The Sales Evangelist

Tired of endless voicemails and angry prospects? Even studies show that the most troubling part of the sales process for sellers is prospecting. I have four tips in this episode to help you out. Go ahead and give it a listen, it’ll give you the strength to keep pushing through and land more deals.Stay MotivatedWhat I like to do every morning is say a little prayer. This helps me get ready for the day and work on getting more clients.Even if you’re an atheist or practice a different faith, you can still do affirmations to help send out positive vibes.Set a goal in the morning to pray or say mantras to set a positive focus on your subconscious thinking.Have a ChecklistI like to use my sales planner to create a goal to help me push through prospecting. For example, I might say I want to do 20 meaningful outreach activities and get at least five conversations with the end goal of gaining at least one appointment. This simple task keeps me focused on prospecting to reach my goal.Try reading the book Go for No by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz to help you push through the “nos” to get to the “yeses.”Use Call OpenersI tested some call openers in episode 1887, and a lot of the time they do work. Test them yourself and see how they work for you the next time you do cold calling.There’s Always SuccessYou might be going through the storm now, but it won’t always last. Eventually, you’ll be seeing sunny days and rainbows in your career as long as you push through and don’t give up."Our solution serves a purpose, and our job is to go out there and find the person who needs it. Saying that mantra each day helps you perform better in your prospecting." - Donald Kelly.ResourcesCurious how "no" can lead to "yes"? Check out Go for No!For consistent practice and guidance in becoming a more impactful seller, join my Mastermind class.I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn! Reach out if you need more support with permission-based cold calls or simply want to expand your network.Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

You're having wonderful discovery calls, but stakeholders are taking forever to get back to you. This tends to make deals move like molasses in winter. What if I tell you that you're going to have to get a bit creative to accelerate deals through the pipeline? Rebecca Kravitz, sales professional and co-founder of Meople, is here to share how games can grab prospects' attention and help increase deal velocity. Check it out and move deals faster with this unique method.Meet Rebecca KravitzThe concept of using board games to capture prospects' attention comes from Rebecca and her co-founder creating a game for her grandfather's 80th birthday. After seeing how amazed he was by it, they decided to build customizable gaming software for the B2B world.She believes that sales is all about active listening and understanding the challenges, needs, and persona of the buyer. Board games allow companies and sellers to listen to their customers and provide solutions to them. Bringing Gaming Into the Sales ProcessRebecca says it’s best to bring gaming into the sales process at the beginning, immediately following a call. You can provide a demo so they can get a feel for the customized board game and how your product benefits them.Another perfect time to use it in the sales process is when the deal is stalling and you need to make it move faster through the pipeline.Also, you don’t have to come up with the game rules; Meople does all of that for you.How Can Meople Help Close More Deals?Building customizable games for your prospects—how on earth is this better than traditional sales methods?Rebecca shares that Meople is like a specialized gift for your prospects. The more thought you put into a gift, the more it resonates with the person receiving it. Your prospects see that you’re putting care and effort into their problems and trying to help them solve them.“Sales is all about trust and relationships. Making something that shows you care helps create authentic relationships.” - Rebecca Kravitz.ResourcesLearn more about gamefication in sales at Meople.co. Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn and Instagram. Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.2.  This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.3.  This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

Sales and marketing teams? Sometimes, they clash like siblings, which tends to hold companies back from hitting their goals. Getting every single seller in the company to have that CEO-level drive? That's a whole other challenge.Is there a way to tackle both of these sales challenges with one simple move? My guest, Garrett Mehrguth, sales and marketing expert and founder of Directive, says yes. He's here to break down how getting sales and marketing on the same page can actually empower individual sellers to think and act like the CEO. Tune in to hear how this alignment can make some serious magic happen.Meet Garrett MehrguthGarrett Mehrguth founded Directive in 2013, which is the largest independent B2B performance marketing agency in the world. Today, Directive boasts a diverse team of more than 130 professionals, located around the world, including the USA, LATAM, Canada, and London, servicing brands like Dropbox, Wiz, AWS, and Gong.He believes true company growth only happens through sales and marketing team collaboration. When both teams ask questions and follow up, they can start thinking outside the box to find leads and close deals.Collaboration FoundationWhat’s the first step to get sales and marketing teams working together? Garrett says sellers need to start attending the weekly marketing meetings.Don’t just say you need to spend more time cold-calling to meet quota; the meeting may help you learn how to perform better with inbound sales and develop solution-selling skills.Not only do you have to understand your product, but you also have to understand your customer and articulate the product’s value to them.Sellers who attend the marketing meeting will be able to bridge the gap between how both teams convey value to leads in their messages.Paid Social vs. Search in the AI WorldGarrett suggests considering paid search as someone in marketing and paid social as someone in sales to understand the difference.He also shares how sales reps tend to believe that paid search ads are better due to their win rates. However, you could probably become the seller of the year by learning how to do more value and solution selling from outbound and paid social methods.Sales & Marketing Account-Based SellingGarrett built his business based on sales and marketing teams using the same account list. Six years ago, with 10,000 accounts to reach, he directed his sales and marketing teams to use account-based selling.He shares why he is so passionate about this sales method and why sellers do themselves a disservice by not being obsessed with the product.“You should know the product better than anyone. The second you become the most obsessed person with the product is the second you get promoted, and the second you start hitting quota.” - Garrett Mehrguth.ResourcesConnect with Garrett on LinkedIn.Learn more about his company at Directive Consulting.  Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.2.  This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.3.  This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

