Graphic Media Alliance

Complete Story
 

01/29/2025

January Sales Lessons

Source: Bill Farquharson, The Sales Vault, January 27, 2025

Bill f

Now that we’re at the end of the month, I wanted to check in with you and ask how your sales went. Almost everyone I spoke with told me the 1st 10 days or so were very quiet and then it picked up. How about you?

Regardless of how you answer that question, I need to point out the origin of your success or failure goes back to the advice I gave you last August. That’s when I told you the most important selling months of the year are September, October, and November. My prediction was your Q1 sales results are a direct result of what you did or didn’t you during that 90 day time period.

Why am I hitting this point again?

Sure, I love me a good “told you so,” but moreover it’s to point out how that sales tip can be repeated over and over again. If you want to have a strong sales spring, put the time in now and for the next couple of months ramp up your sales activity. If you want to avoid the summer slowdown, turn up the sales jets in March, April, and May.

I wish there was a way for you to see your sales needle move, but there isn’t. Call after call, e-mail after e-mail goes without any response and it seems like you are shouting into the abyss. You see no progress but I assure you, progress is being made.

The proof of that last statement lies in your sales results for January.

By and large, your February sales results are already in the books. Most of March’s, too. You need to keep your eyes on the horizon and understand the cause and effect that makes up the sales cycle.

If you had a strong sales month, congratulations. Good for you. You obviously put the time in last fall.

If you are not happy with your January sales results, learn the lesson and don’t make the same mistakes twice.

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



2025 Wage + Benefits Survey

We're just 1 week away from the August 1 deadline. Don’t ignore reality by assuming you’ve already outpaced the competition. While you’re standing still, others could be soaring ahead—attracting top talent and leaving you behind.

Read More

PEA Grand Ceremony

Please join us in congratulating the Best of Category winners! These prestigious awards, along with Judge’s Awards, Rising Star and Best of Show will be recognized at the Grand Ceremony on August 21.

Read More

The Inside Scoop on M&A in the Printing Industry

Graphic Media Alliance is proud to host a special in-person Executive Leadership Training Session featuring Jim Russell of New Direction Partners covering critical insights on the 2025 Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) landscape.

Read More

"America's AI Action Plan" Promises Big Changes Across Industries

America’s AI Action Plan will have a huge impact not only AI developers and the tech sector but also on many employers and employees throughout the US workforce.

Read More

Project Management and the Mailpiece Design Consultant Workshops

GMA's sister association, Print & Graphic Communications Association, is hosting two workshops. In August, learn how to master the art of project management in accordance with the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Then, in October, become familiar with and test the US Postal information contained in the MSMA MDC Study Guide.

Read More

One Less Thing

AI offers some amazing capabilities, but because it takes time to learn and master each agent, you might want to take the advice Bill Farquharson shares in this week's Short Attention Span Sales Tip before going down every AI rabbit hole.

Read More