In an era where countless sales messages flood inboxes daily, effective prospecting has never been more challenging. Welcome to Modern Prospecting! In this episode, host Andre Yee speaks with Steve Richard, the SVP of Revenue and Enablement at Mediafly. With over two decades of experience in sales development, Steve has built a reputation as a speaker and trainer in the industry. Together, they explore the transformation of the sales development representative (SDR) role, addressing the challenges that make it less appealing and how it has evolved over time. They examine the current state of sales prospecting, the tools and technologies that have reshaped the landscape, and the traits that define successful SDRs. Steve provides actionable tips for effective prospecting in a world saturated with spam and discusses the impact of AI on the future of sales development. Gain valuable insights and strategies for modern prospecting to enhance your sales performance.

Steve Richard is SVP of Enablement at Mediafly following their acquisition of ExecVision, the company he founded. Steve also founded and exited Vorsight. His mission is to help as many sales teams as possible achieve success. He has been featured in publications including The Harvard Business Review, The Washington Business Journal, and The Washington Post. Outside of work, Steve enjoys scuba diving, skiing, running, and watching football. He lives in Arlington, VA with his wife Ellen and their four children, aged 9, 11, 13, and 15.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
00:19 - Rethinking the SDR Role
04:43 - Evolving Skills for Modern Sales
07:28 - Clever Prospecting Success Techniques
10:22 - Know Your Audience's Platforms
14:04 - Effective Experimentation and "Tub" Emails
19:31 - Interview Traits: Curiosity, Drive, Systems Thinking
21:45 - Challenges in Evaluating Writing and Communication Skills
24:47 - AI and Broad Channel Testing
26:44 - Creative Demand-Generation Activities
30:50 - AI's Role in Modern Sales Strategies
33:50 - AI Tool for Sales Teams
35:58 - Outro

Quotes:

"Effective prospecting is about delivering valuable messages that resonate with prospects."- Steve Richard

"Mastering prospecting requires dedication and thoughtful experimentation."- Andre Yee

Key Takeaways:

Evolving Role of the SDR
Experimentation is Key
Embracing AI Tools
Personalization at Scale
Characteristics of a Great SDR
Creative Offers as Bait

Connect with Steve Richard
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srichard1/
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediafly/

Connect with the Host Andre Yee:
Website: http://tiga.ai/

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