The Sales Evangelist
The Sales Evangelist is a podcast hosted by Donald C. Kelly that aims to help sales professionals achieve high-income status. Kelly shares his own experience of struggling in sales until his company invested in training, which led to a dramatic improvement in his performance. The show features interviews with top sales experts, successful sellers, and entrepreneurs who provide actionable strategies and motivational stories. Topics include effective selling techniques, career growth, and earning potential in sales.
Episodes
4 Steps to Systematic Sales Growth | Jimmy Burgess - 2045
"Broke, rich." That's the two-word test Jimmy Burgess uses to explain whether a sales career is working: phone up to your ear, you're rich; phone down, you're broke.Pulled from our archive, Jimmy, Chief Growth Officer at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida, is with me as we discuss the four-step pattern he lays out for turning scattered activity into steady, repeatable grow
The Top Three Issues Killing Your Sales Deals | George Bronten - 2044
You did everything right, or at least you thought you did, and the deal still fell apart anyway. This one is coming from the archives, and the principles hold up just as well today as they did when we first recorded it.George Brontén, founder and CEO of Membrain and author of Stop Killing Deals, broke down the three deadly assumptions that quietly sink B2B sales deals, and how to catch them before
How to Reach Decision-Makers When Selling to Enterprises | Erik Kostelnik - 2043
125 billion B2B emails go out every single day, and that number is exactly why decision-makers have stopped noticing any of them. This one is coming from the archives, and honestly it feels even more relevant now than when it first aired, because reaching the right person inside an enterprise has only gotten harder since. Erik Kostelnik, founder and CEO of Postal, joined me to break down why reach
How I Handle Every Price Objection | Donald C. Kelly - 2042
“It’s too expensive” may be the answer a prospect gives you, but it may not be the reason they are saying no.The real issue could be that they do not see the value, they already have another solution, or they have another concern they have not told you yet.In this objection-handling conversation, I break down two ways to get past the surface response, find the real reason behind an objection, and
How to Future Proof Against Getting Ghosted | Donald C. Kelly - 2041
Nearly half of all B2B sales conversations end with no decision at all, and that number keeps climbing. This solo episode breaks down the discovery call framework built over years of carrying a bag as a software sales rep, now taught to clients to stop deals from going quiet.The Real Cost of No DecisionA study of 2.5 million sales conversations by Matthew Dixon and Ted McKenna found that 40 to 60
Selling a Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have: How to Win in a Competitive Market | Mark Van Oppen - 2040
Selling a must-have product sounds easier than selling a nice-to-have. But even when your solution is critical to a customer’s business, you still have competitors fighting for the same deal. So, what makes a buyer choose you?In this episode, I talk with Mark van Oppen, CRO of SecureAuth, to talk about what it takes to sell a must-have solution in a competitive market.Selling a Must-Have vs. a Nic
Is It You or Your Product? The Truth About Product-Market Fit | Collin Stewart - 2039
Product-market fit isn't a yes or no question, and treating it like one is what trips up most founders and sales leaders. That's the core idea Collin Stewart, co-founder and CEO of Predictable Revenue and host of the Predictable Revenue Podcast, brought to this episode, and it reshaped how I think about why some go-to-market motions take off and others stall no matter how hard the team works.Produ
AI Didn't Kill Sales Strategy. It Exposed Who Never Had One | John Stopper - 2038
AI is changing sales fast. But is it actually replacing salespeople, or is it exposing the sellers who never developed real strategy skills? That’s the question I explore in this conversation with John Stopper.John and I get into the difference between sales tactics and sales strategy, why AI can sometimes give sellers the wrong picture of a buyer, and why getting closer to the people involved in
Your Connection Rate Dropped 80% and Nobody's Talking About It | David Zeff - 2037
Connection rates have dropped roughly five times since before COVID.If ten percent of your calls used to turn into a conversation, you're probably closer to two now.David Zeff, CEO of Whistle, runs an agency that makes cold outreach work for 350-plus B2B clients, and he broke down exactly what's changed, what hasn't, and the parts of outbound most people are too embarrassed to actually do.Why Conn
