How to Build a Proposal When a Prospect Won’t Give You a Budget

how to build a proposal

When’s the last time you had a great sales conversation with a corporate prospect, asked about their budget, and got…nothing? They want a proposal. They’re interested in working with you. But they either can’t or won’t tell you what they have available to spend. Now you’re left wondering how you’re supposed to create the “right”…

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Stop Guessing in Sales. Start Issuing Invitations.

Stop guessing in sales start issuing invitations

Do you ever leave a sales conversation wondering what your prospect really meant? Maybe you’re trying to interpret an email, guessing why someone asked a certain question, or deciding what offer to make before you’ve truly understood what they need. As a service-based woman entrepreneur, this is a common place to get stuck. In case…

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Seeing A Path To Wealth

path to wealth

Every person has a path to wealth. The question is whether you choose to follow it. Growing a business asks you to make courageous decisions. Sometimes those decisions feel exciting. Sometimes they feel uncomfortable. Almost always, they ask you to trust yourself before you feel completely ready. In this conversation, Nikki sits down with Sarah…

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Has This Feedback Earned the Right to Change Your Strategy?

Has This Feedback Earned the Right to Change Your Strategy?

Have you ever received one piece of feedback that made you question everything? Maybe someone replied to an email saying they didn’t understand your offer. Maybe a colleague suggested changing your website or messaging. Suddenly, you’re wondering if your entire strategy is wrong. As a service-based woman entrepreneur, do you tend to overthink feedback? In…

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How To Sound More Authoritative So Clients Trust Your Expertise

How To Sound More Authoritative So Clients Trust Your Expertise

Are you constantly receiving feedback that you’re warm, approachable, and incredibly easy to talk to, yet struggle to come across as the true expert in your sales conversations? You don’t have to change your personality to build trust and sound more authoritative in your field. In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, host Nikki…

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How to Talk About What You Do Without Confusing Potential Clients

How to Talk About What You Do

What happens when you have multiple businesses, services, passions, and areas of expertise, yet struggle to explain how they all fit together? In this on-air coaching episode of The Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch coaches Sales Maven Society member Eleonora Cervellera through the challenge of creating a clear sales strategy and message when your work spans multiple…

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Why Women Entrepreneurs Don’t Follow Through on Revenue-Generating Activities — and How EFT Tapping Helps

many entrepreneurs struggle with taking consistent action on revenue-generating activities

Have you ever known exactly what you should be doing in your business, yet still found yourself avoiding it? Whether it’s posting on social media, following up with prospects, raising your rates, or having sales conversations, many entrepreneurs struggle with taking consistent action on revenue-generating activities. In this Mastering Excellence episode of the Sales Maven…

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Why People Buy From You: The Hidden Currency of Trust

why people buy from you

Why do people choose one business over another when the prices, expertise, and offerings seem similar? The answer is often simpler than we think: trust. In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch explores the hidden currency behind successful sales conversations and lasting client relationships. While many people assume buyers make decisions based…

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Don’t Let Your Payment Process Cost You the Sale

payment process, sales tip, sales help

Have you ever had a prospect enthusiastically say yes, only to have the sale stall when it came time to pay? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch explores a surprisingly common mistake that costs business owners real revenue: creating unnecessary friction in the payment process. Many entrepreneurs are looking for ways…

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The Networking Conversation Strategy That Leads to Clients

networking conversation strategy

Have you ever been at a networking event and completely blanked when someone asked, “So, what do you do?” Or maybe you found yourself rambling through an explanation of your business, hoping the other person would somehow connect the dots and become a client. This networking conversation strategy is what you need. In this episode…

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Why Smart Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck

Smart Entrepreneurs

Why Strategy Fails Without Belief What if the real thing holding a smart entrepreneurs business back is not your strategy, but your belief in what’s possible? In this Mastering Excellence Series episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch sits down with business coach and strategist Andrea Liebross to explore the connection between belief, decision-making,…

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Things I Don’t Do When Selling

Things I Don't Do When Selling

What if some of the most common sales tactics are actually hurting your relationships with potential clients? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch shares five things she has intentionally stopped doing in sales conversations after more than 25 years in sales and over a decade teaching entrepreneurs how to sell with…

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Should You List Your Prices (Here’s What I Actually Found)

Should you list your prices

Should you list your prices publicly or wait until a potential client gets on a call with you? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch tackles one of the most common questions business owners ask when creating offers, sales pages, social posts, and email campaigns: Should I share my pricing upfront? Many…

