The Key to Successful Lead Generation and Prospecting with Bill McCormick, Ep #217
Release Date: 10/28/2020
Mark Sellers Shares a Respectful Cold-Calling Method, Ep #399
Sales Reinvented
Between people not answering calls from phone numbers they don’t recognize, to spam filters, to people silencing their phones—it’s become harder and harder to connect when making cold calls. What is a salesperson supposed to do? Mark Sellers joins me in this episode of Sales Reinvented to share how he navigates making cold calls (or sending cold emails) in a way that captures his prospect’s interest—and respects their time. Outline of This Episode [1:17] Is cold-calling still relevant? [3:04] Is cold-calling an art and science? [3:38] How Mark prepares for cold-calling [5:51]...
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Boost Your Cold-Calling Effectiveness with Kristie Jones, Ep #398
Sales Reinvented
In its simplest sense, cold-calling is reaching out to someone by phone who may not know who you are. Is it still relevant in today’s sales world? According to Kristie Jones, yes, cold-calling still has a place. It still gives you the ability to create a human connection. But how do you master cold-calling? Kristie shares the art and science of cold-calling to kick off our newest series. Outline of This Episode [0:58] Kristie’s definition of cold-calling [1:25] The art and science of cold-calling [2:34] How Kristie prepares for cold-calling [5:10] The most effective way to...
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Leverage Your LinkedIn Profile as a Pre-Sales Tool per Mark White, Ep #397
Sales Reinvented
Until you meet someone, the only thing(s) you have to go off of is what you’ve learned about them online. When you create a LinkedIn profile, it’s indexed by search engines. It’s usually the first result when you Google someone’s name. It’s also a great place to learn about someone. You want your profile to give them the right information. Learn how to leverage your LinkedIn profile as a pre-sales tool in this episode of Sales Reinvented with special guest Mark White. Outline of This Episode [1:26] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is key [2:55] The elements that have the...
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Your LinkedIn Profile Should Make You Sellable per Kevin Turner, Ep #396
Sales Reinvented
LinkedIn is a professional site built for business and networking—why not make it the best you can? Optimizing your profile photo, banner, and headline is a great place to start. But what can you do to make yourself sellable? How can you adjust things so that LinkedIn (and search engines ) prioritize you in search results? Kevin Turner shares some incredible tips in this episode of Sales Reinvented. Outline of This Episode [1:35] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is important [2:27] The elements with the greatest impact on sales [4:14] How to tell your professional story on LinkedIn...
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Create a LinkedIn Profile that Serves Your Prospects with Karen Tisdell, Ep #395
Sales Reinvented
Everyone needs a LinkedIn profile. Why? People want to assess whether or not they can like you. They want to determine if you’re credible and trustworthy. Most people want to do this before meeting you or having a conversation so they don’t feel like they’re wasting their time. You have to show up in service to your prospects. How? Karen Tisdell shares her process in this episode of Sales Reinvented. Outline of This Episode [1:31] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is important [3:02] Your headline follows you everywhere—prioritize it [4:15] How to tell your professional story on...
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Angela Dunz: Be Passionate on Your LinkedIn Profile, Ep #394
Sales Reinvented
When someone searches for your name in Google, LinkedIn is usually the first result. Take advantage of that opportunity. If you don’t provide someone with a great LinkedIn profile, why would they waste their time on you? Angela Dunz primarily works with attorneys. And according to the research, 94% of people look at an attorney’s LinkedIn profile before their website. Learn how to make good use of that real estate in this episode of Sales Reinvented. Outline of This Episode [1:11] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is important [3:12] Above-the-fold curb appeal is...
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Leslie Hughes: Why You Need to Write Your LinkedIn Profile for Your Prospects, Ep #393
Sales Reinvented
How do you want the reader to feel once they’ve looked over your profile? What action are you hoping they’ll take? Writing for the reader is essential because it dictates what happens next. When someone feels like you’ve built trust, they’re more likely to take the next step. Leslie shares how to write your LinkedIn profile for your prospects in this episode of Sales Reinvented. Outline of This Episode [0:45] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is important [1:21] Why your photo, banner, and headline are key [2:36] How to tell your professional story on LinkedIn [5:45]...
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How to Tell Your Professional Story on LinkedIn per Rhonda Sher, Ep #392
Sales Reinvented
70–80% of the time you Google someone, their LinkedIn profile will show up on the first page of results. And people are 2x more likely to believe what’s on LinkedIn than anyplace else. A stellar profile is absolutely essential, regardless of industry. So how do you tell your professional story on LinkedIn in a way that speaks to your ideal client? Rhonda Sher shares some great ideas in this episode of Sales Reinvented. Outline of This Episode [1:00] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is important [1:42] Why your photo, headline, and banner are key [2:36] How to tell your professional...