How to Know if Your Deal is Going South Sooner than Later | Andee Harris - 2036
Sometimes the best way to close more deals isn't by adding new people to your pipeline (though that's always a good thing.) Instead, the best thing is to address the issues that make a deal fail before they fail.In today's episode of The Sales Evangelist, I joined the CEO of Challenger, Andee Harris, to get her take on failed deals and how to address those issues directly with our prospects.Challe
Stop Selling and Help People Solve Their Next Biggest Problem | Keith Gillispie - 2035
A former Marine who did eight combat deployments in eight years now spends his time teaching people to stop pitching and start asking better questions.Keith Gillispie, founder of REI Automated, left the Marines in 2020 to build a real estate investing and coaching business that's helped more than 1,200 people, with close to 580 of them closing their very first deal. He broke down exactly how he qu
Your Sellers Are Motivated By WAY More Than Money | Sindre Haaland - 2034
37 reps who got the least recognition on one 153-person sales team averaged 62 percent quota attainment. The team average was 107 percent. That gap is the whole argument Sindre Haaland, CEO and founder of SalesScreen, makes for why comp plans alone don't explain sales performance.Why Identical Comp Plans Produce Wildly Different ResultsSindre's core observation: two reps can work under the exact s
Beyond the Mail Merge: How to Master True Relevance in B2B Sales | Leslie Venetz - 2033
Only 10 percent of sales messages actually explain why something should matter to the buyer. The other 90 percent are just decoration on a generic pitch. That stat comes from Leslie Venetz, who audits thousands of sales messages every year and just released her USA Today bestseller, Profit-Generating Pipeline. She broke down what real relevance looks like, and the exact method she uses to build it
How We 2x Sales Revenue & Reduce Sales Cycle By 50% | Pieter Leenhouts - 2032
Imagine doubling your close rate and cutting your sales cycle in half. That's not a hypothetical. It's exactly what Pieter Leenhouts and his team did at Tax Guard, a Cogency Global company that sells to banks and financial institutions.Pieter walked me through exactly how they pulled it off, and it wasn't magic. It was math, structure, and a relentless focus on the front end of the pipeline.Why Th
Are You Too Nice to Close the Deal? | Connie Kadansky - 2031
Connie Kadansky was a highly motivated, highly goal-oriented salesperson, and she was still taking naps at two in the afternoon instead of prospecting.That contradiction sent her down a research rabbit hole that turned into a 29-year career studying sales call reluctance. Connie broke down for me why being too nice is one of the most expensive habits a seller can have, and what to do about it inst
Stop Overthinking Your Sales Calls (Do This Instead)" | Adam Lowther - 2030
An architect plans every brick before laying one. An archaeologist starts digging and adjusts based on what turns up. Adam Mark Louther says most sales reps try to sell like architects when the job actually calls for an archaeologist's mindset.Adam built his first sales skills knocking on doors selling exterior cleaning services, and today he coaches founders and sales teams on turning conversatio
People Buy You | Jordan Harbinger - 2029
Your prospect isn't only buying the product or the price. They're buying you. That's the idea behind one of Jordan Harbinger's most popular keynotes, and it's why we're pulling this archive conversation back out.Jordan went from a bored kid who got into trouble to a Wall Street attorney to the host of one of the biggest interview podcasts around. And the thread running through all of it is relatio
Sales From The Street-“Cold Emails & Curiosity" | Donald C. Kelly - 2028
Less than ten percent. That's how many highly targeted emails actually get opened. In this archive episode, pulled from an old Sales From the Street segment, I'm breaking down exactly what I look for in a cold email before I'll even open it, let alone reply. If email opens are a struggle for you right now, this one still holds up.Why Most Cold Emails Never Get OpenedPeople are buried in email. I w
Your Weak Pipeline Is A Disciple Issue | Donald C. Kelly - 2027
Three appointments a week. Twelve a month. If you want a consistent pipeline, you have to know exactly what it takes to get there.The problem is that most reps don't stop prospecting because they don't know how. They stop because meetings, active deals, and everything else on their calendar slowly take over. A few missed prospecting sessions turn into a weak pipeline, and then the scramble begins.
