We finally did it, and on a Friday no less. the 1000th post!
If you would have told me when I started jotting down these post that I’d be sitting here writing my 1,000th post, I might have checked your head for a fever. But here we are—1,000 mornings of coffee, cold calls, rebuttals, and residuals.
To celebrate this milestone, I’ve dug through the archives—all the way back to 2017—to bring you the “Top 10” posts that have defined this blog. Whether you’ve been with us since post #1 or you’re just joining the trenches today, these are the essentials.
From the Home Office in Close-A-Deal, Arkansas,
Here are the Top 10 “Best Of Post”
10. The M.I.Z. Is Awesome!
Proof that inspiration can come from anywhere—even the wrestling ring. This post is all about the power of personal branding and “owning the room,” even when you’re just selling a credit card terminal.
9. Procrastination Will Kill Your Sales
A classic from the vault. In this industry, “I’ll call them tomorrow” is the phrase where deals go to die. This was a wake-up call in 2017, and it’s still a wake-up call today.
8. The 12 Days of Shawna the Sales Diva
One of our favorite storytelling series. Shawna taught us that even in the chaos of the holidays, there’s a way to keep your pipeline full and your attitude sharp.
7. WWYD Wednesday: The “Big Catch”
Our most engaged category. This post specifically resonated because we’ve all been there—smelling the residuals on a whale of a deal, only to feel it sliding back into the ocean.
6. Quitting is a Habit
One of our most-read posts of all time. This isn’t just about sales; it’s about character. If you’re feeling the “burnout,” go back and re-read this one.
5. The Movie “Hitch” Again…
I love using movies to explain sales, and this one hit the mark. Sales is a lot like dating—if you don’t listen, you don’t get the second date (or the signed agreement).
4. Friday’s Top 10 Books / Audiobooks for Salespeople
Leaders are readers. This list has helped dozens of agents build their “mental gym” and improve their closing ratios by studying the masters.
3. KEYS TO A WINNING P.S.A.
The “Technical Bible” of the blog and our very first official industry post. If you don’t know how to run a proper Pre-Sale Analysis, you’re just guessing. This post takes the guesswork out of the equation.
2. Failing Up: The Unfair Advantage of Residuals
The “Why” behind the “What.” This explains the magic of our industry. Even on your bad days, your past wins are still paying your mortgage. That is the unfair advantage.
And the #1 post out of 1000 is….
1. The Movie Taken – Tips to Grow Your Skills in Merchant Services
For our 1,000th post, I had to bring out one of my absolute favorites. When Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) tells the kidnappers, “What I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career,” he isn’t just being a badass—he’s giving us a masterclass in Merchant Services growth.
How to grow your skills like Bryan Mills:
- Preparation is everything: He didn’t wait until his daughter was taken to learn how to track people. Are you waiting for a “No” to learn your rebuttals?
- Focus on the Goal: He didn’t get distracted by side-quests. He had one goal: find the girl. In sales, don’t get distracted by “paperwork”—focus on the close.
- Leverage your “Particular Skills”: You don’t need to be everything to everyone. Find your niche—whether it’s high-risk, retail, or restaurant POS—and become the most dangerous person in that room.
I hope over the course of these 1,000 posts you’ve seen some steady improvement in my writing skills… even if, as you can clearly tell, that improvement still hasn’t quite made its way to my spellinng. Thanks for sticking with me and reading past the typos to get to the truth!
Thanks again for being part of the first 1,000 post. Here’s to 1,000 more.
P.S. Maybe you guys should point out my typos and let me know. Naw, you guys would never do that… LOL
Have a great weekend,
David
