Nairobi

How long did it take you to like sales?

I have been a BDR for five months now and don't know if I'm supposed to already have the "sales bug" that people talk about cause I clearly don't... I don't hate sales, but I don't like it either; it's okay for me.

A bit about me: I graduated last May, so this is my first full-time job. I'm at a B2B SaaS startup selling to Enterprise, where I'm the only BDR. Got into sales because, well, with the pandemic, that was the only opening for me, and I think I can learn great skills that will help me throughout my career.

🚀 Career Goals

💆‍♂ Mindset

🧠 Advice

71 comment

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Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

Once I started getting the commission checks

Nairobi

Politicker

Right, I think I'll appreciate sales more when I'll get those checks 😁

paddy

WR Officer

Director of Business Development

Yup, commish checks indeed make the shitty days (99% of them) worth the rare good ones.

Bensonwade

Good Citizen

Enterprise Account Executive

If you believe in the company/product, like the team and enjoy the small wins, it should only take a few years.

But in all seriousness, sales is the hardest role in the company, and being a BDR is like going through an MBA in sales. Be proactive, ask to participate in the AE demos and sales process. Be a student of the game. All the pieces will add up.

Nairobi

Politicker

Thanks for the advice! I'm trying my best to be a good student of the game.

Do you think I should switch to a company that truly interests me? I believe the company/product I'm selling has great potential, but it doesn't interest me that much. I thought I was interested when I first joined, but now I'm realizing it's not that interesting.

WopWopWop

Contributor

Client Executive

Yes you should switch to a company that truly interests you. It doesn't matter to everyone, but I personally like to learn my product deep and enjoy talking about it

Tres

Politicker

Account Executive

1 year plus. Also, what success have you had in the first 5 months? I don't mean that in a bad way, but typically the "most fun" part of sales is closing deals and getting commission, so once that starts happening you may find yourself liking it more.

Nairobi

Politicker

No worries, that's a fair question to ask! I realize I should have mentioned that in my post, but I have been at 2 startups in my 5 months. The first one, I did 2 deals in 3.5 months, but I left because it was a sinking ship. The second one, well, I have only been here for 1 month now and got 2 demos but no deals yet.

Wolfof7thStreet

Valued Contributor

I think that it was more a mindset switch than anything. As soon as I stopped giving a fk, got on the phones a lot more, and started telling people no at times, the job got way better. Plus moving into a closing role will always help with commission.

Nairobi

Politicker

Any tips on how to stop giving a fk? hahaha I know I need to do that, but I'm not there yet

GALACTIC

Politicker

Account Executive

Yes, stop focusing on the close and focus on the process. This is how I get through the dark times. It really depends on industry, but if you keep your pipeline full, learn to qualify people out quickly, you can remove some emotion from the closed lost button. I changed my mindset to trying to find out if they are ACTUALLY a good fit for the product instead of trying to force a close, and my closed won number started going up.

Robot

Politicker

AE (Account Executive)

When I moved from a customer service role to sales and saw the ability to still assist customers on an advisory level, that's when I enjoyed it.

SaaSsy

Politicker

About 6 months, I always have to feel like I have a good understanding of product and sales cycle to feel confident at a new company. Stick with it and try different industries - you may find something you love to sell!

Nairobi

Politicker

Yeah, I was thinking about that. The industry I'm in doesn't really interest me, so that could be why. Thanks for the advice!

Chep

WR Officer

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

About 3-6 month period I started to enjoy it more and more. By no means in love with it, but feel fortunate I get paid to make cold calls for a living

Nairobi

Politicker

Thanks for your honesty! I haven't done too many phone calls yet, but I know I will

LordOfWar

Tycoon

Blow it up

When I realized my passion and knowledge about the products could translate into helping the customer make better decisions.

Nairobi

Politicker

Yep seems like having a passion for the product is essential

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

Any tips on how to stop giving a fk? hahaha I know I need to do that, but I'm not there yet

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

But in all seriousness, sales is the hardest role in the company, and being a BDR is like going through an MBA in sales.

