With the shift to remote work and virtual meetings, a new phenomenon has emerged: the pre-Zoom sweats, also known as the parking lot sweats. As more and more people work from home, the need to commute to an office has diminished, but the anxiety that comes with preparing for a virtual meeting has only increased.
Understanding the Causes
The pre-Zoom sweats describe the feeling of nervousness and anxiety that sets in before a video conference call with a prospect. This sensation resembles the parking lot sweats that people experience before important in-person prospect meetings. The pre-Zoom sweats occur from the pressure to perform well when the salesperson doesn’t have a solid game plan, the fear of technical difficulties, and the concern about how one looks on camera.
People may worry about how their background appears or whether their attire is appropriate for the meeting (at least from the waist up). Others may worry about their internet connection or the possibility of their computer crashing during the call. Some don’t follow an effective sales process, so they wing the call and hope for the best. Unfortunately, the stress can build up, causing individuals to feel hot and sweaty even though they haven’t left home.
The Impact on Sales Professionals
For sales professionals, the pre-Zoom sweats can affect their ability to build rapport with clients and present themselves confidently. In a sales call, confidence and authenticity are crucial to building trust and credibility with the client. Conversely, a salesperson’s nervousness can create a negative impression and undermine effectiveness.
Alleviating Anxiety Through Preparation
One way to alleviate the pre-Zoom sweats is to prepare against technical difficulties in advance.
- Test your technology and ensure your camera, microphone, and internet connection function correctly.
- Have a backup connection ready, like mobile hotspot.
- Choose an appropriate location with good lighting and a neutral background.
- Dress in a way that makes you feel confident and professional.
Sales professionals must be well-prepared and have a clear sales process and plan for the meeting. To reduce their anxiety, they take the time needed to prepare. First, they identify where they are in the sales process, then they develop a list of the things they want to learn, and finally, they develop a list of questions to ask.
An effective way to manage the pre-Zoom sweats is to focus on building a personal connection with the prospect. Sales professionals should aim to establish rapport and build a relationship. This can help to ease tensions and create a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing both parties to communicate more effectively. Sales professionals should remember the focus is on the client, be prepared with questions, and will enable the prospect to do most of the talking.
Final Tips for Overcoming Pre-Zoom Sweats and Presenting Confidently
A final helpful tip is to take a few deep breaths before the call. This can help calm your nerves and clear your mind, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. Everyone experiences nerves before important meetings, and feeling anxious is normal.
In conclusion, the pre-Zoom sweats can be particularly challenging for sales professionals, who rely on virtual meetings to connect with potential clients and close deals. However, with proper preparation, a focus on building rapport and relationships, and a few deep breaths, sales professionals can overcome this anxiety, present themselves confidently during their sales calls, and start having pre-Zoom pep talks instead!
