This document provides tips and strategies for selling to enterprise clients. It discusses that enterprise sales involve long sales cycles, working with multiple people and departments, and focusing on ongoing relationships rather than single projects. Researching the client, understanding their needs such as scalability and flexibility, and proposing solutions through thoughtful personalized proposals are emphasized. Building a team and managing stakeholders is important. Relationship building, clear communication, tracking results, and saying thank you are also covered.
2. Who am I?
● Studied music and interpersonal communications.
● Met my partner on MySpace.
● Started a small business.
● Needed marketing materials.
● Learned WordPress.
● Began the transition into the tech space.
3. Who am I not?
● A good speller.
● The one with all the answers.
● A developer.
● A designer.
● A good slide maker.
5. Sales is NOT a Dirty Word
Real Definition:
noun
1. The exchange of a commodity for money; the action of selling something.
My Definition:
verb
1. Sales is about providing solutions to challenges a client may be having while being
respectful of their budget.
Let’s clean it up!
7. The Basics.
● It’s a long sales cycle. Be patient.
● You are going to be working with multiple people and multiple departments.
● It’s typically not a one off project. Think long term.
● This is not one estimate. Think retainer and more agile.
● You will invest more time upfront.
● You will have to travel and you must.
● Gather your team. It’s not a one person job.
8. The Needs.
● Scalable.
● Secure.
● Integrates easily with all the things.
● Often multilingual.
● Complex user roles and varied workflows.
● Flexibility of your team.
● Project management to wrangle stakeholders.
● Structure and timelines.
● Flexibility for invoicing and billing.
9. Research and Plan.
● You must understand the client.
● Research competitors.
● Learn their current environment.
● Study their RFP, documentation, or anything else they give you.
● Gather examples.
● Take the time to do a mockups, wireframes, and sitemaps.
● Be very clear.
● No really, be very clear.
10. The single biggest problem in
communication is the illusion that it
has taken place.
-George Bernard Shaw
11. Propose.
● Set expectations.
● Write a personalized and thoughtful proposal.
● Unless specifically asked for, don’t sell WordPress, sell the best tool which
happens to be WordPress.
● Focus on the ongoing relationship, not a price.
● You must demonstrate value.
● Paid discovery is a fantastic option!
● Deliver the proposal in person (if that is an option).
● Gather your team, again.
13. The Four Agreements.
Don Miguel Ruiz
1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak
against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of
their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the
victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate
with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you
can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are
healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse,
and regret.
14. Tips for Success.
● Don’t multitask.
● Choose your words wisely.
● Invoke action.
● Be seen and heard.
● Use a CRM.
● Stay informed.
● If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it right now.
● Track and measure results.
15. What I found to be true.
● Relationships are everything.
● Your team is a reflection of you.
● Your online world is important.
● You are never too big, famous, good, talented to do
anything.
● Passion is important but determination is what makes you
propel forward.
● You will get tired.
● Taking care of yourself is essential.
● Never stop learning.
16. Say thank you.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini
The principle of reciprocity is a powerful motivator.
It is in our nature to not want to feel indebted to others. When
someone gives us something, we are wired to give back in some
way.
When customers receive something like a handwritten
thank-you note, they feel compelled to reciprocate, hopefully
with repeat business or additional scope.
(Bond.com)
17. Resources.
● “To Sell is Human” by Daniel Pink
● “Getting Things Done” by David Allen
● “Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and
Changemakers” by Dave Gray
● “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz
● “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini
● “The Art of Asking” Ted Talk by Amanda Palmer
● “7 Reasons Why I Avoid Estimates” by Mario Peshev
● “My Approach to Estimating without Requirements” by Chris Lema
● WebDevStudios.com
● Izzabeth.com