The first ten seconds of a cold call will have your heart racing faster than a cheetah on a hunt.What do you say to keep the prospect from hanging up? How about trying a cold call opener?You might have tried them, but they didn’t work out. You probably weren’t using permission-based openers, and I’m going to tell you how to do them the right way in this episode.Cold Call Openers Give Prospects a Way OutCold call openers do work, and I recently tried them out. Actually, I tried them out a few times, and they usually work out well.What I do differently is give the prospect an option to end the call. It helps them feel they have a way out when they decide to leave.Think of it as you’re at the movies and know the emergency exit is right beside you. Knowing this gives you comfort in case you have to hurry up and leave.Permission-Based Openers WorkIf you don’t believe me on permission-based cold calls, then believe the stats: It lowers resistance:Permission-based openers, such as “Did I catch you at a bad time?” have a 40% increased rate on cold calls than those that dive straight into the pitch.Builds trust quickly: When you tell them you’re doing a cold call, you become more trustworthy and less seen as a pushy seller. Prospects actually appreciate transparency, and 88% of them say that trust is the key factor in who they buy from.Gives the prospect control: Letting them say yes to you asking for permission to continue with the call creates this micro-agreement that continues throughout the sales process. Research even shows that a small yes will increase compliance with further requests by over 60%.Permission-based openers also take the pressure off you from trying so hard to convince prospects to stay on the phone. They permitted you to stay on the call, so now all you have to do is let the sales process flow through.“I definitely think cold calling works. There’s some money in those calls!” - Donald C. Kelly.ResourcesFor consistent practice and guidance in becoming a more impactful seller, join my Mastermind class.I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn! Reach out if you need more support with permission-based cold calls or simply want to expand your network.Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.2.  This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.3.  This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.combluëmango | STUDIOSbluemanostudios.comHubSpot Hubspot.com/marketers

Natasha Bowles, founder of Natasha Bowles Professional Services, shares her expertise as a gatekeeper with over 25 years of experience. She reveals how decision-makers screen countless salespeople daily and what can happen when sales approaches miss the mark. Natasha emphasizes the importance of respecting gatekeepers, crafting compelling messages, and building lasting relationships. Her insights will help sales professionals refine their strategies to genuinely connect and effectively engage with those hard-to-reach decision-makers.

Salesforce recently surveyed 7,000 B2B professionals, and the results are clear: buyers prioritize value. A significant 76% aim to maximize the return on every purchase, and 78% are being more careful with spending than before.In this environment, how can sellers stand out and win deals? One powerful way is by becoming a better storyteller. This episode dives into why storytelling is so important in today's sales landscape and offers practical advice on how to use it to close your next deal.The Power of Storytelling in SalesWhen you hear "storytelling," you might picture something from a book. But in sales, it's about crafting a narrative that draws buyers in.  Think of it this way:The Buyer as the Hero: They're on a journey to achieve their goals.The Problem as the Villain: Something is blocking their path – maybe it's a lack of time, confusing regulations, or overwhelming complexity.You as the Guide:As a sales professional, you're there to help them conquer that villain with your solution.Effective sales storytelling positions you as a trusted guide, helping the buyer see how they can overcome their challenges and achieve their objectives – becoming the hero of their own story.  And don't worry, your "story" doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out saga. Sometimes, a well-crafted illustration is all it takes to paint a picture and help a potential client understand their problem and your solution.How Storytelling Can Help You Close More DealsBusinesses are now incredibly strategic about their spending. Think of it like this: if you were trying to sell me a pen, and I said I'm determined to use my current one until it's completely dry before buying another, that's the kind of thinking businesses have right now.  The economy has made them very cautious about spending money unless it's absolutely essential.And it's the same for consumers.  No matter how much product knowledge we throw their way, if they're not willing to spend, it won't make a difference.What will make a difference is learning how to connect with them on an emotional level.  People are driven by their emotions, and if we keep focusing solely on logic, we'll struggle to close deals.In the episode, I share a simple storytelling example about someone with a flat tire. It shows how creating a relatable scenario can connect with a prospect emotionally and close a deal. How to Become a More Engaging StorytellerInstead of listing what your solution does, paint a picture of what life will be like after using it.  Think about it – people connect with visions of success and relief, not just a list of features.  To become a better storyteller, focus on helping people see their own challenges clearly.  Don't just mention a problem; describe the frustrating situation they're likely experiencing.  Make them think, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm dealing with!"People aren't looking for a sales pitch; they're looking for someone who can guide them through their difficulties. Show them you understand their business and the obstacles they face, and you'll become a much more compelling storyteller."Don't just say you understand a business and their challenges; demonstrate it. Storytelling is the key to showing them you truly grasp the issues they're facing." - Donald Kelly. ResourcesTo further enhance your storytelling skills, I recommend Donald Miller's "Building a StoryBrand 2.0."Consider using Aligned to better illustrate your stories and resonate with your prospects.For consistent practice and guidance in becoming a more impactful seller, join my Mastermind class.I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn! Reach out if you need more support with storytelling or simply want to expand your network.Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.2.  This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.3.  This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

