The Sales Evangelist

Donald Kelly
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The Sales Evangelist

I believe in doing BIG THINGS! You should be earning 6 figures easily as a sales rep. But chances are you are not...yet! Sales is the most important department in every company but many sellers are never taught how to effectively sell, much less how to earn their way to high-income status. My own career limped along until a company I worked for invested in sales training to help me succeed. Immediately afterward, I closed a deal worth 4X what the company spent on me and saw hockey-stick improvement in my performance. So I started a podcast to “Evangelize” what was working. Today I interview the world's best sales experts, successful sellers, sales leaders and entrepreneurs who share their strategies to succeed in sales right now: folks like Jeffrey Gitomer, Jill Konrath, Bob Burg, and Guy Kawasaki to name a few. They share actionable insights and stories that will encourage, challenge, and motivate you to hustle your way to top income status. If you’re someone looking to take off in your sales career and earn the income you deserve, hit subscribe and let’s start doing BIG THINGS!

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Donald Kelly | Back to Basics Series Part 3 - I Have No Time To Prosect

    The Sales Evangelist

    13 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Donald Kelly | Back to Basics Series Part 2 - Mutlitasking

    The Sales Evangelist

    15 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    Ante Mihaljevic | Is Building Just Low Key Manipulation?

    How can you build rapport without coming across as wanting something in return? Prospects can easily sense if you’re not genuinely trying to connect with them and are only interested in their money. If you’re struggling with this sales method, listen to my guest, Ante Mihaljević, a sales and communication expert, share his refreshing take on building rapport with prospects. The Importance of Genuine Rapport Stop making rapport feel gimmicky or disingenuous by showing genuine interest in understanding and helping a prospect. This approach makes them feel heard and valued, fostering openness and a positive relationship. Techniques for Building Rapport Ante shares valuable insights on building rapport effectively: Stay Focused and Curious: Be genuinely interested in your prospect’s needs and listen actively to their concerns. Mirror and Match: Observe and subtly mimic your prospect’s language and behavior to create a sense of familiarity and trust. Avoid Focusing on the Outcome: Concentrate on the interaction and the process of connecting with your prospect rather than the end goal of making a sale. Recognizing Genuine Connection How do you know when it’s time to transition from building rapport to having a sales conversation? It’s all about intuition! Ante explains that you’ll intuitively know when you and your prospect are in sync and ready to discuss sales. Practical Exercises for Sales Teams For sales managers looking to train their teams in rapport building, Ante suggests exercises such as: Observational Practice: Encourage your team to observe and analyze prospects’ breathing rates and language patterns. Mirroring Exercises: Help your team get comfortable with mirroring by practicing with each other before trying it with actual prospects. “They will start finishing your sentences. They will start breathing at the same rate you’re breathing. So, a lot of these non-verbals will happen. When you know that has happened, you’re ready to move on.” — Ante Mihaljević. Resources Ante Mihaljević on LinkedIn Ante Mihaljević website Cold Call Openers Sponsorship Offers This 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. Credits As 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.

    13 min

  4. 20 NOV

    Donald Kelly | Back to Basics Series Part 1 - I Hate Following Up

    Following up scares you just as much as cold calling does. But just like cold calling, circling back with a prospect is an important sales technique that can help improve your closing rate. My follow-up tips will help you move through the sales pipeline three times faster and close deals more efficiently. 1. Give Them the Agenda Just like in basketball, if your prospect doesn't know the rules, they won’t play along in the sales cycle. During your first meeting, let them know what you’re going to cover and how your services can help them. 2. Set a Specific Date and Time for the Next Meeting Before you end your first meeting, don’t forget to set a specific date and time for the next one.  Remember, prospects have busy lives, and if you don’t provide clear details for the next meeting, they’re more likely to forget about following up with you. 3. Don’t Send Those Silly Follow-Up Emails The fact that you’re sending an email means it’s already a follow-up. So, there’s no need to add "follow-up" in the subject line or mention it in the email.  Instead, focus on standing out or offering something of value to the prospect. 4. Just Follow Up Stop overthinking it! It’s your hesitation that’s holding you back in the sales pipeline. Be confident, and just send the email! “Understand your self worth. Your job is to solve a problem for them. Don't be so worried about your feelings. Think about what impact you're going to have on that person in their business when you best help them.” - Donald Kelly.  Resources Cold Call Openers Sponsorship Offers This 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. Credits As 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.