The Essentials of Following Up No Ever Thought You | Corrie George - 2026
Most salespeople treat follow-up like an afterthought: a quick check-in email, then nothing. I sat down with Corrie George, founder of YESA and Canada First, and former president of Grant Cardone Canada, to talk about the follow-up system that's actually helped him close hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.Most Sales Are Won After the Fifth ContactAccording to Salesforce, less than 20 percent
The Real Reason Executives Are Ghosting You | Anthony Reeves - 2025
Every seller has been there. You send the perfect proposal, deliver a great pitch, and then the exec on the other end goes silent. I sat down with Anthony Reeves, a former global executive at Amazon, WPP, LVMH, and Airbnb, to talk about the real reason executives ghost you. It's not what most sellers think.Executives Aren't Ghosting You, They're Protecting ThemselvesExecutives get to their positio
The One Thing Most Sales Team Miss When Going Upstream | Alison Disken - 2024
Every sales leader wants to go upstream. Bigger logos, bigger checks, bigger deals. But most of what determines whether that move actually works has nothing to do with the sales team. I sat down with Alison Disken, an expert in executive alignment, to talk about the one thing most companies miss when they decide to go upmarket.Why Going Upmarket Takes More Than A New Sales PitchEveryone wants to g
Practical Ways Sales and Marketing Can Work to Increase Revenue in 2026 | Mark Kapczynski - 2023
Sales and marketing are supposed to work together, but in most companies, they don't. Not to the level your revenue actually needs. In this episode, I sat down with Mark Kapczynski, co-founder of Kontrol Media and author of Everyone Sells, to talk about practical, sometimes unconventional ways to get these two teams pulling in the same direction.Why Sales and Marketing Still Don't Work TogetherTra
LinkedIn Response Series - Messages That Generate Responses | Donald C. Kelly - 2022
This wraps up our four part LinkedIn Response Series. Over the last few episodes, I covered your headline, your banner, and how to turn profile views into real conversations. In this final episode, I'm showing you how to take those conversations and turn them into booked appointments.Never Pitch FirstThe fastest way to kill a new LinkedIn conversation is to pitch right away.When someone replies to
LinkedIn Response Series - LinkedIn Connection Requests | Donald C. Kelly - 2021
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LinkedIn Response Series - LinkedIn Profile Views To Appointments | Donald C. Kelly - 2020
Getting a notification that someone viewed your LinkedIn profile can be exciting, but most sellers don't know what to do next. In this episode of the LinkedIn Response Series, I am sharing how to turn profile views into meaningful conversations that can lead to appointments and new business. Instead of ignoring those notifications or sending an immediate sales pitch, I'll show you a simple process
LinkedIn Response Series - Your LinkedIn Headline | Donald C. Kelly - 2019
Your LinkedIn headline is one of the first things prospects see, yet many salespeople waste it by listing their job title and company name. In this first episode of the LinkedIn Response Series, I explain why your headline should focus on the problem you solve instead of who you work for.A strong headline tells prospects immediately how you can help them, increases profile views, and encourages mo
How to Ensure That Admin Tasks Don't Overwhelm Your Day | Anthony Iannarino - 2018
Administrative tasks are part of every sales role, but they should never take priority over selling. I'm revisiting a conversation from the archive with Anthony Iannarino to share practical ways to keep admin work from taking over your day. While this conversation first aired in 2020, the principles are still relevant today, especially when AI can help streamline many everyday tasks.Busy Is Not th
Bad Mouthing Your Competitor | Donald C. Kelly - 2017
How do you handle competitor questions without sounding defensive, desperate, or unprofessional?In this solo episode, Donald C. Kelly shares three practical strategies for talking about competitors with confidence and credibility. Instead of attacking another company, he explains how to use customer stories, thoughtful questions, and your prospect's own insights to position your solution as the be
