Jeff Pugel’s Post

Day 18 of 30 Ways to Take Control of Your #Referrals I'm helping you take one small action each day in April to start building a referable business. DAY 18: Never pay for referrals If you read this tip and thought "Thank goodness. I never liked the idea of people asking me to pay them for referrals or promoting a paid 'referral program' never felt right," then you're in the right place. I know there are plenty of companies who "pay for referrals." Whatever decision you make is yours to make as the business owner... but we teach you should not compensate for referrals. Why? When you offer to pay for a referral you commoditize the relationship with your referral source by turning the referral into a transaction, which it is not. Here's another way to look at it. Let’s put ourselves in the prospect's shoes (the person referred to you). Imagine how they would feel to know that they were - potentially - only referred to you because you paid a commission to receive them. That is called sales. Not a referral. That's not a colleague or friend helping them with their problem; that's someone making a buck off their problem. I explain in further detail in the article, The Lies We Believe About Referrals: https://lnkd.in/eA86CAxt [For clarification... when I say pay for referrals, I'm not talking about affiliates or joint ventures as those typically disclose upfront that payment is being provided.] #referralswithoutasking #businessgrowth #businessowner #entrepreneur #solopreneur #attorney #lawyer #consultant #businesscoach #CPA #accountant #bookkeeper #interiordesigner #realtor #financialadvisor #agencyowner #professionalservices #sales

“We love what you’re saying…but we’re gonna have to pass” Your price pushback, has nothing to do with your price being too high. How do I know this? We’ve helped 400+ entrepreneurs 10x their pricing inside our Growth Partner Accelerator… …without having to change a thing about their service… & they still close with no issues. I’m about to show you why in this post. See, the real reason people suffer price pushback? Is because they’re “free value zoned”. Here’s what I mean by that: You’ve heard of guys being “friend-zoned” right? How they’re so nice to a woman, they end up being “just a friend”. Even though that’s not what they want. This happens for one reason, and one reason only: The guy isn’t honest about his intentions. If he stated, from the start, he wanted more than just a friendship? The entire frame of the relationship changes. This is the same in sales, only “what you want” changes. Of course, you’re not trying to marry your prospects. (If you are, interesting dating strategy!) You are, however, trying to close them. What makes some entrepreneurs suck at sales? Is they try to hide this! At every stage of prospecting, they never mention it. Prospects then put them in the “free value zone”… …just like guys are put in the “friend zone”. So when they finally ask a prospect to pay…. The prospect feels they’ve been sucker punched. Because they have! & you know what’s even worse? Prospects don’t respect those who aren’t honest about intentions. I will call it what it is: It’s not lying, but it’s not telling the truth either! Now, I’m not saying go out there and say “WE’RE GOING TO SQUEEZE YOUR BANK ACCOUNT DRY ON THE CALL!” But your prospects need to know what’s up from the get-go. You only need to make a teeny tiny tweak to your framing… & your price pushback will be a thing of the past. However you want to say it, make sure it’s clear: Your job is to provide enough valuable information, that they decide to commit to working with you. If they don’t decide to commit, that’s your fault for not proving your worth well enough. You can still do everything else you’re doing. But make this one small tweak? Prospects will jump on a call, and be ready to hear your prices. Nothing will come as a surprise to them. And…get this… They’ll respect you even more for being honest about your intentions! This is just one of the small tweaks we show entrepreneurs inside the Growth Partner Accelerator. These small tweaks all add up to form an end-to-end process we’ve used to scale to $500,000 a month, and it’s the process we plug into your business if an entrepreneur joins us inside!