    11 min

  5. 15 NOV

    Eugene Theodore | You Are Telling Prospects The Wrong Stories

    Storytelling allows you to connect with your prospects on a more personal level. However, sometimes you might find yourself telling the wrong stories or sharing a story at the wrong time. My guest, Eugene Theodore, walks us through how to create impactful stories that align with your sales goals. Meet Eugene Theodore Eugene Theodore is a highly skilled and experienced storyteller with a background in sales and personal branding. His storytelling approach aligns a product or service’s message with the needs and values of a target audience. Eugene helps sales professionals and leaders navigate different stages of the customer journey by using storytelling to foster meaningful connections and close deals. Why Storytelling Matters in Sales People prefer to buy from those they trust and feel connected to. Without a genuine connection, prospects may choose not to move forward in the sales process. Eugene explains that storytelling serves as a powerful alignment tool throughout the customer journey. It brings the necessary harmony between the product, the company, and the target audience. The Story Matrix Tool If you find it challenging to craft effective stories, Eugene suggests using his “Story Matrix” tool. This tool helps map out various story types for different stages of the buyer’s journey: awareness, consideration, decision-making, and retention. The Story Matrix allows you to create a grid that matches different phases of the buyer journey with suitable story types—whether humorous, serious, technical, or adventurous. Applying the Story Matrix Eugene provides practical examples of how to use the Story Matrix to tailor stories for different audiences and stages of engagement. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a client’s personal interests, professional stage, and organizational needs to refine and personalize the story, making it more impactful. “The story matrix is simply understanding the consumer journey, whether it's B2B or B2C, and understanding what is the right kind of story at that moment in time.” - Eugene Theodore.  Resources Saga Squared  Cold Call Openers Sponsorship Offers This 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. Credits As 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.

    20 min

  6. 8 NOV

    Cindy Allis | How Can I Get Them To Buy Sooner?

    You’re waiting for a client to respond to your offer, but it’s taking longer than expected. How can you get them to speed up their decision? Listen to my conversation with Cindy Allis, CEO and Co-founder of Floatist, where I show her how to create urgency and close deals faster. Meet Cindy Allis Cindy Allis is the CEO and Co-founder of Floatist, a B2B tech company in the yacht industry. Currently, her industry is facing seasonal challenges, making it harder for her sales team to navigate the B2B sales cycle. In our discussion, Cindy shares some of her team’s strategies, including offering incentives to help customers make quicker decisions. I also provide tailored sales advice to address the challenges her team faces during the Q4 period. Insights on Sales Seasonality Cindy highlights the impact of seasonality on their sales process, explaining how charter companies’ pricing strategies influence their business.  She notes a recent extension in the peak season, driven by market trends and events like the Olympics.  This shift complicates their sales outreach, requiring her team to adapt their strategies to keep up. Mutual Action Plans and Digital Sales Rooms I introduce the concept of mutual action plans and digital sales rooms as tools to guide prospects visually through the sales process. Given that 65% of people are visual learners, these tools prevent information overload and keep prospects engaged. I also mention an effective tool called Aligned, which helps sellers collaborate with prospects and accelerate the sales process. “It’s dangerous, I feel, but for the mutual action plan… I really believe that to be more effective in sales, you need to uncover the needs of your prospects.” - Cindy Allis. Resources Aligned Floatist Cindy Allis on LinkedIn  Cold Call Openers Sponsorship Offers This 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.

    18 min

  7. 4 NOV

    Jorge Soto and Justin Dorfman | Buyer Enablement: Selling The Way Your Buyers Buy

