How To Sell Show

Scott Sylvan Bell

The How to Sell Show with Scott Sylvan Bell  The How to Sell Show is a sales and business strategy podcast hosted by Scott Sylvan Bell, a business growth and exit strategy expert who helps companies increase revenue, build enterprise value, and become more attractive to buyers and investors. This podcast focuses on how sales systems, communication, and negotiation drive predictable revenue and long-term business value. Each episode explores how selling, customer acquisition, and conversion are not just about closing deals, but about building a scalable, transferable company that can grow and eventually exit at a higher valuation. Scott Sylvan Bell brings together real-world sales experience, consulting insight, and strategic thinking to show how sales performance impacts business growth, financial stability, and exit readiness. The How to Sell Show connects frontline selling skills to the bigger picture of building a valuable business. Learn more about Scott Sylvan Bell: https://scottsylvanbell.com/about Business Growth Strategy: https://scottsylvanbell.com/business-growth Exit Strategy and Enterprise Value: https://scottsylvanbell.com/exit-strategy

  1. 10/15/2025

    HTSS210 - Clowns Cowards and Cheats How Sales Lost Its Soul

    In this episode of the How To Sell Show Podcast, Scott Sylvan Bell delivers one of his most hard-hitting conversations yet — “HTSS210 - Clowns, Cowards, and Cheats: How Sales Lost Its Soul.” This episode peels back the curtain on the dark side of modern sales culture — where hype has replaced honesty, clicks have replaced competence, and dopamine has replaced discipline. Scott dives deep into how the profession that once stood for integrity, service, and craftsmanship got hijacked by attention-seekers, silent enablers, and con artists masquerading as experts. The clowns sell hype for views, the cowards stay quiet to protect their comfort, and the cheats exploit ambition to make a fast buck. Together, they’ve turned sales into a spectacle — and real professionals are left to clean up the damage. This episode exposes the motivational industrial complex — a cycle that feeds on insecurity and sells the illusion of progress. Scott explains why the “hope economy” thrives on fake success stories and how the industry rewards chaos instead of competence. But there’s a turning point ahead: the rise of AI is about to separate the real from the fake. The algorithms will stop favoring the loudest voices and start rewarding the most skilled. You’ll also hear Scott’s Sales Code of Honor, a modern creed for professionals who still believe in helping clients win, not manipulating them for views. He shares what the future of ethical sales looks like — and why integrity, not influence, is what will define the next generation of closers. If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by the circus that sales has become, this episode will reignite your pride in the craft. Tune in to rediscover what sales was always meant to be — a calling, not a performance.   wBCjVyVAsDIsjXDYSmgf

    19 min
  2. 10/13/2025

    HTSS209 - Reducing The Length Of A Sales Slump And Dwell Time

    Every salesperson experiences a dip in performance—but the real pros know how to shorten the slump and get back to peak performance fast. In this episode of The How to Sell Show, Scott Sylvan Bell breaks down the proven Business Growth Strategies and sales performance frameworks that help you reduce dwell time in sales and bounce back stronger than ever. You’ll discover how to identify the root causes of a slump—whether it’s distractions, fatigue, or self-sabotage—and how to use practical, field-tested tools to recover your momentum. Scott explains why slumps are a natural part of selling and shows you how to build resilience, clarity, and purpose so you can maintain consistency in both mindset and results. Scott introduces his Respawn Framework, a powerful process modeled after elite performers and video-game logic that helps salespeople reset, refocus, and rise again. You’ll learn how to use resilience, visualization, positive self-talk, and goal refresh cycles to restore confidence, get back to full capacity, and eliminate wasted dwell time between wins. This episode goes deep into how to measure progress, re-establish your restore point, and develop mental toughness that sticks. Whether you’re new to sales or a seasoned closer, these insights will help you move from panic and frustration to purpose and peak performance. If you’ve ever asked how to recover from a sales slump, how to get motivated after a slow month, or how to increase sales performance consistently, this episode delivers the roadmap. You’ll leave with ten actionable ways to shorten your slump—from revisiting your goals and re-engaging past clients to upgrading your environment and taking better care of yourself. Tune in to The How to Sell Show to discover the mindset and strategy behind cutting your dwell time, increasing profitability, and mastering your comeback. Follow @ConsultingSecrets and @ScottSylvanBell for more sales training, sales mindset coaching, and real-world tips on how to sell more, make more, and stay unstoppable.