5 reasons why your $1M success strategy will keep you from hitting $10M - and could even kill your business. What got you here won't get you there.  What worked before won't work forever. If your revenue is slumping, it might be time to ditch one of these five methods: 1) The Founder's Network    → Why It Works Your personal network is a great pool for your first customers and clients. They already trust and respect you. The sale is easy. → Why It Fails Even the largest networks eventually tap out. Sales from your contacts cover the fact that you don't have a marketing strategy. → Client Example One of my clients went from working in a company to starting his own firm. "I took 95% of my book of business with me." That's a great way to start out. And it's a great way to stall out. 2) 1-2 Big Clients → Why It Works Landing one big client can bring in massive revenue.  → Why It Fails If that client goes away, so does your business → Client Quote "I started my business with one client and tripled my income. 2 years later, I still have that one client. I realize I don't really have a 'business,' I just have a client." 3) A Hot Market →Why It Works The market rewards early adopters. Or being in the right place at the right time. Or sometimes, everybody just wants what you sell.  → Why It Fails All markets cool. The wave never lasts forever.  →Client Quote "When we started, all we had to do was post on social media, and our product would fly off the shelves. That never happens now. And we don't have another plan." 4) Referrals → Why It Works Put yourself in a position where other businesses can't do what they do until you do what you do—and the referrals will start flowing. Do good work and build a strong reputation, and the referrals will start flooding. → Why It Fails Again, the market is fickle. One small change in taste, trends, price, or demand can dam the referral stream. → Client Quote "90% of my business was from referrals. We had so many referrals coming in we couldn't keep up with the work. Now, they've totally dried up."  5) Pure Hustle → Why It Works Hustle and Grind put you in a numbers game. You can get the sales you need on sheer volume alone. → Why It Fails If hard work alone led to financial success, every farmer, mechanic, and gas station manager would be a millionaire. Sometimes you have to work harder. Most times, you have to work smarter. → Client Quote "I've always just bet on my hustle. Now I can see we're just winging it." Did you build your business with 1 of these 5 methods? Is it still working? Is it time for something new? - - Hi! I'm Brenton. Founder at PIONEERS 🚩 The only Business Accelerator designed for Kingdom-Driven, Family-Centered Men.  If you're ready to build a rock-solid revenue growth strategy, reach out. We'll build one together. 

The Follow-Up Fallacy: Why 'Not Wanting to Annoy' is Costing You Leads Have you ever hesitated to follow up with potential leads because you didn't want to come off as pushy or annoying? You're not alone. Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of minimal follow-up under the disguise of politeness. Is this you? But here's the twist: what if this caution is actually a disservice to both you and your potential clients? Think about it. When someone shows initial interest in your services or products, it's the start of a conversation, not a one-off event. By not following up, you're essentially ending the dialogue before it's had a chance to flourish. You're not 'bothering' them; you're offering them value, solutions, and opportunities they showed interest in. The real annoyance comes from irrelevant, impersonal, or pushy messages, not from a thoughtful follow-up that respects their needs and timing. A well-crafted follow-up is like saying, "I'm here to help," not "Buy from me now." So, let's flip the script. Instead of viewing follow-up as a potential annoyance, see it as an essential part of your service. It's about nurturing a relationship, offering value, and being there at the right time. Because sometimes, all a potential client needs is a little nudge at the right moment to make a decision that could genuinely benefit them. Next time you hesitate to hit 'send' on that follow-up message, remember: you're not intruding, you're providing a service. And in a world where genuine connection is rare, your thoughtful follow-up could be the very thing that sets you apart 😍

