Using Pain Funnel Questions

Defined sales strategy
The Sandler pain funnel is a technique used in sales to help prospects understand and self-actualize that your product or service is the solution to their problem. By using a series of targeted questions, you can guide the prospect through the pain funnel and help them realize the potential benefits of your offering.


The pain funnel is based on the idea that prospects are more likely to make a buying decision when they are experiencing pain or discomfort in some way. This pain can be physical, emotional, or financial, and it is your job as a salesperson to identify and address this pain.


To use the pain funnel, you will need to ask a series of questions that are designed to help the prospect identify their pain points and the potential benefits of your product or service. Here are some examples of pain funnel questions you can use:


  • What challenges are you currently facing in your business?
  • How does this problem impact your bottom line?
  • Can you give me an example of a time when this problem caused you difficulty or frustration?
  • How would resolving this problem benefit your business or improve your personal life?

As you ask these questions, listen carefully to the prospect's responses and use their answers to guide the conversation. For example, if the prospect mentions that their current solution is expensive, you can highlight the cost savings of your offering. If they mention that their current solution is time-consuming, you can emphasize the time-saving benefits of your product or service.


Once the prospect has identified their pain points and the potential benefits of your offering, you can move on to the next step in the pain funnel. This is where you help the prospect self-actualize that your product or service is the solution to their problem.


To do this, you can use questions like:

  • Based on what we've discussed, do you see how our product or service can help you solve your problem?
  • Can you imagine the positive impact our product or service would have on your business or personal life?
  • Are you ready to take the next step and try our product or service for yourself?


By using these questions, you can help the prospect understand the value of your product or service and see how it can solve their problem. This can be a powerful motivator for making a buying decision.


In summary, the Sandler pain funnel is a valuable technique for salespeople who want to help prospects self-actualize that their product or service is the solution to their problem. By using a series of targeted questions, you can guide the prospect through the pain funnel and help them understand the potential benefits of your offering. This can be a powerful tool for closing sales and growing your business.