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

I would say 2 months ish for me

Nairobi

Politicker

Oh nice that was quick for you! What made you like sales?

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

Having a product I connect with!

Nairobi

Politicker

Right, I think that's my big issue right now.

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

What space are you in?

Nairobi

Politicker

physical security

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

Aah. Got it. Well there are other threads where they talk about a deeper connection to what you're selling. You oughtta check them out. Will get some tips

Nairobi

Politicker

Thanks for the advice! I'm new to the platform, so getting my way around, but I definitely need to find those threads!

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

Absolutely, just use the search bar

MrMoneybags

Big Shot

Account Executive

I started in a similar position as you I imagine. I didn't hate it, but never loved it.

I worked as an SDR for a year, it's a terrible job, did not like it one bit.
promoted to MDR. started to like it more, the spark hit.
now sitting on the AE chair, loving life.

Business Development is often a path to bigger and better. if you have a clear promotion path ahead of you and you want to explore the options. take them, if you are confident it is not your groove, move on.

Nairobi

Politicker

Thanks for the advice! No clear path right now since it is a small startup, but I know that I will ask for better opportunities once I excel.

MrMoneybags

Big Shot

Account Executive

If there is no clear path, then you are the one who needs to make that path. if you wait until you're flying high in comish then you might be stuck in the role too long.

I would try to set up a PDP (Personal Development Plan) with your manager and explain where you want to go and ask for commitment from their end. where can they help you. after all it is your career and you're in charge.

Nairobi

Politicker

I never thought about that. Wow, thanks that's a great idea!

Salespreuner

Big Shot

Regional Sales Director

3 months. As I designed a strategy and it started paying off with good commission!

Nairobi

Politicker

Nice, what was the strategy about?

Salespreuner

Big Shot

Regional Sales Director

Territory specific end user focused campaign (back in retail sales days!)

TheSolicitorGeneral

Politicker

Small Market AE

Honestly, once you start to "get it" and start to be fine with being told no by prospects, you start finding yourself winning and at the top of the stack rankings, you'll be hooked. At least for me, I'm motivated by winning. Of course, the money is AWESOME, but I do what I do simply because I want to be #1.

All in all, it depends on your mindset.

Nairobi

Politicker

Yeah I'm super competitive so same. Totally agree with you. I think once I start to "get it," it will be more fun

Wanna.Be.Rick.Spielman

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

I want to come up with a sarcastic comment about do we ever "like" sales but reality is that it's a tough ass job and its ok to not "love" it. Did I want to go into SaaS sales as a kid growing up? obviously not.... but that being said around year 4 I started to realize I enjoyed the freedom and the commission that comes along with the gig. You get out what you put in, cant say the same about most jobs.

Nairobi

Politicker

Thanks for your realness! That's why I want to stay in sales, you get out what you put in

Simo

Politicker

Director of Sales

If you like strategy games etc. Once you understand the mechanics of sales, selling becomes a real-life chess game. Took probably a 1 of quota carrying to figure it out.

The commission doesn't hurt either

Nairobi

Politicker

Love strategy games! Was there something/some stuff that helped you understand the mechanics of sales?

Indeed it doesn't hahaha

Bittersweet0326

Politicker

Digital Business Associate

As soon as I realized my effort directly translated into $$$

CREAM

Good Citizen

Manager

I still don't like it......the commission checks are fun and so is the "freedom" but god damn.... rejection never gets old

DustyGreenField

Good Citizen

EVP, Sales

Once I understood every success story I began hearing was built on the back of a sales guy. The day to day grind sucks balls, but knowing I can provide for my family no matter what makes it all worth it.

ChunkyButters

Tycoon

When I found a product and company that I enjoyed selling for and with. Having a product you enjoy selling and really believe in makes a big difference. So does a team that supports, encourages, and guides you to success. If you can find both, that's golden.