🚀 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 🚀 𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓼 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓸𝓻𝓼, Let's talk about something we've all experienced in our professional journey—losing a deal. The question I often pose is, "𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?" It's more than just a question; it's a call to action to own the results and drive your commitment to excellence to new heights. As sales professionals, it's easy to distance ourselves emotionally when a deal slips through our fingers. We can blame external factors, market conditions, or even the alignment of the stars. However, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡: until losing a deal hurts you like it's a piece of your own entrepreneurial dream slipping away, you might not be putting in enough effort. 🔥𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞:🔥 As an entrepreneur, I can tell you that losing a deal feels like a personal blow. Every lost opportunity is not just a revenue stream slipping away; it's an emotional investment crashing. It's the sleepless nights, the unwavering belief in your product, and the countless hours of hard work that seem to unravel. Now, let's flip the script. As a salesperson, until losing a deal stings deep within you, you might not fully grasp the impact on the bigger picture. It's more than a missed quota; it's a missed chance to contribute to the growth of the organization you're a part of. 🚀 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭: 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞🚀 So, why feel the pain? Because it's the catalyst for improvement. When a lost deal feels personal, you are more likely to analyze every move, question every strategy, and seek ways to enhance your approach. It's about owning the result, not searching for external factors to write in your lost case report. Every lost deal is an opportunity for self-reflection, learning, and growth. It's a chance to revisit your pitch, understand your client's needs on a deeper level, and refine your strategy for the next engagement. 💡𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬:💡 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲: The emotional investment fuels your commitment to success. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: Instead of finding excuses, seek lessons in every lost deal. 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭: Own the wins and losses and watch your professional journey transform. In conclusion, let the pain of losing a deal drive you to new heights. Until it hurts like it's your own entrepreneurial venture, you might not be giving it your all. Own the result, learn from the losses, and let each setback be a stepping stone to your ultimate success. #SalesMindset #OwnTheResult #EntrepreneurialSpirit #SalesTraining #EvolveSwift #SalesSuccess #CollaborationOpportunity #TransformativeSolutions #retainertrainer #salescoach #freelancetrainer #salestrainer #salestips🔥🌟

How to Win the Unaware Problem Market? Many entrepreneurs spend their time firefighting, chasing the same 3% of the market that is already aware of their problem. But this market is crowded with competitors who have already built authority. So, what should you do to break free and win? Here’s how you can approach it: Choose a Big Problem Start by identifying a significant problem that offers opportunity for new players. It could involve acquiring a skill or providing a service. The key is to find something with high potential that people are not yet aware of. Understand Your Audience's Awareness Figure out what problems your audience knows about but hasn't realized how to solve. For example, many business owners struggle with generating qualified leads using funnels, but they may not be aware of how simple solutions can work for them. Create Awareness Start by educating them. Share a short awareness video (3-5 minutes) or content that highlights the problem and introduces them to solutions. Help them realize their pain point. Offer Free Value Set up a free funnel with a clear call to action (CTA) like a 1:1 consultation or a free webinar. Tools like Valdho can help you create these funnels efficiently. "Pay When You Get Results" Approach Implement the psychology of delayed payment. Just like how you don’t pay at a restaurant before eating, offer them a chance to only pay after you’ve helped them solve their problem. This builds trust and ensures they see the value before spending money. Build a Long-term Relationship Once you’ve earned their trust by delivering results, they will likely become lifetime clients. Continue guiding them as they build and scale their business. Gradually, you can raise your prices, creating a win-win situation for both sides. My Mantra: "Understand your customers deeply, and they will help you create long-term wealth." You can’t take customers for granted. Deliver consistent value, and they will stick with you for the long haul. This is how you win the unaware problem market: by offering real solutions, building trust, and delivering results. P.S You can use www.valdho.com for creating a funnel and capturing qualified leads. also read this article https://lnkd.in/dAn-Hskb for more Guide.

Remote "High Ticket" closing/Sales ? What is it? And how does it work? 🤔 Let us explain.. 💪 If you're new to the High Ticket Sales Industry in this Article we break down EVERYTHING you need to know so you can not only understand the future of sales, but know if High Ticket Remote Closing is right for you. https://lnkd.in/enNG8GTm #remoteclosing #highticketsales #salescareers #salesadvice #highticket #remotework #remotejobs #sellonline #entrepreneur #coaching

