The Art of Sales with Art Sobczak

This will certainly make some people mad--and they are the ones who need to hear it the most: YOU, and your habits, decisions, and actions up to this point in your life have determined where you are right now. The great news, is that you also can decide to make things better. Right now.  Art shares some common sense advice and facts that can help you make next year--or any part of your future--the best ever.

Tired of sending follow-up messages into the void? Getting ghosted by prospects who seemed interested? The problem isn't your follow-up strategy—it's what happened BEFORE you needed to follow up. In this episode, you'll discover the tough-love truth about why people don't respond and the four non-negotiables that make follow-up unnecessary. Learn how to structure initial conversations so prospects can't ignore you without breaking their word. What You'll Learn: The Four Non-Negotiables for creating "response-proof" conversations Why getting ghosted is usually your own fault (and how to fix it) 6 proven recovery strategies when prevention doesn't work The psychology behind what makes people respond immediately vs. ignore completely Real-world scripts for high-status follow-ups that don't sound desperate Advanced tactics including the "Consultant Flip" and social proof pressure Perfect for: B2B sales professionals, consultants, and anyone who needs responses from busy decision-makers Stop chasing prospects and start creating conversations they can't ignore. Because the best follow-up is the one you never have to send. Resources mentioned: Smart Calling College at http://SmartCallingCollege.com

Ever wonder why Scott in the next cubicle breaks every sales rule you've learned... yet consistently crushes his numbers? Why some reps can open calls with "Got a minute?" and get prospects leaning in, while others use perfect technique and get hung up on? In this eye-opening episode, sales legend Art Sobczak reveals the hidden psychology behind why rule-breakers often outperform rule-followers. What You'll Discover: The real reason "perfect" sales techniques sometimes fail spectacularly Why prospects can instantly sense desperation through the phone (even when your words are flawless) The 5 components of "command presence" that top performers naturally possess How your internal beliefs leak into your voice, tone, and timing without you realizing it Why "fake it till you make it" actually backfires in high-pressure sales situations The difference between acting confident and being confident (and why it matters more than any script) How to stop exhausting yourself trying to maintain a sales "performance" The identity transformation that turns techniques from forced to effortless Plus: The "Jim Furyk Effect" - why unconventional approaches sometimes work better than textbook methods, and what that means for your sales career. If you've ever felt frustrated watching less skilled reps outperform you, or wondered why your perfect pitch isn't converting, this episode reveals the missing piece that changes everything. Warning: This content challenges conventional sales wisdom and may fundamentally shift how you approach every prospect conversation. (The link to the transformation mentioned is http://UltimateSalesPro.com.)  

You know the feeling. You have calls to make, leads to follow up on, prospects to reach out to. But instead of picking up the phone, you find yourself staring at it like it's radioactive. Maybe you reorganize your desk. Craft another "perfect" email. Research prospects for the third time. Anything except dialing. Sound familiar? In this episode, Art reveals why this isn't a discipline problem, a laziness problem, or a motivation problem. It's something much deeper - and completely fixable. Discover the three hidden drivers that cause call avoidance, why willpower always fails, and the identity shift that transforms phone-fearful salespeople into confident professionals who actually look forward to making calls. You'll learn: The real reason you procrastinate on calls (it's not what you think) Why "forcing yourself" to take action always backfires The simple mindset shift that eliminates call reluctance forever How top performers naturally do what others struggle to force Plus: The story of a salesperson who went from dreading Mondays to saying "I actually look forward to my calls now." If you're tired of battling yourself every time you need to pick up the phone, this episode will change everything. (The site for the Ultimate Sales Pro Method is http://UltimateSalesPro.com)

What if you could never lose on a sales call again - even when prospects say no? Most salespeople approach calls with one goal: get the sale or appointment. When that doesn't happen, they feel rejected and start avoiding the phone altogether. In this episode, Art reveals the "Secondary Objectives" strategy that turns every conversation into a win. Whether you're building rapport, gathering intelligence, or learning about their decision process - you'll discover multiple ways to succeed on every call. Plus: A simple 3-call challenge that will eliminate call reluctance and transform how you approach prospecting forever. This tactical mindset shift comes straight from Art's Ultimate Sales Professional course and has helped thousands of salespeople become truly rejection-proof.

