<i>My startup currently does not have a blog (nor does it have a finished website), so I decided to post this here as a way to assist others in breaking the ice on day #1.</i><p>After worrying for about 2 weeks about how to get sales, I decided to jump right on it, and start cold calling / faxing / prospects.<p>Now, my startup is nothing new or even exciting: I sell low-cost, ready-to-use websites for small business.<p>You might say "Wait, that's not a startup!"<p>Well, after I get around 5 or 6 paying customers, I will launch an online business directory that will feature some useful apps for the local market.
The apps are not yet coded completely, but (I guess) that qualifies it as a "startup" startup.<p>Anyway, I woke up early, went over my sales script, went over my marketing materials, and sat in front of the computer for about 2 hours.<p>I was terrified. The idea of picking up the phone and calling a total stranger (to sell them something!) was absolutely terrifying.<p>So I postponed and lost a lot of time while thinking of ways to get me to make the calls.<p>Life, eh? We dream of getting things, and accomplishing goals, but when the time comes, we get scared.<p>What is it about fear that makes up want to drop our dreams? Is fear more important than our goals?<p>Nope.<p>For me, it is not.<p>I finally sat down, picked up the phone, and called my first prospect.<p>To my surprise, they did not hate me. Hell, they treated me very well!<p>Not only did I realize that the enemy within was harming me more than anything else, but that sales require a lot of organization.<p>I did 4 more calls (a record for me), and decided to stop. I stopped to organize my sales related stuff. Without an organized system (term used loosely), you really can't call fast enough.<p>Here is what I learned on day #1:<p>1. Your fears will try to stop you from achieving your goals. Don't let it stop you. You are way more powerful than fear.<p>2. People are open to hearing your ideas, if you treat them properly.<p>3. Sales is more about the salesman, and less about the customer.<p>4. Being organized is a must. Prepare a prospects list before picking on the phone.<p>5. The fax is still a worthy tool of communication.<p>6. Realize that a startup is about building something. This will require you to roll up your sleeves and get "dirty".<p>7. There is no time like the present to get things done.<p>8. After all, you will realize that getting what you want is way more fun than settling for what you don't.<p>Even though it may seem like I did not accomplish anything (plus I did not make a sale), the lessons of today will allow me to continue working towards my goals.<p>I must go now.<p>Have a nice day, and kick some ass.