    31 min
  3. 01/21/2022

    HTSS206 - How To Prepare For A Sales Interview

    How to prepare for a sales job  There are multiple approaches to interviewing salespeople. If you have never been in sales there is a feel to the interview. Some people fly off the seat of their pants while others use a full structure. It is important to note that some Business Owners and or Sales Managers like to see salespeople squirm. You will want to be prepared for an easy sales meeting or a difficult one. Either way, it will come down to your skills, conversation, rapport, and charm. You can learn from sales job interviews as to things  Why do sales interviews matter  A sales interview is a way for a company to decide to hire you or not. This seems simple enough. Some companies cant find a closer and are willing to hire someone to train. Sales interviews can range from easy to difficult. The better you prepare and the better your answers are you can improve your chances of getting hired. If you are looking for a sales job, this content could prepare you for what to expect.  Questions you may get on a sales interview for a new job  To start with this is not really a question but a view of an action. In this day and age people, can't say they didn't know how to get somewhere. Most employers will look at: Did they show up on time prepared with notes, pen, and or paper?  Do they initiate the conversation at the office Are they friendly with the office staff? Are they a closer and can they prove it – do they have docs and or awards Can they deal with pressure – Are they relaxed in the conversation even with no rapport Can they deal with the pressure of constant questions and also deal with constant interruptions Are they Good looking, funny, or socially awkward (pay attention to the laws in your jurisdiction Do they have a slight edge, chip on their shoulder, or anything similar – confidence vs arrogance Can they hold a conversation Do they engage in the conversation / do they get annoyed easily Can they deal with tough follow up questions? Do they have direction in the conversation, Are they leading or trying to lead Have they found achievement in their life? Sports – college Awards Degree Health Adversity – Jail to redemption, broke to money What is their favorite adversity story? Are they willing to follow a system? Are they willing to make a cold call on the phone live or at least willing to attempt it? Are they willing to role play in the appointment and if so why? Do they know how to articulate what they want? Will they push back or will they agree with anything? Do they ask for the next steps? Do they love people or hate them, do they have a disdain for others? Can they talk about good and bad experiences in their life? Are they a people pleaser and go with the wind – this may be a problem – they will get pushed around from they buyers? Do they seem eager about the job or the role Do they push back with rejection – Call me back - Questions to ask new salespeople When someone is new to sales the questions asked may be different than questions asked to veteran sales reps.  Would they be willing to start with just following up or at a lower level position? Have they achieved anything in the past that they are proud of? How did they prepare for the call? Can they hold a conversation with questions, directions or anything else? Do they ask good questions or look for clarification? What happens when they get pushed back? Are they willing to talk about their fears of selling? Are they overly confident, this can be a problem? Are they willing to try to sell in the appointment? What is the most expensive thing they have recently bought – ask them to see “you buy how you sell” You have tons of options when looking for a sales job. Just so you know sales interviews are not supposed to be easy.

    30 min
  4. 01/17/2022

    HTSS205 - Why Your Sales Team Is Failing (Part 2)