7 Steps to Making 7 Figures in Enterprise SaaS Sales | Brandon Fluharty - 2016
What separates sales professionals who earn six figures from those who consistently earn seven?In this episode, Donald sits down with Brandon Fluharty, enterprise SaaS sales leader, speaker, and author of The Seven-Figure Millennial. Brandon shares the mindset, systems, and practical strategies that helped him become a seven-figure earner without subscribing to hustle culture.Throughout the conver
How "The Practice" and Being Different Can Help Sellers Connect With More Prospects | Seth Godin - 2015
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Building Resilience In a Tough Sales World | Mark Divine - 2014
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What Got You to President's Club Will Not Keep You There | Meredith Elliott Powell - 2013
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Dream BIG: What Every Sellers Must Do To Shatter Their Dreams | Jason VanDevere - 2012
Don’t dream small as a seller. Always think bigger than what feels comfortable. My guest, Jason VanDevere, author of the bestselling book Dream Driven and founder of the Goal Crazy platform, shares an incredible story about his car dealership business and how a 90-day plan can completely shift results. He also breaks down five principles that challenge you to remove limitations and start moving to
The Return of Trade Show and Human-to-Human Interaction | Yiannis Gavrielides - 2011
We’re tapping into a Renaissance era in sales. AI is changing how sellers operate, but human connection is still what builds trust and closes deals. My guest, Yiannis Gavrielides, Co-founder and CEO of Covve, shares how trade shows remain one of the strongest ways to build real relationships in a digital-first world.Meet Yiannis GavrielidesYiannis Gavrielides is the co-founder and CEO of Covve, a
Customer Success Series: Turn Customers Into Evangelist | Donald C. Kelly - 2010
In the final part of this customer success and retention series, I share how businesses can move beyond simple transactions and turn satisfied customers into true brand evangelists. The focus is on creating experiences that people remember and naturally want to talk about.The Power of Memorable ExperiencesBrand evangelists are not created by accident. They are built through intentional experiences
Customer Success Series: The 5 Pillars of Customer Success | Donald C. Kelly - 2009
It costs 5x more to attract new customers than to retain existing ones, which is why client retention matters so much. For part two of this series, I am going over the five pillars of customer success.Pillar 1: Exceptional OnboardingStrong customer success starts the moment a client says yes. Onboarding should feel seamless, intentional, and personal, using things like welcome emails, videos, and
Customer Success Series: Leaky Bucket | Donald C. Kelly - 2008
Retention of a client will take you much further than constantly being on the hunt for a new one. I’m sharing a three-part series on client retention for sellers who struggle with keeping clients for the long term. This first part focuses on how to move away from the “leaky bucket” approach and start using strategies that actually help you retain and grow your customer base.Why Customers LeaveMany
Stop Quitting So Fast | Donald C. Kelly - 2007
So many sellers quit within their first few months in sales. Honestly, I think many of them give up too soon. Sales isn't easy, but success often comes down to staying committed when things aren't going your way. I'm sharing why determination matters, how to push through rejection, and why the sellers who keep going are often the ones who eventually succeed.Why Determination Matters in SalesEarly
Sales Is No Longer A Numbers Game | Tom Stearns & Peter Cleary - 2006
Sales has changed dramatically in the age of AI, but success still comes down to having the right strategy. That's why I sat down with Tom Stearns and Peter Cleary, co-authors of Graphic Sales: How to Build a Prospecting Playbook. They shared how sales teams can move beyond vanity metrics and build a data-driven prospecting process that helps reps focus on the right opportunities and generate bett
Helping Customers Understand The Business Problem You Solve | Jeff Koser - 2005
