James Davidson

I reviewed 21 emails last week from SDRs Here's the common mistakes. - 19 of them had above 70 words - that's too long for your prospect to read - 17 of them had complex terms related to their industry - it's confusing - 20 of them had no thought how it looked on mobiles - large blocks of text - 16 of them had no trigger / observation - it was just generic " We do x y z" - 15 of them had a long complex CTA - the ask was super unclear Remember these basic rules with writing cold emails: - Keep your email under 50 words - Keep it relevant - have a reason for the email - Focus on one pain per email - don't feature slam - Make it mobile-friendly - break text up - Have a clear CTA - interest-based or a lead magnet A quick test with all emails Read it out and ask yourself, would I respond to this? If the answer is anything else apart from yes, re-do it. If this is useful I just launched a FREE sales community We already have 338 members in there helping each other and getting live support If you want to join then check the comments! - Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Aaron Reeves & Outbound OS for more

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🎉" I’m giving away over 10,000 UK SaaS leads. Just comment “Leads” below." And now, what? Been there, done that. You get the rush of whatever hormones get triggered by free data offerings. You comment, ping ‼️ You've got the list in your DMs, click DOWNLOAD. Feeling like a King on top of the world, you've got 10000 leads on your laptop. The problem, though, was never about getting the data. It wasn’t about finding potential clients. And it wasn’t about messaging them. Fast forward three months, and that shiny list is still sitting there, collecting dust on your laptop, heading straight for the leads cemetery. *RIP* I mean if this calls home, we're in the same boat. Especially if you're a recruiter, doing a constant 360 will lead you to do a bit of everything well enough to get buy. Until you properly sit down and create a strategy supported by a structure. No need for more leads, use what you have instead and create a flow from there. In the last year I've downloaded over 500k leads, tell me your dirty secrets... How much do you have? –––––––––––––––––––––––––– I’m Noemie, Co-Founder at Namko Recruitment 🤗 After too many DMs about "game-changing AI tools" and "lead gen solutions" that fell flat, I’m taking matters into my own hands! Building in public—automating and optimizing my agency using cutting-edge tech and AI. Follow along for more insights! 🔔💡

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How do you know if you sound the same as the 1000’s of candidates applying for SDR roles? If you want to work in sales because you… - Want progression? - Want to earn money? - Work well to targets? - Enjoy speaking to people? Yeah. You’re saying the same things as everyone else. It’s the reasons behind these statements that are personal to you. It’s these personal reasons that help other people understand you and how you might fit into their team or company or culture. Be candid. Be honest. You’ll get much further than saying the same bits as everyone else. #sdrhiring #salesinterviewtips #sdrinterview #yourwhy

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Founder-led sales can only take your SaaS startup so far... When your personal touch and relentless drive have brought your product to market, the next step isn't just about scaling your sales - it's transforming how you sell. Transitioning from founder-led sales to a robust, high-performing sales department is the pivot that separates good startups from great ones. I've helped numerous founders make early sales hires - and it requires a drastically different approach to hiring a salesperson into a fully established team set up. Here's your guide to how you can make the transition effectively and sustainably... (🔗 Link in comments.) LP ✌️ Pack GTM | SaaS Sales Recruitment in Germany #sales #hiring #careers #startups #recruitment 

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How do you keep your SDR's and give them the chance to move into being an AE? If I could state the number 1 reason for good SDR's leaving their current company, it's that they can't get the opportunity to progress into being an AE. Now the reasons range from being miss-sold/even outright lied to regarding the path to being an AE, to the company not needing more AE's and of course a whole number of other reasons. The fact is though, companies lose good talent they've spent time developing because they've not managed this well, and it's not about speed and promoting ahead of time, it's about expectation setting and developing talent. In this final clip from my recent interview with Reuben Howard, we discussed how SDR's and companies can help to improve this situation. A huge thank you to Reuben, he was so generous with his time, his thoughts on SaaS sales are super interesting, and he really knows what he's talking about when it comes to performance. I'm curious, what else can SDR's and Companies be doing to ensure they don't leave? #saassdr #saassales #saucedpresents #techsales