    The reasons why your sales team is failing  This may be a tough conversation for some Executives, Business Owners as well as Managers. It's not always the sales team's problem that creates a lack of sales. For this reason, we are not going to talk about salespeople. We will exclude salespeople from this conversation just for a moment. For a moment we will imagine that they are perfect. This is the only way we can examine this side of the conversation.  The problems internally in your business When you look at the people inside your business running they show, are they the right people? You could have the right team inside the sales department with a great manager and great team.   You could have a wrong culture outside of the sales team. Your support staff may be the problem. There is no common goal to take care of the client. There is the idea “I need to get my job done and the client will work around me”. This is where the office makes it difficult to do business: They reschedule They don’t call back / email They don’t care about the outcome of the client The process is more important than anything else They talk trash on salespeople They say persnickety things to salespeople The office created problems for salespeople  When the office staff doesn't want to help clients or help salespeople in their roles it creates chaos. Salespeople can hit downturns in sales for the sole reason they get caught up in all of the office issues. These feelings can make salespeople question, their role as well as if the buyer is going to be happy with the product, service, install or delivery. This is a tough feeling for salespeople as they can think internally: You want me to close the deal but you don't want to give me the help I need You want me to get the “gross profit” but the office can hinder the process  You want me to keep clients “happy” after they have had problems with the office You want a ton of things, but what you don't want to do is focus on the client  Salespeople end up thinking "Now I'm worried" and they are not focused on closing the deals. They start to focus on all of the problems they are going to face after the deal.  How your office also creates problems for salespeople  Sometimes your staff looks for perfection that can never be obtained. People in the office are paid by the hour or by salary from the deal that has been closed. They just want to get "their task" done. Sometimes the office just doesn't care. There are also times where there are bullies in the office. Where this business disconnect comes from: Ownership and or upper management that doesn’t see the problem – they don’t know its happening Ownership and upper management doesnt care – things are good the way they are People who have never seen the other side of the rainbow – small companies that have never been big Legacy managers – those who want things the way they have always been Bullies – someone who always has to get their way or always be in control A belief in the office that salespeople are evil and overpaid – I am going to punish them for past sins of horrible people The lack of saying what needs to be said in company meetings Poor accountability over time How to make your sales team perform better  Your sales team has the capability of being great. There are actions you can take as an Executive, Business Owner, or Manager. Some of these truths may be uncomfortable to hear and or see. Here are the places you may hear about the problems you have in your office: A consultant friend hears and shares this episode of the "How to sell show" A Sales manager goes to the ownership and or management The topic is brought up ion a sales meeting Old employees bring it up A new employees bring it up People leave and the conversation happens at the end of the term Your clients cancel and or complain Why your sales team fails from the office results in  There are real-life problems created by issues in your office. The repercussions of a office that is stuck in doing things their way hurt your business. They also can make Executives, Business Owners, and Managers look ineffective and weak. You can end up with:  Lost deals Lost revenue Lost office staff Lost salespeople Bad reputations Here is how you can fix poor office performance  There are ways for you to get back on track. Your ability to find a path to helping a sales team is possible. Here are some steps you can take to get a high-performance sales team: Really examine what happens in an organization Listen to what the team is saying – sometimes you will have to go to them and ask. If you have people that don’t complain and now they are… there is a problem. Allow for candid feedback – Know some Managers held meetings before the meetings to “put everyone in their place”.  Outside interviews – Hire consultants Client surveys – on-site interviews and face-to-face conversations.