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Learn to Leverage Video on Your LinkedIn Profile with Sheral DeVaughn, Ep #391
Sales Reinvented
If you want to gain visibility, authority, and generate leads that create revenue, a compelling LinkedIn profile is highly encouraged. Sheral DeVaughn is also a fan of leveraging video whenever possible. She shares why it’s important to get your face on camera—and how it helps you connect with potential clients—in this episode of Sales Reinvented. Outline of This Episode [1:17] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is important [1:55] Why Sheral focuses on the featured section [3:09] How to tell your professional story on LinkedIn [4:30] Balancing professionalism and personality ...
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Creating Content Consistently is Key to LinkedIn Success per Andy Paul, Ep #390
Sales Reinvented
Commitment to creating content consistently is key when it comes to a LinkedIn profile that sells. Those who successfully build followings share original and compelling content with a unique point of view. Andy shares how he built a following of over 150,000 people in this episode of Sales Reinvented. Outline of This Episode [1:00] Why a compelling LinkedIn profile is important [1:52] It’s your content that attracts potential buyers [5:38] How to tell your professional story on LinkedIn [7:53] Balancing professionalism and personality [9:23] How often to update your LinkedIn...
info_outlineWhat is the difference between prospecting and lead generation? How are they similar? How do your strategies need to vary with either approach? In this episode of Sales Reinvented, Bill McCormick shares some strategies to help salespeople nail lead generation and prospecting. If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level—don’t miss this episode.
Outline of This Episode
- [1:35] The difference between prospecting and lead generation
- [3:00] Why is lead generation and prospecting important to sales?
- [3:39] The ideal prospecting and lead generation process
- [7:08] The attributes a salesperson needs to embrace to find success
- [8:19] Ditch the pitch: learn to provide both value + insight
- [11:01] Bill’s top 3 dos and top 3 don’ts
- [13:35] Bill’s story that proves timing really is everything
WHY a prospect and a lead are so different
Bill points out that lead generation and prospecting are both activities that you do. They can be very similar in that respect. But a prospect and a lead are quite different. A lead is someone at the tip of the funnel that’s not yet qualified. They may not even end up being a part of the sales process. A prospect is someone who has been qualified. They’ve made it into the funnel. The bottom line? All prospects are leads but not all leads are prospects.
Bill also points out that lead gen happens very early in the process. It’s being able to take a quick look at someone—and based on your ideal client profile—determine if they’re going to make it into the prospecting category. Lead generation is all about lead qualification. Prospecting is about researching and moving the prospect along to the end goal of a sales conversation.
The ideal prospecting and lead gen process
Bill is quick to note that each sale in each industry can be different. But he shares some key components anyone can focus on:
You must cultivate an ideal client profile: You need to have an idea of who you’re looking for. It will either help you qualify and move leads forward—or discard them. Once they’ve been moved into the prospect category, you must then determine the “who” and the “how.” The “who” is composed of the decision-makers.
Secondly, you need to focus on how you will authentically nurture the relationship with a prospect to move them along your funnel to a sales conversation. When people are prospecting on LinkedIn, they are starting with sales conversations. Bill emphasizes that you can’t do that. What do you do instead? Ditch the pitch.
Ditch the pitch: provide value and insight
Bill shares another solid piece of advice: ditch the pitch. Bill leads by providing value and insight to nurture someone along the sales funnel. Don’t lead with your solution—lead to it. He notes that it’s hard to do because you believe in your product and service. But when you pitch, you sound like the adults in a Charlie Brown cartoon. No one listens.
He was recently on a call with a prospect and shared some insight with him. His prospect said, “Hey, you better stop, you’re giving away too much.” But that’s exactly the way Bill wants it. He responded by saying, “Imagine what you’re gonna get from us when you’re working with us.”
Bill goes on to say, “Remember the end goal is to have a sales conversation. We have to earn the right to have that conversation by providing value‚and not by pitching.” Bill shares some of the key attributes he believes a salesperson needs to succeed with lead generation and prospecting. Listen to learn what those are!
Bill’s top 3 lead generation and prospecting dos and don’ts
Bill summarizes his top do’s and don’ts for everyone to follow to find success:
- Connect on LinkedIn with ALL of your clients. It makes for great prospecting potential down the road.
- Make sure you have nailed down an ideal client profile and understand that everyone can’t be your ideal client. You’ll hit your best batting percentage when you’re swinging at the right prospects.
- Make sure you develop a way to nurture your prospects without pitching to them. How do you provide value and insight at each point of the funnel?
- Don’t use the LinkedIn Connect button as a cold outreach tool. If you pitch the whole way it falls flat.
- Don’t think in terms of closing a sale. You don’t want commission breath. Think in terms of having a conversation.
- Don’t rush the process. Timing is everything. If we focus on valuable and insightful conversations, the sales will come when the time is right.
Bill shares a poignant story to drive his last point home—don’t miss it.
Resources & People Mentioned
Connect with Bill McCormick
- Social Sales Link
- Connect with Bill on LinkedIn
- Follow Bill on Twitter
Connect With Paul Watts
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