The Sales Evangelist

Getting deals unstuck can feel frustrating, especially when you reach the end of a quarter and nothing seems to be moving. Karen Kelly, one of the 100 most powerful women in sales 2025, breaks down how the way you show up in your sales process can be the difference between a deal that stalls and one that moves forward.Meet Karen KellyKaren Kelly is a sales trainer, coach, and speaker who has spent over 20 years helping sales professionals improve how they show up and sell. Having experienced the challenges of sales firsthand, she understands what it feels like to navigate uncertainty, missed opportunities, and stalled deals.Her approach is centered on rehumanizing the sales process. Instead of relying on scripts and surface level tactics, she teaches how to build genuine conversations that create trust and move deals forward.Through her training, coaching, and workshops, Karen helps sales professionals shift their mindset, take intentional action, and build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their c

Sometimes selling comes at the most unexpected moments in life. As an entrepreneur you’re selling your business to customers and you need to go from zero to hundreds fast. Eric Samson, CEO & founder of Group8A, is here to share how he went from hoping deals would come in to building a system that brings in sales opportunities every single month.Meet Eric SamsonWe’ve all experienced consultants who promise big results but fall short. For small businesses, that can be costly.Eric Samson knows this firsthand. Before founding Group 8A, he ran several e-commerce businesses and saw how ineffective marketing agencies could hurt growth.That experience pushed him to build something different. He created Group 8A with a performance driven approach where the agency only grows when its clients do.Today, Group 8A is a leading digital marketing agency in New York City, helping e-commerce brands scale and increase conversions.From Hope to PredictabilityWhat would it look like if your sales pipeline didn’t rely on luck?T

It’s early in the morning, and you’re getting ready to look for prospects on LinkedIn. Every conversation is a precious gem, but how can you shine while reaching out? I have a LinkedIn strategy that helped my coaching client. I’m telling you it works because he got five referrals from using it.Breaking Through the Noise on LinkedInOne of the biggest challenges right now is standing out on LinkedIn. A strategy I’ve been using with a coaching client helped him build momentum when his pipeline was low. He focused on a specific conference and engaged with people who liked or commented on the posts. From there, he sent personalized connection requests along with short videos or voice messages to show he was a real person. No pitch right away, just starting the conversation and building engagement.Turning a “No” into ReferralsOne conversation stood out. He connected with someone who had used his software before but didn’t need it anymore. Instead of moving on, he asked a simple question: who else do you know that c

I’m a big believer in LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and that’s why I’m revisiting episode 1827. Josh Shirley from Sandler joined me to share how to use the tool effectively and get real results.Josh Shirley’s BackgroundJosh Shirley is a sales professional with Sandler, a well-known sales training organization. He works with sales leaders who want a structured system that delivers predictable results. Sandler’s approach gives sales professionals the foundation they need to perform effectively from the start.Referrals: The Gold Standard of LeadsJosh shares personal experiences about how structured approaches to request referrals can significantly enhance lead generation.Using the LinkedIn Rule of SevenJosh explains that for every seven LinkedIn connections, there’s typically one person willing and able to refer you. It’s a simple concept, but it can completely change how you approach outreach.There are a few ways to apply it depending on your goals. If you’re covering a broad territory, you can use one connection t

I don’t believe in sharing sales advice unless I’m actively doing it myself. Right now, I’m building a podcasting agency, Blue Mango Studios, and putting these strategies into practice every day. I’m sharing what’s working as I go, so you can apply it to your own process.Lead with a Point of ReferenceOne of the biggest mistakes sellers make is reaching out without context. Buyers don’t respond because there’s no reason to.Instead, find a point of reference. That could be a post they shared, a comment they made, or a recent role change. When you lead with something relevant, you immediately separate yourself from generic outreach.That small shift makes it easier to start a real conversation.Engagement Before OutreachBefore sending a message, take a moment to engage. Like their content. Leave a meaningful comment. View their profile.These small actions build familiarity. When you do reach out, your name is no longer unfamiliar, which increases your chances of getting a response.Turn Conversations into Opportuni

In a niche industry, you don’t win by doing what everyone else is doing. Like David facing Goliath, you have to stand out by bringing something different to the table. My guest, Brian Uzcategui, Vice President of Sales for The Kinetic Co., is here to share how he is winning in the tissue industry and the concepts you can apply to your own work.Selling in a Niche IndustrySelling in a niche industry is not easy. You only have so many competitors and only so many customers, which means every interaction matters. Your reputation travels fast, and you cannot afford to burn bridges.In industries like Brian’s, everyone knows each other. Prices are not the differentiator. Relationships are. If you are not building trust and adding value, you will not last long.Relationships Are EverythingWhen your market is small, your network becomes your greatest asset. Brian shared that success comes from treating every customer like they matter because they do.This is a people game. You are not just selling a product. You are bui