In the last episode, I shared some hidden gems on what prospects really want when they go on LinkedIn. I also provided some examples of how to engage with customers on the platform. But what I didn’t show you was how to turn these prospects into appointments. You’re going to find out in this part two series of my little LinkedIn rant.Connect, Share, and Engage to Generate Leads on LinkedInIf you remember from the last episode, I discussed how connecting and engaging with a prospect is better than the generic connecting and pitching method. Connect with a prospect on LinkedIn, share relevant content there, and engage with those who engage with your content. Even if no one is commenting on your posts, still keep sharing. Another idea is for you to comment on other content in the groups your ICP is in. Remember the data I shared on why people are on LinkedIn?When you’re engaging and sharing content that your prospects are interested in, it helps you pop up in their news feeds more and become seen as an industry expert. When they become more familiar with you, they’ll be more likely to respond when you pitch.Start a NewsletterIt’s never too late to start a newsletter, and don’t get lazy with it. Consider the questions and challenges your prospects are having and share solutions on how they can fix them in your weekly LinkedIn newsletter. Doing this once a week will show you as a source of information for the industry. People are coming to you to become educated! I share how you can create weekly emails with ChatGPT without just copying and pasting.Also, once you’re well connected with your prospect, shoot them a message asking for permission, and then pitch them your services. If you’re not sure how to do this, send me a connection request and ask how.“Information from you allows you to engage with people on LinkedIn.” - Donald Kelly.ResourcesConnect and follow me on LinkedIn.Do you need help with creating a podcast? Check out Bluë Mango Studios.Join my LinkedIn Prospecting Course for more guidance. Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:HubSpot Hubspot.com/marketersHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

Navigating LinkedIn can feel like a minefield of immediate sales pitches that turn prospects off. A recent poll showed that 60% of users dislike getting pitched right after connecting. Instead of automating messages, focusing on genuine relationship-building is crucial. Authentic engagement is the key to successful networking. By avoiding the pitfalls of impersonal approaches, sales reps can enhance their chances of closing deals while creating a more favorable user experience.

There’s no way around it; you’re going to hear "no" repeatedly in this industry. However, how you handle those "no's" is what turns you into a better seller. My guest, Jacob Hicks, is going to show you how he turned 70% of his "no's" into future "yes's."Meet Jacob HicksHe is a successful sales coach passionate about empowering leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs to achieve clarity and fulfillment in both their business and personal lives.  Since 2014, he has been a sales leader who has exceeded goals, set records, and effectively led teams across diverse industries.  When he isn’t working, he is dedicated to continuous growth through reading, music, investing, and mission work.What to Do When You Get RejectedJacob believes that all success stems from prospects telling you "no." You learn significantly more from setbacks.This is where you can reflect on what went wrong and how you can improve your deal-closing process.He also believes that without a strong follow-up system, you will not be able to grow as a seller. You can work on your closing techniques, product knowledge, and other systems, but without a strong follow-up system, nothing else will be effective.Why Following Up Is Important?You call a prospective buyer, and they tell you they are not interested. Is there a way to still follow up, even after they have said "no"?Jacob views it as a retreat point and interprets the "no" as the buyer saying they are not interested in the product or service at this moment.His preferred line for this type of rejection is, "Would you be offended if I stayed in touch with you?" He has found that 90 to 95% of the time, people are open to you reaching out to them again.This allows you to continue following up with them a couple of times a month and provide value until they are ready to do business with you.Following Up Role-PlayJacob and I engage in a sales role-playing scenario where he is the seller and I am the prospective buyer. He demonstrates how he handles my rejection by providing value and establishing a follow-up system. Our role-playing illustrates that a "no" can evolve into a "yes" over time."When you’re stuck in a rut, you have to do something to change the dynamic. If you’re sitting at your desk all day, get up and stand or do something different to get you out of your comfort zone, helping you remember that you’re trying a new closing technique." - Jacob Hicks.ResourcesVisit Jacob’s website for more information and resources.Listen to his podcast to get more insider tips. Sponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.2.   This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.3.   This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.Mentioned in this episode:bluëmango | STUDIOSbluemanostudios.comHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOSHubSpot and bluëmago | STUDIOS hubpspot.com/marketers bluemangostudios.com

Ronnell Richards, a best-selling author and seasoned sales consultant, discusses the critical role of an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) in driving sales success. He reveals that many tech companies lack an effective ICP, leading to missed opportunities. Ronnell shares his framework of 37 questions to help businesses refine their ICP and target their ideal clients more effectively. He emphasizes the need for a humanized sales approach that builds trust and aligns values, ensuring stronger customer relationships and improved outcomes.