Conrey is for Closers

Today is the last day of April. 30 days ago I promised to post something every weekday to the blog – just to get back in the habit of posting. How did I do?

• This will be the 24th post this month, more than the whole thing had in the 3 months prior.
• I missed one day and doubled up on two days, so I ended up +1 total.
• I definitely think my writing has gotten a bit better overall with the practice.
• I have even met a few more people and certainly increased the traffic to the blog.
• I found a consistent theme for the blog (sales) and a new title (thanks to James Archer)

I will keep writing – maybe not every day but I will certainly keep this up.   Its good for my brain and hopefully you find value in it as well.  Please feel free to leave comments as to what you think of what has gone on, I love criticism and that way I know what you want.   I may not listen, but I’ll pretend.

Lots of people on various social networks are asking how the Down Economy is affecting salespeople. I’m going to step out on a limb here and speak for everyone: The good salespeople are still doing well – the average to poor ones are struggling.

Yes its more difficult to close deals right now as people are more watchful of their pennies and dimes. But they still want/need your product. You just may have to slow down a little, be a bit more patient and understanding with them. It will take more salesmanship now, you’re going to have to step your game up. You’re going to need to use closes you haven’t broken out in a while. You’re going to need to be better at follow up and more importantly follow through than ever before.

The best ways to get through this without eating a ton of negative energy?

1. Turn off the news – Newscasters get paid to scare people.
2. When people ask how bad it is for you, respond with something like “I don’t know what all the fuss is about, I’m still doing great”
3. Remember that people are buying – there are deals to be had.
4. Use it to your advantage – tell clients that now is the time to buy because things are going to be better and therefore more expensive later.

Lesson for today: The economy is no excuse for failing.

Definition from Wikipedia:

Sweat equity is a term used to describe the contribution made to a project by people who contribute their time and effort. It can be contrasted with financial equity which is the money contributed towards the project. It is used to refer to a form of compensation by businesses to their owners or employees. The term is sometimes used in partnership agreements where one or more of the partners contributes no financial capital. In the case of a business startup, employees might, upon incorporation, receive stock or stock options in return for working for below-market salaries (or in some cases no salary at all).

If you are committed to building something, be it a company, a community, or yourself – you’re going to be putting in long hours with little direct (monetary) benefit. Why would you do this? If you believe that the outcome is worth it, then you’ll do this. Why do most lottery winners end up bankrupt? Because they didn’t earn the money so they don’t know what to do with it. Remember that “overnight” success usually means years of work. Little is going to be just given to you, you’re going to have to earn most of it.

The successful people you look up to put in their blood, sweat, and time to get where they are today. They spent long hours at little to no pay to make their vision happen.

What are you putting your sweat equity in to and how are you making sure that it pays off?