The Changing World of Sales and LinkedIn for Sales Success with Jill Konrath – Episode 9

When Anthony first entered the sales field one of the most generous and helpful people he met was Jill Konrath. She was incredibly patient as he asked his thousand questions and she responded with very helpful answers. Anthony has invited Jill onto the show to discuss the changing climate in sales, the things that sales leaders today are doing to succeed that are different than what they did years ago, and to take a deep dive into her study on how top sales earners are using LinkedIn to foster relationships and gain real world sales. It’s a great conversation, so be sure to listen.

What the top sellers on LinkedIn are doing and how you can apply their practices, on this episodeClick To Tweet

The sales climate has changed. What can salespeople do to succeed in this “new world?”

Over and over Jill Konrath works alongside sales teams where the training that is being implemented is years behind where the actual consumer attitudes and responses are at. Salespeople today, and especially those experienced pros who are training their teams, are using outdated techniques that simply don’t work. It’s a recipe for sales failure that nobody wants to see happen in their organization. On this episode Jill shares the kinds of things that need to change if sales leaders are going to continue to be leaders in the modern era and gives her advice for how sales teams can work together to reach higher levels of success.

How important is social media for today’s salesperson?

Many sales pros don’t get social media. They feel that it’s a waste of time to share things on Twitter or Facebook, afterall – who wants to know what they had for lunch? Jill Konrath says that comments like that reveal that these salespeople are missing the point of social media. It’s not about sharing what you had for lunch, it’s letting people get to know you – and in turn, getting to know them on a deeper level. THAT is the stuff successful sales careers are made of and social media makes it easier than ever if you’re willing to take the time to use the tools wisely. Jill shares her insights into social media for sales professionals on this episode.

Social is about getting to know people and letting them get to know you ~ Jill KonrathClick To Tweet

Jill Konrath’s deep dive survey of successful LinkedIn sales strategies.

One of the most helpful studies to come out in recent years is the study Jill Konrath did where she surveyed sales professionals who have proven to have great success making contacts and closing deals by using LinkedIn. What she’s discovered is so helpful in learning how to think about social platforms and how to use them to find out about potential customers for the sake of building rapport and trust. You can hear some of the most powerful insights from Jill’s survey on this episode and get your own free copy of the report in ebook form, so be sure you listen to this episode.

The critical attributes of successful salespeople.

When asked what has made her so successful as a leader, trainer, and salesperson, Jill Konrath says it’s her desire to always be better, to always learn and grow and become a better version of herself tomorrow than she is today. She believes that successful salespeople have that same trait – a willingness to stretch outside what is normal, to build a skill set that adapts to the changing climate their clients and customers live and work in. If you want to hear more of what Jill looks for in a successful sales pro, it’s all in this episode of In The Arena.

Top sellers are strategic on how they use groups on LinkedIn, on this episode with Jill KonrathClick To Tweet

Outline of this great episode

Why Anthony loves to connect with guests like Jill Konrath.
What needs to change for salespeople if they are going to succeed in the changing market.
Why sales training these days is not simple or easy.
How many sales trainers are teaching their proteges the wrong things.
How important is social media for salespeople today?
The survey Jill did about LinkedIn and what she discovered.
How you can get the ebook on Jill’s website.
What are the critical attributes that allow sales professionals to succeed?
How does competitiveness figure into sales success?