Most advice sucks Here's some advice you shouldn’t listen to on sales and life:

"You need to go to college to be successful"

Not true in the slightest.

In fact, many of the greatest salespeople didn't go to college.

Can it give you a leg up in terms of networking?... sometimes.

Is it a necessity? nope.

"In sales - Always be closing"

People get this so wrong.

From the moment you speak to a prospect you aren't steering them toward your product or service.

Listen actively.

If you can solve the problem you've identified... then you can start helping.

"Do whatever it takes to get the deal done"

I know an ex-colleague that got a huge one-off sale because he was pushy and manipulative to get it in before the end of the month.

He was focused on his own needs.

The client took the next ten deals elsewhere.

"If you are money motivated get into sales"

Yes the money in sales is good but truth be told the best salespeople I've met are the most helpful empathetic people and just genuinely enjoy solving problems.

They don't show neediness and it creates trust.

Trust gets you sales.

"Fake it till you make it"

If you get found out lying your relationship is toast I don't care who you are.

"Growth expert" in your bio and 30 followers just makes you look a bit silly.

Make the most of where you are at but don't lie to prospects.

"Everyone is a potential sale"

Just because you got on a call doesn't mean the prospect is a good fit.

They might...

- not have the means to pay for your service

- just be interested in finding out more

- be scoping you out for a competitor

Lower your expectations.

"The customer is always right"

Absolutely not.

People can be assholes.

Customers are also people,

If you are in the right and have done your best and someone is disrespectful be prepared to say no otherwise your clients will walk all over you.

"Just get out there and start you'll figure it out"

When I was younger I got flamed in some high-profile meetings and it was completely avoidable and taught me nothing other than that my boss wasn’t engaged at all.

Learn from those doing it well and self-educate fast.

"Send a prospect a thoughtful gift to stand out"

This is a weird one.

It can get you noticed but it can also get you a reputation as a bit of a creeper.

Your service/product and reputation should be enough.

I accept gifts though FYI.

Thanks for reading!