311 Name-Dropping Can Help or Hurt- Use the "Three R's"

Think you’re not in sales? Think again. In this episode, Art breaks down why everyone sells—whether or not it’s in your job title. You’ll discover the three big reasons people fear selling, how to reframe what sales really is (hint: it’s helping), and the five mindset and action shifts that let you sell naturally, confidently, and without ever feeling pushy. If you’ve ever influenced, advised, persuaded, or guided anyone… you’ve sold. Now let’s make sure you’re doing it the right way.

Is name-dropping a powerful credibility booster or a fast track to sounding desperate? In this eye-opening episode, Art reveals the shocking truth about strategic name-dropping that most sales professionals get completely wrong. Discover why mentioning the right name can boost your email open rates by an astonishing 468%, while the wrong reference can instantly kill your deal. Art shares his embarrassing early-career mistake that taught him the "3 R's" framework for name-dropping that actually works. You'll learn: When name-dropping creates instant credibility (and when it backfires) The psychology behind why prospects are drawn to certain references A simple test to determine which names to use with specific prospects Real-world examples of name-dropping wins and epic fails Plus, Art challenges you with a practical exercise that will transform your approach to establishing credibility in any sales situation. Whether you're a seasoned sales pro or just starting out, this episode gives you an unfair advantage in a world where first impressions make or break deals.

Ever had a prospect who knows they have a problem but just hasn’t pulled the trigger on fixing it? In this episode, I share two simple but powerful questions that uncover what’s been holding them back—and more importantly, what’s finally pushing them to take action now. We’ll break down the psychology behind these questions, how a paver salesman used them on me to close a deal I had been putting off for years, and how you can apply them to your own sales conversations to create urgency without pressure. Plus, I’ll share five variations of each question so you can make them sound natural in any situation. Use this strategy, and you’ll have prospects convincing themselves why they need to move forward today. Hit play now and start turning hesitation into action!

Art breaks down a real-life sales experience with a local painting company and uncover the critical sales mistakes that cost them the job. From the first contact to the follow-up (or lack thereof), we’ll dissect what went wrong—and more importantly, how sales pros can avoid making these same costly errors. You’ll learn: -Why rigid qualifying questions can push buyers away -The power of asking the right questions—and actually listening -How unnecessary upselling can lose trust and sales -Why speed and simplicity in quoting are game-changers -The importance of following through on promises Listen in and make sure you’re not making these common mistakes in your own sales process! 🎧  

Asking prospects “Do you have a problem?” is ineffective, and causes conversations to die. A better approach that gets them to open up is using "assumptive problem quesitons.  These get them to relive their challenges, and create urgency for a solution. Art breaks down the psychology behind these questions, shares examples from different industries, and provides an actionable exercise to create your own. Learn how to turn conversations into results and position yourself as the trusted expert every prospect needs. Art also announced the opening of the new, revised Smart Calling College prospecting and sales training program: http://SmartCallingCollege.com

There are four pillars that comprise being the Ultimate Sales Professional, and not someone who just does sales. Being fearless and rejection-proof, Being others-focused in your thinking and actions, Mastering a proven prospecting and sales process, and messaging, Having the discipline, habits, and radical responsibility to do the work. You'll hear the problems and challenges you might experience when someone is lacking in any of these areas, and what to do to excel in all of them. To learn about Art's new Smart Calling Ultimate Sales Pro Mastery coaching and training program mentioned in this episode, go to http://SmartCalling.com/coaching.

We explore the art of being genuinely interested in others—both in social settings and sales conversations. Inspired by observations at recent holiday parties, Art shares how most people fail to listen effectively, turning conversations back to themselves instead of encouraging others to share. This behavior isn’t just socially frustrating—it’s costly in sales. Learn to recognize critical "problem/trigger words" like “We’re noticing…” or “The problem is…,” and discover simple, powerful questions to dig deeper, uncover pain points, and build trust. By staying curious, listening intently, and prompting prospects to share more, you’ll not only get better information but also create emotional connections that drive results. You'll hear how to master the techniques of “Tell me more about that” and “What’s causing this?” to transform your conversations, make yourself more interesting, and ultimately close more sales.

MK Mueller has changed lives worldwide with her "8 to Great" simple methodology for having a positive attutude, ALL of the time.  As salespeople, we know that our attitude has more of an effect on our results, and income, than any sales process or technique. MK shares tips, stories, and how-to exercises than anyone can implement right now to get and keep our attitude at high levels.

The election is over. Some are ecstatic, others angry. Those who rely on the results to determine their happiness and success will be greatly disappointed. Ultimately, if you want change, YOU need to change. No outside influence affects your destiny like you do. In this episode you'll hear how to take control of your own success. And, if this message resonates, get notified of my new coaching program that covers this very necessary aspect that is absolutely required to be the Ultimate Sales Professional. https://smartcalling.training/sales-pro-mastery-notify/

Asking someone "Why?" they do or say something has the potential to put someone on the spot and feel like they need to defend themselves.  A scientifically-proven better option is to word questions with "How?" In this episode you hear the reasoning, and specific examples of how to use "How?" to get more and better information, build relationships, and make more sales.