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An SDR cold-called me... SDR: ''Is that Chris?'' Me: ''Yep, who's calling?'' SDR: ''It's James, here at XYZ we help companies like yours automate payroll, is this something you'd like to discuss more?'' Me: ''I don't have any employees for payroll but I'm happy to spend 5 mins with you now to help you improve your cold call opener, open to it?'' SDR: ''Erm...okay''. Me: ''So, here's 3 things you can try today... 1. Don't say ''is this Chris', if you don't know who you're calling they won't trust you. 2. Give me more about you in your intro. E.g. It's Chris, I'm an AE at XYZ. A touch more context = more trust. 3. Don't pitch straight up. Switch to a clear reason for the call. E.g. Calling as I know CEOs like you find [insert thing] time-consuming. Would love to chat more, got a minute now, or is later in the week better? We practiced twice, they were immediately better and we parted ways. Everything is a learning opportunity. Just gotta be open to it. PS. Outbound Systems [my new course] is 50% off until Friday. Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e8YfMAyd

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An SDR cold-called me... SDR: ''Is that Chris?'' Me: ''Yep, who's calling?'' SDR: ''It's James, here at XYZ we help companies like yours automate payroll, is this something you'd like to discuss more?'' Me: ''I don't have any employees for payroll but I'm happy to spend 5 mins with you now to help you improve your cold call opener, open to it?'' SDR: ''Erm...okay''. Me: ''So, here's 3 things you can try today... 1. Don't say ''is this Chris', if you don't know who you're calling they won't trust you. 2. Give me more about you in your intro. E.g. It's Chris, I'm an AE at XYZ. A touch more context = more trust. 3. Don't pitch straight up. Switch to a clear reason for the call. E.g. Calling as I know CEOs like you find [insert thing] time-consuming. Would love to chat more, got a minute now, or is later in the week better? We practiced twice, they were immediately better and we parted ways. Everything is a learning opportunity. Just gotta be open to it. PS. If improving your calls is a priority, join 850+ who got my free training here: https://lnkd.in/e94K8936

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Salespeople can add millions to the valuation of a SaaS company. That’s why it’s so important to make commission plans attractive. I speak to sales people every day who are looking to leave their roles because of their commission plans. Not culture. Not progression. But commission. If you are creating commission plans, make sure they: - Are uncapped - Include accelerators - Are SUPER easy to work out And most importantly are achievable! It's ok to pay a bit more whilst you are finding traction. Get this right and you’ll end up with a sales team that stays motivated and helps you hit your growth plans. Invest the time getting this right and you’ll see the impact on the valuation of your business.

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Many SaaS companies underestimate the power of a strong Sales Development Rep team (SDR). Yet, I've seen how skilled SDRs dramatically improve lead qualification and conversion rates. Here's why: Focused Prospecting: SDRs laser-target ideal customers, saving senior sales reps time. Personalised Outreach: They build initial rapport, warming leads for deeper engagement. Pipeline Management: SDRs ensure smooth handoffs, increasing sales efficiency. Any sales leaders agree or have a different experience? I'd love to hear your insights. #SaaSgrowth #SalesTeams #HiringAdvice #SaaSJobs

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Monday Newsletter: PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) Happens. I’ve spoken to at least 5 SDRs who were put on PIP in the last 4 weeks. Some were fired, others were in a bad mental state. It's not a pleasant feeling. Most SDRs don’t know what to do. Don’t be most SDRs. We published a guide on what to do instead. 🔗 link to read in the comments. If you like what you see, consider subscribing. Turn setbacks into comebacks. Let’s go! #sales #SDR

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🚨 Episode 8 NOW LIVE 🚨 Next up on The The Sales People Podcast🎙️ “Carving a Sales Niche: Building Trust and a Long-Term Strategy” - with Lee Johnston 🔗 YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcast. Give it a listen 👂👂👂 #niche #thesalespeople #podcast

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Think you have a closing issue? You don’t. You have a discovery issue… 95% of Founder-led sales are won and lost in discovery I speak to Founders every week who ask for help with “closing”. It’s never a closing issue. It’s always a discovery issue. Deals are won and lost due to good or bad discovery. Good discovery will transform how you sell. I always advise Founders to segment their discovery questioning into buckets to make it easier: - Knowing the prospects personal motivations - The business unit objectives - Company wide objectives - The sales/buying process questions (the heavy hitting questions!) Don’t focus on closing, this will come automatically later on. Focus on doing excellent discovery. It will help you close more.

