The Sales Evangelist: Sales Training|Speaking|Business Marketing|Donald Kelly

How’s your sales pipeline going? It’s not performing as well as you need it to during this time of year. That’s why in this episode, I’m going to show you how to fix it fast and continue growing your business before the holidays arrive. What's the Number One Sales Pipeline Killer?   You’re doing everything right to grow your pipeline, and everything is going great. You’re getting clients, and they’re saying yes to your pitches.   But now things are starting to slow down, which is frustrating when you’re getting used to the groove.   Listen to my short story on how I overcame this unique challenge. It may help you when your sales pipeline suddenly slows down.  Always Be Prospecting Closing deals is what makes you money. Once those are done, you’re going to need more to keep the money rolling in.   This is why you always need to be on the lookout for new business opportunities.   You don’t want your pipeline to dry up, because once one deal closes, you need to be ready to close another one AS

One thing that AI lacks, which humans possess, is creativity. I'm not suggesting you stop using the technology because of this, but it's important to be aware of its limitations. When you add your personal touch to AI-generated content, you can close more deals more effectively. Learn how in this episode with Dale Dupree, where he shares tips on incorporating creativity into AI-driven processes. Is AI Preventing Society from Being Creative? As you may notice, tools like ChatGPT and other AI platforms can often sound robotic. Dale discusses how AI lacks emotions and likely always will.   While researchers are working to infuse human emotions into AI, upon closer examination, this thinking proves to be flawed.   AI doesn’t understand emotions the way humans do. When it comes to tone, feeling, and triggering the brain to take action, a human touch is still necessary. Have a Bigger Purpose Than Making Money Yes, you entered the sales industry because you wanted to make money. But to get where you w

Most sellers take the time to master their pitching or objection handling skills. However, do you ever stop to take the time to master your active listening skills? Join me in this episode with my guest, Zach Bradshaw, President of Business Development at Brightkey, as we deep dive into the nuances of active listening in sales. Introduction: Meet Zach Bradshaw Zach is the Vice President of Business Development at Brightkey, a company that specializes in providing managed services to businesses.  His success stems from the many failures and obstacles he faced throughout his professional journey.  Overcoming rejected proposals and poor approaches has allowed him to hone his ability to listen to clients.  Now, he guides his team to approach client interactions without preconceived notions and to focus on genuinely understanding clients' problems in order to address them.  The Power of Listening in Sales Recently, I conducted a LinkedIn poll and discovered that one of the most important sales ski

Recently, I attended HubSpot's 2024 INBOUND event, a three-day conference showcasing the latest in marketing, sales, and AI. Listen to this episode to hear the three biggest takeaways from the event. Why is HubSpot’s INBOUND Conference Important? HubSpot is one of the leading marketing companies, dedicated to gathering and sharing essential industry insights. The conference is a key platform for unveiling the latest trends and innovations in marketing, and sales. INBOUND brings together industry leaders, offering attendees the chance to network, share ideas, and build partnerships with top professionals in their fields. It also features thought leaders and innovators who inspire attendees with new perspectives and creative solutions to business challenges. 1. Search is Dying To some extent, search engines are declining. Is it even worth caring about what Google thinks of ChatGPT writing anymore? HubSpot estimated that search is projected to decrease by 25% by the year 2026.   Why is this happe

In 2024, building a personal brand is essential for success. In this episode, I sit down with Ian Agard, a sales coach specializing in personal branding, to discuss how sales reps can strengthen their brand to enhance sales performance. Tune in to hear Ian's insights on leveraging your personal brand to close more deals. Meet Ian Agard Initially, Ian started his career as a marketer and eventually transitioned into becoming a proficient seller. His exceptional ability to connect with people, attributed to the strong personal brand he has built over time, sets him apart.  Ian has progressed through roles as a sales leader and a sales coach, where he now runs a sales coaching program called "Level Up."  His program is designed to help Business Development Representatives (BDRs), Sales Development Representatives (SDRs), and Account Executives (AEs) earn their next promotion within three to six months by focusing on mindset, habits, and mastering essential sales skills.  Why Personal Branding Matter

It’s no secret—a structured sales process can significantly boost your ability to close deals. Following a proven step-by-step method reduces the pressure and uncertainty when a potential buyer says "no." In this episode, I sit down with Gregg and Mike, co-authors of Sales Sucks, But It Doesn’t Have To, to discuss the sales strategies that have fueled their success. Tune in to learn how you can apply their techniques to achieve the same results. The Genesis of "Sales Sucks, But It Doesn’t Have To" Greg and Mike's Previous Roles: At their last company, Greg and Mike devised technological innovations that expedited onboarding and sales processes, helping the company grow faster than its competitors. Why Write the Book: After realizing that new sales representatives could improve by using these effective methods, they decided to create a book to outline their step-by-step process. Sales Methods for Leaders and Reps Rapport and Problem-Solving: Establishing rapport and understanding client problem

