[LIVE COACHING] What Should I Know Before Hiring My First Seller | Cat Hutchings - 1698

For the last few years, you have relied heavily on SEO strategies to attract customers to your business. Of course, there's nothing wrong with this. But as your business grows, you may want to hire a seller to attract more leads and improve sales.

But how do you know you have found the right person to improve your sales strategies?

In this unique episode of the Sales Evangelist Podcast, host Donald Kelly does a live coaching session with Cat Hutchings to help her find the perfect seller for her new business. Whether you're a business owner, sales professional, or simply interested in improving your sales approach, this episode offers actionable tips and advice.

Cat Hutchings Background

• Cat Hutchings is a successful entrepreneur and Etsy owner of Spotlight Jewelry.
• She also coaches other Etsy owners to become successful on the e-commerce website.
• Cat is in the works of launching another business, so she came to Donald asking questions on how to find the ideal salesperson to join her team.

Live Coaching Session: Hiring the Right Salespeople

• Many business owners ask themselves whether they should hire an individual or an agency when trying to get leads.
• Donald suggests using tools such as Apollo IO to attract leads. These tools allow you to view names, email addresses, and other contact information.
• If you decide to hire an individual, ensure they know how to handle the entire sales process and not just the end.

Effective Outreach Strategies

• As a salesperson, you must research to target the right customers. Cat shares an example of a sales representative who researched her before reaching out.
• However, the sales representative did make a minor mistake, and Donald shared feedback on what he could’ve done better.
• Deep research and tools like CrunchBase can help identify relevant individuals. One can craft personalized and impactful outreach messages that resonate with potential customers by leveraging visible triggers or signals.

B2B vs. B2C Companies and Marketing Collaboration

• Donald highlights the importance of collaboration between marketing and sales in B2B sales. While marketing lays the groundwork by running ads, email campaigns, blogs, and LinkedIn ads to attract the right audience, sales professionals take over to engage in one-on-one conversations and drive potential customers toward making a purchase.
• B2C sales typically have shorter cycles, often requiring a more transactional approach. However, certain products and services can be sold remotely and automatically through websites, reducing the need for active outbound efforts.
• Donald also shares the difference between working with a startup and a well-established company.
• Startups can attract individuals hungry for new challenges, those looking to add startup experience to their resumes, and professionals seeking to make a noticeable impact within smaller organizations.
• While there is an inherent level of risk, social proof and a proven track record can significantly attract the right individuals.

Are Sales and Marketing the Same?

• You may think that marketing and sales are the same thing, but it’s not.
• Marketing is attracting leads to your business and getting them to the checkout point.
• Sales is the process of payment transactions within the business.

Importance of Systems and Processes

• Donald emphasizes creating reliable systems and processes, particularly in sales.
• Documenting procedures and creating playbooks can make transferring roles within a team easier and more efficient.
• Strong systems and processes are vital in facilitating business growth and scalability.

Host Donald Kelly shares insightful strategies for hiring the right people for your sales teams. He also advises attracting ideal customers, navigating B2B and B2C sales, and optimizing outreach efforts. Whether you're a business owner, sales professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge to help you succeed in the competitive sales world.

"Finding the right people shouldn't be a challenge as individuals are willing to take the leap and join a startup." - Donald Kelly.

Resources

Cat Hutchings LinkedIn

Cat Hutchings Instagram

www.cathutchings.com

SpotLightJewelry

Apollo IO