Leveraging Technology for Sales: 18 Creative Ideas From Sales Experts
Discover innovative ways to boost your sales using technology in today’s competitive market. This article presents a collection of creative ideas sourced from industry experts to help you stay ahead of the curve. From AI-powered research to interactive product demos, learn how these cutting-edge strategies can transform your sales approach and drive results.
- Personalize Product Recommendations with Quizzes
- AI-Powered Prospect Research Boosts Sales Efficiency
- Custom Calculator Demonstrates SEO Impact
- Video Walkthroughs Replace Text Proposals
- Sales Enablement Platform Enhances Consistency
- Transparent Sales Tracker Builds Trust
- Testimonial Videos Enhance Email Outreach
- Interactive Product Demos Accelerate Sales Cycle
- Twitter Threads Drive Tool User Acquisition
- YouTube Content Warms Leads Pre-Contact
- Live Ad Account Analysis Replaces Slide Decks
- Personalized Demo Dashboards Create Emotional Buy-In
- Video Call Transcription Splits Discovery Process
- Email Signatures Become Mini Sales Platforms
- CRM Integration Personalizes Customer Interactions
- Heatmap Analysis Tailors Sales Presentations
- Video Content Amplifies Article Engagement
- Tennis Analysis Tool Impresses CEO Prospect
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Personalize Product Recommendations with Quizzes
I soon discovered that the majority of groomsmen make their gift selection choices when time is short and with almost no time to window shop. This is why I developed a product quiz that narrowed men down to the appropriate category in less than two minutes. It was direct and practical. A groom could answer a few lifestyle-based questions and have five gift recommendations ready to be displayed and customized immediately. This small technological trick shortened response time by half and took customers from browsing to checkout much quicker than our old catalog-style layout used to.
The effect was measurable. In the first three months after the launch, abandoned carts decreased by approximately 20%, and the average order values increased by approximately $30, as a man would almost always add one product to the recommendation pool. What appeared to be a minor presentation trick came to redefine the selling process since it recognized how men purchase when they are under wedding stress: quickly, to the point, and with no interest in seeing multiple choices.
Chris Bajda, eCommerce Entrepreneur & Managing Partner, GroomsDay
AI-Powered Prospect Research Boosts Sales Efficiency
Instant research about your prospects, reducing time spent from 15 minutes to a few seconds.
The most unexpected lever we’ve pulled recently is deploying our own automated prospect research using AI language models, cutting the time spent investigating a prospect from 15 minutes to less than 1, often 30 seconds. You provide the AI with a bit of information about a prospect (the company, recent press, or investor IR page) and ask it to 1) summarize what the company does and 2) guess what their pain points might be, and even suggest talking points a salesperson could use to appeal to C-level executives.
For a day of 8 meetings, this saves the representative about 2 hours of repetitive research. We didn’t just pluck this time out of thin air, though. Redirecting effort from generic research to talking to prospects meant the sales team could collectively now engage 40-80 additional accounts a month.
But the real payoff was that the sales conversations became hyper-specific, and C-level executives really noticed the difference. We started to hear their sourcing people thank us for showing up with actual insight, instead of “just another sales call.” And the numbers followed: the percentage of prospects who agreed to a second call after the initial sales call increased from ~22% to 28%, with the same headcount.
How to implement this yourselves:
- Use an AI tool like ChatGPT with a well-constructed prompt to extract a high-level summary, KPIs, management changes, and recent moves from a company’s annual report, news, and IR calls.
- Write a prompt that steers the conversation toward the challenges your product addresses, so the conversation starts with “here’s what I noticed about your business,” instead of “tell me what you’re worried about.”
- Build a centralized research channel. We built a mostly-automated Slack channel for research, where salespeople paste in a URL to a company and they instantly receive notes plus questions to ask.
One of the key takeaways here is that you should never think about automation as just about scale. If you use automation correctly, you can transform a call from generic to super-customized in the time it takes to refill your mug.
Steve Morris, Founder & CEO, NEWMEDIA.COM
Custom Calculator Demonstrates SEO Impact
I used ChatGPT to create a custom calculator for use in sales calls. Once we had the code, we implemented it on our website for use during calls or for site visitors.
The calculator estimates the number of leads a business could generate in 30 days if their keyword rankings improved.