There's no denying how AI has changed the way we do business in the sales industry. In some areas, it’s better and in others, we’re still working out the kinks. But, has it improved the way we do cold calling? In this episode, I have an engaging conversation with Rabi Gupta, the CEO of Evabot, on how AI can bridge the gap between sellers and buyers. Learn how to use AI tools to improve your cold calling techniques.  Meet the CEO of Evabot Rabi Gupta is a co-founder and CEO of a startup company. His day-to-day responsibilities involve managing various aspects of the business.   He is passionate about identifying and solving problems that salespeople face by using innovative technology and artificial intelligence.  Rabi's leadership and expertise drives his company's mission to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of sales teams. Cold Calling 2.0 Defined Buyers are tired of hearing the same old tired pitches, making it harder for sellers to meet their quotas.  Cold Calling 2.0 uses AI techn

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a powerful tool for growing your business and gaining clients. However, using the marketing tool can be a bit complicated. If you’re unsure how to use Sales Navigator, tune into this episode. I chat with Josh Shirley, a seasoned sales professional from Sandler, on the most effective ways to use the tool to help grow a sales pipeline.  Josh Shirley’s Background Josh Shirley is a representative of Sandler, a renowned sales training organization.  He highlights that his relevance arises when sales leaders seek an institutionalized system offering predictable outcomes based on set inputs.  Sandler’s methodical approach provides sales professionals with the structured support similar to those in other professions with established educational backgrounds, enabling them to perform effectively right from the start. Referrals: The Gold Standard of Leads Referrals are the golden component of receiving sales leads. Josh shares personal experiences about how structured approac

You call a potential client, and when they answer the phone, what do you say to reel them into your offer? “Hello, how are you doing? My name is Kevin?” No, this is going to get you hung up on. Listen to this episode to find out what you’re supposed to say instead. I share five effective cold call openers to help you start conversations with prospects. Also, don’t forget to download the call opener document for the other five tactics.  1. Curiosity Opener Curiosity makes a prospect more interested in your call and open to conversing with you.  Try verifying the prospect’s name and referencing something you saw about them on LinkedIn. Make sure it's relevant to a business problem they're currently having. This initial spark can pave the way to a longer dialogue where you can provide value. 2. Referral Opener You can consider this one as the golden opener.  Use this call opener when you know someone within the prospect's professional network to boost your credibility. Mentioning a mutual contact c

You may be working at a company that doesn't have a good CRM, which can easily make your job stressful. How can you overcome this challenge to boost your sales? Listen to this episode and hear my conversation with a ten year veteran sales professional. I chatted with Moustafa Moursy on how to develop your own personal sales system to help close more deals fast. Moustafa Moursy’s Background Moustafa Moursy runs Push Analytics, a full-service digital agency.  His team specializes in various areas, including CRM implementation and consulting, helping businesses elevate their operations to the next level.  With experience across numerous industries, Push Analytics is a top-tier HubSpot partner and offers tailored solutions for complex business needs Why Do Sellers Need a Workflow? If you don’t have a personal system of management, you’re only going to get so far. You may be good at the day-to-day workflow or a specific skill, but without a personal system, you’re only going to get so far. The p

You’re using every sales tactic, method, and technique to get a potential buyer to close a deal. When you think they are going to say yes, they end up telling you I have to think about it some more. Within your mind, you think you did everything right. So why are they telling you no? In this episode, you’re going to find out the error you made. I chat with a special guest with a surprising background, Yano Anaya, who shares the number one mistake sellers make when closing a deal. Yano Anaya’s Background Do you remember the two sidekicks of the bully who got his tongue stuck on the pole? Well, one of them was Yano Anaya. After spending years as an actor, he decided to make a switch to entrepreneurship. His unique background helped him become a sales marketing expert.  Currently, he runs The Christmas Story Family, selling merchandise from the movie. Also, he is the host of a new podcast, “Talking a Christmas Story,” where you can hear behind-the-scenes stories and personal memories from the cast.

Where does the state of sales stand today, and what should you prioritize to strengthen your pipeline? In this episode, I explore the Salesforce 2024 State of Sales Report to provide answers. Join me as I uncover the top three insights from the report. Partnerships In the Salesforce report, I came across a compelling statistic: 89% of teams currently leverage partnerships, and 50% expect to do so within the next year.  As reaching prospects becomes increasingly challenging, partnerships offer a powerful solution by providing direct introductions within organizations.  I share an example of why partner deals are so effective and why this approach is set to become a major trend in the sales industry. Recurring Sales Revenue More companies are shifting towards recurring revenue models instead of relying solely on one-off sales.  Recurring revenue provides a more stable and predictable income stream, which is crucial in today’s fluctuating market.  This approach is important because it enhances

In the world of sales, the relationship between sales teams and their CRM tools can often be strained. But what if I told you that the problem doesn't lie with the CRM itself, but in how it's being used?  Imagine having a toolkit that can drive your business to the next level when configured and utilized correctly. This is where the expertise of Moustafa Moursy, the insightful founder of Push Analytics, comes into play. Listen to our conversation to discover how to make your CRM work for you and not against you. Guest Introduction Moustafa Moursy runs Push Analytics, a full-service digital agency.  His team specializes in various areas, including CRM implementation and consulting, helping businesses elevate their operations to the next level.  With experience across numerous industries, Push Analytics is a top-tier HubSpot partner and offers tailored solutions for complex business needs. Common Misconceptions About CRMs We dive into the common pitfalls organizations face regarding CRM expectati

