In this episode of The Buyer’s World LinkedIn Live, host Hannah Ajikawo sits down with Thomas Ellis, the Chief Sales Coach at EWC Consultants. They delve into the importance of building genuine sales connections rather than focusing on transactions. Thomas shares his insights on developing relationships that yield long-term success and mutual benefits for both sellers and buyers.

The Importance of Relationship Building

Thomas emphasizes the significance of relationship building in sales. He explains that building strong relationships over time leads to greater revenue and more fulfilling sales experiences. Thomas advises focusing on people who are receptive and willing to engage, rather than trying to win over everyone.

Strategies for Authentic Engagement

Thomas and Hannah discuss practical strategies for creating authentic connections. Thomas highlights the importance of being your authentic self and targeting the right audience. He suggests asking potential clients if they are open to using an outside vendor to quickly determine if they are worth pursuing. They also stress the value of personal development and continuous learning to enhance sales skills.

Leveraging Social Selling and LinkedIn

The conversation touches on the power of LinkedIn and social selling. Thomas encourages sales professionals to use LinkedIn to engage with potential clients, share valuable content, and build a presence. He shares his philosophy of being "pleasantly persistent," staying top of mind with prospects by consistently providing value without being pushy.

Actionable Tips

1. Focus on Relationship Building:

   • Prioritize building long-term relationships over short-term transactions.

   • Identify and engage with prospects who are open to new relationships and willing to consider outside vendors.

2. Be Authentic and Personal:

   • Be your true self and let your unique personality shine through.

   • Use insights from personal development and continuous learning to enhance your sales approach.

3. Leverage LinkedIn and Social Selling:

   • Actively engage with potential clients on LinkedIn by sharing valuable content and participating in conversations.

   • Use social selling techniques to build your presence and stay top of mind with prospects.

   • Use a Targeted and Strategic Approach:

   • Focus on a targeted, strategic approach to contacting decision-makers.

   • Evaluate your current skills and identify areas for improvement to better align with your target audience.

4. Employ the "Pleasantly Persistent" Method:

   • Stay pleasantly persistent by consistently providing value in your follow-ups.

   • Avoid generic check-ins and instead share relevant articles, industry insights, or personalized notes that add value to your prospects.