic example of a sales script:

While a script might sound rigid or impersonal, the best sales scripts are more like living documents. They’re adaptable and flexible, so you can tailor them to individual customers’ needs and the unique dynamic of each sales interaction.

It’s about striking the perfect balance—sticking to the script where it works, but veering off when the situation calls for a more personalized approach. So imagine if you could create a sales script that isn’t a one-size-fits-all but rather a ‘one-size-fits-one’ solution.

This strategy isn’t just about personalizing a name or company details. It’s about understanding your customers’ needs, desires, and pain points at a granular level. A solid understanding of your ideal customer profile (ICP) can make all the difference.

An accurately defined ICP can speed up your sales cycle, enhance the effectiveness of your messaging, and increase your conversion rate. It’s all about knowing who your customers are, what they need, and how your product or service can provide their desired solution. And this is precisely where a tool like Breadcrumbs Reveal shines. From identifying the right prospects to using the optimal messaging to convert leads, Breadcrumbs Reveal offers a comprehensive solution to bring precision and personalization to your sales scripts.

6 Common Scenarios for Developing a Sales Script

So you might wonder when it makes sense to stick to a sales script.

Here are a few examples where a sales script can work particularly well:

1. Cold calling

There’s no doubt that sales scripts are common during cold calls, where your sales reps reach out to potential customers who might not be familiar with your product or service.

And let’s face it. Cold calling isn’t the most glamorous job. With an average success rate of 2%, it’s easy to get down in the dumps about your current sales techniques.

But a well-crafted sales call script can help you overcome the initial resistance and establish a meaningful conversation with the person on the other line. It can boost your B2B sales cold-calling success rates to 10% and breathe new life into this once-dreaded task.

2. Product launches

Launching a new product (or improving an existing one) is an exciting endeavor, so much so that your sales reps might go off on a tangent during a sales call to talk about their favorite features.

That’s where a sales script comes into play. They help ensure that all sales team members are delivering a consistent and accurate message about your new offering.

That way, every potential customer gets the same opportunity to hear the full run-down.

3. Sales training

Selling is a skill. And it takes some practice to get good at it.

If you’re a fan of The Office, you’ll remember the episode where Michael Scott gets a second job as a telemarketer. And let’s just say that he shouldn’t quit his day job. Meanwhile, Vikram is the top performer. Why? He sticks to the script.

That’s to say — sales scripts are excellent tools for training new sales team members. They provide a structured conversation guide that new salespeople can follow, reducing the learning curve and helping them get up to speed quickly.

Here are a few example sales call script templates to help train new employees:

If Michael Scott would only stick to the sales script, he might be able to take on Vikram as the best salesperson in the office and win the $50 bonus.

4. Upselling or cross-selling

What’s one of the easiest ways to generate more revenue? Upsell or cross-sell to your existing customers.

In fact, studies show that upselling can increase your revenue by 10–30% on average. And upsells are 68% more cost-effective than going out and acquiring a new customer. What’s not to love?

Scripts can help your team tackle these upselling or cross-selling opportunities, where the goal is to convince existing customers to buy more products or more expensive items.

The templated script can guide you on how to present these pitches in a way that adds value to the customer’s experience and avoids coming off too spammy.

5. Dealing with common objections

Even if you’re the best sales rep in your office, you’ll encounter objections or hurdles at some point in the process.

Here are some common sales objections:

• Price. “The product/service is too expensive.”
• Need. “We don’t need this product/service right now.”
• Value. “I don’t see the value in this product/service.”
• Change. “We’re comfortable with the solution we’re currently using.”
• Trust. “I’m not sure I trust your product/service/company.”
• Authority. “I need to discuss it with my team/boss before making a decision.”
• Timing. “This isn’t a good time for us to invest in a new solution.”
• Competition. “We’re already working with one of your competitors.”
• Complexity. “The solution seems too complicated for us to implement.”
• Commitment. “We’re not ready to commit to a contract right now.”

Having a script ready for these common roadblocks can equip your team with effective, pre-planned responses to overcome sales objections.

The key? Addressing the customer’s concerns and steering the conversation back to a positive path.

6. Consistent brand messaging

If your business has strict brand messaging guidelines or operates in an industry with regulatory compliance requirements, sales scripts ensure that all interactions meet these standards.

Remember, while a sales script can be a useful guide, it’s also important to adapt to the flow of the conversation and each customer’s unique needs.

The script should be a tool to support the sales process, not a rigid framework that restricts genuine and responsive communication.

Pros and cons of using a sales script

Now, to the million-dollar question. Should you invest time and resources into developing a sales script for your business? Or will it hold you back from achieving your true sales potential?

Here are ten pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

a. Consistency vs. Personalization

Pro: Keeping it consistent

One of the big advantages of sales scripts? Consistency.

Think of them as a trusty compass that can guide all your salespeople on the same path. Your brand message remains at the forefront of each sales meeting. And your customers get the right information every time. It’s a win-win!

