Dan Esfandiari’s Post

Cold Emails are not just for Sales! They are introductory emails that you send to someone you do not know to create a connection for business or networking opportunities. They can be used for a variety of situations, such as: >>When you want to email your dream company >>When you want to use your network to be introduced to someone >>When you want to expand your network >>When you want to set up an informational interview >>When you need to email someone you don't know or have a connection to >>When you want to say thank you after an interview >>When you want to follow up after an unanswered cold email >>When you let a recruiter know you applied for the job So what do you say? Send that cold email today and you might just a step away from getting what you want. 😎 #coldemailmarkeing #emaildeliverability #coldemails

🖊️ How I Mastered the Classic Sales Question: 'Sell Me This Pen' 🖊️ Ever been asked to "sell a pen" in an interview? Here's my approach that turns a simple object into an irresistible offer! 🎯 Step 1: Flip the Script with a Question When the interviewer handed me the pen, I didn’t dive straight into a pitch. Instead, I asked, “How often do you use a pen?” 🧐 This might seem basic, but it’s a sneaky way to uncover their *needs*. Step 2: Tailor Your Pitch to Their Answer Now, depending on their response, the magic happens: Scenario 1: If they said, “I use a pen 2-3 times a day,” I’d respond with: *“Sir, that shows you use a pen for the most important tasks like signing documents. You need an elegant pen like this one to add prestige to every signature you make.”* ✍️ Scenario 2: If they replied, “I use a pen a lot throughout the day,” I’d hit them with: *“That tells me you need a pen that’s built to last—highly durable for your daily high-octane usage. This pen is exactly what you’re looking for.”* 💪 Step 3: The Power of the Trial Then, I’d confidently hand the pen to them and say, “Give it a try, sir.” Letting them hold the pen builds a tangible connection. 👐 Step 4: Seal the Deal Finally, I’d wrap it up by saying, “I think this pen would be a great fit for you. How about we agree on a reasonable price?” 🛍️ And just like that, I turned a pen into a personalized, must-have item. The key? Asking the right questions and matching your pitch to the customer’s needs. 🧠 What do you think? Ready to ace that next sales question? 🚀 #SalesTips #InterviewTips #CareerAdvice #SalesSkills #JobInterview #PersonalDevelopment #SalesStrategy #LinkedInTips #JobSeeker #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #SalesTechniques

Cold calls can reveal a lot about a seller’s personality. Are they calm? ✅ Are they confident? ✅ Are they emotionally intelligent? ✅ Potential buyers can suss out these traits, even from the moment the call begins. First impressions matter - so when you open the call, think of it like a job interview. Chris Ritson, Co-Founder of The SDR Leader, said: “The fact that only 31% of calls get past the sales pitch means that the bar is pretty low. And that leaves the opportunity for others to do something better.” “Within that first 30 seconds, that’s where I see 90% of calls go downhill. And that’s because what we’re saying, how we’re delivering it, and then how we’re responding to what the prospect says, is not doing enough to build a sufficient amount of confidence and trust, that you are someone useful who can help - right here, right now.” P.S. For more insights on cold calling, and how to approach it in 2024, check out our new report via the link in the comments 👇

Waiting for a response after a client meeting, client pitch or even an interview can be challenging. It's important to follow up professionally and maintain a positive attitude. My suggestion is to be professional but direct. If days turn into weeks without a response despite polite follow-ups, it may be time to move on. Keep pitching more clients, taking more meetings, network your a$$ off or apply for other opportunities. Remember, no response might sometimes be the response. Whats been your experience? How have you approached being "ghosted"? #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalGrowth #JobSearch #ClientRelations #NetworkingTips

99% of candidates won't do this Use this to your advantage. Always send a thank you email after the interview. Why it works: 1. Shows you can manage a sales cycle 2. Opportunity to handle objections 3. Demonstrates active listening 4. Leaves a lasting impression What's your take on sending "thank you" emails? ______________ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Ora for more.

LISTEN... To your prospects. Sales should be 80% listening and 20% talking--you've heard the old adage. It's a critical skill and something that's important to pay close attention to during the interview process. Generally, you can flag is someone is poor listener just by talking to them. But there are some cool tactics you can use to really measure someones ability to listen. Here's one I stole from Steve Travaglini, who I was lucky enough to sit in on some interviews with years back. Steve is one of those leaders who has knack for discovering top sales talent with atypical backgrounds. Here's what you do: at the beginning of the interview, casually rattle off 4-6 questions that are part of 1 bigger question. It could be something like this, "Before we start talking about your professional career I'd love to learn more about you. Where'd you grow up, where'd you go to school, what hobbies are you into, what did you folks do etc." On one hand you're learning about the person outside of work. But on the other hand, you're testing their listening skills. If they can answer each subquestion in sequence, it demonstrates a strong ability to listen and retain information. Super valuable skill in the sales game. Big shoutout to Steve Travaglini for this one who is doing some really cool stuff with his new company Winrate. #interviewtip #sales #recruitment #gtm #listening

