The hottest Sales Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

A Startup's Guide to Direct Sales and Channel Sales

1517 Fund • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
💼 Business Sales
  1. Direct sales involve selling to end customers without intermediaries, providing control over the sales process and customer relationships.
  2. Channel sales involve partnering with intermediaries for expanded market reach and cost-effective scalability, but it may lead to margin compression.
  3. Startups should carefully evaluate their unique needs and resources to choose between direct and channel sales, or consider hybrid approaches for a balance.

Birthday Special Offer

The Palindrome • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
💼 Business Sales
  1. The Palindrome is offering a special birthday discount for annual subscriptions.
  2. You can get a 20% discount on your annual subscription and early access to a Mathematics of Machine Learning book.
  3. The offer is valid until December 31st. Email for early access to the book.

The January Sale Ends This Week!

The SEO MBA • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. The January sale for SEO MBA courses ends tomorrow, with a 10% discount.
  2. Courses like Executive Presence and The Art of Client Management cater to senior level SEO professionals and agency SEOs respectively.
  3. Enroll now to improve your SEO skills and advance your career.
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Is Gen AI Bad For Sales?

Fully Distributed by Ori Eldarov • 0 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
💼 Business Sales
  1. Gen AI may be making outbound sales more challenging by flooding prospects with personalized cold emails, causing response rates to drop.
  2. The future of sales will likely involve augmented intelligence, shifting the sales landscape towards AI-to-human and potentially AI-to-AI interactions.
  3. Salespeople need to adapt to evolving AI capabilities to stay competitive in the industry.

Guide #12: The Psychology of selling

Tiny Empires • 0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
💼 Business Sales
  1. Selling is about building relationships and influencing decisions.
  2. Transitioning from hard selling to soft selling can be more effective in sales.
  3. Maintain transparency, honesty, and ethical practices in selling to build trust and long-term relationships.

B2B Wins Friday Reads: 2.9.2024

B2B Wins by Steve Zakur • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Sales
  1. Google's Gemini voice assistant shows a glimpse of AI's future, integrating well with Google Workspace products.
  2. Including irrelevant data surprisingly enhances the performance of AI systems like RAG, making language models more reliable.
  3. AI saves sales professionals time on mundane tasks, allowing more focus on valuable connections with prospects.

What Are The Patterns?

Build To Scale • 0 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
💼 Business Sales
  1. Identifying patterns among customers is crucial for building and scaling a startup. This skill is valuable for optimizing sales and marketing strategies.
  2. Understanding qualitative aspects of customer situations can lead to better targeting and product optimization. It's essential to focus on specific customer segments and use cases rather than aiming for broad generalizations.
  3. Talking to customers and salespeople is key to uncovering valuable patterns. Customer visits and sales insights can help identify buying trends and inform marketing strategies.

The Correct Launch Price Is Free

Lump Letter • 0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. The correct launch price for your software should be free, as other price points are seen as crippling mistakes.
  2. Charging free for your software can help solve the distribution problem, making it easier to attract users and gain attention.
  3. Free pricing can lead to more sign-ups, engagement, and even pave the way for introducing premium features later on.

Opportunities for Innovation in the Insurance Agency Software Stack

Equal Ventures • 0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Sales
  1. Legacy insurance agency software systems are often outdated and do not provide an optimal user experience for agents and customers.
  2. There is a need for innovation in digitizing agency workflows, with a focus on areas like prospecting, sales, placement, and servicing to enhance efficiency.
  3. Opportunities exist for technology solutions to improve agency infrastructure, customer experience, and operational efficiency in the insurance industry.

5 lessons from my journey at Yellow.ai

Shubhi’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Sales
  1. The importance and excitement of sales in converting prospects, understanding pain points, and delivering magical demos to create value.
  2. The satisfaction and learning in ambitiously building products, overcoming challenges, and evolving with customer feedback.
  3. The power of taking action, owning situations, setting aggressive goals, and focusing on solving problems to drive productivity and success.

The State of Sales in 2024

Recontact • 0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. A sales funnel guides potential customers from awareness to decision, emphasizing understanding the customer journey and building trust.
  2. Challenges in sales for 2024 include standing out from competition, meeting quotas, reaching decision-makers, securing high-quality leads, configuring CRM systems effectively, and keeping prospects engaged.
  3. Insights from sales teams highlight the importance of personalized customer engagement, efficient data management, and adapting to remote or hybrid sales environments.

Sales Wanting !

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 29 May 17
💼 Business Sales
  1. Selling a product or idea requires resilience, finesse, talent, and methodology.
  2. Sales is crucial for business growth and profitability, driving ambition and absorbing costs.
  3. Effective selling demands honesty, continuous product improvement, and addressing genuine customer needs.

