Asking Strangers For Money

This episode is for any entrepreneurs who are feeling hesitant (or even terrified) about sales and stepping into sales conversations. It’s about how exercising your ASK muscle helps to grow your business and add momentum. Hazel talks about different asks: asking for support, asking for introductions, asking for referrals, and asking for collaborations with other entrepreneurs or businesses – and how asking moves your business forward, grows your confidence, shows your intention, and boosts your sales.

In this episode, Hazel shares the importance of mapping out your sales process – whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a startup, or a larger corporation – you can’t lead your prospects through your sales process if you aren’t crystal clear on what the ‘happy path’ is, plan supporting resources, or ensure that your prospects are going through the shortest, smoothest buying process possible.

It can feel tricky to manage your time when you’re an entrepreneur – there’s so much to do; how on earth are you meant to find time for prospecting and sales conversations? In this episode, Hazel talks about rocks, pebbles, and sand and how to stop looking at your email, scrolling social media and to take control of your schedule, focus, and sales time.

An episode on the need to FOCUS on sales – and by that I mean a focus on a number of things that impact your sales. Focus on your goal and vision – the why behind your business. Focus on your sales numbers. Focus on sales-generating activities (yes stop spending hours changing colors on an image or scrolling on social media). Focus on your ideal clients. Focus on a specific product, service or expertise that solves a big problem or harnesses a big opportunity. Focus on what you say. And focus on having fun in your sales process.

As an entrepreneur - or anyone working in sales - it's important to own your expertise and authority and to lead your prospects through your sales process. In this episode, Hazel explains how to remember how unique you are, position yourself, explain what you do (not just what you are), and start connecting with prospects

In this episode, Hazel discusses the part of conversations that isn't what you say but HOW you say it. She covers pitch, tone, and volume and the impact of how you speak in influencing and engaging with prospects and customers. How you speak influences how the prospect perceives the conversation, how open they are to speaking with you, and the outcome. Your voice is the most powerful tool in sales conversations, so listen to this and start thinking about HOW you are saying things.

In this episode, Hazel shares how to handle 'pushbacks' - when you are speaking to an early-stage prospect such as a cold lead or a new prospect, and they say: "We already have someone who does that," or "Just send me an email" or "I'm too busy to talk." Because anyone prospecting will encounter many pushbacks, it's essential to be deliberate and confident in listening and responding.

We think of "no" as the opposite of "yes," so many salespeople have an overwhelming dread of hearing "no." In this episode, Hazel shares that "no" can be a gift – a way to expand conversations, add understanding, bring a much-needed pause, and help buyers feel confident - and give anyone asking strangers for money a chance to reflect.

Sales is about asking prospects to make decisions, step in, and work with you. In this episode, Hazel Butters talks about the importance of the ask and shares some specific ask phrases you can apply to your sales conversations.

In this episode, Hazel talks about why sales conversations are core to sales and why entrepreneurs need to reframe how they think of sales, overcome a fear of rejection, strengthen sales confidence, and practice their sales conversations.