I utilized the 2024 national averages for Click-Through-Rates (CTR), based on the current rank of the keyword. We then applied an industry average Traffic-to-Lead website conversion rate of 10% and the average monthly search volume of the keyword in question to calculate potential lead generation.
This tool helps us answer the question, “How impactful would it be for my business to move a specific keyword from ranking #3 in Google to ranking #1?”
As an SEO agency, we understand that there’s a 60% increase in traffic from #3 to #1, but it’s much more impactful to show prospective businesses what that looks like in terms of new customers. Since implementing this new tool on our site, we’ve seen a significant increase in our sales call conversion rates!
Bryan Sekine, CEO & Co-Founder, Fox & Owl Marketing
Video Walkthroughs Replace Text Proposals
One of the most creative ways I used technology in the selling process was recording short, personalized video walkthroughs for potential clients instead of sending long proposal documents. I’d pull up their website or project details on my screen, hit record, and talk them through my thought process — almost as if I were sitting beside them with a cup of coffee, pointing things out.
At first, I was nervous because I’m not a polished “camera person,” but clients responded so positively. They said it felt personal and easy to follow, and it saved them from having to wade through pages of text. For me, it was a way to build trust before we’d even met in person. That small tech tweak turned what could have been a cold sales pitch into a conversation.
Tim Nolan, Co-founder, Quoteplicity
Sales Enablement Platform Enhances Consistency
One way I used technology to strengthen the sales process was through a dedicated sales enablement platform (I used ShowPad, but others are available). Working as a CMO with a global sales team, I needed both consistency in the market and better visibility into what was actually influencing buyers.
This type of platform gave me control over the branded assets and messaging being used across regions, which was important when selling complex solutions to specialist buyers. Sellers could select from “pre-approved” assets to use with prospects (guided on what type of client or what stage of the buyer journey to use them at). They could customize limited parts of the asset too. For example, adding a prospect’s logo in an approved space. Other parts of the document could not be changed, such as an approved case study example or value proposition.
The platform also provided detailed insight into how those materials were being consumed. We could see which assets were used, by whom, and how prospects engaged with them. For example, it tracked how long someone spent on a page, when they stopped reading, and which messages were viewed just before they submitted an inquiry or moved forward in the CRM. That data helped us refine the content library by doubling down on what worked, retiring what did not, and closing gaps where we lacked the right material.
It also proved valuable in managing the sales team itself. The data showed clear differences between the way top performers used the platform compared to others, which highlighted where coaching or changes were needed. In short, such technology helped us build consistency in messaging, sharpen our content production process, and manage sales performance more effectively.
Steven Manifold, CMO & Director, B2B Planr
Transparent Sales Tracker Builds Trust
During one launch cycle of my SEO eBook, I experimented with a transparent sales tracker on the landing page. The arrangement was simple and involved a Google Sheet that linked to my payment system and was updated every ten minutes. It showed the daily sales of copies, and visitors could see figures such as 7 copies sold that morning or 18 copies in the past 48 hours. This mere visual cue generated momentum and trust.
Daily sales increased from an average of 19 copies to 25 copies over the first month, generating an approximate revenue of $1,050 without any spending on advertising.
The impact surpassed additional sales. Cart abandonment decreased to 24%, then 27%, as buyers were reassured by clear proof of activity. Customers stated that real numbers made the purchase look more convincing and timely. It made a once boring product page lively, which boosted and established repeatability and growth without marketing expenses going through the roof.
Jin Grey, CEO and SEO Expert, Jin Grey
Testimonial Videos Enhance Email Outreach
One of the most creative ways I’ve used technology to my advantage in the selling process has been through testimonial videos integrated into email outreach and landing pages.
Instead of sending long, text-heavy case studies or hoping prospects would read through a PDF, I began embedding short, authentic testimonial clips directly into outreach emails. These videos feature clients sharing in their own words how our work helped them overcome challenges and achieve results.
A play button and a thumbnail with a smiling, real person grab attention. According to industry benchmarks, emails with video can increase click-through rates by up to 65% and reduce unsubscribes dramatically. This isn’t a silver bullet in terms of email marketing, but it makes you a lot more interesting to the recipients of your emails and makes any subsequent contact warmer.
By letting past clients speak for me, I can manage the “sales pitch” tone from outreach and replace it with some social proof. Prospects didn’t just hear me say, “We produce great recruitment videos,” they saw someone in their own industry describe the experience and results. That’s far more persuasive.
