Zero Meetings, No Phone/Email luck. How to deal with a slow summer?

I became an SDR in January and been top of the charts for commission nearly every month. June was my biggest month yet but now with July it's been nothing. I've gotten 1 meeting this entire month. I'm panicking. Trying to do personalized outreach and be more thoughtful but nothing seems to be working.


Is it a slow summer for everyone else too? I feel like I'm failing. My VP says it's normal but I can't help but feel like I'm blowing it.


Any advice? Feeling pretty down about it all.

🔎 Prospecting
👑 Sales Strategy
💌 Cold Emailing
13
BmajoR
Arsonist
5
Account Executive
Yes, it is quite normal. July tends to be a slow month for everyone. This is a good time for you to do some A/B testing on your outreach, try new things, play around with it and have fun. 

If you were really doing as well as you claim, then you have nothing to worry about - just don't get complacent. What worked one month doesn't always work the next. Remember the highs when you're in these valleys. 

Your conviction means you care, so don't let that go. Just let it motivate you to keep being the best you can be. 
pinkiesup
Catalyst
1
AE
I'm trying to change things up, getting opens + sometimes replies (usually no's tho but that's normal obviously). I'll keep trying to come up with things. Thanks for the words of encouragement
PhillySales
Opinionated
2
Director of Inside Sales
Take a lighter approach to the conversation, “hey I know it’s the summer and you probably don’t have many projects going on, but what are some of the things you plan to tackle in the fall?”
pinkiesup
Catalyst
0
AE
that's a really good idea! Thank you! I'll write some copy around this. The product I sell most of our prospects want to meet with us in late Q3 or Q4 so it'll be nice to get a head start on
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
If you have the time to dig some leads, do it. I wish I had a bit more liberty to do that. I've complained about this before in the WR, due to contracts with the client and me working for an outsourcing sales organization we depend heavily in the leads provided by their marketing, kinda sucks I know.

If you already know who your ideal buyers are, go for it. Also, if you have a bit of cash to spend on your prospects send them something of value, a book for your top ten prospects and your business card in. Or maybe a mug with your name on it, all that stuff really works!
pinkiesup
Catalyst
1
AE
ah I wish I could send things - company won't allow we're a small startup. Good idea for the future tho! Thanks for the lead tips too
DrunkenArt
Politicker
1
Sales Representative
Step 1: Don't panic. No more steps after that. July is one of the worst months in general, a lot of people are out of the office on vacation and spending time with kids. Try to keep a positive mentality and things will eventually work out, especially if you're a consistent top performer. 
pinkiesup
Catalyst
0
AE
I will try not to panic. Trying to stay positive - really hard when I'm not even on the board for the week and people who just started 2 months ago are
DrunkenArt
Politicker
1
Sales Representative
It's hard thing to do, but keep your eyes off the leaderboard. I make myself crazy sometimes by watching others succeed when I have a slower day. Keep grinding and if you need it, take a mental health day for yourself to reset
JC10X
Politicker
1
Senior Sales Manager
Work on your craft so you can heat up the winter.
Hotlead
Politicker
0
Producer
WolfOfTheWest
0
Territory manager
July, then thanksgiving to new years
watercooler
Politicker
0
Manger, BizDev
July is a travel month for prospects - people take time off

As a BDR/SDR you're beginning your career in sales, which can have many ebbs and flows in a long career. Use this time to try new prospecting tools and techniques. Get creative with your emails and your calls, what are you saying... do you sound like every other salesperson reaching out?

Don't let the mindset of "summer is slow" be an excuse though, as many people still hit quotas - that thought can easily slip into how you show up and how defeated you could feel
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
How's it going bb?
6

When's the best time to start booking meetings for July with upcoming days off and most people taking vacations?

Question
8
7

It's 12pm, END OF MONTH and you have ONE deal that will get you to target

Discussion
6
What method would you use to get your Champion on the phone?
50 people voted