The Art of Sales with Art Sobczak - podcast cover

The Art of Sales with Art Sobczak

Art Sobczak, cold calling and sales trainertheartofsales.com
Everyone sells, regardless of what your job title is, and this is your place for authentic, conversational sales and prospecting tips without the sleaze factor. Art Sobczak shares proven sales and cold calling (without the cold) tips that you’ll feel comfortable using, and that get the results you want. You’ll help people buy, instead of pushing them into being sold. Over the past 30 years Art has helped hundreds of thousands through his books, newsletters, audios, videos, online courses, public seminars, customized company training and keynotes, and now, this podcast.

Episodes

190 How to Get Results with a One-Sentence Email

Many salespeople send out lots of horrible sales emails that quickly get deleted. And that's If they even get opened. Most are way too long. Here's a technique that uses simply one sentence. And it has gotten results. See how you might be able to use it.

Jun 11, 20214 minSeason 1Ep. 190

189 Call Opening Do's and Don'ts

There are a number of mistakes at the start of calls and voice mails that actually cause resistance. You'll hear a number of the common ones, along to what TO DO to create interest and bring value so prospects and customers want to speak with you.

Jun 04, 202111 minSeason 1Ep. 189

188 How to Increase Your Production By 25%

It's not that tough to radically increase your performance and production. When you focus on doing the right things, you can see massive results. Art shares three questions that will help you do just that right now.

May 21, 20215 minSeason 1Ep. 188

187 GUEST: How to Use Pain and Gain to Sell, with Dan Seidman

It's long been taught that we need to find the pain and solve it. Well, that's half right. According to guest expert Dan Seidman, gain is just as big of a motivator. The key is how to identify it, and then what to do with it. Dan shows us how, with examples in this episode.

May 13, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 187

186 Here are 76 "How" Questions You Can Use

Using "how" questions is powerful in many parts of the sales process. Art shares 76 "how" questions that you can use or adapt in your own sales situations.

May 06, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 186

185 Negative Sales Assumptions Usually Come True

Negative assumptions in sales typically become reality. From whether it be the quality of a lead, or if someone is qualified to buy, if we assume negatively, we usually make it come true. Sometimes erroneously, which could cause us to lose sales. See what we should think and do instead to make our assumptions positive.

Apr 26, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 185

184 Mrs. Doubtfire, and the Theory of Contrast

In negotiating and sales, it often pays to create a scenario either much higher or lower than the one that you'll ultimately settle for. In this episode, you'll see many examples of how to do this to get what you want, including how Robin Williams did it as Mrs. Doubtfire.

Apr 23, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 184

183 If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, Question More

When you get an inquiry from a prospect, and they just seem too eager to get information from you right now, giving the impression they are ready to buy quickly, don't be fooled. Here's what you should do to be certain you have a real buyer.

Apr 15, 20214 minSeason 1Ep. 183

182 Five Call Opening Mistakes that Guarantee Resistance

One way to get better at anything is to avoid the mistakes that cause failure. That is definitely true with sales and prospecting call openings and voice mails. Art shares five of the most common call mistakes that cause prospects and customers to delete voice mails, and respond with objections to salespeople.

Apr 02, 20217 minSeason 1Ep. 182

181 They Might Value Bags of Prepared Food Instead of Cooking

Here's one of the most fundamental--but often not followed--rules of sales: people buy what they value, NOT what you think is important. Art shares an example from the grocery store, and a simple exercise to come up with questions to use so that you are sure to sell value every time.

Mar 26, 20217 minSeason 1Ep. 181

180 Asking About "Feelings" vs. "Thoughts." Does it Matter?

The correct word or two can and does make the difference between success and failure in sales messaging. But, words don't operate on an island, they are interpreted in the context of the listener's situation. You'll hear whether or not it makes a difference to use "feel" vs. "think" in asking someone where they stand on your offer.

Mar 12, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 180

179 Have the Attitude of this Jeopardy! Winner

If you watch Jeopardy!, you know of Ken Jennings, the winningest player of all time. But you probably don't know of the player who ended his legendary winning streak. Nancy Zerg had the attitude that someone was going to beat him, why not her? THAT is the attitude we must have as salespeople, instead of one where we are defeated before we even place a call. Hear what to do and avoid to be like Nancy.

Mar 05, 20217 minSeason 1Ep. 179

178 A Simple, Conversational Question to Respond to Resistance

Most sales training has it all wrong about how to respond to resistance and objections. Usually the suggestion is to come back with an argumentative rebuttal. Instead, get the other person to open up with this very simple, conversational question that you can easily adapt to your situation.

Feb 26, 20214 minSeason 1Ep. 178

177 A Recording of a Cringeworthy Cold Call Art Received

This cold caller made several fatal mistakes, even before he picked up the phone. And then he was arrogant, as you will hear. You'll also hear exactly what he should have said to build curiosity, interest, and get into an engaging sales conversation.