    22 min
  5. 01/12/2022

    HTSS204 - How To Use Emotions In Sales To Close Deals

    How to use emotions in sales to close deals You can use emotions in sales to close deals. Please make sure to do this right or you will be seen as manipulative. If you are not careful you can induce reactance and skepticism in your presentations. When you reach reactance or skepticism in your sales process you can close the deal but it will probably take hard closing or heavy discounting to close. When you use emotions incorrectly or push too hard enough you can trigger contempt and that will lead to no sale.  Should salespeople use emotions in sales? You should absolutely use emotions in sales to close deals. If you are not using emotions in sales to close deals it, you are leaving money on the table. There are times where you must pay attention to how you ask questions and interact with your buyers. Some ground rules for using emotions in sales: Your vocabulary has to match your style Vocal pitch and tone matter You can mirror your buyer Questions and stories rule – tell the story and insert the word or the word track People buy with emotions and justify with logic Where salespeople struggle using emotions in sales  You do have to know something about using emotions in sales. You use emotion in sales with the buyers you meet with but you hold fast about your beliefs and conversations. You don't allow the conversations to move you too far emotionally. If you get too emotionally wrapped up it creates problems later on down the road. You being too emotional takes you out of control. You need certainty, they need emotions. In sales, your buyer is looking to you for leadership. How to make your competition in sales work harder  You should make it harder for your competition to sell against you. How you present ask questions and interact should make the “competition” job hard implicitly and explicitly. There are a few ways to make that happen: Show they are not prepared My presentation is more thought out as theirs and it leads to an outcome of saying yes. That they only have a minimal offering  Their solutions are sub par and irrelevant Paint the picture of their limitations when true I want the competition to feel like the guy on infomercials that can do anything right Emotional word tracks to use in sales  You can use emotional words to your advantage. These words can be found in any thesaurus you can get your hands on. You will want to add these types of words in your presentation. The key is for you to use emotional words in your sales presentation before your buyer does. Here are some words and word tracks that you can use in your presentation: You – the favorite word of everyone: you, your, yours (name) Happy words: you use these words to explain the outcome your buyer will face. As a side note please be truthful about what you say and do: Animated, Delighted, Eager, Energized, Enthused, Excited, Excited, Happy, Jovial, Love, Motivated, Opportunistic, Opportunity, Pleased, Thrilled. Positive execution word tracks: At the end of the day Here is the outcome you can expect Here is what to expect Success looks like You will find Your final result Your needs will be met Negative execution emotional words: Abuse, Awkward, Bumbling, clumsy, here is what to look for, inconsistent, inept, malpractice, Neglect, poor execution, Unimpressed. Frustration - I don’t want you to choose the wrong option and be frustrated – Aggravation, Agitated, Anger, Annoy, Annoyance, boring, consequences, content Disappointment, Dissatisfied, Disturbance, disqualified, enrage, Hindrance, Provoke – you use these words to talk about their problem and the competition.   Danger words –AKA bad boy words, banned, Beware, Cautious, Clandestine, controversial, covert, Exclusive, Hidden, out of bounds, private, secret, Sense of danger, unpublished, Veiled, warning, Stealthy, Underground & Silent. Using negative emotional words in your sales process  You can use these words to talk about your product and or service without the negative attachment. You use these words to explain the negative consequences of using the competition's products or services. – build doubt How to use Primacy and recency in sales You can use the power of psychology with your buyers. There will be times where you want to engage with the people you meet within a way that can trigger emotions. Sometimes this is the feeling of missing out (FOMO) and sometimes this is just convrsational.  Miss out – You will regret missing out vs I don’t want you to miss out (words that can Convery this are) Get in while you can, Last chance, Last ones, Last time ever, members-only, Only time ever, limited quantities, Prices will be raised, This offer is going away, Time will expire, your secret special. Imagine – The imagine words paint pictures in the mind of the buyer. You can use all of the senses to make this happen. Visual – here is what you see, feel – here is the feelings of buying, hear – this is what you will hear, smell – the scent of the product or service, digital – this is the analog feelings (facts for some people are emotionally charged – not the whole population) When to use emotions in sales with buyers  At the beginning of a conversation, most of your buyers will need to be enticed to talk about their emotions and or feelings. You do have to set the pace with this and use your emotional words first as well as questions. Use silence to your advantage. It takes  03 – 06 seconds for most questions to be answered. The magic happens at 15 – 20 seconds.  Invite people to share more with you. Not every question can be an emotional-based one. You will trigger manipulation feelings with the buyer. Once again be aware that you have to control your feelings as you may include your buyer's emotions. Remember, even angry people will buy