In such a competitive market, how can you stand out in your next sales interview? 💼 Simply showing up and talking about your experience isn’t enough anymore. Here are some tips: 👉 Pitch yourself before the interview – Not hearing back from applications? why not pitch yourself and make an impression. Cold call the business or send a short personalised video pitch explaining why you’re a great fit. Show them you’re already thinking like you’re in the role. 👉 Do your research - Know their product/service, mission, and values. Go beyond the basics, understand what the company stands for. Look at social media posts, blogs, case studies to find insights you can reference. Find where your values align and bring that up in the conversation. Look at the hiring managers on LinkedIn, understand their pain points, and really put yourself in the shoes of the role you're applying for. 👉 Lead with initiative – When you're in the interview, why not start with a 5-minute presentation on yourself? It shows confidence, creativity, leadership, and demonstrates that you can take control. It instantly puts you in the driving seat! 👉 Highlight your results – Numbers don’t lie. Share your achievements and stats from your previous roles. If you’ve smashed your targets, talk about it! 👉 Utilise your strengths - If you don’t have previous sales experience, focus on traits like coachability, ambition, and resilience. Tie your past experiences to the skills needed in sales and don’t hesitate to highlight your strengths. 👉 Show your personality - We all know in sales, people buy from people! Arrive early, remember to smile, and show your personality! The first 30 seconds will make a lasting impression. Your energy will set the tone, and interviewers want to see that you’re passionate, personable, and can build relationships easily. 👉 Follow up - Send a thank you email after the interview. Reference something specific from the interview to show you were engaged and excited about the next steps(you will be surprised how many people don’t do this) The key to standing out in a competitive job market is showing not just your skills, but your proactive attitude and genuine interest in the role. If you're on looking for a new Sales position, lets connect and I can guide you through every step of the process. 💫

The principle of "Always speak less than necessary": #Job Interview: Instead of rambling about your entire career history, you provide concise and relevant answers to the interviewer's questions, highlighting key achievements. #Conflict Resolution: During an argument, rather than escalating with long-winded rebuttals, you calmly and briefly state your point, focusing on resolution rather than blame. #Business Meeting: When pitching an idea, you present a clear, focused summary of your proposal, leaving out unnecessary details and allowing time for questions #Social Interactions: At a social gathering, you listen more than you talk, offering thoughtful comments and questions rather than dominating the conversation. #Writing Emails: In professional correspondence, you write concise emails that get to the point quickly, respecting the recipient's time and increasing the likelihood of a prompt response.

The Timeless Challenge: How to Sell a Pen Imagine you’re in a job interview, and the interviewer slides a pen across the table and says, “Sell me this pen.” This classic test reveals more about your understanding of sales than any resume ever could. Here’s how to master it. The Art of Selling a Pen 1. Start with Questions: Selling isn’t about pushing a product; it’s about addressing needs. Begin by asking questions to understand the customer’s needs. “What do you look for in a pen?” or “What do you currently use for writing?” 2. Highlight Benefits, Not Features: Once you understand their needs, align the pen’s benefits with those needs. “This pen offers smooth, uninterrupted writing, perfect for signing important documents without any hassle.” 3. Create Urgency and Value: Emphasize the value and create a sense of urgency. “Imagine you’re in a crucial meeting, and your pen fails. This pen ensures you’re always prepared, projecting confidence and reliability.” 4. Personalize the Experience: Make the customer envision using the pen. “Picture yourself signing your next big deal with this pen. It’s not just a pen; it’s a symbol of your success and professionalism.” 5. Close with Confidence: Summarize the key points and ask for the sale. “Given its reliability and the professional image it projects, don’t you think this pen is exactly what you need?” The Takeaway Selling a pen is a microcosm of the larger sales process. It’s about understanding needs, highlighting benefits, creating value, and confidently closing the deal. Mastering this simple exercise demonstrates your ability to connect with customers on a deeper level and meet their needs effectively. Remember, in sales, the pen is not just a writing tool; it’s a solution, a symbol, and a key to unlocking the customer’s potential. #SalesSkills #SalesStrategy #CustomerEngagement #ValueSelling #SalesSuccess #ProfessionalGrowth #MasteringSales How would you sell a pen? Share your strategies and experiences below. 👇

"Jamie, you are too Direct" This is something I get told often (blunt, sometimes by my family!🤣) But in all seriousness, this is the best advice I could give a Sales professional when interviewing - BE DIRECT💥 BE DIRECT when answering a question - don't beat around the bush with your answers (I know sales people like to talk🤣) but you need to give a direct answer to the question that you are being asked. BE DIRECT with your achievements - what was your target, what exactly did you achieve against that target, give the exact figures every time. BE DIRECT with your own questioning - you should never walk away from an interview still having questions or being unsure about something. Ask the question, get clarification if you still don't understand, don't be afraid to ask. I think good sales professionals aren't usually afraid of being direct, after all it's what they have to do every day. Would you agree?😄