The Art of Sales with Art Sobczak

Art Sobczak, cold calling and sales trainer
  • 4.7 (138)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Monthly

Everyone sells, regardless of what your job title is, and this is your place for authentic, conversational sales and prospecting tips without the sleaze factor. Art Sobczak shares proven sales and cold calling (without the cold) tips that you'll feel comfortable using, and that get the results you want. You'll help people buy, instead of pushing them into being sold. Over the past 30 years Art has helped hundreds of thousands through his books, newsletters, audios, videos, online courses, public seminars, customized company training and keynotes, and now, this podcast.

  1. Jun 8 ·  Video

    331 GUEST: What 20,000 Phone Hours Taught Him About Prospecting and Sales, with Justin Michael

    Most cold call advice you see celebrated on LinkedIn has one thing in common — it starts with an apology. "You're going to hate me, but this is a cold call." "Did I catch you at a bad time?" "I'll be honest with you — this is a sales call." Justin Michael has spent 20,000 hours on the phone and written 10 books disagreeing with all of it. And in this episode, he makes the case — backed by brain science — for why permission-begging openers kill your status, trigger the wrong response in the prospect's brain, and actually cause the rejection salespeople are trying to soften. Justin is a former sales leader at Salesforce and LinkedIn whose methodology has generated over $1 billion in pipeline for more than 200 ventures. He's one of the sharpest minds in outbound sales, and Art ranks him among the top in the industry. In this conversation, the two compare notes on everything from the neuroscience of cold call openers, to why personalization at scale is a myth, to the Route technique that gets executives talking without a single pitch. Fair warning — this one gets opinionated. In the best possible way. What you'll hear in this episode: Why the croc brain fires the moment your prospect picks up — and what that means for everything you say in the first ten seconds The Route technique — a dead-simple opener that works by asking a routing question instead of pitching or begging for time Why email and phone require completely opposite psychological approaches The difference between a comment and an objection — and why treating them the same is costing you conversations Attraction selling, pronoia, and the mindset shift that separates reps who grind from reps who produce Why the person listening is always in control — and what that means for how you open every call What unconscious competence actually feels like, and how to get there faster

    49 min

  2. May 13 ·  Video

    GUEST- Debunking the Myths of Sales with What is Actually True, According to Science and Research, with Dr. Lorenzo Bizzi

    What if everything you believed about sales was wrong? Art Sobczak sits down with Dr. Lorenzo Bizzi, professor at Cal State Fullerton and author of Myths Versus Science of Selling, to challenge the conventional wisdom that has dominated sales training for decades. From "always be closing" to "people buy on emotion" to "extroverts make the best salespeople" — Dr. Bizzi has spent years collecting academic research that tells a very different story. And he's not just here to tear down the myths; he's here to make you think. In this episode, you'll discover: Why emotional influence tactics can actually work against you — and what to lead with instead The surprising truth about extroverts vs. introverts in sales Why competing against your colleagues may be quietly killing your motivation How "selling orientation" can paradoxically lower your long-term results What truly separates B2B selling from B2C — and why most advice ignores this Whether you're new to sales or a seasoned pro, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and sharpen how you think about every customer interaction. Grab Dr. Bizzi's book on Amazon and visit lhttp://lorenzobizzi.com to learn more.

    52 min

  3. Apr 14

    GUEST Joe Dalton- You Don't Have a Closing Problem, You Likely Have This Instead

    What if your biggest sales problem isn't closing… but everything that happens before it? In this episode, Art Sobczak sits down with sales trainer, speaker, and author Joe Dalton to break down what truly separates professionals from amateurs in sales. Joe shares how he went from "just talking to people" to mastering a proven sales process, and why he now views selling as a craft, not a transaction. You'll discover: • Why most "closing problems" are actually discovery failures • The simple shift from selling to letting people buy • How curiosity instantly transforms your conversations • The 4–5 key question areas every salesperson must master • Why objections aren't objections… and how to handle them the right way • The danger of talking too much… and how salespeople unknowingly "buy the sale back" If you want more natural, effective sales conversations… and fewer stalled deals… this episode will change how you approach every call.

    38 min

  4. Mar 18 ·  Video

    328 Why Prospects Quickly Decide to Get Rid of You, and What to Say Instead to Fix That

    You know that kid in the produce aisle who has no idea where the dill is? The one who starts apologizing and wandering around while your brain checks out? That's what most prospecting calls sound like in the first 20 seconds. In this episode, Art breaks down exactly what's happening in your prospect's brain the moment they pick up the phone, why most common openers actually trigger the resistance you're trying to avoid, and the simple 4-part framework that makes prospects lean in instead of push away. You'll hear two side-by-side versions of the same call, one that sounds like the apple guy and one that sounds like a professional peer, so you can hear the difference for yourself. Plus, one thing you can do before your very next call to close the gap between how you think you sound and how you actually sound. This is all based on the new First 20 Seconds Formula Masterclass http://First20Seconds, showing you exactly what to say, and avoid, to get people wanting to talk to you, instead of trying to get rid of you.