In this second part of Art's exclusive mastermind session recorded on a Mediterranean cruise, four extraordinarily successful entrepreneurs reveal the mindset shifts, identity traits, and beliefs that took them from startups to multimillion-dollar exits. Meet the panel: Tim Murphy - Built Presidential Pools from cleaning pools to 35,000+ pools and the largest pool builder in the US Tim Barone - Grew Vantage Mobility from $5M to $350M in wheelchair accessible vehicles Darren Wellborn - Scaled his civil engineering startup to 500+ engineers across 6 locations Louis Basile - Co-founded Wildflower Bread Company, growing from home kitchen recipes to 16 restaurant locations You'll discover: ✓ Why thinking of work as "fun" rather than work changes everything  ✓ The "zero debt" philosophy that eliminated fear and accelerated growth ✓ How to hire people smarter than you (and why most entrepreneurs struggle with this) ✓ The power of giving employees "a piece of the action" and why it creates unstoppable momentum ✓ Why "refusing to fail" doesn't mean avoiding risk—it means the opposite ✓ The mindset shift from "running in the business" to "running the business" ✓ How authenticity and curiosity become competitive advantages Key insight: These leaders didn't just build companies—they built cultures where employees became family, customers became advocates, and even competitors became allies. Whether you're a solopreneur, sales professional, or building a team, these battle-tested insights will shift how you think about success, leadership, and what it really takes to dominate your market. Part 1 (Episode 314) covered their strategies and tactics. Part 2 reveals the thinking behind the success.

Art takes listeners aboard a cruise ship for a unique mastermind session with four incredibly successful business people... friends of his who built and sold multimillion-dollar companies. This rare group conversation features: Tim Murphy - Built Presidential Pools from startup to 35,000+ pools and the largest pool builder in the US, selling twice over 35 years Tim Barone - Grew a handicapped van conversion company from $5M to $350M in revenue over 25 years Louis Basile - Founded and built Wildflower Bread Company into 16 locations over 28 years before selling in 2024 Darren Welborn - Started an engineering firm at 27, grew it to 500+ employees across six states, and sold at age 44 Each shares their sales philosophies and what set them apart from competitors.  Common themes emerge around the power of referrals, creating exceptional customer experiences, building strong company cultures, and the critical importance of employee retention and training. The group also discusses real-world examples of turning customer problems into opportunities and why "settling the claim" should be every company's philosophy. This is Part 1 of a two-part series, with Part 2, episode 315, focusing on the mindset and thinking patterns that separated these entrepreneurs from the pack.

Even top-performing sales pros feel it. Fear. Resistance. That creeping hesitation before hitting “send” or dialing the next number. In this honest, no-fluff episode, we’re talking straight about fear in sales—where it hides, how it disguises itself, and most importantly, how to stop letting it drive the bus. You’ll learn: Why fear isn’t your enemy—and how to turn it into motivation How disguised fear shows up as procrastination, perfectionism, or "just one more tweak" A powerful reframe to become rejection-proof (hint: it’s not about getting a yes) Why “feeling ready” is a trap—and how imposter syndrome really works The one tool fear absolutely hates (and how to use it every day) Whether you're brand new or a seasoned sales pro, this episode will give you practical, mindset-shifting tools to stop fear from calling the shots—and start showing up like the pro you already are.

Think you’re not in sales? Think again. In this episode, Art breaks down why everyone sells—whether or not it’s in your job title. You’ll discover the three big reasons people fear selling, how to reframe what sales really is (hint: it’s helping), and the five mindset and action shifts that let you sell naturally, confidently, and without ever feeling pushy. If you’ve ever influenced, advised, persuaded, or guided anyone… you’ve sold. Now let’s make sure you’re doing it the right way.

Is name-dropping a powerful credibility booster or a fast track to sounding desperate? In this eye-opening episode, Art reveals the shocking truth about strategic name-dropping that most sales professionals get completely wrong. Discover why mentioning the right name can boost your email open rates by an astonishing 468%, while the wrong reference can instantly kill your deal. Art shares his embarrassing early-career mistake that taught him the "3 R's" framework for name-dropping that actually works. You'll learn: When name-dropping creates instant credibility (and when it backfires) The psychology behind why prospects are drawn to certain references A simple test to determine which names to use with specific prospects Real-world examples of name-dropping wins and epic fails Plus, Art challenges you with a practical exercise that will transform your approach to establishing credibility in any sales situation. Whether you're a seasoned sales pro or just starting out, this episode gives you an unfair advantage in a world where first impressions make or break deals.