    27 min
  6. 01/05/2022

    HTSS203 - Goal Setting Process In Sales How To Set Your Outcomes

    How to use goals to sell more  If you look at goal setting there are so many pieces of information from you to choose from. You have to find what works for you. There isn't a one size fits all goal-setting process for everyone. It's ok to try something and if it doesn’t work find something that does. Your job is to find a plan, stick to it and work it. You can always modify as needed, in the end, this is your recipe.  Goal setting and sales  One of the common mistakes salespeople and entrepreneurs make is to think they have to wait until January 1st every year to start with their goals. You will find consistency in sales starts with expectations and tracking. Plenty of salespeople and companies struggle with consistency and tracking.  Goal setting data points  Most stats about goal and goal setting have no attribution. Most studies have too small of sample sizes. It's tough to judge off success off of 10 people vs 1000 people. The Harvard Study Study has been shown to be fake or nonexistent. Here are the 2 constants you will find when you study goal setting.  You are 33% - 43% more likely to achieve a goal if it's written down. 2015 Gail Matthews You are 76% - 81% more likely to achieve a goal if it is tracked - No attribution Use ranges when setting goals – Particpances averaged 2 pounds per week when they targeted to 1-3 pounds per week. (https://hbr.org/2014/11/when-you-give-your-team-a-goal-make-it-a-range) Goal setting success can be linked with motivation, self confidence & autonomy (Locke & Lathan, 2006) The goal-setting common experience  There are some common traits in goal setting that seem to be a strong constant. These items are mentioned in just about every example, article, podcast, YouTube video as well as goal setting courses: Write your goals down Review your goals frequently with tracking  Area 1 - You do have to have your foundation (the 4Ds): Discipline – How strong is your discipline – do you need someone to monitor you or tell you what to do?  Devices and Systems – What framework do you have besides your beliefs? Dates – What are your timelines: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually, and yearly Data - Where do you put your outcomes – how do you track them? Area 2 – Reason why Have a strong reason why to escape from struggling. This concept is the main drive above all and everything else that I see help people propel. There are 4 main topics with plenty of subtopics. 3 of these are common ideas and 1 isnt. What is the deep-down reason for your goal? Not the reason you tell everyone. If you were to speak to a confidential source what would you tell them? This conversation may be super personal. For others, it can be an open book.   Your desires and personal outcomes matter Prove yourself right – It was something I wanted to do, Show others what you can do – I want others to see me and hear me Prove others wrong – Everyone said I couldn’t Conditions you grew up in – poor or even in wealth Phantom – Natural drive – not normal in the distribution of people. Some people just don’t have this, it who they are Questions to ponder for your reason why   What does the goal mean to you, how have you attached to the outcome? Do you really want the goal or is it a platitude? Are you trying to impress someone else? What is your level of commitment? What are you willing to sacrifice? What is in your way to get the goal accomplished? Who is in the way of your goal? Is the goal worthy of you?   Area 3 – The groupings and explanations These are typically tied to a date and a sum of money or outcome. You can set a time and date fairly easily. By March 30th I will hit 500k in gross income from all of my businesses. Royalties, equity, mastermind and consulting. You can then add these 14 dimensions or groupings: Actions – Things you want to do and or achieve Events – Meetings and or groups you would like to be a part of. This could be courses, masterminds, philanthropic Locations – Places you want to be, want to go, want to attend. Purchase Money – the income you want to achieve, the money you want in savings and or investments People – The people you want in your life as well as the people you would like to do business with and connect to Philanthropy – the places you want to donate time and energy to Physical – How you work out, your weight Products – The things you want to purchase or acquire. Cars, watches, houses, businesses, buildings   Purchases – things you want to buy Recreation – what you want to do for fun Relationships – How you treat the people in your life and how they treat you. Family, significant others, friends, and colleagues Rewards – this is an if-then statement style (when I do this, I will do that) this is the ultimate dopamine rush for your goals Spiritual – Your relationship with your creator and your style Stretch goals – These are the additions to a goal a “push up” in case you hit something quicker Area 3 – The underpinnings   What you have as moving parts inside of a goal (here are the elements): Light version goals vs master planning may be easier. The light version may be how you talk about the goal. Master planning is what will it take for