Dealing With User/Customer Rejection

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 04 Aug 16
💼 Business Sales
  1. Rejection is common for startups striving for product-market fit. Address reluctance, unwillingness, and doubt to expand market reach.
  2. Reluctancy could be countered by demonstrating clear benefits, showing product in action, and offering exclusive features.
  3. Unwillingness to change can be tackled by reassuring current users, highlighting benefits, and minimizing the cost of transition.

Vendre

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 16
💼 Business Sales
  1. Methodology, tools, and techniques are essential for successful sales, beyond just natural talent.
  2. Training and mastering various aspects of sales, from mindset to closing, are crucial for becoming an exceptional closer.
  3. True closers are those who confidently stand by the products they sell, like the subtlety of the 'Wolf of Wall Street.'

Generative AI Opportunities for Businesses 

Tributary Data • 0 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Sales
  1. Generative AI can help businesses drive innovation, efficiency, and success by leveraging cutting-edge data analytics and AI technologies.
  2. Large Language Models like Agatha can provide conversational interfaces, streamlining access to company knowledge and insights, leading to enhanced productivity and decision-making for employees.
  3. Agatha enables automation of tasks, such as generating personalized emails, summarizing transcripts, and generating code snippets, helping save time, improve efficiency, and foster creativity across various departments.

Life is sales…and (nearly) no one teaches it

Grant & Co • 0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 22
💼 Business Sales
  1. Sales is an essential skill in various aspects of life and isn't taught widely, including in areas like fundraising, hiring, and even dating.
  2. Asking questions is crucial in sales as it helps understand the client's needs, control the conversation, and show genuine interest in solving their problems.
  3. Managing one's own psychology is key in sales to deal with fluctuating success levels, maintain motivation, and implement self-care activities to stay productive.

Va`i kinh nghie^.m ba'n ha`ng

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 08
💼 Business Sales
  1. Before having a product, it's important to understand customer needs and be able to meet them in order to start marketing and sales
  2. Focus on satisfying the first customer to create trust and potentially gain referrals and insights for future improvements
  3. Effective marketing, PR, and sales strategies play a crucial role in winning over competitors, highlighting product advantages, and building customer confidence

Coming soon

CRO Corner • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. The CRO Corner newsletter focuses on helping businesses grow their revenue.
  2. It covers topics related to SaaS, B2B sales, and strategies for success.
  3. Subscribing to the newsletter can provide valuable insights and tips for business growth.

people can't get you out of their head 🫠

Business & Marketing with Nika • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. To stay on people's minds, you need to be visible everywhere. The more you show up, the more likely they will remember you.
  2. Being 'top of mind' means you want to be the first brand people think of when they need something. If you're not first, aim for a strong second place.
  3. Consistent and unique content can help you stand out. Use the same style and voice to build your brand and try to collaborate with others to reach more people.

Road to 1M ARR - July Update

The Road to 1 Million ARR • 0 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Introducing a free plan for Simple Analytics is expected to attract more users. The goal is to let people experience the product, which could lead to more paid subscriptions down the line.
  2. Balancing product development with growth strategies is crucial. By alternating between weeks focused on product and growth, the team can aim to improve their conversion rates and overall business success.
  3. Focusing on writing engaging content is important. There's a desire to move away from just SEO-focused writing and create more interesting and valuable content for the audience.

Part 2: How to get your first 1000 customers

The Road to 1 Million ARR • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Bootstrapped businesses have to be smart about growth. Without VC funding, you can’t spend money on advertising but this can make you resourceful.
  2. SEO is a strong, long-term growth strategy. It might take time to see results, but once your content is out there, it can keep attracting users for a long time.
  3. Focus on creating quality content that answers questions in your niche. This helps you connect with the right audience and converts visitors into customers.

Maybe you don't need PLG after all. These start-ups are completely sales-led.

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Some start-ups are finding success with a sales-led approach instead of product-led growth (PLG). They focus on talking to customers and learning about their needs, which helps improve their offerings.
  2. Removing a free tier in product trials can create urgency and lead to higher conversion rates. When customers have to engage with sales first, it can mean better discussions and larger deals.
  3. PLG might not be suitable for every business, especially for early-stage companies or complex products. It's important to focus on what works best for your unique situation.