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The Real Reason Your Business Feels Harder Than It Should

the real reason your business feels harder than it should

How often do you feel like you’re doing everything “right” in your business yet your results aren’t matching your effort? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch sits down with business strategist Robin Walker to unpack what it really takes to build a business foundation that supports consistent growth and sales. Many…

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Stop Explaining Your Schedule – What to Say Instead

stop explaining your schedule

How often have you felt the need to apologize for your own success or your own personal time when a new client wants to get started? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch addresses a common struggle for business owners: the urge to over-explain a busy schedule. Whether you are heading out…

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Podcasting That Converts Without Feeling Salesy

podcasting that converts without feeling salesy

Are you tired of pouring hours into your podcast only to feel like you’re shouting into a void with no ROI to show for it?   In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch sits down with Ana Xavier, the powerhouse founder of The Podcast Space. With over 15 years of experience across…

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What Builds Referrals Better Than a Referral Program

what builds referrals, referral programs, sales help, sales strategies, sales coach, sales podcast,

Have you ever wondered why some businesses seem to have a never-ending stream of high-quality leads while others struggle to get a single shout-out, even when they offer cash incentives?   In this episode of Sales Maven, Nikki and Melissa explore the heart of what builds referrals and why a traditional, transactional approach might actually…

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Best Conversation Starters For Your Sales Conversations

best conversation starters

Are your sales conversations starting with pressure instead of connection? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch dives into one of the most overlooked parts of a successful sales conversation: the best conversation starters. Not scripts. Not pitch openers. Just intentional ways to create safety, clarity, and connection from the very beginning…

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The Mental Structure Behind Effortless Recall and Powerful Conversation

The Mental Structure Behind Effortless Recall and Powerful Conversation

How well can you recall your business conversations? In this Mastering Excellence series episode of The Sales Maven Show, Nikki sits down with Roger Knecht, President of Universal Accounting Center, to unpack a skill that completely changes how conversations feel: true listening with real recall. Roger has this uncanny ability to summarize a conversation point…

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The Discovery Call Framework That Prevents Free Coaching

Portrait of two women, Nikki Rausch and Lizette Cloete, promoting coaching session The Discovery Call Framework That Prevents Free Coaching

 Are you giving away too much on your Discovery Calls? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch hosts an on air coaching conversation with Lizette Cloete, a Christian dementia caregiver advisor and podcast host. The episode focuses on strengthening a Discovery call framework for service based businesses, especially when the work…

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The Power of Invisible Leadership

The Power of invisible Leadership

What does it really mean to practice invisible leadership? And how can it transform your business and your sales relationships in ways that are both powerful and sustainable? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch welcomes Kimberly Howard to the Mastering Excellence series for a deep and engaging conversation about the…

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Entrepreneur Motivation and Shiny Object Syndrome

shiny object syndrome, Entrepreneur Motivation and Shiny Object Syndrome - Why You Get Bored Fast and How to Reignite Your Sales, sales help, sales strategies, sales podcast, podcast

  Have you ever caught yourself jumping from one exciting idea to the next before finishing the last one? That restless urge to chase every new possibility might feel productive, but it often leads to scattered focus and stalled growth. In this week’s episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch explores the psychology behind…

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Trusting Yourself To Make A Useful Decision

Trusting Yourself, business advice, business help, business strategies, sales help, sales strategies, sales coach, business coach

What if the secret to making better decisions isn’t about being right, but about trusting yourself to handle whatever happens next?   This week on The Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch talks with Danielle Baily, an efficiency and implementation consultant, Lean Six Sigma black belt, and consulting hypnotist who helps business owners find confidence through…

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Using Your Numbers To Get What You Want

get what you want

When’s the last time you stopped to really look at your numbers and realized they could help you get what you want?   In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch welcomes Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting Inc., for a conversation that changes the way business owners think about their finances.…

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How to Book Clients Even If They Make More Money Than You

how to book clients even when they make more money than you, sales podcast, business podcast, sales help, business help, strategies

 Have you ever stopped yourself from pitching your services because you thought, “Why would someone who makes more money than me ever hire me?” In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch dives headfirst into one of the most common mindset traps holding business owners back: believing that your income determines your…

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How to Create a Business That Supports the Life You Want

how to create a business

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to not just build a business, but to design a life you love around it?   In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch sits down with Dr. Terri Levine—renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author of more than 40 books, and international keynote speaker—for a powerful conversation…

