Timeline on closing first deal?

Hello fellow savages,


I just recently got promoted to an AE role from an SDR role (it finally happened!) and I wanted to put some feelers out on a reasonable timeline for closing my first major deal. I know every role and situation is unique and I probably shouldn't put any more pressure on myself, but I'd love to get some honest advice from my sales family :)


I'm one month in, and I'd really like to have at least one deal under my belt or in the works by the start of the new year. Is this reasonable?

๐Ÿ‘‘ Sales Strategy
๐Ÿ“ˆ Closing
๐Ÿ’ฏ Promotions
11
funcoupons
WR Officer
8
๐Ÿ‘‘
Realllllyy depends on your industry and product. In companies selling low cost commodity items/services AEs close several deals a day, in companies that sell big ticket items to niche markets they might only get one big sale a year at best.

What do you sell?
yungshrimp
Contributor
1
Account Executive
Totally understandable; I sell emergency management software/hardware to hospitals and medical centers. Kind of untapped territory in my company right now which is why I think I'm so curious about it
funcoupons
WR Officer
4
๐Ÿ‘‘
Tough to say if you're the first to go after this vertical. I'd look at how long it's taking other AEs to close and average it out - that's likely how long it's going to take you.
yungshrimp
Contributor
1
Account Executive
awesome, thank you Queen Coups :)
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
๐Ÿ‘‘
No worries, congrats on the promotion!
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
8
SaaS Eater
What is the average sales cycle for your company? Add like 25% to that since you dont really know what youre doing yet.ย 
yungshrimp
Contributor
1
Account Executive
I'd say about 90 days on average. 25% added puts me at about 4 months, I think that's a reasonable timeline. thank you!
TheNegotiator
Arsonist
2
VP of Sales
100% agree for lack of experience, but the one piece of advice I would give is donโ€™t ever give into preconceptions.
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Itโ€™s great to have a guideline, but 30 days or less is 200% possible. I once closed 4 deals in 30 days at a job where killers (and I do mean MONSTER salespeople making $1M+ USD a year in commission) said we shouldnโ€™t expect to close for 90 days. And these guys were super cutthroat so it wasnโ€™t like them to soften the blow or suggest mediocrity to new people.
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You could be in a completely different industry, and your experience could be nothing like mine. Just go into it pushing as hard as you can, and you might surprise yourself. If it does take you a little longer, no big deal.
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Good luck, and congrats on the promotion! IMO itโ€™s single the most exciting promotion you ever get in sales, so enjoy it!
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
1
SaaS Eater
I agree, I closed one of the larger deals I ever have in my first month in my first job so anything is possible. Im just outlining a realistic expectation but by no means am I saying you cant close sooner.ย 

Get after it!ย 
yungshrimp
Contributor
0
Account Executive
awesome advice, thank you!!
yungshrimp
Contributor
1
Account Executive
yessir!!! thank you!!
braintank
Politicker
7
Enterprise Account Executive
Between 2 hours and 2 years
yungshrimp
Contributor
0
Account Executive
love that^ lol
FattySnacks
Politicker
3
Senior Account Executive
Took me 4 months but our average sales cycle is 90+ days. Pretty industry/product specific
yungshrimp
Contributor
0
Account Executive
definitely industry/product specific. 4 months is great for me at this stage
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
๐ŸฆŠ
That totally depends on who you are selling to and on your product.ย 
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Look at some of the data points of the past performance to understand the timeline.ย 
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
Congratulations to you.ย  There's some solid advice on this thread about sales cycles and expectations.ย  ย 
QueenSoopers
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
So I recently also got promoted and I sold a โ€œlower-tierโ€ product my first day back. However, I just sold my first โ€œlargerโ€ more applicable deal just this week at just under 2 months in.
To echo others, depends on your industry and product. Iโ€™m in insurance so generally speaking shit moves slow especially if itโ€™s big.
I would plan to have your first quarter be a ramp up period and an opportunity to build a bomb pipeline, and plan to start getting contracts signed starting in your second quarter.
yungshrimp
Contributor
0
Account Executive
sweet thanks, congrats on your promotion!!
1

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