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10 Permission-Based Cold Call Openers You (Probably) Didn't Know Existed If you're struggling to grab attention on cold calls, try these permission-based openers that get prospects talking: 1. The Disarmingly Honest "Hi [Name], thanks for taking my call. I know you're busy, so if this isn't a good time, just let me know." (Simple but effective!) 2. The "I See You" Approach "Hi [Name], I came across your recent [achievement/article] on [platform]. Congrats! I'm with [Your Company], and we help companies like yours with [brief benefit]. Would you be interested in a quick chat to see if there's a fit?" (Shows you've done your research) 3. The "Challenge Me" Tactic "Hi [Name], this is a bit different, but I'm calling because I'm curious about [industry challenge]. I know you're an expert, so I'd love to hear your thoughts for 30 seconds. No pressure to buy anything!" (Intriguing and positions you as a learner) 4. The "Mutual Friend" Connection "Hi [Name], [Mutual Connection] mentioned you might be interested in [brief value proposition]. Would a quick chat be valuable?" (Leverages trust from a shared contact) 5. The "Help Me Help You" Opener "Hi [Name], I'm calling decision-makers like yourself at [industry] companies to understand their biggest challenges with [pain point]. Would you be willing to share yours for a minute?" (Focuses on their needs) 6. The "Statistically Speaking" Hook "Hi [Name], did you know that [industry stat] can significantly impact [business area]. We help companies address that. Would you be open to a brief discussion?" (Creates curiosity with a surprising fact) 7. The "Future-Focused" Question "Hi [Name], looking ahead, what are some key goals you have for [department/business] in the next year?" (Positions you as a solution provider) 8. The "Newsflash" Opener "Hi [Name], there's been a recent shift in [industry trend] that's impacting companies like yours. We help navigate these changes. Would a quick call be helpful?" (Highlights industry relevance) 9. The "Offer, Don't Sell" Approach "Hi [Name], I'm reaching out because we're offering a free [resource] relevant to [industry] professionals. Interested?" (Provides value upfront) 10. The "Unexpected Compliment" (use with caution!) "Hi [Name], your [specific accomplishment] is impressive! I'm with [Your Company], and we help companies like yours achieve even greater results. Would you be open to a conversation?" (Flattery can work, but tread carefully.) Remember, be genuine, respectful, and keep it concise. These openers are conversation starters, not sales pitches! What are your best permission-based cold call openers? Share them in the comments! P.S. Feeling rusty on your cold calling skills? Check out my in-depth guide to creating a highly effective cold call script and objection rebuttals https://lnkd.in/dAGE95Jr And if you found this post helpful, repost or subscribe. #coldcalling #EmmaOnuohaJnr #sales #b2b

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12 SDRs have doubled their cold call to meeting booked conversion in November. I'm giving away the talk tracks AND guide on how they did it, for FREE... This 10 minute training covers: 👉 12 mistakes a cold caller makes [and how to avoid them] 👉 The key 5 parts of a great cold call you need to book meetings 👉 How you can beat cold call anxiety and start enjoying it more 👉 2x BONUS talk tracks proven to help you book higher quality meetings [that convert] And that's not even the best part. All of them are on course to hit quota this month... Because they have a formula that works. And it's filled their calendars with meetings for the rest of the year [and into January] I could say comment ''COLDCALL'' but that's annoying AF. Instead, you can find both trainings here: 👉 12 Mistakes of a Cold Caller: https://lnkd.in/e94K8936 👉 4x Cold Call Talk Tracks: https://lnkd.in/e2CKDQSG Hope they're helpful, my SDR friends 🤘 PS. What other training should I make?

