Hazel Butters: Have Fun with Sales

Hazel Butters: Have Fun with Sales Sales coach. I help entrepreneurs to have more frequent, confident and successful sales conversations

Want to change how you think of sales and sales conversations so you sell more? Click here for a free 30-minute Sales Strategy Call: More Fun, More Sales, More Money https://my.timetrade.com/book/JDNJC

Pick a direction: Who is heading your way? Whatever direction you want to go in your business (and life), it's reassurin...
10/04/2024

Pick a direction: Who is heading your way?

Whatever direction you want to go in your business (and life), it's reassuring to be with people heading the same way.

Let's say you're an entrepreneur. You want to grow your business, launch a new product or service, or reinvent yourself. You know you want to do something big, different, to shake things up.

You need to find people heading the same way - who aspire to change things, step out, and take risks.

Finding those people gives you support, energy, excitement for the possibility - and more determination to stay on your path. You will frequently face the same challenges or difficulties and can learn from one another.

Are you an entrepreneur struggling to find people? Consider joining a community - it could be physical or virtual. Depending on where you live, coworking spaces can offer an amazing pool of people, resources, and inspiration - most offer day passes, so you can check them out and get a feel for what they offer and what their communities are like. For me The Collective Co. LLC offers community, inspiration, a brilliant place to work plus coffee from SlackTide Coffee all under one roof.

Go to networking events - as well as local events, I'm on the doorstep of Boston, and the number of entrepreneurial events is phenomenal. Not able to get to physical events? Find some online and virtual communities.

Don't know where to find your people? Drop me a line, and let's work out how you can find people who are on the same track as you.

Note: Those people in your life who aren't on the same path need to be able to cheer you on. If they aren't cheering for you, they may distract you (and possibly stop you).

PS The photo is of my dad cycling in San Javier in Spain earlier this year - I'm on the bike behind him, trying not to hit palm trees as I take photos :)

Quick PSA: Your prospects are NOT psychic.🔮 They don't know about your business, product, service, or expertise - until...
10/03/2024

Quick PSA: Your prospects are NOT psychic.

🔮 They don't know about your business, product, service, or expertise - until you let them know.

🔮 They don't understand the problem you solve, the benefits of your product or service, or the opportunities you can help them step into - until you let them know.

🔮 They don't know that you have availability to help them, products for them to embrace into their lives or work, and solutions to stop them worrying - until you let them know.

🔮 In short, they don't know you exist.

You have to prospect. Spend time on sales. Have sales conversations. Engage. Ask questions. Demonstrate expertise.

Feeling stuck? Sign up for a free 30 minutes chat with me, and let's figure out how to get you in front of your prospects and having sales conversations.

Link here (https://calendly.com/hello-mbm7/sales-chat) or click 'Book a call' on hazelbutters.com

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10/02/2024

This episode is for entrepreneurs who are feeling hesitant (or even terrified) about sales and stepping into sales conversations. It’s about how exercising your ASK muscle helps to grow your business and add momentum. Asks can talk so many forms – and can seem less terrifying than well, goodness “having sales conversations" 😂

What to ask? You can ask for support, ask for introductions, ask for referrals, ask for collaborations with other entrepreneurs or businesses, ask people to hear what you do, ask for sales conversations, and (of course) ask for prospects to make a decision - i.e. ask the sale.

If you think sales is terrifying, asking is an easy way to start moving: you get business momentum, it grows your confidence, clarifies your intention, shares your expertise and business - and yes, it grows your business.

06/13/2024

If you need sales, you have to start with some decisions. Then STICK to them.

I spoke earlier to someone I know would be an amazing business owner, but they're second-guessing themselves and not making any decisions about their brand-new business. As a result, they are spinning their wheels and already eyeing up employment vacancies.

The decision needed here is to set a goal, figure out a specific product, service, or solution to offer to target prospects and start having conversations with those prospects.

What are the challenges around making and acting on decisions when it comes to business and sales?

➡ Feeling so overwhelmed by options that it's hard to make one decision (I like to call this the 'squirrel on Red Bull' effect)

➡ Worry or uncertain about how it will play out, so even if a decision has been made, it's followed by a boatload of wavering and wondering.

➡ Failing to act on the decision consistently, so there are no signs of progress or any hint of positive results - then the towel gets thrown in, and everything grinds to a halt.

➡ We don't surround ourselves with like-minded people who encourage us to decide and act on it. If you're thinking about starting a business, talk to people who have done that - other people, including friends and family, may only share their worries and add to your hesitation.

➡ Being TERRIFIED of sales conversations. [If this is you, I’ve got you and can get you to the point where you can’t wait to talk with prospects ❤️ ]

➡ Feeling like an imposter. Who are you to design the life you want and to do what you want? [Let me tell you - you are you and ABSOLUTELY should be doing what lights you up with your life].

If any of this sounds familiar, please message me, and let's talk about getting you clear on a decision and heading down the right path.

06/11/2024

Need to bring some money into your business? Stop wondering why I look so tired* and go and make 20 asks a day for the rest of the week.

*In case you can't stop wondering, our power went off at 4.30 am, and I was woken up by the not-so-gentle hum of a whole neighborhood of generators kicking into action. Now go and kick yourself into action and GO MAKE SOME ASKS.