Feb 18, 202113 minSeason 1Ep. 177

176 A Review of a Common Opening/Voice Mail Mistake, and What TO Do

There's a common, fatal, mistake committed by sales reps in their openings, and voice mails. That is trying to get before they give. You'll hear a specific example of this in a call opening, what is wrong, and what to do instead.

Feb 12, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 176

175 Script it, or Wing It?

Some people suggest that on your calls you are simply natural, being yourself and let things flow. Others suggest you script out everything you say. Neither is totally possible. Success lies in the middle, with more emphasis on one. Hear Art's suggestion on this, and what you should do to have optimal success on your calls, and sound smooth, natural, and confident.

Feb 04, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 175

174 Q&A: What to Do When Your Contact is Not the Final Decision Maker

Art answers a question today from a listener about a scenario that many of us have encountered: How do you handle it when your contact is not the final decision maker, and that person does not want you to speak with their boss? If you have a question or situation you'd like Art to address, send it to him at [email protected].

Jan 26, 20216 minSeason 1Ep. 174

173 Yes, You Should Leave a Prospecting Voice Mail; Here's What to Say

A popular debate is the one regarding whether to leave a voice message on a prospecting call. Art explains why it's beneficial and important, BUT to leave a good one, that also leaves a question in their mind, and does not sell. You'll also hear an example of a great one, and exactly how you can craft yours.

Jan 22, 202110 minSeason 1Ep. 173

172 Your Benefits Probably Aren't

A major flaw in most sales training is that the emphasis is placed on presenting the "benefits." The problem is that benefits are not universal, and only have value when it is perceived by the individual hearing them. Art shows exactly what to do to ensure that your benefits actually are benefits for your prospects and customers.

Jan 15, 20217 minSeason 1Ep. 172

171 Use a Stand-Up Comedy Technique to Sell More

One technique that comics use to get laughs is the "callback." It's referring back to something specific that got a laugh earlier. You'll hear how it's used, and how you can use it in several parts of sales conversations to connect more effectively, persuade, and close.

Jan 08, 20213 minSeason 1Ep. 171

170 This Guy Was TELLING, Not Selling

Despite what many people think, the best sales pros are not those who specialize in talking a lot. You'll hear about the rep who called Art and spoke for over two minutes straight, TELLING about his product... which he did not sell. You'll also hear a simple technique you can use right now to get others talking more.

Dec 17, 20205 minSeason 1Ep. 170

169 A Simple, Conversational Way to Respond to an Objection

Often the simplest techniques are the most effective. Here's a conversational, natural way to respond when you hear an objection that will get the person talking, and often talk themselves out of the objection.

Dec 09, 20204 minSeason 1Ep. 169

168 GUEST: How to Generate Inbound Leads and Build Authority, with Sam Dunning

Most salespeople need to be proactive to be successful. However, we all appreciate being contacted by interested prospects who seek us out, and want to talk about our products/services. Sam Dunning is an expert in how to do just that. He shares how sales pros can use content to differentiate, build authority and credibility, and a steady flow of inbound leads.

Nov 20, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 168

167 GUEST: Sales Trainer and Speaker Extraordinaire, Victor Antonio

Victor Antonio is one of the top sales trainers in the business. In addition to being a compelling speaker and motivator, his methods are real world, conversational, and based on psychology and years of experience both as sales pro, executive, and trainer. You'll hear insights and tips you will be able to use right away, regardless of what you sell.

Nov 12, 202040 minSeason 1Ep. 167

164 A 400-Year-Old "Trick" to Deal With Resistance

We won't diffuse resistance by telling someone they are wrong. That just strengthens their defenses. The best way is to first agree with their side of the position, and then help them see the other side. There are writings that show this was taught 400 years ago. You'll hear how it was used then, and how you can use it now.

Oct 23, 20208 minSeason 1Ep. 164

163 How to Be More Credible with Your Sales Messaging

The old saying is that people buy from those they know, like, and trust. Today's brief episode gives a number of tips about how to make your messages more credible, therefore adding to the trust factor.

Oct 16, 20207 minSeason 1Ep. 163

162 GUEST: Here's How to Sell Over Two Million Headsets Without "Selling." Mike Faith, CEO of Headsets.com

Headsets.com is the leading provider of headsets in North America, having sold well over a couple million over the past 20+ years. Mike Faith founded the company with an idea, and a desire to provide exceptional customer service. And that is their sales philosophy. Mike shares how they don't upsell, they "right sell," which providing the customer exactly what they need. You'll also hear some of Mike's outrageous publicity tactics that have gotten him millions of dollars worth of free promotion....

Oct 08, 202027 minSeason 1Ep. 162

161 Only THIS Determines if You'll Have a Great Day

The only factor that determines whether or not you have a great day, is... ready for it... YOU! Things happen all day every day. And none of it has meaning until you give it meaning. Art shares several personal examples to make this point, and how you can make it a great day in sales, every day.

Oct 01, 20208 minSeason 1Ep. 161