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is focusing too quickly on their product instead of understanding the deeper problem their customer is trying to solve.That’s why I wanted to bring back this conversation with Jeff Koser, founder and CEO of Zebrafy. Even though this episode originally aired during the pandemic, the principles still apply today, especially when it comes to standing out in cr
Sales Isn't Fun Anymore | Donald C. Kelly - 2004
Lately, I’ve been hearing more sellers say the same thing: “I’m losing my joy in sales.”Honestly, I get it. Selling today feels different than it did a few years ago. Cold outreach is harder, inboxes are crowded, buyers are more cautious, and deals take longer to close.When the wins slow down, it can start feeling like you’re just grinding through the motions instead of enjoying the work. But I tr
Why So Many Talented Women Never Make It to Leadership | Erika Chestnut - 2003
Many women in sales struggle with feeling like they’re not fully qualified for leadership roles, even when they’re already doing the work. That self-doubt can make it harder to pursue promotions and career growth. To help break this down, I invited leadership coach and tech executive Erika Chestnut to share the challenges women face when advancing their careers and how sales leaders can better sup
How To Help Enterprise Sellers Speak The Language of their Clients | Kevin Cope - 2002
Nowadays, there’s no such thing as easy selling. You need to know more than just product features and benefits.You also need to understand how businesses make money and how different decisions impact success. The problem is that many salespeople still lack strong business acumen.That’s why I brought in Kevin Cope, CEO of Acumen Learning and author of Business Acumen for Sales Success. He shares ho
The Biggest Reason Why Your Sales Pipeline Is Not Converting As It Should | Gearoid Cox - 2001
AI can help you move faster, but it can also help you make mistakes faster. Too many sellers rely on automation while skipping the fundamentals that actually help deals close. One of the biggest problems? Poor qualification.I sat down with Gearoid Cox, CEO of SalesPipeline, to share advice on how sellers can build healthier pipelines, qualify deals more effectively, and stop wasting time on opport
What 2,000 Sales Conversations Taught Me | Donald C. Kelly - 2000
We finally made it to the 2,000 episodes! After podcasting for 13 long years on sales conversations, it taught me a few things about the industry. Sales has changed a lot since I started this podcast in 2013, and one thing became clear over the years: the people who adapt the fastest are the ones who continue to win.Why Speed Matters More Than EverToday’s buyers expect answers immediately. They do
The Biggest Reason Why Your Sales Pipeline Is Not Converting As It Should | Wesleyne Whittaker - 1999
Should your demo and discovery call happen in the same meeting? If you’re combining the two, it may be the reason your pipeline is not converting the way you want it to.Wesleyne Whittaker, sales professional and author of Sales Reset, joins me to challenge how most teams run demos and discovery and why it might be the reason deals are stalling. She also shares practical frameworks from her book Sa
Missed Quota Series: Prospecting With A Net Rather Than A Spear! | Donald C. Kelly - 1998
40% of a seller’s time is spent on prospecting. That’s a big investment, especially when a lot of it does not lead anywhere. So how do you make sure that time actually turns into real opportunities? Let’s break down how to prospect in a way that leads to conversations and closed deals.Leverage Intent and Relevant DataA big part of prospecting comes down to timing. You want to reach out when buyers
Missed Quota Series: They Were ONLY Selling 11 Hours Per Week! | Donald C. Kelly - 1997
Salesforce found that reps spend just 11 hours per week actually selling. That means nearly 70% of their time is spent on everything else. So where is it going? Let’s break down what sellers are really doing and why it’s keeping them from hitting quota.Identifying Time-Bleeding TasksLet me show you what’s really taking up their day. A lot of it comes down to necessary work that just takes way too
Missed Quota Series: The AI Gap is Real...You Debate "It's A Fad, While Your Competitor Is 6 Months Ahead of Your | Donald C. Kelly - 1996
