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Key Lessons Learned In 2023 From A B2B Sales Agency

key lessons learned in 2023 From a B2B Sales Agency blog hero image
Another year of B2B battles has come and gone, leaving us, your trusted sales agency, with lots of knowledge to share.
We are here to share with you the hard-won lessons that led us to a successful year.

PS. Don’t forget to take notes.

1. The Most Important Thing Is Your Mindset.

Your mindset is everything. It drives you through daily challenges, rejection, and long hours. It’s the foundation for success, even during rough weeks.

Think of it like this: your mindset is a belief system. It’s what you believe about your abilities, your potential, and the outcome of your work. This belief system directly impacts how much you see yourself as a capable salesperson.

Here are the keys:

 

1. Belief leads to potential: When you believe in yourself, you see more possibilities for success. You believe you can be the best cold caller on the team, the top closer, and the most impactful sales representative. This belief unlocks your potential, pushing you to strive for greatness.

 

2. Potential leads to action: Armed with a positive belief system and confidence in your potential, you’re naturally motivated to take action. You’ll hustle harder, connect with more leads, and work tirelessly towards your goals.

 

3. Action leads to results: When you put in the effort, the results naturally follow. You’ll close more deals, exceed your quotas, and become a true sales rockstar.

But what happens when your belief system takes a hit? What happens when you start to doubt yourself and your abilities? 

 

The consequences are clear:

  • You see yourself as less capable, limiting your own possibilities for success.
  • With a negative mindset, you’re less motivated to work hard and push yourself.
  • Without action, you won’t see the results you desire.

The good news? You have the power to control your belief system. You can constantly monitor yourself, identify negative thoughts, and actively reinforce positive beliefs.

2. If It’s Not The Right Fit, Let It Go.

B2B prospecting can be a numbers game, but that doesn’t mean you should try to close everyone you meet. Not every “qualified” lead is a good fit for your business. Pushing or forcing a deal with the wrong client can backfire in the long run.

These are the reasons why it’s important to identify the right fit and let go of the rest:

 

-> Focus your energy:

Chasing unqualified leads wastes your valuable time and resources. Instead, focus on prospects who genuinely need your product and are ready to buy. This allows you to deliver the best possible experience and build long-lasting relationships.

 

-> Build genuine connections:

Pushing a product that doesn’t solve a customer’s problem leads to dissatisfaction and resentment. By focusing on the right fit, you can build genuine connections based on mutual trust and benefit.

 

-> Trust your gut:

Pay attention to the signals you receive during conversations and interactions. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Your gut feeling can often be the best indicator of whether a prospect is a good fit.

 

-> Know your product inside and out:

A clear understanding of your product’s capabilities and target audience allows you to quickly identify qualified leads and disqualify those who wouldn’t benefit.

 

-> Don’t force it:

If the sale doesn’t feel natural, it probably isn’t meant to be. Pushing a sale onto someone who’s not ready or not a good fit can damage your reputation and lead to negative feedback.

Remember that your time and energy are valuable. By focusing on the right prospects and letting go of those who don’t fit, you can build a successful and sustainable sales career.

3. Always Set A Next Step, Always.

In our sales agency, one thing we’ve learned is that momentum is key. That’s why we make sure to set clear steps after every interaction. It demonstrates professionalism, keeps the prospect engaged, and propels the sales process forward.

Things you can do to set a next step:

 

  • Get buy-in from the prospect: Before ending the conversation, actively involve the prospect in setting the next step. This ensures everyone is aligned and committed to moving forward.
  • Be specific and actionable: Don’t just say “we’ll talk again soon.” Instead, clearly state the specific action, who will take it, and by when. This provides clarity and accountability.

Use different types of next steps and don’t ever be afraid to mix things up. Depending on the situation, a follow-up email, a call, a discovery meeting, or even setting a deadline for a final decision could all be effective next steps.

Lastly, once the next step is set, make sure you follow through on it promptly. This shows the prospect you’re reliable and trustworthy, further strengthening your relationship.

4. Constant Experimentation And A/B Testing Drive Results.

What worked last year might not resonate today.
Decision-makers now require more justification for their purchases, they’re prioritizing different needs and wants, there are many more options to choose from, budgets are tight, etc.
Especially during economic downturns, customer behavior and market trends can change on a dime. That’s where experimentation and A/B testing comes in. It’s your secret weapon for staying ahead of the curve and driving results.

Think of it like this:

The market is a dynamic dance floor, and your sales approach is your dance move. If everyone’s doing the same old move while the music shifts to another beat, you’re going to look out of place. Experimentation allows you to break out of the predictable and try out new moves, new channels, and new ways of connecting with your audience.

Test different email subject lines, cold call opening lines, and LinkedIn connect messages that will drive action.

But, keep in mind that not every experiment will be a home run, and that’s okay. A/B testing allows you to quickly learn what resonates with your audience and what falls flat. This data is invaluable for refining your approach to scale more of what works.

5. Never. Stop. Prospecting.

Prospecting is the bread and butter of any sales agency. You gotta keep that flow going, no matter what season it is. Why?

Because the pipeline you build today is tomorrow’s harvest.
It can’t be something you do just when you feel like it or when the pressure’s on. It’s gotta be a constant habit, a part of your daily routine. The pipeline you fill today is the revenue you reap tomorrow, a continuous cycle of growth and success.
Truly successful salespeople understand that consistency brings a steady stream of opportunities, a strong pipeline that fuels your success not just today, but for months and years to come.
Every lead you nurture today is a potential customer tomorrow, and that’s a future worth building, one prospect at a time.

6. Problem Knowledge Reigns Supreme.

problem knowledge builds trust, trust fuels belief, and belief unlocks sales.
One thing has become clear:

Mastering sales lies in understanding the problems your product solves, not just its capabilities.

People don’t buy products, they buy solutions to their pain points. They crave that sigh of relief, the “ah-ha” moment when their problems get solved. Ask questions, listen intently, and uncover the specific struggles they face.

This is where problem knowledge shines. It’s the superpower that allows you to become a trusted advisor, not a pushy salesperson. When you understand their challenges like you understand your own reflection, you can:
  • highlight how your product is the missing piece in their puzzle
  • speak their language
  • address their concerns directly
  • build a genuine connection based on empathy and shared goals

Of course, product knowledge is still essential. It’s the foundation upon which you build your problem-solving expertise. What sets top salespeople apart is understanding the problem, showing empathy and offering tailored solutions.

Sales Agency Success = Mindset, Muscle, And Momentum

key lessons a sales agency learned when it comes to b2b prospecting
The formula above can propel any sales agency to the top of the leaderboard.
Your mindset is the unshakeable belief in your team, your product, and the power of relentless hustle. A strong belief system will always foster positivity and resilience.
Muscle refers to the revenue engine driving action. It’s the tireless prospecting that keeps your pipeline overflowing with qualified leads. It’s the constant experimentation and refinement of your approach that ensures you’re hitting quota.
Momentum is about setting clear next steps after every interaction, keeping the conversation moving and the sales process flowing smoothly. It’s about celebrating wins, big and small, and using that energy to fuel your ambition.
Start the change today. Sharpen your skills, refine your approach, and start noticing results.
Spread the word and share with your network!
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