PS. Want me to really kick you into action? Sign up for my weekly accountability group www.hazelbutters.com/focus

Free workshop for entrepreneurs and startups on June 19 - join me if you don't know what your sales process is, (b) thin...
06/11/2024

Free workshop for entrepreneurs and startups on June 19 - join me if you don't know what your sales process is, (b) think your sales cycle should be shorter, (c) you're losing a lot of prospects during your sales cycle. Sign up at hazelbutters.com/process

Because if you have a business, you need sales; if you have sales, you need a sales process. It doesn't have to be [read: should not be] complicated, even if your product or service is high-end or technical.

Mapping out a sales process is something I've done for Fortune 1000 companies, solo entrepreneurs, and startups, and I've written about (in great detail) for Sales Hacker. Join me on June 19 for some hints and tips on how to map your sales process for efficiency.

06/07/2024

Anyone who works with me - whether you're a corporate or solo entrepreneur client - one of the first things I'm going to ask is to be walked through your current sales process.

Mapping out your sales process is critical to understanding the prospect's journey - it gives insights into where you can shorten or speed up the sales cycle, what resources you do (or don't) need, and where things can be improved - or are going awry.

I talk about it in this week's podcast .

And if you're looking for ideas, inspiration, and insights - join me for my June Sales Process Mapping online workshop - sign up via hazelbutters.com/process

04/25/2024

Are you filling your sales jar with sand?

It can feel tricky to manage your time when you’re an entrepreneur – there’s so much to do; how on earth are you meant to find time for prospecting and sales conversations?

In this episode of Asking Strangers For Money, I talk about rocks, pebbles, and sand and how to stop looking at your email first and take control of your schedule, focus, and sales time.

Listen and subscribe at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asking-strangers-for-money/id1730604574

04/23/2024

If you need new customers, you don't need to have everything in place before you start contacting prospects i.e. selling.

I'm not saying don't build funnels, create email campaigns, or spend time on social media.

But all too often, I hear entrepreneurs say: "I'm going to do [insert a non-revenue-generating activity here], then I'll start talking to prospects."

No - if you need sales, start where you are and start NOW.

Are you feeling stuck? Terrified? Not sure where the heck to start or find prospects? Message me or schedule a free 30-minute SOS (Save Our Sales) call with me via this link: https://calendly.com/hello-mbm7/sos

YAY! I'm back to in-person workshops. The first one is going to be in Boston on June 6 and is a one-day INTENSIVE for en...
04/22/2024

YAY! I'm back to in-person workshops. The first one is going to be in Boston on June 6 and is a one-day INTENSIVE for entrepreneurs or startups that are FRUSTRATED by a lack of sales or a slow sales pace. Very early bird tickets available at www.hazelbutters.com/fast

Sales is a contact sport. No, not in a boxing-someone-until they-sign-a-contract way, but you have to be IN CONTACT with...
04/22/2024

Sales is a contact sport. No, not in a boxing-someone-until they-sign-a-contract way, but you have to be IN CONTACT with your prospects.

This need for contact is true for any complex or substantial sale (if you sell something for $10 in a simple transactional sale, you don't get the luxury of developing personal relationships with each of your buyers and staying in business 😁 ).

Think about your potential prospects in a pyramid. At the apex, a small fraction (the popularly adopted figure from Chet Holmes) of around 3% of your prospects are actively ready to buy, while 6-7% are open to buying. Yes, this depends on what you are selling, where, and to whom, but these are good numbers for this example.

The pyramid's base has 90-ish percent divided almost evenly into prospects that weren't thinking of buying, don't think they are interested, or are categorically not interested.

Back to the tippy top of the pyramid, where 3% of the buyers are ready to buy, and 6-7% of your ideal buyers may buy. You have to be in CONTACT with these prospects. Regularly, consistently, and person-to-person.

📞That means you need to have regular conversations with them.

Yes, you can send emails to nurture with outbound emails, newsletters, and social media engagement - each is important. But, prospects need to be familiar with you and know you WHEN they go to solve the problem you solve (i.e., buy), as they will turn to experts that they know and are accessible - and to do that, you need to speak with them.

Do you need to speak with MORE prospects? Or help your sales team reach more of your 3% and 6-7% prospects? Please DM me, and let's talk about ways to consistently prospect.

Want to grow your business, have more impact, and bring in more money, but it all feels so SLOW?Be honest. How did you s...
04/20/2024

Want to grow your business, have more impact, and bring in more money, but it all feels so SLOW?

Be honest. How did you spend your time on sales last week?

Did you commit - and spend - time on direct sales activities every single day? How many prospects do you approach or speak with each day?

One of my coaching clients spoke to 30 of her prospects this week - this was 28 MORE CONVERSATIONS THAN SHE'D HAD FROM JANUARY THROUGH TO MARCH (before she worked with me). Just wait until I get her to speaking with 30 prospects a day :)

Direct sales activities include prospecting and selling - activities that move prospects through the sales process:

> Calling prospects, either cold or follow-ups
> Sending outbound emails
> Scheduling sales conversations
> Having sales conversations
> Attending events with prospects (and having sales conversations with them)
> Making sales presentations
> Asking prospects to commit and closing sales.

You must block out time for these activities and not get distracted by non-revenue-generating activities.

if you're not ready for 1:1 coaching yet, sign up to join my sales accountability group - we meet every Tuesday at 10am ET. We'll work out where you can focus your activities, and then every Tuesday you'll commit to your prospecting activities for that week. Interested? Sign up at www.hazelbutters.com/focus

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