SerialBiller

Enterprise Account Executive

Do females have an advantage over males?

What's up folks?

I saw another post about whether being good looking determined if you have to be good at sales or something, but then I decided to put this age old question to the group for discussion:

Do you think that females have a better chance in selling that males?

I've personally seen first hand over the years how a little bit of female charm can work on male executives to some extent, I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences and storys on what they have seen.

Also, does it work the other way around? I've had a few situations myself that I think may have been so but unsure if I just got lucky.

😳 Ethics

🤠 Culture

🙂 Rapport

50 comments

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poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Old guard execs will fall for an attractive female SDR and buy from a trusted fellow white man.

It’s a timeless combo.

derneutrale

Opinionated

Business Development

Agree, for more classic executives, getting the door open as an (attractive) female is easier but building trust is harder

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Perfect reply!!

BigShrimpin

Politicker

Account executive

Exactly this, women can get you in the room but the same people who only take a meeting for a woman with a pretty face would never take them seriously as the closer.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Bing!!

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Gotta say, I agree and I’m sick about it. If a straight dude finds a woman sales person more attractive than their sales proposition, they absolutely do not listen to anything the woman has to say.

I’ve had it and seen it happen a million times. You’re selling, you’re killing it, and then the dude’s eyes soften and they ask if you’re married. There is absolutely nothing that sales exec can do or say to retake control of the ship, so to say.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Really great point. You an Aries?

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Haha no but I’ve never seen any astro talk on Bravado. Should I wait for your zinger on Aries?

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Nah- lemme try another route:
Dang girl! Are you my appendix? Because I can’t figure out how you work, but I’ve got this feeling in my stomach that’s making me want to take you out.

Men are pigs. Sorry

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Oh god the amount of lines I used to get! 😂

My favorite was when I would tell customers I moved with my husband while he got his PhD and I’d get “So … he’s not providing for you?” No he’s a grad student. “Oh baby, I would provide for you!” Okay cool, random elder gentleman! You just told me $32 a day was too expensive for a rental car, but you’re going to pay off my student loans?

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

I’ve worked with women who were incredibly successful sellers. I hate that I have to say this, but they were also masters of that kind of situation. They’d laugh it off, maybe even imply that the door was open. But it was always only about the deal. It’s amazing what a male crocodile brain will do if it believes it’s got a chance. It’s just so exploitable.

That kind of mind warp control takes a while to develop. Shitty it’s even necessary. But here we are.

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Oh I’ve definitely seen those experts in the field and they’re incredible! But I can tell you for certain, the flirt cannot close a deal. It’s everything else she says added to how much people trust attractive people more than others.

Ultimately, gross dudes want a confirmation they’re getting something out of a deal before they sign on the dotted line.

And there’s a reason we don’t see “trade show hoes” out and about nearly as much. The spectacle didn’t close deals.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

100% agreed. But for the gentlemen in the audience, have you honestly never found yourself in a pitch where you got distracted by hot dude prospect?

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Tagging @Gasty here as I think this topic is worthy of further investigation, and @youngsmoky clearly has a POV worthy of their own AMA.
There...said it.

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Sorry, I laugh snorted. I’ve not been distracted even a bit!

I remember so clearly the first time some “attractive” execs approached my colleague and I at our booth. They said we should join them for drinks and one of them gingerly touched my arm.

As soon as they left we laughed and laughed. Even if I was single, you’d have to be Idris fucking Elba for me to say “we should at least pop by.” Hot dude my age in a similar role? No intention of running into him anywhere besides my booth.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Well, I clearly don't have nearly the level of integrity you do. I was pitching the CEO of a big jet boat brand a few years ago. She asked me which airport I flew into. I told her. She says, "oh honey, we're gonna do business, but when you come back there's a private airport around the corner. I'll pick you up."
She was drop dead, early 40's gorgeous, and freaking loaded. Pictures of herself in a bikini all over the office. And I... I was very happily married. I did still want to call her mommy, though. I rolled with that fantasy for bit.
I did get the deal. Never even thought of returning. She never asked. So... I dunno. There's that.

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Hey I appreciate it!

In my industry, I entered the scene “post- sex sells” era. Like 2021. And now I’m part of a hugely influential women’s networking group that came on to combat those biases.

I’d talk any day, any time about this shit.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

The topic is worthy.

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Hey is it my integrity or the lack of eligible candidates? I think we both know it’s the former, but the latter keeps my husband on his toes! Love Island says “stay mean, keep em keen.” And that sounds like solid marriage advice to me.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Yeah, that’s from the advanced curriculum.
Never go to bed angry is for rookies.

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

Agreed

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

This is indeed the way.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

Female SDRs probably have a higher likelihood of landing that first meeting/call than a male counterpart. Old slimy male execs will go out of their way to get an ego boost from a young female, and female execs might feel more comfortable and excited to speak with another female professional. After that first meeting though, I don't think females or males have an advantage over the other sex when it comes to actually running a full sales cycle or closing a deal. Separating a customer from their money is a whole lot different than getting an email response or 30 minutes on someone's calendar.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

As with anything, it depends.
Looks and charm will only take you so far. In a long sales cycle, it had better be backed up by flat out competence and skill.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

100% agreed.
I don't think anyone is putting in their tens and thousands of dollars for the looks of someone.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Nope! Hundreds of thousands aren’t being signed off on based on looks & charm.

