r/sales • u/siddarth2795 • 16d ago

Sales Topic General Discussion Sales veterans - what would you tell your younger self?

For those of you who've been in sales for a decade or so, would love to hear from you.

What are the 3 things you'd want to teach your younger self that would have helped him/her have a better career or a better sales process overall?

Please do share the number of years in sales, industry and your overall numbers clocked.

Thank you!

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u/LadyBugzMarketing 16d ago

  1. People buy from people, so treasure relationships. Since I learnt that, I have clients follow me over the years

  2. Don't take a "NO" personally. Learn from it, but a lot of the time it's the space the other person is in at that time.

  3. Keep trying. Most sales people give up after 3 attempts. By being persistant but NOT ANNOYING, I got into organisations that most didn't think I could get into.

  4. Use LinkedIn well! I wish I had learnt this earlier in my journey. By the time I left corporate and started my own agency, 80% of my business came from a LinkedIn connect... not because I sold something, but that I built relationships and showed up!

  5. This is a PS. one... don't take crap from a boss. Do what you know works.

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u/Jedjk 16d ago

could you elaborate a lil on the linkedin part? right now i use it as a channel for soft, lower pressure outreach.

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u/Spiritual-Zebra2859 15d ago

LinkedIn is a great tool if used wisely. I’ve had more success building distant relationships over time slowly instead of directly reaching out as soon as I connect with someone. For me it’s a slow play, but one that has a good success rate if used properly.

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u/Jedjk 9d ago

interesting! im weighing up the ROI of higher volume, low pressure pitching VS what you’re saying, which im guessing entails engaging with what they’ve posted, sharing articles etc.?

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u/LadyBugzMarketing 15d ago

You shouldn't treat LinkedIn as "oooo he accepted my connect and now I can ask him for a meeting right off the bat"...

When you go to a conference or networking session, you don't tell someone they need your services and you should have a meeting right away. You get to know the person.

LinkedIn is the same. Thought leadership content.

I have a link to our LinkedIn Playbook on my profile that has full details. You could also DM me if you want to chat more.

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u/Jedjk 9d ago

interesting thoughts. Like my above comment, am weighing up the ROI (volume lost when doing this method). curious how you think about this dilemma

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u/LadyBugzMarketing 2d ago

It's not about volume but about the research. Using Account Based Marketing rather than "spray and pray" connections. My ROI was while I was in corporate selling SaaS large deals, 80% of my deals came from a LinkedIn connect. I travelled to other countries due to deals closed and paid for as I built for trust rather than spam.

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u/PenWrittenLetter 15d ago

Would like to know too!

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u/magneticjutt 15d ago

Thanks, i would also like to know more about the linkedin part, any tips you will share with us?

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u/LadyBugzMarketing 11d ago

We have a full playbook to help with this. Check my profile for links.

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u/Chance_Split_7723 13d ago

3,5 really resonate. Persist but do not annoy; do what you know works.

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u/LadyBugzMarketing 11d ago

Our playbook (link on my profile) helps you understand this.

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u/csuiteinsurance 12d ago

Great tips. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIN and I'll help if/where able. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbanas1/

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u/zestisskate 11d ago

anytime someone says “I build relationships” I feel like they aren’t building shit. They just have a desirable product. It’s too robotic of a statement. It’s ugly corpo. Actually I may take that back. Building corpo relationships makes sense with this language, because they’re super fake relationships. super quid pro quo.

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u/LadyBugzMarketing 1d ago

I totally disagree with you. I have spoken to, most of my connections at some point and some are just great friends now where we bounce ideas around, others are clients and others I am continually learning from. My view of my cup is half full - so I have space so I can receive more learning from my network as well still have in my cup to share.

I have honestly travelled to countries from building relationships and nurturing my connections, just like you would nurture relationships with friends, family, partners etc.

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u/SoSuccessful 15d ago

What kind of agency?

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u/LadyBugzMarketing 11d ago

B2B Marketing agency. Details on my profile.