The same principle carries over to landing pages. Instead of relying solely on polished copy and stock imagery, I place testimonial videos front and center. For example, a police chief talking about how a recruitment video in their campaign helped fill positions adds instant credibility.
The beauty of this strategy is that it doesn’t require reinventing the wheel. It’s about leveraging platforms that already exist — email marketing tools, CRM sequences, website landing pages — and enhancing them with the right content. By creating testimonial videos once, I could repurpose them endlessly:
- Short clips for LinkedIn ads.
- Full-length versions for landing pages.
- Snippets dropped as stories on Facebook and Instagram.
Leveraging testimonial videos in email outreach and landing pages isn’t just a creative use of technology — it directly benefits the business. It builds trust faster, shortens the sales cycle, and gives prospects the reassurance they need to take the next step. In industries where competition is high and attention is short, having authentic client voices front and center has turned out to be one of the most powerful tools in my selling process.
Dave Perlman, Owner, Horizon Visual Media
Interactive Product Demos Accelerate Sales Cycle
I used technology in the selling process in one creative way, which was incorporating interactive demos of the products via virtual meeting platforms. I created live, clickable prototypes that real clients could interact with in real-time, as opposed to delivering slides to them. This enabled them to have a practical feel of how the product works, and this made the sales talk much more interactive and personal.
It also used interactive demos to speed up the sales cycle. Customers did not have to wait to set up long trials anymore — they could know how the solution would integrate with their workflow instantly. Not only did this instill confidence, but it also sped up decision-making because all of that back-and-forth was not as necessary for prospects to act on and know the value.
The greatest advantage was in the area of scalability. The ability to present to prospects across time zones through online platforms enabled me to reach out and present to prospects without incurring the logistical challenges of traveling. It has increased my population of globalized customers and reduced their cost, letting us secure deals faster and develop better relationships with customers in an innovative and technologically advanced selling process.
Rahul Gulati, Founder, GyanDevign Tech
Twitter Threads Drive Tool User Acquisition
I wanted a cost-effective way to reach real users within a short time. So, I decided to leverage X (formerly Twitter) by posting threads about pain points our tool can solve. I could then provide a giveaway that required people to enter an email to access the free guide on Notion. The guide offered some ways to solve the problem I’d tweeted about. After delivering free value in the guide, I could then invite users to try our tool as the most effective way to address the problem. I did this almost daily for weeks. That’s how we managed to get the first 100 real users of our tool. I should also add that I used AI to create the guide and automatically DM the Notion link to people who engaged with my tweets.
Sai Rahul, Founder, Niche Traffic Kit
YouTube Content Warms Leads Pre-Contact
We utilized YouTube as an always-on sales asset that builds trust before a sales conversation ever begins. Our video “I Got #1 in Google with 7 Minutes of Beginner SEO” has generated over 250,000 organic views and consistently brings in qualified leads, all without paid advertisements.
The creative approach involved developing content that addressed the exact questions our ideal clients (Shopify store owners) were struggling with. We didn’t chase views. Instead, we focused on clarity, fast pacing, and strong thumbnails. We then allowed the algorithm to distribute the content to the right audience.
YouTube became a high-leverage tool in our sales process by warming up leads before they ever reach out. When they do contact us, they already understand our thought process, what we teach, and why they trust us. This approach shortens sales cycles and increases close rates.
David Uebergang, Head Creative & Video Editor, Digital Darts
Live Ad Account Analysis Replaces Slide Decks
There was one pitch where we ditched the slides and just pulled up their ad account live. Honestly, it wasn’t even planned. We just thought, “Let’s show them what’s going on.” Within minutes, they spotted a campaign burning money, and they were the ones pointing it out, not me.
That moment was way more powerful than any polished sales deck. Their own data did the selling. All we had to do was guide the conversation.
Gustav Westman, Founder & CEO, Niora AI
Personalized Demo Dashboards Create Emotional Buy-In
One creative way I used technology in the selling process was building live, personalized demo dashboards instead of static slide decks. Instead of just telling prospects what our platform could do, I created a working version branded with their company name, data fields, and use cases.
It immediately shifted the conversation — suddenly they weren’t looking at “a product,” they were looking at their product in action. That small tech twist created stronger emotional buy-in, shortened the sales cycle, and gave us a huge edge over competitors who relied on the usual sales pitch.