Ever had a prospect who knows they have a problem but just hasn’t pulled the trigger on fixing it? In this episode, I share two simple but powerful questions that uncover what’s been holding them back—and more importantly, what’s finally pushing them to take action now. We’ll break down the psychology behind these questions, how a paver salesman used them on me to close a deal I had been putting off for years, and how you can apply them to your own sales conversations to create urgency without pressure. Plus, I’ll share five variations of each question so you can make them sound natural in any situation. Use this strategy, and you’ll have prospects convincing themselves why they need to move forward today. Hit play now and start turning hesitation into action!

Asking prospects “Do you have a problem?” is ineffective, and causes conversations to die. A better approach that gets them to open up is using "assumptive problem quesitons.  These get them to relive their challenges, and create urgency for a solution. Art breaks down the psychology behind these questions, shares examples from different industries, and provides an actionable exercise to create your own. Learn how to turn conversations into results and position yourself as the trusted expert every prospect needs. Art also announced the opening of the new, revised Smart Calling College prospecting and sales training program: http://SmartCallingCollege.com

There are four pillars that comprise being the Ultimate Sales Professional, and not someone who just does sales. Being fearless and rejection-proof, Being others-focused in your thinking and actions, Mastering a proven prospecting and sales process, and messaging, Having the discipline, habits, and radical responsibility to do the work. You'll hear the problems and challenges you might experience when someone is lacking in any of these areas, and what to do to excel in all of them. To learn about Art's new Smart Calling Ultimate Sales Pro Mastery coaching and training program mentioned in this episode, go to http://SmartCalling.com/coaching.

We explore the art of being genuinely interested in others—both in social settings and sales conversations. Inspired by observations at recent holiday parties, Art shares how most people fail to listen effectively, turning conversations back to themselves instead of encouraging others to share. This behavior isn’t just socially frustrating—it’s costly in sales. Learn to recognize critical "problem/trigger words" like “We’re noticing…” or “The problem is…,” and discover simple, powerful questions to dig deeper, uncover pain points, and build trust. By staying curious, listening intently, and prompting prospects to share more, you’ll not only get better information but also create emotional connections that drive results. You'll hear how to master the techniques of “Tell me more about that” and “What’s causing this?” to transform your conversations, make yourself more interesting, and ultimately close more sales.

MK Mueller has changed lives worldwide with her "8 to Great" simple methodology for having a positive attutude, ALL of the time.  As salespeople, we know that our attitude has more of an effect on our results, and income, than any sales process or technique. MK shares tips, stories, and how-to exercises than anyone can implement right now to get and keep our attitude at high levels.

The election is over. Some are ecstatic, others angry. Those who rely on the results to determine their happiness and success will be greatly disappointed. Ultimately, if you want change, YOU need to change. No outside influence affects your destiny like you do. In this episode you'll hear how to take control of your own success. And, if this message resonates, get notified of my new coaching program that covers this very necessary aspect that is absolutely required to be the Ultimate Sales Professional. https://smartcalling.training/sales-pro-mastery-notify/

Asking someone "Why?" they do or say something has the potential to put someone on the spot and feel like they need to defend themselves.  A scientifically-proven better option is to word questions with "How?" In this episode you hear the reasoning, and specific examples of how to use "How?" to get more and better information, build relationships, and make more sales. 

Probably the biggest roadblock to success for most salespeople is the fear of rejection. But, rejection doesn't actually exisit. It is the story that someone attaches to an experience. When we take control, and tell ourselves different, better, and positive stories, rejection doesn't happen. You'll hear exactly how to do this, and how to never be rejected again.

Someone who is always the victim has little chance to succeed in professional sales. Sales, when done at the highest level is all about taking responsibility, ownership, and leading. If someone is not getting the results they want, it is on them. Not because of anything, or anyone else. In this episode you'll hear what to do to identify victim tendencies, and specific actions to take full ownership, all of the time.

An objection some salespeople hear is, "I only want to pay if I get the results you say we'll get." Art shares how he suggested a fellow coach handle that actual objection that she received from a prospect, and the exact process that you can use to prepare for and address your own objections. And it's not by using silly, adversarial objection "rebuttal" techniques, but instead getting someone talking and explaining the reason behind their belief. The process is covered more in-depth in Art's free objections masterclass that you can get access to immediately at http://Smartcalling.training/objections