For instance, in the competitive real estate industry, agents that go into a sales meeting with a script in place can avoid rambling or going off-topic. They can confidently answer questions, leading to higher conversion rates and increased revenue.

If you need inspiration or you’re feeling stuck, leverage some tried-and-true real estate cold-calling scripts to get you started on the right foot and overcome those common challenges with demanding homebuyers.

Con: Lack of personalization

The flip side? Sometimes, sales scripts can feel a bit, well, scripted.

Like reading lines from a play, they can miss out on that personal, genuine connection we all crave in a conversation. And we’ve all been on the receiving end of a telemarketing call that sounds robotic.

Our first instinct? Hang up.

But why? Research shows that 80% of people are more likely to buy from a company that provides a tailored experience. So a sales script that sounds too monotoned or lacks personalization might hold you back from providing the ideal customer experience.

b. Efficiency vs. Flexibility

Pro: Boost efficiency in the sales process

Time is money, right? Well, sales scripts are all about making your sales process more efficient.

No umms, no ahhs, just a streamlined conversation that gets you to close the deal faster. High-five for productivity. 

Con: Lack of flexibility

Here’s the snag, though. Not every customer or situation fits neatly into our pre-determined script.

Real people are unpredictable, and you can sometimes miss out on opportunities if your script can’t roll with the punches.

For instance, you’re selling a project management application, and your script focuses on how your tool improves collaboration among teams. But during the conversation, the prospect reveals that their main pain point isn’t collaboration but adhering to their project budgets.

In this scenario, if you only stick to your script and continue to emphasize collaboration features, you’ll miss the opportunity to address their key concerns about budgeting.

The result? A sale that’s lost to the wind.

c. Training learning curve vs. Over-dependence on scripts

Pro: Leverage scripts as training tools

Remember being the new kid in your class? It’s nerve-wracking, right?

That’s where sales scripts can help take the edge off. They’re fantastic training tools, giving new salespeople a roadmap for navigating even the toughest sales conversations.

Suddenly, that steep learning curve is a little less daunting.

Con: Over-dependence on scripts

But, like a safety net, some salespeople can become too reliant on their scripts. They can’t think quickly on their feet.

So, if the conversation takes an unexpected turn, it can leave them feeling stranded without their trusted sidekick.

This scenario opens the door for unwanted pauses or other issues that could be the nail in the coffin to losing the sale.

d. Fluency vs. Impersonality

Pro: Smooth talking every time

“The sales talk” can be tricky and intimidating for any sales rep starting out. Luckily, sales scripts are the secret weapon to always sound professional and respectful and will help you lead the sales negotiation and prime your future customer for closing the deal.

They’re the best way to control the language and tone, guaranteeing you always put your best foot forward with customers.

Con: The risk of sounding mechanical

Here’s the catch, though, nobody likes talking to a robot.

If your sales script isn’t well-crafted or read without emotion, it can sound cold and impersonal.

The goal is to engage customers, not put them on mute or have them hang up after the first few words.

e. Error-free vs. Creativity

Pro: Say goodbye to errors

Let’s face it, we all make mistakes. But with sales scripts, you can reduce those common communication blunders dramatically.

Everything is pre-written and checked for accuracy. It’s like having a proofreader for every conversation.

And you can guarantee that your sales calls follow internal HR compliance and international GDPR compliance requirements. The last thing you want is a lawsuit on your hands.

It’s easy to prevent silly mistakes from slipping through the cracks. The key is measuring twice (writing a sales script) and cutting once (nailing the sales call).

Con: Limited opportunity for creativity

And finally, the downside. Scripts can sometimes stifle a salesperson’s natural creativity and flair.

The art of selling often comes down to thinking on your feet and improvising — and a script can sometimes keep those creative juices from flowing freely.

Will you add a sales script to your workflow?

Sales scripts are powerful tools in your sales arsenal. They provide structure, promote consistency, and help maintain a clear focus on the key benefits of your product or service.

But remember that these scripts aren’t, and shouldn’t be, set in stone. Why? People are unpredictable, and a script that can’t adapt to a conversation’s ebbs and flows could fumble those golden opportunities.

Your sales script should leave enough room for personalization, active listening, and spontaneous responses tailored to your prospect’s needs and pain points. So equip your team with the skills and freedom to deviate from it when necessary.

At the end of the day, “sales” is about building relationships and providing solutions. No script, however well crafted, can replace genuine human connection and understanding.

Use your sales script as a guide, but never let it muddy the goal—to serve your customers in the best way possible.

The key lies in understanding your customers on a deeper level, and Breadcrumbs Reveal can help you achieve just that.

Run your Reveal analysis for free when creating a Breadcrumbs account, and unlock the power of personalized sales scripts tailored to your ideal customer profile.

Speed up your sales cycle, amplify your messaging, and boost your conversion rate by knowing exactly who your customers are and how your product or service can address their unique needs.

Leverage Breadcrumbs Reveal; sign up for free today.