Graphic Media Alliance

Complete Story
 

01/10/2024

A Different Sales Approach

I don’t think this is an original thought, but my friend Kelly Mallozzi often says, “if you keep doing what you’re doing, you will keep getting what you’re getting.”

Entering a new year, we make pledges and promises. We set goals. The common denominator comes down to one word: Different. That is, what will you do this year that is different from what you did last year?

In answering this question, your mind might go to sales activities: more calls, more new business, etc. Or, you might think of your target market differently and go after a different kind of account or a different sized company. What I am suggesting is you get more basic than that.

I want you to re-frame WHAT you do and think of it in a completely different manner.

Start here…

Someone asks what you do for work. What is your answer? Is it, “I sell print/signage/labels/promo…?” Are you a bit more grandiose and say, “I am in the graphic arts”?

While that is your job, it’s not what you actually do. What you do is to help your clients grow. You help customers find their customers. You help them differentiate. You solve problems. You find solutions. It just so happens the tools used to solve these problems are print/signage/labels/promo.

Why is this even a thing? Why is it important?

Because people who sell print/signage/labels/promo quote numbers, sell on price, and have temporary client relationships. Those who see what they do in a different light sit at the ‘Cool Table’, consult with clients, and win their orders based on ideas. Their opinions are sought after. They form life-long bonds with customers.

You are one simple mind-shift away from joining them.

So, I will ask you again, What do you do?

Watch Bill present this week's sales tip


The Sales Vault, created by Bill Farquharson, is a subscription-based resource and sales community featuring a calendar packed with live workshops, on-demand sales courses, peer-to-peer discussion groups, and 35+ years of sales training content all searchable by sales challenge. Think of it as a sales conference where the seminars and workshops, full of instantly applicable ideas, are ongoing and more programs are added constantly.

The Sales Vault is available on a monthly subscription basis, normally at a no-brainer monthly price of $45/participant, but… GMA members can take advantage of an exclusive offer: FREE membership for 30 days followed by a discounted monthly subscription price of just $40/participant. 

Bill has been a friend of GMA for many years and is, no doubt, known to our members as a top sales trainer and content creator for the graphic arts.

Other Vault resources:

  • NEW: Replays—Insider exclusive recordings of Office Hours sales discussions
  • Downloadable prospecting letters
  • One killer-good intro letter only the bravest of the brave send out
  • A downloadable voicemail script
  • 15 on-demand video sales courses
  • Archived sales content searchable by sales challenge

Check out the Sales Vault!

Printer-Friendly Version



What's Your Holiday Game Plan? 2026 GMA Holiday Survey

Will your company be closing for the holidays, operating with reduced hours, or keeping production running? Graphic Media Alliance wants to know! Take a moment to complete our brief 2026 Holiday Schedule Survey and help us provide a valuable snapshot of how companies across our region are planning for the upcoming holiday season. Results will be shared with members next week!

Read More

Great Leaders Don't Happen by Accident. Invest in Yours Before 2027!

There's still time to invest in your next generation of leaders! Graphic Media Alliance's Emerging Leaders Academy offers two exciting opportunities this December, including a December 10 session and a special All-Day Academy experience on December 15. Plus, all 2026 ELA participants will receive complimentary online access to the year's educational content and presentations throughout 2027. Don't miss this opportunity to build stronger leaders and a stronger organization!

Read More

Employer Checklist for November 2026: Is Your Business Prepared?

As 2026 winds down, employers face important decisions involving workplace compliance, employee benefits, safety, and emerging technologies. From Ohio's upcoming minimum wage increase to new considerations surrounding artificial intelligence and workplace policies, Fisher Phillips has identified key issues every business leader should have on their radar. Take a few minutes to review their November checklist and make sure your organization is prepared for what's ahead.

Read More

Little Readers, Big Impact: Celebrating the Power of Print!

There's something special about turning the pages of a book, especially for young readers discovering the joy of reading. In celebration of Children's Book Week, Two Sides North America reminds us why printed books remain essential to learning, comprehension, and building lifelong connections with reading. Discover how our industry continues to make a meaningful difference, one page at a time.

Read More

Detroit Brew Crew Brings 50 Industry Professionals Together!

Great conversations, new connections, and a room full of industry professionals! Graphic Media Alliance's recent Detroit Brew Crew brought together 50 attendees for an evening of networking, collaboration, and celebrating the printing and graphic communications industry. See how we're continuing to strengthen connections across Michigan!

Read More

When You Don't Have the Answers

Think you need to have all the answers to be a successful salesperson? Think again! Sometimes the most valuable thing you can bring to a customer conversation isn't your expertise, but your curiosity. In this week's Short Attention Span Sales Tip, Bill Farquharson explains how asking the right questions, listening carefully, and understanding a customer's bigger picture can transform you from another vendor into a trusted business partner.

Read More