Salesforce found that sellers who use AI are 3.7 times more likely to hit quota. So what are they doing differently? Let’s break down how AI is helping sellers work more effectively and why it’s becoming a core part of modern sales.Maximizing Efficiency in Prep and ProspectingAI is taking a lot of the busy work off a seller’s plate, especially when it comes to prep and prospecting.Instead of spend
Missed Quota Series: Your Deal Didn't Die, Tariffs Put It on Ice | Donald C. Kelly - 1995
You’re feeling the impact of the tariffs, aren’t you? They keep your deals from moving forward. Luckily, I came up with three ways to move those tariff blocks out of the way and make everything move in your favor.1. Show Them What It’s Costing to WaitWhen deals stall, it’s easy for companies to pause spending and focus on what feels urgent right now. But waiting comes with a cost.Instead of pushin
Missed Quota Series: You Won Your Champion and Still Lost the Deal Here's Why | Donald C. Kelly - 1994
Today, most deals involve 11 to 13 decision-makers. Nobody wants to be the one held responsible if things go wrong. So instead of one decision-maker, you’re dealing with a full committee. That’s one of the biggest reasons deals stall, and that’s what we’re getting into in this Missed Quota episode.Why Deals Stall Even When You Do Everything RightYou’ve done your research. You ran a solid discovery
Missed Quota Series: The Dark Funnel - The #1 Reason Sellers Missed Quota In Q1 | Donald C. Kelly - 1993
A lot of sellers are working hard but still falling short in Q1. The challenge isn’t always activity. It’s timing. This is part two of the missed quota series, and I’m sharing why buyers are already far into their journey before you ever connect with them and how you can show up sooner.Why Q1 Feels So Difficult for SellersMost sellers wonder why Q1 feels so tough, and a big part of it comes down t
Missed Quota Series: 10 Data Backed Reasons Why Seller Missed Q1 Targets | Donald C. Kelly - 1992
A slow Q1 isn’t random. There are patterns behind why many sellers miss their targets early in the year. I’m walking through ten of those challenges and how you can turn things around.1. Tariff Uncertainty Is Freezing DecisionsA lot of companies are hitting pause right now because of tariff uncertainty. When businesses don’t know what’s coming next, they delay decisions. In fact, 82% of U.S. firms
Three Ways To Increasing Velocity & Getting Cold Deals Unstuck | Karen Kelly - 1991
Getting deals unstuck can feel frustrating, especially when you reach the end of a quarter and nothing seems to be moving. Karen Kelly, one of the 100 most powerful women in sales 2025, breaks down how the way you show up in your sales process can be the difference between a deal that stalls and one that moves forward.Meet Karen KellyKaren Kelly is a sales trainer, coach, and speaker who has spent
From Two Sales Per Year to Over 100 Qualified Appointments Per Month | Eric Samson - 1990
Sometimes selling comes at the most unexpected moments in life. As an entrepreneur you’re selling your business to customers and you need to go from zero to hundreds fast. Eric Samson, CEO & founder of Group8A, is here to share how he went from hoping deals would come in to building a system that brings in sales opportunities every single month.Meet Eric SamsonWe’ve all experienced consultants
How My Coaching Client Got Referrals From A Rejection | Donald C. Kelly - 1989
It’s early in the morning, and you’re getting ready to look for prospects on LinkedIn. Every conversation is a precious gem, but how can you shine while reaching out? I have a LinkedIn strategy that helped my coaching client. I’m telling you it works because he got five referrals from using it.Breaking Through the Noise on LinkedInOne of the biggest challenges right now is standing out on LinkedIn
The Rule of Seven For LinkedIn Sales Navigator | Josh Shirley - 1988
I’m a big believer in LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and that’s why I’m revisiting episode 1827. Josh Shirley from Sandler joined me to share how to use the tool effectively and get real results.Josh Shirley’s BackgroundJosh Shirley is a sales professional with Sandler, a well-known sales training organization. He works with sales leaders who want a structured system that delivers predictable results.