you to get there. What will you need to have to reach your goal? (what framework is needed to make what you want to have happened work out) Attention – how much time do you have to put towards the goal? Routine – things you are already doing vs new routines New skill – this is something you don’t know how to do Current skill – this is something you can enhance Experience – this can be what you already have (people /courses / classes Taking action – your ability to take the first step Continuity – What you will do when things don’t work out or you get busy Bonus area Adversity map advances planning – this is where I point out what could go wrong and what to do to get back on track. This is not super detailed. This is about saying “___________” could happen. The unexpected is unexpected. This helps with planning. In business, these could be called red team events. Who you can name in your goal adversity map: People – what if the wrong people enter my life, how will I know? Economy – this is always a moving target Events – these are things that can cause problems Government agencies Weather / natural disaster When you look at this preparation you don't look at it every day. This is just prep for what may be. This is more of a “who is in my way or could get in my way session” Side notes about goal setting  Pie-in-the-sky goals can be spotted by people who know how to listen and or watch.  There are items that can be red flags "I am going to be the top salesperson this year". You will find that the more steps needed the fewer actions people take. What can you do to streamline your goal-setting process? How can you make your goals stepped up? You can imagine and "Feel the feeling" with as much imagination as possible. When you think through success, where do you share your wins, who do you share them with? Things you can do to reach your goals: Less can be more when you work on your goals and goal setting. There are multiple ways for you to streamline the sales process.  You can keep your goals on 3x5 index card and look at them during the day.  Review your goals frequently, you can record them on audio You can share goals with others. You only want to share with the believers and the people you trust. Nonbelievers will tear you down and say horrible things to you. Talk about your goals as if they have been accomplished – put a point on the horizon and march towards it. I heard Taylor welch call this directional certainty. Ask the right people if they can help you with a goal. You don’t say it this way. You could go to social media and ask for a connection or a collaboration. Speak your goals and to an extent, they will manifest. If you work for someone ask them for more. Listen you gave me the goal of $1,000,000 in sales. What would you be willing to pay out if I hit $1,200,000. You need to be able to explain why this helps the person you want the bonus from. And extra 200k on a business not expected is a good thing for most divisions. You just have to know that as you increase your number it will be ratcheted up yearly Here is where I differ Once again this is what works for me, you may need to find your own path. You can use an  accountability partner – I talk my goals out as a check in with a good friend and they do the same. We poke holes in ideas – not as an aggressive action “have you thought about_________” have you considered __________” and or “could you make this pivot __________” – sometimes these meetings are hard. I have learned from great marketers around me “everything is a test” I take that for actions I take and don’t really beat myself up when things don’t work right Knowledge is power Applied knowledge is power To learn knowledge is wisdom End of the month, quarter, year review There will be goals you miss and it may bum you out What did you do that increased your skills abilities and knowledge – celebrate all wins, look for where you gained. I didn’t hit all of my goals last year. I didn't make some huge improvements in my life. Look for the areas where you need to do better so you can recalibrate your goals

    36 min

About

The How to Sell Show with Scott Sylvan Bell  The How to Sell Show is a sales and business strategy podcast hosted by Scott Sylvan Bell, a business growth and exit strategy expert who helps companies increase revenue, build enterprise value, and become more attractive to buyers and investors. This podcast focuses on how sales systems, communication, and negotiation drive predictable revenue and long-term business value. Each episode explores how selling, customer acquisition, and conversion are not just about closing deals, but about building a scalable, transferable company that can grow and eventually exit at a higher valuation. Scott Sylvan Bell brings together real-world sales experience, consulting insight, and strategic thinking to show how sales performance impacts business growth, financial stability, and exit readiness. The How to Sell Show connects frontline selling skills to the bigger picture of building a valuable business. Learn more about Scott Sylvan Bell: https://scottsylvanbell.com/about Business Growth Strategy: https://scottsylvanbell.com/business-growth Exit Strategy and Enterprise Value: https://scottsylvanbell.com/exit-strategy