Many sellers ask the same question: how can I increase my close rate? Often the challenge is not the product or the prospect but hesitation at the moment when it is time to ask for the business. I’m sharing a few ideas that can help you confidently ask for the close and move deals forward faster.Stop Waiting Too LongOne common mistake is waiting too long to ask for the close. Sellers may say something like “let me know what you think” instead of clearly asking if it makes sense to move forward.A more effective approach is to be direct. For example, you might ask whether the prospect prefers to start implementation next Monday or Tuesday. When you have already completed a strong discovery and demonstrated a clear solution, this type of question feels natural and keeps momentum moving forward.Make Sure the Buyer Sees the SolutionAnother issue occurs when the seller tries to close before the buyer fully agrees that the solution solves their problem. Even the best demo will not matter if the buyer does not clearl

Most sellers think their outreach struggles come from poor timing or weak messaging. In reality, the bigger issue is that many outreach attempts focus on surface level problems instead of the real challenge prospects are facing. A few small changes can make your outreach far more relevant and much more likely to get a response.Stop Selling the Surface ProblemA common example is when sellers lead with a generic benefit like saving time or increasing revenue. Those things sound good, but almost every competitor is saying the exact same thing.The real opportunity is identifying the deeper issue that is actually causing frustration for your prospect. For example, an HR leader may not simply want a better hiring tool. Their real challenge could be finding quality candidates who truly fit their organization.When your outreach taps into that deeper problem, your message immediately becomes more relevant and harder to ignore.How to Find the Real ProblemThe key is doing the research before you send the message. One si

You probably thought following up on a deal would be easy, but many sellers struggle with it. I’m sharing a simple way to make the process easier and stop assuming that no response means something negative.The Data Behind Effective Follow-UpLet me share a few statistics that might change the way you think about follow-up.About 85 percent of sales require five or more follow-ups, yet 44 percent of sales reps stop after just one follow-up. On top of that, only 2 percent of sales happen during the very first contact.What does this mean for you? It means persistence matters. If you are giving up after the first attempt, you could be walking away from deals that simply needed a few more conversations.Why Many Reps Avoid Following UpNow the question becomes why do so many sellers avoid following up in the first place?In many cases it comes down to psychology. Some sellers worry about being annoying. Others fear rejection. Sometimes pride gets in the way and we think the buyer should be the one reaching back out to

During a deal, you might spend weeks speaking with one person only to realize the real decision makers were never involved. So how do you get your champion to bring the stakeholders into the conversation? I’m bringing back an old concept that can help prevent this situation from happening again.When Your Champion Won’t Bring Others Into the DealDuring a deal, you might spend weeks speaking with one person only to realize the real decision makers were never involved. It can feel frustrating, especially when you know that IT, finance, or leadership will eventually need to approve the purchase.So how do you get your champion to include the stakeholders who actually sign off on the deal?One approach is to start thinking about the buying process earlier and making sure the right people are involved from the beginning.Start With MultithreadingOne of the best sales strategies is multithreading. This simply means building relationships with multiple people inside an account instead of relying on a single contact.When

At the end of every quarter, many sellers feel shaken when they look at their quotas. You’re putting in the work, yet the results still aren’t where they should be. I’m sharing a few ideas from The 12 Week Year that can help you rethink the calendar quarter and develop habits that take some of the stress out of selling.The 12 Week Year MindsetInstead of thinking about your annual quota, start treating every 12 weeks like its own year. When you see the quarter that way, your focus shifts to what needs to happen right now instead of assuming you still have plenty of time.Putting the 12 Week Year into ActionFirst, define your outcome. Set a clear goal for the next 12 weeks. For example, you might set a target of closing $300,000 in new business during that period.Next, break that outcome into the activities that lead to it. If your average deal size is $30,000 and your close rate is about 25 percent, you would need around 40 qualified opportunities to reach that goal. That might translate to about 80 discovery c

Negative thinking can hold you back from success. I sat down with Benoy Tamang, an entrepreneur who has started and exited seven companies, to talk about mindset. How a leader or even an individual sales rep thinks can make all the difference in results.The Underdog’s AdvocateBenoy is passionate about helping startups, shaped by his own experiences with adversity, including racism his father faced in the British army. He sees startup founders as underdogs who sacrifice health, finances, and relationships to chase a dream. Now, he coaches tech CEOs with venture funding who are ready to grow. Through his work, he gets to learn, serve, and create alongside these founders.Overcoming Self-Doubt and FearSelf-doubt is a huge obstacle for sales professionals and leaders. Many people feel “less in their own mind” and carry fears like “I am not good enough” or “my future is at risk.”Benoy believes everyone is capable of creating their own future. His advice is to let go of a tight grip on control, take a loose grip, an

People crave genuine connection, and that can feel harder to create in today’s AI-driven world. But when you sell with integrity, buyers trust you more and move forward with confidence. Joining me in this episode is Mark Hunter, longtime friend, professional seller, and author, to talk about his new book Integrity First Selling and his passion for authentic, trust-based sales.Why Integrity Still Matters in SalesYes, AI tools are handy but nothing can replace genuine human connection. Buyers want to know that you care enough about their problem to actually fix it. Mark defines integrity in sales as honoring commitments and refusing to sell what clients don’t need. He emphasizes that great selling is rooted in serving people, not just closing deals.Lessons Learned the Hard WayMark shares stories from his early sales career, including being fired after chasing short-term wins over long-term relationships. He reflects on a deal that ultimately harmed both the client and his company’s reputation, showing the real