Donald, What Is Your GTM Motion Right Now? | Donald C. Kelly - 1987
I don’t believe in sharing sales advice unless I’m actively doing it myself. Right now, I’m building a podcasting agency, Blue Mango Studios, and putting these strategies into practice every day. I’m sharing what’s working as I go, so you can apply it to your own process.Lead with a Point of ReferenceOne of the biggest mistakes sellers make is reaching out without context. Buyers don’t respond bec
How to Win Big Selling in a Niche Industry | Brian Uzcategui Brian - 1986
In a niche industry, you don’t win by doing what everyone else is doing. Like David facing Goliath, you have to stand out by bringing something different to the table. My guest, Brian Uzcategui, Vice President of Sales for The Kinetic Co., is here to share how he is winning in the tissue industry and the concepts you can apply to your own work.Selling in a Niche IndustrySelling in a niche industry
The Real Reason Your Close Rate Is So Low! | Donald C. Kelly - 1985
Many sellers ask the same question: how can I increase my close rate? Often the challenge is not the product or the prospect but hesitation at the moment when it is time to ask for the business. I’m sharing a few ideas that can help you confidently ask for the close and move deals forward faster.Stop Waiting Too LongOne common mistake is waiting too long to ask for the close. Sellers may say somet
How To Get More Replies From Your Cold Outreach | Donald C. Kelly - 1984
Most sellers think their outreach struggles come from poor timing or weak messaging. In reality, the bigger issue is that many outreach attempts focus on surface level problems instead of the real challenge prospects are facing. A few small changes can make your outreach far more relevant and much more likely to get a response.Stop Selling the Surface ProblemA common example is when sellers lead w
The Fortune Is in the Follow-Up | Donald C. Kelly - 1983
You probably thought following up on a deal would be easy, but many sellers struggle with it. I’m sharing a simple way to make the process easier and stop assuming that no response means something negative.The Data Behind Effective Follow-UpLet me share a few statistics that might change the way you think about follow-up.About 85 percent of sales require five or more follow-ups, yet 44 percent of
What To Do When Champion Will Not Include Other Key Decision Makers | Donald C. Kelly - 1982
During a deal, you might spend weeks speaking with one person only to realize the real decision makers were never involved. So how do you get your champion to bring the stakeholders into the conversation? I’m bringing back an old concept that can help prevent this situation from happening again.When Your Champion Won’t Bring Others Into the DealDuring a deal, you might spend weeks speaking with on
How to Hit Your Number Without End-of-Quarter Panic | Donald C. Kelly - 1981
At the end of every quarter, many sellers feel shaken when they look at their quotas. You’re putting in the work, yet the results still aren’t where they should be. I’m sharing a few ideas from The 12 Week Year that can help you rethink the calendar quarter and develop habits that take some of the stress out of selling.The 12 Week Year MindsetInstead of thinking about your annual quota, start trea
Your Quota Problem Is a Thinking Problem | Benoy Tamang - 1980
Negative thinking can hold you back from success. I sat down with Benoy Tamang, an entrepreneur who has started and exited seven companies, to talk about mindset. How a leader or even an individual sales rep thinks can make all the difference in results.The Underdog’s AdvocateBenoy is passionate about helping startups, shaped by his own experiences with adversity, including racism his father faced
How To Sell With Integrity In The World of AI | Mark Hunter - 1979
People crave genuine connection, and that can feel harder to create in today’s AI-driven world. But when you sell with integrity, buyers trust you more and move forward with confidence. Joining me in this episode is Mark Hunter, longtime friend, professional seller, and author, to talk about his new book Integrity First Selling and his passion for authentic, trust-based sales.Why Integrity Still M
How Can I Shorten My Sales Cycle And Close Deals Faster? | Donald C. Kelly - 1978
You’ve been working on closing a deal for the last six months, but you thought you would have closed it three months ago. Why didn’t you reach your deadline sooner? I’m going to tell you why in this episode and show you how you can shorten your sales cycles.Why Are Your Sales Cycles Longer?I’ve found there are several reasons sellers experience longer sales cycles:Fear of making mistakesJob securi
I'm Running Out of Time & My Pipeline Is Weak | Donald C. Kelly - 1977
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How to Get Quality Referrals To Skyrocket Your Sales | Donald C. Kelly - 1976