How many times do you follow-up with a potential customer? Is it just one time? This may be the reason why you’re not meeting your sales quotas. In this episode, I chat with Guitze Messina, the Director of Latin America for HARDI, on the importance of following up. Listen and learn essential follow-up techniques to help you close more deals. Guest Introduction Guitze Messina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as the Director of Latin America for HARDI.  The organization groups together distributors and manufacturers of HVAC equipment across North and South America.  Guitze has a strong background in sales and recurrent sales strategies, which he shares in this episode. Importance of Follow-Up Starting off, I share how follow-up is a known driver of sales success and most reps fail to execute it effectively. Guitze supports this by sharing startling statistics: 44% of salespeople follow up only once, and a whopping 56% don't follow up at all.  Moreover, 88% of business is closed aft

Lebron James is 39 years old and is still playing basketball as if he just got out of high school. Do you know why he’s still able to run up and down the court so smoothly while most of us can barely make it up a flight of stairs? It’s because he puts in the time and effort to keep his body in tip-top shape.  This example provides you with what to expect from my conversation with my guest, Kristi Jones. She shares what the top ten percent of sellers are doing outside of work that’s helping them close deals. Tune in and hear what separates top performers from the rest of the pack. Met Kristi Jones Kristi Jones is a seasoned sales professional with a wealth of experience in helping organizations improve their sales processes and achieve remarkable results.  She has worked extensively in the sales arena, collaborating with various companies to refine their strategies and elevate their performance.  Kristi is also an accomplished author, having written books that delve into sales and personal developmen

Cold calling is becoming increasingly difficult for sellers. The old methods aren't working, and you have no clue what the new cold outreach techniques are. Don't worry, I got you covered. In this episode, I'm joined by Armand Farrokh and Nick Cegelski, co-authors of the book "Cold Calling Sucks, That's Why It Works." Together, we discuss the challenges of cold calling and share proven strategies to improve success rates based on their extensive experience and data analysis. Data-Driven Strategies for Success Nick shares data on the success rates of different call openers. He recommends using well-researched and context-based openers to increase success.  My guests also discuss the effectiveness of describing a problem with dangerous specificity to establish credibility and capture the prospect's attention. The Power of Personalized Openers Armand and Nick emphasize the importance of using personalized, context-based openers to stand out from the typical cold caller approach.  You can establish

Are you addressing your customers' pain points? If not, you may not truly understand what they want from you. In this episode, I speak with Phillip Swan, a top expert in customer experience. Tune in to hear his insights on why customer-centricity is crucial in today's business world, especially in 2024. Phillip Swan's Background Phillip Swan is a seasoned customer experience expert with decades of experience. He prioritizes the customer and helps clients reimagine business models using responsible AI.  His customer-centric approach emphasizes that while the customer isn't always right, but understanding their pain points is essential.  Phillip's dedication is also reflected in his work with Lingo Aid, an organization focused on improving customer interactions and outcomes. The Evolution of the Customer Journey Did you know that 76% of B2B buyers avoid human interaction until absolutely necessary? Phillip shares why businesses must ensure their marketing efforts provide sufficient information to bu

You want to speak with a company's high stakeholders but have no idea how to reach them. Prospecting is always a challenge for sellers, but it’s easier when you use this powerful sales technique that’ll get through to anyone.  In this episode, I chat with Stu Heinecke, a Wall Street Journal cartoonist, marketer, and author, about using contact marketing for prospecting.  Listen to the secrets he used with his sales teams to reach prospective clients and close more deals. Stu Heinecke’s Background Stu Heinecke, a Wall Street Journal cartoonist, discovered the power of “Contact Marketing” early in his career, earning him two Hall of Fame nominations as a marketer. He now hosts and writes for the How To Get A Meeting with Anyone podcast and blog. Additionally, Heinecke is the founder and president of Contact, a company specializing in contact marketing. Importance of Business Cards When was the last time you saw someone pull out a business card? Thanks to the digital world we live in today, it's r

How can you gracefully sauté around the nay-sayers when making cold calls? You might have to learn from a ballerina to find out.  In this episode, I sit down with Wendy Weiss, the Queen of Cold Calling, to discuss the power of mastering the art of cold calling. Wendy shares her journey from ballerina to sales trainer and how the principles she learned in ballet class have transformed her approach to sales. Meet Wendy Weiss Initially, she aspired to be a ballerina and pursued a dance career. However, she worked at a telemarketing agency focused on business-to-business development to support herself financially between dance gigs.  Years later, when her ballet career ended, Wendy realized that her expertise in cold calling was a marketable skill. This realization led her to write her first book, "Cold Calling for Women," and launch her own business. Now she helps business owners, sales professionals, and individuals build their sales pipelines and grow their businesses more effectively. The Ballet C