Sales Isn’t Always Easy, But It Doesn’t Have To Be Sleazy
“Mediocrity is like a broke uncle. Once he moves into your house, it is nearly impossible to get him to leave.” ~~ Jeb Blount
There’s no easy way to say this, but I’m not going to apologize for the bluntness of it.
Stop being so lazy.
Funny aside, I wanted to write, “stop being so lazy when it comes to your business.” And then I realized it also covered careers, so I pondered what to write. Then I decided people need to stop being lazy. In general. STOP IT.
I’m fired up about the number of people who look for the easy way out. Here is a small sampling of the COLD sales pitch emails I received via LinkedIn within the last 24 hours:
Hey Julie, I can help you become a best selling author, and you won’t have to write a single word. We have a system down where we do all the work and get you to best seller status. Here’s the deal - I already have a best selling book. One quick search on Amazon would show you this.
Hi Julie, I can help you launch a new podcast. Ironic - this is a service I offer (but never via cold pitch DMs).
Julie, do you need help implementing a new ERP? Do you have the right ERP? I’m a small business owner, do you think I NEED an ERP?
Hey Julie, thanks for connecting. I specialize in IT. When would you like to jump on a call to discuss outsourcing your IT work? No thanks…
Sales is a tough game, especially when you’re new. Stop treating people like transactions and focus on solving problems, and you’re ahead of 99% of everyone else.
Most people are so lazy that they don’t even put in the baseline effort to build relationships. Folks are so focused on the bottom line that they fail to recognize that the biggest impact on your wallet is being human.
Sending the same cold DM to everyone on your contact list is not sales. It’s annoying.
You know what’s even MORE annoying than the cold pitch DM? Connecting with someone on social media for the sole purpose of sending them that cold pitch DM. And don’t even get me started on how they all begin the same way... “👋 Hi. How are you?....”
Seriously, STOP IT.
Asking for the sale before you’ve had a conversation is not selling. It’s lazy AF.
Buying an email list and sending out emails that seem personalized but are just a business form of Mad Libs is not selling. It’s wasted money because 99% are going to spam, and if they do make it into the inbox, AND they happen to get opened, the recipient is hitting UNSUBSCRIBE immediately.
Why? Because you aren’t connecting with them on any level. You aren’t building a relationship. You aren’t showing them an outcome. You’re coming off as desperate, lazy, and annoying. The trifecta of bad sales.
Bottom Line: Forget the Bank Balance, It’s All About Bonds and Brainwaves
Let’s cut the crap. If you prioritize building solid relationships and cracking problems wide open over just counting coins in your vault, you’re already lapping 99% of the crowd. That’s your golden ticket from the world of 'meh' to the league of extraordinary magnates.
So, How Do You Catapult to the Elite?
Grow That Email List Like It’s a VIP Club: Only let in folks who can’t wait to soak up your wisdom like a sponge. Tempt them with something they’d climb mountains for, something that screams, “You need this, and you didn’t even know it!”
Lead Magnets That Make Diamonds Look Cheap: Don’t toss crumbs and call it a feast. Pack so much punch into your freebies that folks start wondering, “If this is the appetizer, what on Earth does the main course look like?” Make it ridiculously, jaw-droppingly invaluable.
Ears Open, Mouth Shut (Mostly): The art of listening is about as common as a unicorn in a city bus. Master it. The more you listen, the more you learn what makes your audience tick (or tock).
Social Media Isn’t Your Personal Billboard: Sure, sell your heart out on Facebook, but remember, these platforms are social for a reason. They're for mingling, not just for slinging your latest offer. Facebook wasn’t built to be a marketplace; it’s for stories, struggles, and, sure, the occasional cat video. Drop the sales pitch and start a conversation. Cold DMs? More like ice-cold rejections.
Decode Your Sales Cycle Like It’s The Da Vinci Code: Knowledge is power, and knowing how many handshakes, hellos, or hovercraft rides it takes for someone to go from 'maybe' to 'take my money' is crucial. It’s not just about patience; it’s strategic. Planning gets a whole lot easier, and you can craft more moments that matter, turning prospects into die-hard fans.
When you focus on relationships over transactions, you significantly increase the lifetime value of a customer, as people are more likely to buy from those they know, like, and trust. But you already knew that.
Sales isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be sleazy.
xoxo
Julie
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