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Damaged Reputation: How To Rebuild a Tarnished Relationship in Business

damaged reputation, business reputation, business help, sales podcast, business podcast, podcast for business

Worried that missteps in business may have left cracks in your reputation? Whether it is poor follow-through, broken commitments, or unintentionally overlooking relationships, these moments can create challenges that linger. In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch shares practical strategies for rebuilding trust and repairing credibility after mistakes. Reputation is not about…

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How to Turn Invisible Inventory Into Profit: Strategies for Service-Based Business

service based business, sales tips, business tips, female owned, business strategy

In this Mastering Excellence episode, host Nikki Rausch welcomes Ciara Stockeland (serial entrepreneur, author, and fractional CFO) to discuss how business owners can unlock hidden profit by leveraging their “invisible inventory.”   About the Guest: Ciara Stockeland is a four-time Ironman, speaker, and the creator of the Inventory Genius Consulting Program. She’s built and sold…

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Ego Thinking vs. Strategic Thinking – Are You Selling or Reacting?

Ego Thinking vs. Strategic Thinking - Are You Selling or Reacting?

   Are your sales conversations being driven by confidence and strategy or by your ego? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch unpacks the critical difference between ego-driven reactions and strategic thinking in sales. She highlights common traps that entrepreneurs and sales professionals fall into—like rushing to pitch, taking objections…

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Sales Confidence That Converts

sales success, sales confidence, sales help, sales podcast, sales coach, women in sales, woman owned

 What happens when a CPA with 30 years of experience decides to step into entrepreneurship, but isn’t sure how to communicate her value or ask for the sale? In this Sales Success Story episode, Shana Cooper shares how partnering with a sales strategist helped her go from having no business to building a thriving…

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Pacing The Room – How To Build Instant Rapport With Groups

pacing the room how to build instant rapport with groups

Want to build instant rapport with your audience—without feeling fake or forced? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch reveals how to quickly connect with groups during presentations. Learn techniques to build instant rapport with groups. Drawing from her NLP background and years of experience, Nikki unpacks the subtle but powerful…

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From Default to Design: The Path to a Choiceful, Aligned Life

From Default to Design - The Path to a Choiceful, Aligned Life, mastering excellence, sales coach, business advice, help with sales, sales podcast, business podcast, mindfulness

What does it really take to live an aligned life—one where your personal and professional goals support each other instead of compete? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch is joined by bestselling author, book strategist, and coach Stacy Ennis to unpack what it means to live and work intentionally by…

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Crafting Business Proposals and Closing Higher-Priced Offers

crafting business proposals, sales strategies, sales help, business podcast, sales podcast, podcast for business, podcast for sales help

Are your business proposals closing the deal—or costing you clients? In this on-air coaching episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch welcomes long-time client and email strategist Kathy Farah for a deep dive into improving business proposals, sales conversations and conversions. Kathy specializes in helping high-level coaches and consultants build email systems that…

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Establishing Success Conditions To Drive Bigger Results

Establishing Success Conditions To drive bigger results, sales tips, sales podcast, business podcast, business tips

What if the key to scaling your business wasn’t working harder—but identifying the right success conditions to make growth inevitable? In this episode of the Sales Maven podcast, host Nikki Rausch interviews Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands-Off CEO, to explore how uncovering and applying success conditions can transform your business. Mandi shares her journey from…

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Conversation Tips: How To Talk Price During Your Sales Pitch

Conversation Tips: How To Talk Price During Your Sales Pitch, sales podcast, business podcast, podcast for entrepreneurs,

In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch shares powerful conversation tips to help you handle pricing discussions with confidence—especially during promotional periods. Nikki walks you through how to manage expectations when a sale is around the corner, what to say if a recent buyer questions promotional pricing, and how to use…

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How to Start a Successful Nonprofit: Turning Your Passion Into Impact

How to start a successful nonprofit with Levi Ware

Trying to figure out how to start a successful nonprofit? In this heartwarming episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch welcomes Levi Ware—musician, speaker, and co-founder of the Melodic Caring Project (MCP). Levi shares the incredible origin story of MCP, a nonprofit that streams live concerts to children and families navigating serious illnesses.…

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Closing Your Consults With Ease In 30 Minutes or Less

Closing Your Consults With Ease

In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch chats with Jill Shroyer, a trusted member of the Sales Maven Society and founder of Expedition HR about how to close your consults with ease. Jill shares how she’s streamlined her sales process and grown her business by improving how she consults with potential…

