Sales Maven

Sales Maven Entrepreneurs and small business owners from a wide range of disciplines hire Nikki to show them how

Sales Maven founder and best selling author, Nikki Rausch, is an award-winning sales executive with 23+ years of sales experience selling to organizations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, Hewlett Packard, Seattle Public Schools, & NASA. By combining her sales experience with her master certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Nikki teaches business professionals ho

w to close more business. Her simple, yet powerful techniques allow for authentic conversations without being pushy or fearing rejection. Her two books, Six-Word Lessons on Influencing with Grace: 100 Lessons to Genuinely Connect with Colleagues, Friends, Family, and Lovers and Buying Signals, How To Spot The Green Light & Increase Your Sales are both available on Amazon.

Have you ever said something in a conversation and then immediately followed it with, "Just kidding..."? It might seem h...
06/04/2026

Have you ever said something in a conversation and then immediately followed it with, "Just kidding..."?

It might seem harmless, though it's worth asking:
Was that comment building rapport... or making a withdrawal from the relationship?

One of the best ways to think about rapport is like a bank account. Every interaction is either making a deposit or a withdrawal.

And when it comes to clients and prospects, teasing or joking at someone's expense can be risky, especially if you haven't built up a strong balance of trust yet.

A simple rule of thumb:
If a comment needs a "just kidding" afterward, it might be worth rethinking before saying it.

Because strong sales conversations are built on trust, connection, and making the client the hero of the story.

For more relationship-based sales tips like this, subscribe to the Sales Maven YouTube channel.

06/03/2026

Have you ever felt stuck in your business and couldn't quite explain why?

Not really burned out or ready to quit. Just stuck?

That was a favorite moment from a recent conversation with Andrea Liebross.

She introduced the idea of stuck stress versus progress stress.

Stuck stress feels heavy. Frustrating. Like you're going in circles and second-guessing every decision.

Progress stress isn't necessarily comfortable either. It can feel scary, uncertain, and even a little messy. The difference is that you're moving and that distinction stopped me in my tracks.

Entrepreneurship isn't usually a straight line. It's often a little wavy and unpredictable like a roller coaster.

Which kind of stress are you experiencing right now?

06/02/2026

Have you ever known exactly what to do next and still not done it?

Not because you didn't have a strategy or needed more information, you just weren't convinced it would work.

That’s where so many business owners get stuck.

The challenge isn't always finding the next step. Sometimes it's building enough belief to take it.

In this week's podcast episode, Andrea Liebross shares her concept of a "belief bridge" which is a way to move from "that's impossible for me" to "that might actually be possible."

Such a simple idea to create such a powerful shift.

What's something you know you should do in your business, though you've been hesitating to take action on?

Have you ever walked away from a sales conversation feeling pressured instead of supported? There are a few sales tactic...
05/28/2026

Have you ever walked away from a sales conversation feeling pressured instead of supported?

There are a few sales tactics that may create short-term urgency while they quietly damage trust in the long run.

Relationship based selling isn’t about pressure. It’s about rapport, trust, and helping people make confident decisions.

What’s one sales tactic that you have removed from your sales process?

05/27/2026

Have you ever seen a sales post that instantly made you feel judged instead of supported?

One thing that should never happen in a sales conversation is making a client feel foolish, embarrassed, or somehow “less than.”

A post recently popped up online that essentially said:
“It must be so embarrassing to still be using XYZ if you want people to see you as a real business owner.”

The tone of it felt incredibly shaming and cringy.

Fear and embarrassment grab attention online, while they rarely create genuine trust or connection.

When someone is struggling with something in their business, there are ways to guide and support them without making them feel wrong in the process.

Rather than pointing fingers or calling people out, it feels far more helpful to share stories about clients who were once in a similar position, what changed for them, and the results they experienced afterward.

Sales conversations should build rapport and safety, not shame because people are much more likely to move forward when they feel respected and supported instead of judged.

What kind of sales approach makes you feel genuinely safe and supported enough to say yes?

05/26/2026

Have you ever walked away from a sales conversation feeling like the person was trying to pressure you instead of genuinely helping you make the right decision?

That feeling is exactly why I believe that if someone has to feel embarrassed, pressured, or manipulated to buy from you, it’s probably not a sustainable sales strategy.

Now, does hearing “no” feel fun? Absolutely not. Sometimes no’s still hurt, and sometimes they still feel personal. And protecting your integrity matters more than forcing a sale.

The goal of a sales conversation should be clarity and connection, not pressure or shame. The strongest client relationships are built through trust, honesty, and mutual respect not tactics designed to corner someone into saying yes.

At the end of the day, the right clients come from trust, not manipulation.

What’s one sales tactic you’ve experienced that immediately made you lose trust in the conversation?

Are your offers truly irresistible to your ideal clients?Create offers that actually convert by grabbing your free Compe...
05/25/2026

Are your offers truly irresistible to your ideal clients?

Create offers that actually convert by grabbing your free Compelling Offers Checklist and start attracting ideal clients.

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting, creating offers that convert is essential to your growth. This free checklist gives you the clarity and structure to start crafting offers your ideal clients can’t resist.

05/21/2026

Have you ever noticed how awkward it feels when someone introduces themselves without actually saying their name?

It makes a huge difference in first impressions even though it seems small.

One of the easiest ways to build credibility, likability, and rapport is simply introducing yourself clearly and saying your name.

That tiny shift helps people feel more comfortable interacting with you, and more connected right from the start.

This week’s sales tip is all about how small communication habits shape the way people experience you.

Do you have a good first impression tip that works for you?

05/20/2026

Have you ever been excited about an offer and then immediately frustrated because you couldn’t find the price?

When pricing is hidden behind calls, or extra clicks, it creates friction which slows down sales.

This week’s podcast episode dives into why pricing transparency matters and how making people work too hard for basic information can quietly cost you business, especially in this financial climate.

05/19/2026

Have you ever stopped yourself from buying something because it felt too hard just to get the price?

When people have to jump through hoops to find pricing, it creates friction and slows sales.

This week’s podcast episode dives into why pricing transparency matters more than people think and how small changes in the buyer experience can impact conversions in a big way.

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