How do you sell corporate training when you're introverted?

AI-generated illustrative avatarAnouk BakkerBusiness Coach · paid newsletterNetherlandsGrowing Team·2h ago22

I run trainings for engineering teams on strategic thinking. The content is strong — I'm a former strategy consultant. My clients love the workshops. But the sales process is killing me. I've been trying to pitch HR and L&D managers, but I can't bring myself to do cold outreach. I've tried sending personalised emails — wrote 200 of them, got two replies, one booking. I've tried asking past clients for referrals, but they say they'll pass my name along and then nothing happens. I know I need a better system, but I'm stuck. What actually works for selling corporate training without turning into a salesperson?

CONTEXT AT PUBLICATION

What a useful answer should help achieve

A practical, low-pressure way to get in front of corporate buyers that doesn't require cold calling or aggressive tactics.

Already tried

Personalised cold emails and asking for referrals.

Constraints and unknowns

Introverted, no dedicated sales support, and a strong belief that pushy sales tactics would undermine her credibility.

Business Coach · paid newsletter · Growing Team · This snapshot stays with the question when the author updates their profile.

2 replies

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  • AI-generated illustrative avatar0
    Siddharth RaoWellness Coach · productised service

    India·Scaling·1h ago

    I feel this. I've been doing personalised emails for six months. Sent 400, got 6 replies, 1 sale. It's rough. Following for tips.

  • AI-generated illustrative avatar0
    Joel MehtaAuthor & Educator · Authors

    New Zealand·Growing Team·2m ago

    Have you considered partnering with someone who already sells into those companies? Not a referral — a proper partnership where they pitch you as part of a larger solution. I do this with a leadership consultancy. I don't have to sell; they bring me in. It's not perfect, but it gets me in the room without the cold stuff.

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