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Ask HN: Where can I find salespeople to market to?

8 points by emoray13 ↗ HN
I have a couple of SAAS ideas for salespeople to help them improve their selling skills. However other than blogging to build an email list and PPC I'm struggling to think up ways to target salespeople.

Does anyone have any ideas?

18 comments

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8jef
Salespeople that need to improve their skills are often found listening to motivational speakers. Try being Tony Robbins.
orangethirty
Are you a salesperson yourself? Have you ever sold anything?
emoray13
I am yes in my day job. I've been ranked as the top sales person in both the organisations I've worked in since graduating.
orangethirty
Good. Have you succesfully used your ideas to improve your numbers?
dav-id
LinkedIn would be an obvious choice to find people
emoray13
I included this in PPC. Unless you're suggesting spamming people.
Datonomics
Realtors and maybe insurance agents are usually easy to target. You can get free lists easily and they often include direct phone numbers.
dbul
Create a new email account. Sign up on every form you come across on websites selling various products and services. Get ready to be spammed. When the sales guys get in touch, get them on the phone using a blocked number or a temp. While they are trying to make a sale, instead try to ask questions to get them to admit they have the problem you are solving and you can instead pitch them your solution.
j45
This is creative, I like it. It made me think of how many problems that sales people have that go unsolved, this sounds like one good way to address them directly.
emoray13
This is great. Ironic, but I'll give it a shot.
HeyLaughingBoy
Narrow the field.

Don't just say "salespeople," define what they're selling. Car salesmen? Go to a dealership and talk to the sales manager, or get him on the phone; Real Estate? Call the local offices, go to real estate seminars, etc. You get the picture; if you focus on a subgroup, it's easier to target who you want.

emoray13
Agreed. I do need to look at a niche before I try and grow the business.
gamutgamut
Find a conference near your area. Pay for an exhibitor hall only pass. Then walk around the exhibit hall talking to the vendors. They are all sales people. IRCE in Chicago last year was $175 and access to endless sales people. :)
emoray13
This is a good shout, however it isn't a very scalable way to get in front of sales people.
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saumil07
Try sellercrowd.com. Also, are you a salesperson?
conrey
LinkedIn is the obvious answer. SellerCrowd may not be a bad idea if you don't mind anonymous sources Conferences are easy finds for sales people in the exhibit halls.