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How To Stop Giving Away Free Advice and Close Sales

How To Stop Giving Away Free Advice and Close Sales, sales strategies, sales help, sales coach, sales podcast

In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch welcomes her inspiring client, Samantha Irwin, for a conversation packed with strategies to help you close more sales through exceptional customer service. Samantha works with women business owners to elevate frontline service and create customer experiences that drive loyalty—and revenue. They dive into: How…

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How To Make Great Conversation

how to make great conversation

Ever wonder what it really takes to spark a meaningful connection and keep a conversation flowing with ease? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch is joined by Jake Stahl, CEO of Orchestraight and a top expert in neurolinguistic programming and sales strategy, to show you how to make great conversation—and…

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How to Present High-Ticket Pricing with Confidence & Overcome Sticker Shock

How to Present High-Ticket Pricing with Confidence & Overcome Sticker Shock, sales help, sales maven, sales strategies, sales coach, sales podcast, business podcast, podcast for female entrepreneurs

If you’ve ever hesitated when discussing pricing or faced resistance from clients, this episode is a must-listen! Nikki walks you through how to present high-ticket pricing with key mindset shifts and practical techniques to confidently communicate the value of your offer, handle objections with ease, and guide clients smoothly through high-ticket sales conversations. Discover: How…

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How To Craft Memorable Impressions to Grow Your Business

how to craft memorable impressions to grow your business, sales help, sales podcast, business podcast, sales strategies, sales coach, relationship building

Networking isn’t just about handing out business cards—it’s about building genuine relationships that help you and your business thrive. In this episode, Nikki welcomes Faithann Basore, business owner and CEO of  Window Cleaning Plus and The Networkers Tour Guide. Faithann shares how networking saved her business during COVID and provides actionable strategies to make your…

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How to Handle Clients Who Delay Payments

clients who delay payments

Do late or missed payments make you feel frustrated and unsure how to deal with them?  Are you struggling to have those hard conversations without blowing the relationship with the client? Imagine being able to handle these situations with ease and confidence while protecting your business and maintaining your professionalism and rapport. In this episode…

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Growing Your YouTube Channel To Grow Your Business

grow a YouTube channel

Have you ever wondered about growing a YouTube channel that drives real business results?  Whether you want to increase visibility, generate high-quality leads, or build a global audience, today is all about strategies to transform your channel into a powerful tool for success.  In this Mastering Excellence series episode, I’m thrilled to interview LinkedIn and…

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Announcing a Price Increase to Existing Clients Without Losing Business

announcing a price increase, sales maven, sales coach for women, sales coach, sales help, help with sales

Have you ever felt uneasy about announcing a price increase to your clients, fearing it might drive them away?   Maybe you’ve hesitated to raise your rates, even though you know it’s time, worrying about how to communicate the change without sounding apologetic—or worse, losing trust.   Today’s episode is here to help you handle these conversations…

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How to Turn Vague Client Requests Into Sales

how to turn vague client requests into sales, sales coach for women, sales coach, sales strategies

Have you ever been hit with one of those vague “client requests” that seem impossible to answer effectively and turn into sales?  Maybe it’s a half-formed question or a general inquiry with no specifics, and you’re left wondering how to respond without wasting time or losing a potential sale. Today’s episode dives into essential sales…

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Leveraging Skills: Turn Your Expertise Into Multiple Offers

leveraging skills, sales tips, sales strategies, sales coach for women

Have you ever written a book only to wonder, “Now what?” Don’t let your hard work sit on the shelf collecting dust. Learn how leveraging skills can turn your book into multiple resources.  Today, as part of the Mastering Excellence series, Nikki talks with Susan Friedman, an expert in book marketing. She’s here to share…

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Customer Retention Tip: Turning Sales Failures Into Loyalty

customer retention, sales techniques, business tips

Most business owners know it’s easier and more cost-effective to keep an existing client than to acquire a new one. Even a small increase in customer retention can significantly boost profits. Have you ever had a sale fall through or seen a client relationship fall apart? These moments of crisis might actually lay the foundation…

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Audience Engagement Strategy for Speaking Gigs

audience engagement strategy, sales coach for women, sales coach, sales strategies

Are your speaking gigs falling flat? It’s time to revolutionize your audience engagement strategy. Nikki is joined by speaking and visibility coach Laurie-Ann Murabito to reveal how to captivate your audience and keep them on the edge of their seats.  Learn how to infuse your unique personality into your presentations and set clear goals that…

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