You’ve been working on closing a deal for the last six months, but you thought you would have closed it three months ago. Why didn’t you reach your deadline sooner? I’m going to tell you why in this episode and show you how you can shorten your sales cycles.Why Are Your Sales Cycles Longer?I’ve found there are several reasons sellers experience longer sales cycles:Fear of making mistakesJob security concernsReliance on decision-making committeesBut remember, you’re a consultant. Your job is to guide buyers to understand why your product is the solution to their problems. Don’t be an order taker. Lead with confidence to help move deals forward faster.Introduce a Mutual Action Plan EarlyThe first step I share to shorten your sales cycles is creating a mutual action plan. You go over clear expectations and timelines with the prospect to let them know what their buying journey will look like.Multi-ThreadingThere are way more people involved in closing a deal than you think. At first you may be talking to Sally, t

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I know referrals work. You just have to get them from the right people. In this episode, I am sharing three ways to get high quality referrals that will help you build your sales pipeline.Ask Your Happy CustomersThe most common way to generate referrals is by reaching out to customers who are thrilled with your service and asking for an introduction to their network. Here is the surprising part. While 90 percent of customers say they are willing to refer others, only 11 percent of salespeople actually ask. If you are not asking, you are leaving opportunities on the table.Request Referrals from Non BuyersDo not overlook the conversations that do not end in a sale. Even when someone tells you no, that does not mean the relationship is over. It is still perfectly reasonable to ask if they know someone who is dealing with the challenges your product solves. When you position it around helping others, the request feels natural and value focused.Leverage LinkedIn ConnectionsYou can also take a more proactive approa

Recently, a seller sent me a voice note asking why his framework is failing him every single time. I am sure other sellers are facing this same issue, and in this episode, I am going to share how to fix it. Sales is not a black and white solution. It is filled with ambiguity. My advice will help you navigate those gray areas with more confidence.Beyond the FrameworkI start by challenging the idea that just following a sales framework guarantees success.Every sales scenario has unpredictable human factors, so sticking strictly to a process is not enough. You have to be ready to adapt and read the situation in real time.The Power of Reviewing the TapeOne of my biggest recommendations is to listen back to your recorded calls, either on your own or with someone you trust. This gives you a more objective perspective on what is working and what is not. I also suggest using tools like ChatGPT to analyze transcripts or get external feedback. It is a great way to spot patterns you might miss.Taking and Maintaining Con

There is a specific way to use AI technology to get the results you want. To show us how to do this, Dr. Eve Kedar, a community builder, enablement strategist, and educator, joins me for this episode. Drawing on her experience supporting over 18,000 AI enthusiasts, Eve shares strategies to help sales teams use AI without amplifying the overwhelm that can come with new technology.Meet Eve KedarEve Kedar is a sales enablement strategist, author, and advisor with over 15 years of experience helping sales organizations move from scattered training to scalable systems that actually drive results.She’s the author of Build a Kicka$$ SalesTeam and Build a Kicka$$ Online Community, and works with SaaS and tech leaders to improve ramp time, execution, and alignment.Eve brings a practical lens to AI adoption, focusing on cognitive diversity, real workflows, and helping sales teams use AI as a thinking partner, not a replacement.Empowering Sellers Through Cognitive DiversityWe begin by talking about how effective AI inte

Do buyers lie? The short answer is yes and I’m going to tell you why in this episode. I’m also going to tell you how to get the truth of their issues out and close the deal. Why Do Buyers Lie?Buyers don’t always lie intentionally. However, there’re three main reasons why they do:They feel uncomfortable saying “no.”They’re not interested but don’t want to hurt your feelings.They want to “think about it,” often as a way to avoid further discussion.Key Strategies for SellersIf you find them lying to you, try these strategies to get the truth out of them: Seek honest answers by asking tougher, more direct questions.Never assume a prospect’s motives, instead get to the real issue.Practice probing with family or friends to build confidence.Avoid desperation and maintain control throughout the process.Don’t wait. Address hesitations immediately rather than letting deals linger.“Why in the world do we hoard horrible deals? Is because internally we believe that there's still hope. But I'm telling you not to

SDRs and BDRs are having to become more strategic and more technical to close deals. You would think that in a world of AI, their jobs would become easier or even be replaced. But buyers are more informed, and they know when a seller is not putting much effort into personalization. Joining me in this episode are two sales professors, BJ Allen and Kristie Jones, to discuss how we can better prepare sellers for these changing roles.The Evolution of Sales RolesThe role of SDRs and BDRs is changing as buyers become more independent and better informed through AI and easy access to information. Sales is no longer just about cold calling and emailing. Today’s sellers need stronger critical thinking skills, deeper product and industry knowledge, and the ability to add value much earlier in the buying process.AI’s Impact on Sales ProcessesAI is reshaping sales, from prospect research to reviewing discovery calls. This shift is pushing teams to be more intentional about their processes and committed to continuous