One avoidable mistake for SaaS sales

Router by Dmitry Pimenov • 0 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
💼 Business Sales
  1. Many startups struggle to gain traction because organizations prefer software that works well with their existing tools. Selling a standalone solution is often not enough.
  2. Bundled software solutions, like GSuite and Microsoft 365, attract users because they offer convenience and integration, even if some products aren't the best in their category.
  3. Startups can improve their chances by using Web APIs to connect with larger platforms or by creating their own APIs. This helps them integrate into existing workflows and keeps users engaged.

Never Split the Difference

Books Unbound • 0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Calibrated questions are really useful in negotiations. They help buy time and get the other person to think, making it easier to guide the conversation where you want it to go.
  2. Tactical empathy is about understanding the feelings of the other person. When you show that you care about their emotions, it helps build trust and makes it easier to work towards a solution together.
  3. Using the word 'No' can actually be helpful in negotiations. It makes people feel safe and can lead to more honest conversations about what they really want.

How to Build a Revenue Operations Function From the Ground Up

beyondrevenueoperations • 0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Start by defining why you want a Revenue Operations function and set clear goals with measurable targets. Knowing the specific problems to solve helps everyone stay focused.
  2. Get buy-in from company leaders first. They need to understand how RevOps will benefit the business and support your efforts, including providing necessary resources.
  3. Assess your current situation thoroughly before implementing changes. Look at existing processes, the technology in use, and the quality of data to find gaps and areas for improvement.

How to Buy Standardised vs Custom Services

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Standardised services offer similar benefits and risks for all clients. You can expect predictability in delivery time and cost, like hiring an agency to find a software engineer.
  2. Custom services are unique for each client, with varying costs and outcomes. You often need to invest before seeing results, and the risks can be hard to predict.
  3. When buying standardised products or services, make sure to see the final result before committing. With custom services, be prepared for a longer conversation to understand the scope and pricing.

#36 Navattic's PLG funnel with Natalie Marcotullio

Organic SaaS Growth • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Navattic creates interactive product demos that help marketing and sales teams showcase their products. This gives potential customers a hands-on experience before they decide to buy.
  2. Word of mouth is their best-performing channel. People love sharing tools that are free to try, and this has helped increase their referrals since launching a freemium plan.
  3. When hiring a marketer, it's crucial to know what role you really need. Understanding your specific marketing goals can help you find the right person for your team.

SaaS Funnels - What's holding you back?

Organic SaaS Growth • 0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Many SaaS funnels are underperforming, which is a common issue that needs attention.
  2. There's a need for guides that focus on practical and actionable steps to improve SaaS funnels.
  3. Understanding specific challenges and questions around funnel optimization can help create better resources.

how to manage your emails better

Tiny Empires • 0 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Sales
  1. Unsubscribe from emails that aren't useful. Cut out the noise in your inbox to focus only on what truly matters.
  2. Use filters and labels to organize your emails. This helps you find important messages quickly and keeps your inbox tidy.
  3. Check your email at set times, not constantly. This reduces distractions and makes your email management more efficient.

🐿️ The Thinker Thinks, The Prover Proves - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Sales
  1. People have two main mental roles: the Thinker, who comes up with ideas, and the Prover, who searches for proof of those ideas. It's important to realize that the Thinker leads the way.
  2. If you want to persuade someone, focus on connecting with the Thinker first. This means building trust and understanding their feelings rather than just presenting facts.
  3. When trying to sell a product or convince a team, emotional storytelling can be more effective than logical reasoning. People often need a narrative that resonates with them before they look for evidence.

Don't Confuse Need and Timeline in Sales

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business Sales
  1. In sales, it's important to recognize the difference between a customer's need for a product and their timeline for buying it. Some people might need something now but are not ready to buy right away.
  2. Salespeople often mistakenly try to convince customers who have already expressed a need that the product is good, instead of focusing on when the customer plans to make the purchase.
  3. Understanding the BANT criteria in sales, which stands for Budget, Authority, Need, and Timeline, can help clarify these distinctions and improve sales strategies.

🐿️ Play Rugby Not Chess - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Sales
  1. In leadership, it's better to connect emotionally rather than just using facts. People respond better to stories and feelings.
  2. Trust is crucial when trying to persuade others. Use their language and ask real questions instead of just presenting evidence.
  3. In technical fields, bringing emotion and understanding business goals can lead to better teamwork and innovation.

Competing on Price Vs Benefit

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💼 Business Sales
  1. Competing on price means attracting customers by offering the lowest cost. This often leads to a tough business environment where customers constantly look for cheaper options.
  2. Competing on benefit focuses on providing more value or quality to the customer, even if the price is higher. Customers are willing to pay more if they believe they will get better results or experiences.
  3. Most businesses don't only compete on price or benefit; they do both. They try to offer good value while also managing costs to appeal to customers.