    16 min

  5. Jan 26 ·  Video

    What to THINK to Avoid Saying the 26 Banned Sales Words and Phrases

    Last episode I banned 26 sales words and phrases. But the truth is… banning the words isn't the solution. Because the words aren't the problem. They're the emotional "cover" salespeople use when they don't feel confident—apologies, permission-begging, softeners, and filler phrases that are designed to make the seller feel safer. Unfortunately, they do the opposite for the buyer. In this episode, I'll show you how to eliminate insecure language by fixing the thinking behind it—and I'll give you a simple pre-call checklist that will change how you show up on every call. (This originally appeared in the free, weekly, Smart Calling Report email newsletter. See the current and back issues, and subscribe at http://SmartCallingReport.com) Also referenced in this episode, the Smart Calling Sales and Prospecting Coaching App for B2B Professionals: http://Studio.com/Art

    14 min

  6. Jan 5 ·  Video

    The 26 Sales Words and Phrases I'm Banning in 2026

    Salespeople don't struggle because they lack tactics. They struggle because of the language they use—often without realizing what it reveals about how they're thinking. In this episode, Art Sobczak shares 26 sales words and phrases he's banning in 2026. Not because they sound bad—but because they quietly lower status, create resistance, and sabotage confidence before the conversation ever begins. You'll learn why phrases like "Sorry to bother you," "Just checking in," "Thoughts?" and "This is a cold call" don't just hurt response rates—they signal insecure thinking that prospects immediately pick up on. This isn't about memorizing better scripts. It's about thinking, preparing, and showing up like a professional—so the language fixes itself. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why weak, apologetic sales language is a symptom—not the real problem The hidden thinking behind permission-seeking and low-status phrases How certain "best practices" actually trigger resistance Why professionals don't replace phrases—they replace standards How to start eliminating language that no longer belongs in professional sales Art groups the 26 banned words into clear categories, explains what each phrase reveals about your thinking, and shows how this language quietly holds salespeople back—often without them realizing it. Subscribe to the Smart Calling Report at http://SmartCallingReport.com Get more info on the Smart Calling Prospecting and Sales Coaching and Training app at http://Studio.com/Art

    32 min

  7. 12/01/2025 ·  Video

    GUEST: Lee Salz: Why Discovery Calls Must Die (And What to Do Instead)

    Too many salespeople celebrate getting the meeting… and then blow it with a stiff, self-serving "discovery call" that prospects secretly dread. In this episode, Art sits down with sales differentiation strategist and bestselling author Lee Salz to rethink that critical first conversation—and turn it into a client-centric consultation that buyers actually value. Lee shares how to deliver meaningful value in the first meeting, why "discovery" language and agendas instantly signal "this is about me, not you," and how to use stories and emotion (not just logic) to move prospects from mere inconvenience to true problem—and action. You'll also hear how top trial lawyers and doctors structure questions, build emotional engagement, and guide people to their own conclusions… and how to steal those approaches for your sales calls. In this episode, you'll learn: Why traditional discovery meetings "must die" How to position the first meeting as a consultation buyers want to attend The difference between an inconvenience and a real problem—and how to uncover it How to ask emotive questions that create an "I feel that" response Ways to show "empathetic expertise" so prospects walk away thinking, "This person really gets me." Grab Lee's new book, The First Meeting Differentiator, and the free first-chapter + bonuses at http://FirstMeetingBook.com.

    38 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    Why Most Salespeople Hear But Don't Listen—and the 2-Second Fix

    Think you're a good listener? Try this: Can you remember the exact words your last prospect used to describe their biggest problem? If not, you weren't listening—you were waiting to talk. In this episode, Art reveals the Two P's framework (Purpose and Pause) that will transform how you show up on sales calls. Learn the 2-second technique that gets prospects to reveal what they really mean, not just what they're supposed to say. Resource mentioned: Art's coaching and training app: http://Studio.com/Art

    12 min
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About

Everyone sells, regardless of what your job title is, and this is your place for authentic, conversational sales and prospecting tips without the sleaze factor. Art Sobczak shares proven sales and cold calling (without the cold) tips that you'll feel comfortable using, and that get the results you want. You'll help people buy, instead of pushing them into being sold. Over the past 30 years Art has helped hundreds of thousands through his books, newsletters, audios, videos, online courses, public seminars, customized company training and keynotes, and now, this podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Art Sobczak, cold calling and sales trainer
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    333
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Art Sobczak, All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    The Art of Sales with Art Sobczak

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