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As you might know, just after Xmas, a VP of Sales of a high-quality SaaS Vendor said to me– "I’m 45 and we have a young vibe so mature candidates won’t fit in- don’t send me any”. Controversial! In polls last week, 95% of sellers stated the over 50s in their sales team get results, yet 40% of sales teams have less than 10% of people in this age group! Here is another striking statistic – in the UK 75 per cent of employment growth this century — 4.4 million out of 5.9 million — has been among the 50-plus age group. This is demographic time bomb and if we turn it into a dividend, it would make a massive difference to all our futures. Here are my thoughts on sellers in the mature bracket-   📰 They have a network   👩‍🏫 Bring stability to your culture and provide learning opportunities to your team. Magic happens when you blend younger types with older.   🚗 Coped with change – Attended meetings without sat nav using maps and, a book with the address in (Yellowpages) 🗺 Huge experience – They know where to ‘tap the hammer’ which is what maturity can teach you. Many have excelled in small/large companies and start ups. Sold all around the world. 🎢 Resilience - surviving decades in the workplace riding a rollercoaster – dot com bubble, banking crash, Covid. 💰 Motivated - Need to earn because cost living/helping family and many really enjoy the art of selling, love to win, and gain a huge sense of satisfaction in doing so. They have tasted it so much in the past. 📚 Still learning. If you focus on improving yourself, sellers are like a fine wine. You become a better version of yourself with age.   You want a good person, not a young or an old person. Is valuable experience being lost and are you overlooking the over 50’s in your sales team? #saasales #salesrecruitment

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SDRs who deserve to be AEs... ✅ Help coach other SDRs ❌ Are in it for themselves ✅ Hit quota every month ❌ Sometimes smash it ✅ Build amazing internal relationships ❌ Moan about their AE and Manager ✅ Prioritise the team winning ❌ Think they're an individual contributor ✅ Train every single day ❌ Believe they know it all ✅ Compete against themselves ❌ Compete against others in the team ✅ Are genuinely happy when others win ❌ Get bitter when others are successful 99% of success is in WHO you are. And HOW you do things. Embrace being different. Embrace being better. What am I missing? ---- PS. My SDR to AE bootcamp closes tomorrow. 5 seats left; https://lnkd.in/ejFQERRF

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Truth ⚠️: Scaling your business from 1-3 million ARR is the hardest part, by far. That jump from 10-30M, is probably the easiest phase. And then when you hit 30M, you hit another hard phase. Here's why 🎬. For these real world insights on scaling your business from 3x Tech Founder Adam Baker, CEO dealpad.io Check out this weeks episode of What Makes You Tick: Tech Leaders Career Stories 🎙️ It's out now. Listen where you get your podcasts. #WhatMakesYouTick #WMYT #TechLeaders #CareerStories #Founder #Startup Tick Talent Tolu Adebekun

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💡How I booked 6 client meetings with a mannequin's right arm (…and how you can too) ————————— Standing out in your prospect’s inbox is TOUGH 🥵 With the rise of AI and email automation, prospects are bombarded with generic messages… I should know, I’m ex-TA and used to receive 20+ cr*p Recruiter emails on a weekly basis! So I decided to try something different: I sent 100 UK-based startup founders in the security space an email with a picture of a mannequin's right arm… Here's how I did it: 1️⃣ Built a list of relevant prospects in Apollo 2️⃣ Enriched the data and verified emails 3️⃣ Found a pic of a mannequin’s arm 4️⃣ Created a 3-email sequence 5️⃣ Sent it via Smartlead ————————— The results? ✅ Out of 100 emails, 39 responded (39%) ✅ Out of 39 replies, 6 booked meetings ✅ Out of 39 replies, 4 are still talking ✅ I got 2 ‘Unsubscribes’ in total Now, granted… This is a VERY small sample size… Plus, there's no guarantee the meetings will close… But the point is that, in a sea of AI and automated emails… Thinking outside the box and trying something new… Can often get you unexpectedly good results… Instead of doing the same old cr*p… Over and over again… ————————— I plan to scale this and try different variations (maybe with a different limb!). Want to see the full email sequence I used? DM me and I'll send it over! #recruitment  #talentacquisition  #b2bsales  #emailautomation

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Ready to step back from sales without losing your grip on growth? One of the hardest parts of scaling a SaaS business is moving away from founder-led sales. But here’s the key...it’s not about losing control, it’s about transitioning from doing to leading. Your job shifts from closing deals to creating the strategy and vision that powers your team. Set them up with clear processes, define the goals, and then let them run. Empower your team to sell while you focus on scaling. Ready to get started? Reach out, and I’ll guide you through it. #hiring #recruiterlife #recruiting #saassales #gsd #agsd #sales #startup #founder #ceo

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