    You know that selling to prospects requires understanding how they buy. But you may still be struggling to master this technique. Join me and my guests, Jorge Soto and Justin Dorfman, co-founders of Asset Mule, as they explain how to focus on the buyer’s perspective to build a successful sales pipeline. Meet the Guests: Jorge Soto and Justin Dorfman Jorge Soto and Justin Dorfman are the co-founders of Asset Mule, a company specializing in buyer enablement.  They bring valuable insights on integrating human elements in sales and understanding the psychology and motivations of buyers throughout the process. Instead of relying solely on CRM systems to close deals, they emphasize that understanding each stage of the buyer’s psychological journey accelerates the sales process. Focus on the Buyer’s Journey, Not Just Sales Techniques If you’re still using traditional sales scripts, it’s time to shift your approach. By understanding the buyer’s psychology and putting yourself in their shoes, you can better guide them through the journey.  Awareness Stage: How will this product help solve my problem? Consideration Stage: Are there other products like this? Who else is using it? Decision Stage: Will this fit my budget? Will I have support if needed? Today’s buyers are more informed and considerate at each stage. Jorge and Justin explain how to use psychology to build trust and enhance the customer experience. Qualifying Leads with a Human Touch Early qualification calls help sales reps understand a buyer’s motivations. Jorge explains that asking direct questions can uncover issues that might otherwise be overlooked due to an over-reliance on tools and processes.  These questions also help map out sales assets to use at each stage of the buyer’s journey. “Building rapport and trust by going the extra mile early in the process makes a real difference in the experience,” - Jorge Soto. “Every deal and every buying process is unique. Eventually, your goal is to turn the prospect into a champion. Once you establish that relationship, you can leverage their insights into their organization and its stakeholders, allowing you to map the buyer’s journey together and identify which assets to use at each stage,” - Justin Dorfman. Resources AssetMule Cold Call Openers Sponsorship Offers This 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. Credits As 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.

    30 min

  8. 1 NOV

    James Buckley | Cold Calling & Emailing Prospecting Habits You Must Adopt In 2025

    Sometimes, getting a prospect to say “yes” requires the right personality. But what if your personality doesn’t quite match theirs? How can you prevent them from hanging up the phone? My guest, James Buckley—the self-proclaimed phone expert and co-host of the Sell Better Podcast—is here to share the communication style you need to instantly increase your cold-call success rate. Click play and learn how to align your sales style with your prospect’s personality. Meet James Buckley After meeting James Buckley, it’s clear why he’s known as “the phone guy.” His communication style evokes emotions far more swiftly and effectively than email ever could.  James personalizes his sales approach by being authentic, intuitively connecting with prospective customers in a way that builds rapport and trust.  Thanks to his unique methods, James has become a valuable resource for both new and seasoned sales professionals.  Be sure to check out Sell Better, where he shares daily and weekly sales tips. Have the Right Personality The wrong approach could be keeping you from closing deals. James explains how to tailor your communication based on personality cues you can often pick up from LinkedIn profiles.  For example, if someone appears friendly in their profile, adopt a jovial tone; but if a prospect’s profile has a more serious vibe, use a tone that matches. Think Smaller with Emails James says, don’t write a novel when emailing prospects! Decision-makers often read emails on mobile devices, so the shorter, the better. His advice?  Make your emails concise and to the point by removing unnecessary words.  Here are three ways ChatGPT prompts to improve your emails: Rewrite the email to make it shorter. Make it more about the prospect, less about yourself. Ensure it’s easy to read on a phone. Subject Line Tips Your subject line matters more than the email’s body. James shares that specific words can boost your open rates.  For example, use “Thanks” for an ego appeal, rather than the neutral “Quick question.”  Also, a meaningful preview text can also capture the prospect’s attention, increasing response rates. “Folks, I’m going to give you four words that will change everything about your emails in 2025: The shorter, the better.” — James Buckley. Resources The Daily Sales Show Sellbetter.xyz  Cold Call Openers Sponsorship Offers This 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. Credits As 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.

    35 min
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About

I believe in doing BIG THINGS! You should be earning 6 figures easily as a sales rep. But chances are you are not...yet! Sales is the most important department in every company but many sellers are never taught how to effectively sell, much less how to earn their way to high-income status. My own career limped along until a company I worked for invested in sales training to help me succeed. Immediately afterward, I closed a deal worth 4X what the company spent on me and saw hockey-stick improvement in my performance. So I started a podcast to “Evangelize” what was working. Today I interview the world's best sales experts, successful sellers, sales leaders and entrepreneurs who share their strategies to succeed in sales right now: folks like Jeffrey Gitomer, Jill Konrath, Bob Burg, and Guy Kawasaki to name a few. They share actionable insights and stories that will encourage, challenge, and motivate you to hustle your way to top income status. If you’re someone looking to take off in your sales career and earn the income you deserve, hit subscribe and let’s start doing BIG THINGS!

Information

  • Creator
    Donald Kelly
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2024
  • Episodes
    1.8K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright 2023 © The Sales Evangelist Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Sales Evangelist

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