I know referrals work. You just have to get them from the right people. In this episode, I am sharing three ways to get high quality referrals that will help you build your sales pipeline.Ask Your Happy CustomersThe most common way to generate referrals is by reaching out to customers who are thrilled with your service and asking for an introduction to their network. Here is the surprising part. W
Are Sales Frameworks Ruining Real Conversations? | Donald C. Kelly - 1975
Recently, a seller sent me a voice note asking why his framework is failing him every single time. I am sure other sellers are facing this same issue, and in this episode, I am going to share how to fix it. Sales is not a black and white solution. It is filled with ambiguity. My advice will help you navigate those gray areas with more confidence.Beyond the FrameworkI start by challenging the idea
Your Sales Team Sucks At Using AI, Here's How To Fix It | Eve Kedar - 1974
There is a specific way to use AI technology to get the results you want. To show us how to do this, Dr. Eve Kedar, a community builder, enablement strategist, and educator, joins me for this episode. Drawing on her experience supporting over 18,000 AI enthusiasts, Eve shares strategies to help sales teams use AI without amplifying the overwhelm that can come with new technology.Meet Eve KedarEve
Prospects Are Liars! | Donald C. Kelly - 1973
Do buyers lie? The short answer is yes and I’m going to tell you why in this episode. I’m also going to tell you how to get the truth of their issues out and close the deal. Why Do Buyers Lie?Buyers don’t always lie intentionally. However, there’re three main reasons why they do:They feel uncomfortable saying “no.”They’re not interested but don’t want to hurt your feelings.They want to “think
Is AI Killing The SDR Role? | Kristie Jones, Dr. BJ Allen & Donald C. Kelly - 1972
SDRs and BDRs are having to become more strategic and more technical to close deals. You would think that in a world of AI, their jobs would become easier or even be replaced. But buyers are more informed, and they know when a seller is not putting much effort into personalization. Joining me in this episode are two sales professors, BJ Allen and Kristie Jones, to discuss how we can better prepare
InMail: The Easiest LinkedIn Sales Navigator Strategy You’re Doing Wrong (And How to Fix It) | Donald C. Kelly - 1971
Yes there’s a ton of things you can do on LinkedIn Sales Navigator. However, if you’re still struggling to use it and find prospects, you need to focus on one tool at a time. In this episode, I’m going over how to use InMail the right way to get prospects. I’m telling you, it’s one of the easiest ways to book appointments, and I have data to prove it.How to Make Responsive InMail CampaignsI did a
Three Type of Content Seller Must Post On LinkedIn | Donald C. Kelly - 1970
What should you be posting on LinkedIn, and what should you avoid? In this episode, I share three LinkedIn posts sellers can use right away. Posting the right content on LinkedIn can help you book more appointments and grow your pipeline.Why You Should Be Posting on LinkedInIf you are not posting on LinkedIn, you are missing a real opportunity to stand out. Only a small percentage of users create
10 Rookies Mistake You Must Avoid In 2026 | Donald C. Kelly - 1969
We’re a month into 2026, so there’s no time for rookie mistakes. In this episode, I’m breaking down 10 common mistakes sellers make and how to avoid them. Catching these early can help you set yourself up for success for the rest of the year.1. Not Having Enough Deals in the PipelineOne of the biggest mistakes I see is not having enough opportunities in the pipeline. I recommend carrying three to
LinkedIn: Once You've Connected With a Prospect, Here's What You Should Do Next | Ahmad Munawar - 1968
Sales enablement is meant to make selling easier, yet many teams struggle to see real results from it. In this rerun episode, Ahmad Munawar breaks down why most sales enablement efforts fall short and what leaders must do to turn enablement into a true revenue driver. We explore alignment, execution, and how enablement should support sellers in real conversations, not just live in documents and da
Here is how I closed a 6-figure deal with humor | Kevin Hubschmann - 1967
Sometimes all you need is the right personality to close a deal. When you hold back, play it safe, or fail to fully show up, prospects notice and engagement suffers. In this episode, my guest Kevin Hubschmann shares why suppressing your personality can cost you in the long run and how using comedian techniques can help you close a six-figure deal.Blending Humor and Professionalism in Sales· &
8 Sales Predictions for 2026 | Donald C. Kelly - 1966
Most deals do not fall apart because prospects say no. They stall because momentum quietly disappears. In this episode, Donald C. Kelly breaks down why sales conversations often lose traction after a strong first call and what sellers must do to keep prospects engaged, aligned, and moving forward. We explore how clarity, commitment, and intentional follow-up prevent ghosting and stalled pipelines.