Leveraging technology this way turned sales into an experience, not just a presentation — and that’s what closed deals.
Abigail Pike, CEO & Founder, Maneo Technology
Video Call Transcription Splits Discovery Process
I use Fathom, a video call transcription and summary tool, to split our selling process. During a discovery call, I don’t focus on selling. Instead, my entire goal is to act as a strategic advisor, purely dedicated to understanding the prospect’s pain points, their definition of a “win,” and their specific timeline.
Fathom records and summarizes the conversation, and I can pass a detailed, accurate brief to a colleague who then crafts a highly relevant sales pitch using the client’s own words. This technology-driven approach ensures a more effective, client-centric sales process.
Jason BARNARD, Serial Entrepreneur, Kalicube
Email Signatures Become Mini Sales Platforms
I found that transforming our team’s email signatures into mini sales platforms made a huge impact on our conversion rates. We built custom email signatures that included a simple “Book a Meeting” link. Now every single email interaction turns into a potential sales opportunity. This small change made our team look more professional and accessible while eliminating the back-and-forth typically needed to schedule meetings. The results were impressive — our meeting bookings increased by about 30% within the first month of implementation.
Tom Malesic, CEO, EZMarketing
CRM Integration Personalizes Customer Interactions
One of the ways I was able to use technology to my benefit during the selling process was by integrating an effective customer relationship management (CRM) system to track customer interactions and behaviors. I was able to do this by personalizing the follow-up messages and marketing through the right offers at the right time because I had a clear picture of each customer’s journey. This helped to develop leads in a more efficient way and create more personal relationships.
The biggest benefit of using this technology was that it was time-saving and easy to use, in addition to enhancing our interactions. It allowed us to be more considerate and thoughtful, and as such, to achieve higher conversion rates and customer loyalty.
Technology is a tool, but when used correctly with a strategic approach, it can be an effective way of boosting not only sales but also the entire customer experience. By applying the right technology, you are not only making the sale but also building long-term relationships.
Michael Alexander, Managing Director, Tangible Digital
Heatmap Analysis Tailors Sales Presentations
As the co-founder of all-in-one-ai.co, I watch the heatmaps and session replays on all of the prospect’s trial workspace before the call.
When we saw buyers spending significant time on the SOC 2 page and not clicking on the pricing calculator, we would lead with security and total cost instead of detailing all of the features during the demo. Our demo-to-close rate increased from approximately 20% to 39%, while the average time to decision decreased by 9 days.
It shifts a generic presentation into a diagnosis: you are selling to the things they actually asked, rather than you getting through your deck.
My advice is: instrument your trial/pricing pages with heatmaps and session replays, skim-read your last two sessions from that account five minutes before, and lead the call with, “I saw you really digging into X — do you want to start there?” Data is better than scripts.
Dario Ferrai, Co-Founder, All-in-one-ai.co
Video Content Amplifies Article Engagement
I write about gardening for publications like Homes & Gardens. It’s great to get published, and we see an uptick in website visits, but we need more eyes on what we do. I decided, instead of just posting a link to the article, to try video to enhance my reach. I record a video of myself speaking about one aspect of what I wrote in the article. The latest was about lemon balm being my favorite herb and why. It brings an authenticity to the article that you don’t get with a text post. I recently posted it on my Facebook page and saw a big increase in engagement. I also use an email marketing program to send the video and link to the article out to my email list.
Siobhan Shaw, Co-founder, GROWING TO GIVE
Tennis Analysis Tool Impresses CEO Prospect
We have built a tool that allows you to track tennis balls from a video, and then analyze the speed, rotation, and angle of the serves and returns. It then highlights your strengths, weaknesses, favorite plays, and overall performance.
Before pitching it to a well-known company, we identified where the CEO of a company we wanted to pitch this technology to would be playing. While pretending to be regular spectators, we recorded one of his sets.
Then, when we had established a meeting with him, we actually used the footage of his gameplay with the analysis from our tool to pitch it to him. We were expecting positive feedback, but what we received was beyond our expectations. He spent 20 minutes playing with the tool and analyzing his own tennis set, and after all of that, he didn’t even want to negotiate extensively with us. We concluded the meeting with a handshake and secured ourselves a big client thanks to the technology we presented to him.
Jan Kawecki, Co-Founder, Kontra