Well, at least not in my industry.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

I have seen the opposite, where men get the relationship-building OOO activities. Being the round of golf, football game, grabbing a cocktail etc. The women on the team got put in "weird" situations, where the stakeholders thought it was a date if it was a 1 on 1 activity

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

It's definitely a fine line to balance.

slayallday

Member

Enterprise Account Executive

So true. There are so many happy hours for men like golfing that women are not invited to.

Goomba

Opinionated

Director of Shitposts

1000%. If I see a woman exec hiring for just about any role I know she’s hiring a woman.

Men hire women. Women rarely hire men.

youngsmoky

Celebrated Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Here’s what I’ll say. Women are trained from a young age to hone emotional intelligence and social skills. That rolls over into sales skills.

I only wish I could explain how emotionally defunct most of my male sales managers were and why it was so frustrating they couldn’t see how off-putting they came across.

On the other hand, as a very averagely attractive woman, it’s actually a disadvantage when a male prospect is attracted to you. They don’t listen, keep thinking about when they can spin this conversation into a flirt, and generally waste your time.

I can’t say I’ve had a Zoom call where my ~🌸~beauty~🌸~ has been so distracting it took away from the call. But at some trade shows, dude bros have a couple too many drinks or feel like they have to act on their attraction, and it’s such a disappointment.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

When I was in SMB it was significantly easier for them to book a meeting, but they had abysmal show rates. They could close when they had the right opportunities, but a ton were created because so many dudes are creepy.

In MM/ENT, what @poweredbycaffeine said.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

I think this will be more based on ppl.

The old school buyer wants to be wined and dined and will probably want to spend time with an attractive female.

but where we are now, i think buyers just want the right info at the right time and feel like they got a good deal. who they interact with is less of a big deal especially since more interactions are on zoom and not on the golf course.

ChumpChange

Politicker

Channel Manager

Looks get you meetings but they do not by any means secure deals.

lowhangersalesbanger

Executive

Account Executive

In my experience with the team I managed, female SDR's could set meetings easier, but when it came to getting the sale the numbers held the same further down the funnel.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Gimme time!
Is that your real photo?
Yes!
Tuesday at 2.

What happens from there requires a competent seller.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

In certain situations yes, in others not at all.

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

astute...

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Great question. IMO “it depends”. But from what I have seen they are generally higher maintenance than their male counterparts.

Juancallclose

Catalyst

Director

My best sdr was a Russian model who barely spoke English. She just pinged people via LI, usually homely looking IT types

SerialBiller

Executive

Enterprise Account Executive

Tactics lol

slayallday

Member

Enterprise Account Executive

As a woman in sales I can say it’s easier to get a door opener, book a first meeting, etc, but I think it’s harder to close. I think subconsciously older men (because let’s be honest most execs are men unless you’re selling to HR or Marketing), take you less seriously. Even if you are selling to a female exec, then you have to navigate the complex female-female dynamic of ego stroking, not being too pretty that the older woman is jealous, etc.<br><br>Just my honestly 2 cents. Happy to be a woman in sales tho, wouldn’t trade it 😚😚

slayallday

Member

Enterprise Account Executive

Someone made a great comment about golf. At one of my old companies, I was the top rep, however my male colleague kept getting handed warm opps because he was golf buddies with the CEO. Serious nepotism happening for male reps that is not offered for women. Total BS, but hey, I’m not victim so I’ll work my ass off to beat him anyway 😘

SaaSsy

Politicker

I always told my male colleagues that I may get in more doors, but more people waste my time too. It’s a double edged sword. I’m sure any ladies in here would agree there’s always that creepy, lonely buyer that just wants to spend time with you.

SerialBiller

Executive

Enterprise Account Executive

That's creepy and scary shit

Juancallclose

Catalyst

Director

Yes

assistant

Females are good as sales but only when they recognize their capability.

bluegirl

Contributor

Account Executive

I often see this questions on r/sales on Reddit.

I acknowledge that some people, especially older executives, might think attractive women have it easier in sales, but I believe this mindset is changing. At the end of the day, everyone is playing the cards they’re dealt, and success in sales is about leveraging your unique strengths.

As an attractive woman, I sell to both men and women, with many of my customers being highly educated, often at the top of their fields. Interestingly, I tend to sell more to women than men, which works to my advantage because I can form closer, more genuine relationships with my female clients. With men, I have to be more cautious to maintain professionalism, as friendliness can sometimes be misinterpreted.

However, this isn’t a one-sided dynamic. My male colleagues often find it easier to build rapport with other men and sometimes with women, too, as their friendliness isn’t as likely to be misconstrued.

Yes, being attractive might help get meetings, but closing deals is a different story. I consistently close more deals than my male colleagues, not because of my looks but because of my competence, my ability to listen, and my deep understanding of customer needs. Looks may open the door, but they won’t help you hit your quota.

In fact, sometimes being attractive can be a disadvantage because people assume you succeeded on looks alone. But at the end of the day, both women and men can be attractive, intelligent, and hardworking. We all have to prove ourselves beyond appearances, and it’s those deeper qualities that drive real success.

cw95

Politicker

Head of SDR

I’ve spoke to lots of my female colleagues and friends about this recently - I’d say it depends on the industry but irregardless if that, females are much more likely to get their in the door on LinkedIn or at events!

Notstephcurry

Good Citizen

Sales Manager

Often easier to get meetings booked, our BDRs used vidyard for cold prospecting, the female BDRs would have 3-4x the amount of clicks and watched and about 2x meeting rate. Closing was a different story