Hustlers love music! Salespeople are synonymous with hustlers. And each of them will have a variety of lyrics that chronicle his or her experiences in this volatile industry. We call them sales songs.
From the adrenaline-filled highs of securing a deal to lamenting after yet another rejection, a life in sales is filled with thrilling days and fabulous successes as well as crushing defeats and soul-sapping ghostings.
Maybe this is the reason the energizing sound of music speaks to the soul of a hustler, as it provides comfort and solace in these highs and lows.
The sales life is a rollercoaster ride, and every state and stage of it needs to be celebrated. Here are some great songs to which you can relate (in the order of the sales lifecycle).
1. When you are out for leads
You are a young blooded and highly motivated sales rep who has ventured out with his vast network in the hope of finding prospects and leads. You are careful, curious, and want to find out what lies beyond. A total mystery to be unfolded with time, patience, and effort, similar to this great classic hit here.
This one’s for you!
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
There is a lady who was sure
All that glitters is gold
And, she’s buying a stairway to heaven
This song is one of hope. It slowly builds and ends with a great payoff. The lyrics are extremely close to the nature of sales. It tells you to be cautious, use words carefully as they will have two meanings, and the day will dawn for those who stand firm. A perfect song to listen to before you go on the prospect hunt.
2. When you are about to cold call
You have the potential customer list in hand. You’ll be dipping your toes in cold water if you want to be a smooth call operator.
Your pick would be…
Smooth Operator by Sade
No place for beginners or sensitive hearts
The sentiment is left to chance
No place to be ending but somewhere to start
No need to ask
He’s a smooth operator
3. When you are qualifying
Now your prospect has a name and a title. Now it’s time to face reality by determining whether to pursue them or not. Your ally would be “The Man Who Sold the World” by David Bowie (I personally love Nirvana’s version).
The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie
Who knows?
Not me
We’ve never lost control
You’re face to face
With the man who sold the world
Don’t let confusion get in your way, and never lose control of the lead. Stick to your parameters, and shake hands if it suits; if not, shake hands again, bid goodbye, and make your way back home. It’s time to move on to the next.
4. You are nurturing the prospect
It’s time to get their vibe and roll with them. It’s the stage of building trust and nurturing the relationship. The go-to song would be “Every Breath You Take” by the Police.
Every Breath You Take by the Police
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
Doesn’t it sound like your prospect tracking tool is talking? You let them know you would be there for them whenever they needed you, and this song does the same.
5. Time to pitch your solution
You won’t say your product is the best when you pitch. You show value; you tell its story like a story in every detail, showing how you turned the worst possible situation into an advantage, just like in Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.”
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
With a few red lights and a few old beds,
We made a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this,
I know, I know we’ll never forget
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Selling is showing value with a great story. What better story to tell than one about your struggle? Everyone loves it, and your prospects do too. Aren’t they in search of a solution for their own struggle?
6. Handling the objections
The real hurdle in a sales process is any objection that feels like a stranglehold. It’s a game of blows and counterblows. You duck some and face some. Whatever you do, you do it to stay on course to take the prospect to the end of the funnel road. You need to jam to something badass like Stranglehold by Ted Nugent.
Sometimes you want to get higher
Sometimes you gotta start low
Some people think they gonna die someday
I got news you never got to go old
Imagine facing a prospect in slow motion with probably the grooviest guitar riff in rock history as the background. You don’t need any better motivation than this!
7. Closing the Deal
The deal is live, and you are alive. Happier times! What can complement your mood better than The Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive?
Stayin’ Alive by Bee Gees
Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother
You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’
And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive
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The beat is addictive, and the lyrics are easy. It’s a happening one and adds to your little celebration.
Over to you
If you are an old-schooler, you will love these songs. If not, you would still love it, as it has a nice ring to it, especially since you are in sales. Create a playlist with these tracks and name it “My Sales Jams.”
Sales is a serious profession. But salespeople don’t have to be. Remember, you lose interest when there is no fun in doing it. Keep yourself motivated and on your feet for the task with songs like these. It’s fun!
Share your favorite sales tracks or playlists. I would love to see your recommendations.