etailinsights eCommerce Data and Sales Blog

Building the Database

"You can't hire someone right out of college to do this, Darren."

She was wrong.  I respected her a lot, but I now know for a fact that she was very wrong.  

When we founded etailinsights (see here for why) we were on a quest to build the most accurate database of eCommerce Leads.  This was no easy task.  You see, there was a reason that something like etailinsights didn't exist... it was really really hard to source e-retail leads.  And even harder to keep that database updated and accurate because in the e-retail industry, the Directors of eCommerce move around at a rate of 28% per year.  It's hard to find the Head of Fulfillment for a major Online Retailer.

Power User Spotlight: Madeleine Duff, Sidecar

Madeleine's Hack:  Organize Your Day.

My golden rule is to be organized and keep up with my pipeline. Etailinsights is very helpful for saving time, finding more prospects, and closing business. There are so many companies tucked away in the database of etailinsights, and if you carve out time to do some research, your learnings will be endless.

Power User Spotlight: Sarah Gilbert, Yottaa

Know yourself as a salesperson and the industry that you sell to, and rock it! Time management skills are important, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and network. And you can't forget to use the best sales enablement tools such as etailinsights!

...Ah, this preschool is just right.

Tip o’ the cap to Goldilocks. I’ve become an expert on child care options from nannies to pre-schools, and everything in between. My son Julian has unique needs regarding care.  Last month my wife went back to work, and we simply placed Julian into the most expensive school, thinking a high price would equate with being the best.

Wrong.

Julian

My son’s name is Julian.  But that isn’t what we call him, or at least not unless we really want to get his attention.  As an infant, he was a bit of a “Fussy Gus.”  So we started calling him Gus.  Then somehow it progressed to Gussy.  It stuck.  Poor guy.  But when his Mom really wants to get his attention, she will sternly say “Julian.”  He will turn immediately and look.

We are the Champions

Growing up in Chapel Hill, NC with two parents who attended the University of North Carolina and a Mother who worked for the university, no doubt I was a “Tar Heel Born and Bred.”  In elementary and middle school, teachers would roll televisions into class during March Madness and we’d watch basketball games instead of learning.  In High School, we simply didn’t attend much class during games in March, and it was essentially an excused absence.

Power User Spotlight: Courtney Gringas, FuturePay

Courtney's Hack: Precision Targeting 

The more precise you can be, the better success you’ll have. With etailinsights you can narrow down exactly the companies that fit your ideal target and then refine even further right to down to identifying the decision maker you need to connect with. This helps you get to the right prospect quickly and not waste your time sorting through leads that are not in your ideal client profile.

Power User Spotlight: Taylor Philippi, SkyBOX Checkout

Taylor's Hack: Don't Forget to Listen to Your Customers

A lot of the time in SaaS sales, it’s easy to list off features and statistics and dive right into a demo of the product, which can overwhelm prospects or cause them to tune out on a call or WebEx. Avoid being put on mute after effectively securing a demo by listening, engaging with, and asking effective questions to your prospect. Find out what the root problem or pain point in your prospect’s current business is, and adjust your demo to highlight the specific areas of your solution that can help fix their current pain points.

And Hollywood says, “Where’d who go?”

Without a doubt, my favorite movie as a kid was Top Gun. I knew all the lines to the movie. My Gramps (J.B. Pierce) flew in fighter jets in the Marine corps (actually, he was a “gunner”), and he gave me his old helmet. I had an Atari joystick. I’d parlay these into a re-enactment of Maverick’s attack on Russian jets over and over. Sometimes I’d let Ice Man get shot down.

My High School Reunion

Recently, against my will, I attended my 20-year high school reunion. I didn’t want to go. But I was encouraged (read: forced) by a good friend, so I attended. I’m glad I went because it was great to see everyone.

Unfortunately, we didn’t rent out the entire bar. Therefore, there were lots of people in the bar who did not attend my high school. This was a recipe for disaster because many times I entered discussions with folks who weren’t from my school, and this took away the limited time I had to speak with my true classmates. And worse, I was confronted by a few people who remembered me, but I didn’t immediately remember them, and that feels terrible.