I really enjoy the prospects/clients I speak with daily. They're smart, interesting, and willing to discuss their processes.

Getting commission checks definitely helps keep ya motivated too.

SalesSage

Valued Contributor

National Account Manager

First success, hooked from the thrill of the win.

cadillac

Good Citizen

Field Sales Rep

commission checks coming - sales is great | slow year - I hate this job (rinse and repeat in perpetuity)

latran94

As an AE, after 6+ months :

1) building great relationships with clients thanking/recommending me etc.

2) as someone already wrote: getting the commission checks!

RandyMoss

Politicker

Account Executive

You have to give it time. I've read in many places, and heard firsthand from many Directors and Executives that it can take 12-18 months for your average sales rep to be a fully contributing member of the team. You need time to build your pipeline, learn the product, and cultivate relationships with people. Unless you get handed the keys to a Ferrari, nobody expects you to walk in the door and blow your numbers out of the water in the first 6 months at any sales job. If you get to that point and you still aren't seeing success then you can decide if you want to look inward or try to sell something else. You're a BDR, so I'm guessing you're young. It is not uncommon at all to hop around and find something that you like during your first few years of working. Just don't do it too often or you'll get a reputation as a job hopper!

Nairobi

Politicker

Got it! Yes, still young, just getting started. After how many hops would you say someone is a job hopper?

RandyMoss

Politicker

Account Executive

I'd say try not to get north of 2-3 times in your first couple years of your career. Try to find a place where you can settle in for a good 2-3 years and build up your experience

KimoSabe

Good Citizen

Account Executive

Commission checks aside...when my customers began recommending me to their peers.

Nairobi

Politicker

How long did that take you for customers to recommend you?

KimoSabe

Good Citizen

Account Executive

Generally speaking, it'll take time. In my business (IT leasing/financing) it takes a few years for a customer to go through an entire cycle with you to truly experience how we operate, and how our business model differentiates us from the marketplace. I should note, these recommendations did not occur unsolicited. I am in the Corporate/Enterprise space and customers are hesitant, almost reluctant, to provide formal recs due to NDAs, general corporate rules, self-preservation, etc. My best suited client recommendations have come from 1-on-1s with high-valued contacts at a prospective company. There's a lot to unpack here, but with any corp/ent sales space, it's never easy. Hope this helps.

GetAHobby

Arsonist

RVP Sales

its been 20 yrs and I'm still not sure I like it, but what the hell else would I do?

Nairobi

Politicker

hahaha right, love the honesty though!

The_Sales_Badger

Notorious Answer

Account Executive

The last day I worked as a server in a restaurant

Jnye

Enterprise account executive

Bdr jobs are the toughest in the industry because you don’t get the fun of closing a deal and negotiating. Every industry has entry level and that’s where you earn your stripes in sales. Find fun through the mundane and push to get to an AE. That’s when the fun begins and the money starts stacking up.

Nairobi

Politicker

Noted, thanks!

tonysoprano

Big Shot

Sr. AE

It took me awhile tbh. Grinding through a year as a BDR was tough for me, but knowing what was on the other side of the fence made it worth it

Obviously the thrill of getting a signed contract back in your inbox NEVER gets old, especially the commission. But like a lot of people have said, passion is huge for me. Not being passionate about the product, value you bring, problems you solve, etc. makes it incredibly hard to like sales IMO

Nairobi

Politicker

I think you are right. I'm starting to realize that my lack of passion for the product is making it harder for me tbh

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

I started loving sales when I was like 10 years old and started spending time around my buddy’s dad - the best salesman I have ever known.

In a very conscious way I have been trying to emulate that gentleman’s success ever since I identified that he was different than the rest of the pack, so to speak.

Nairobi

Politicker

Wow, that's a nice experience to have. What are the most important things you learned?

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Nairobi

How long did it take you to like sales?

71 comment

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