Keeping Clients Happy: Your Recipe for Long-Term Success ⬇ Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs, Let's talk about something crucial: keeping our clients happy and coming back for more. Because let's face it, in the hustle and bustle of business, our clients are the heartbeat of what we do. Here are some down-to-earth strategies to help you nurture those relationships and build a loyal client base: - Give Them Something to Smile About: Aim to knock their socks off with every interaction. Whether it's delivering ahead of schedule, surprising them with a little extra, or just being there when they need you most, giving exceptional value makes all the difference. - Chat Like Friends (Sometimes), Not Just Business: Keep those lines of communication wide open. Reach out regularly, not just when you need something, and listen closely to what they have to say. After all, good relationships are built on trust and understanding. - Make It Personal: Treat each client like a VIP with a tailor-made experience. Get to know their preferences, quirks, and goals. Remembering the small details shows you're invested in their success, not just your own. - Consistency Is Key: Ever had that one friend who's always there for you? Be that friend for your clients. Consistently deliver top-notch quality, reliability, and service. It's the glue that holds great relationships together. - Say Thanks, Loud and Clear: A heartfelt thank-you goes a long way. Show your appreciation with personalised gestures, from a handwritten note to a surprise discount. Let them know they're more than just another number on your spreadsheet. - Keep Improving, Together: Invite feedback and actually use it. Your clients are your best source of insights into what's working and what's not. By showing you value their input, you're not just building a business, you're building a partnership. - Stay Ahead of the Curve, Together: Keep your finger on the pulse of what's happening in your industry and beyond. Anticipate their needs, offer innovative solutions, and be their go-to source for staying ahead of the game. Remember, at the end of the day, it's all about building real, meaningful connections. By putting in the effort to keep your clients happy and feeling valued, you're not just growing your business, you're growing a community 😉 . Got any other tips that can help retain a client? #ClientLove #BuildingConnections #EntrepreneurLife

Be Specific! Do you do a lot of business networking? Did you know that a well-defined target client can increase your referral rate by up to 70%? Being specific is a superpower in the business world. Imagine casting a net in the ocean. If it's too wide, you catch all sorts of fish, but not necessarily the ones you want. The same goes for identifying your ideal client. "Everyone" is a net too broad, and it might scare away the fish you're trying to catch. Take the roofing company that zeroes in on homes with telltale bald spots on their roofs in winter. That's an indication the homeowner is losing heat and wasting money. They're not just roofing experts but problem-solvers for a specific issue. This clarity turns casual conversations into targeted referrals. Or consider the business coach who doesn't only offer advice; they're a beacon for the young entrepreneur navigating the stormy seas of start-up life. By painting this picture, they're not only a coach but a mentor tailored for a unique journey. Being precise doesn't limit your opportunities; it amplifies them. It's about creating a mental sticky note that your network can remember and act upon. In today's busy world, being precise and concise is crucial to get your ideal client's attention. Then, once you get an appointment, you can unfold the value of your products and services at a deeper level. ❤️ So, who is your ideal client? ✅ Picture them. What are their challenges, their needs, their 'bald spots'? Share that image clearly and watch as your network becomes your most powerful ally in connecting you with the clients who need you most. It's even helpful to mention a specific name. For example, I'm looking for a warm introduction to Bob, owner at ABC Insurance. Your network might think, I don't know Bob, but I know Sandra at XYZ Insurance. Your prompt has created an image for your network. If this approach resonates with you, or if you've had a similar experience, drop a comment with your thoughts, or even better, share this post with your network. Spread the word that the right bait catches the best fish in the vast sea of potential clients. Can you clearly describe your ideal referral? 🔔🔔 Follow Me and Click On My Bell for post notifications 🔔🔔 #entrepreneurship #businessnetworking #business #equaljusticeunderlaw

Here’s the scene: Both vendors have presented professionally. They offer what you need. Their pricing is comparable. You found Vendor A through independent research. 🔍 Vendor B was referred to you by a colleague. 🤝 Which vendor has the advantage? If you answered Vendor B (which you likely did), you’d be right all day long. Referrals are hands-down considered the “best” source of leads for every company. But getting referred is about more than a higher close rate. Much more. ➡️ It’s about reputation. Not yours. Theirs. Here's why: https://bit.ly/3PxKUBE #referrals #business #entrepreneurship #managementconsulting