The Myth of “I’m Bad at Sales”: Lessons from Melissa’s Solo Episode
In a recent episode of Agency Darlings™, Melissa Lohrer goes solo to tackle a common misconception that holds many agency owners back: the idea that some people are just “bad at sales.” Melissa shares her personal journey and insights that show sales is not an innate talent—it's a learnable skill. This post dives into the key lessons she shared on why sales doesn’t have to feel scary, especially for women, and how anyone can develop confidence in business development.
Sales is a Skill, Not a Trait
Melissa breaks down the myth that you’re either “born” good at sales or you’re not. Instead, she explains that sales is a skill that anyone can improve over time with practice. Importantly, women often have natural problem-solving abilities that give them a unique edge in sales conversations. The key is to leverage these strengths and stop doubting your potential before you even start.
Lead With Listening, Not Pitching
One of Melissa’s biggest takeaways is that successful sales calls focus less on pitching and more on listening. She encourages agency owners to approach calls as problem-solving sessions—where you ask insightful questions, diagnose the client’s real challenges, and build meaningful connections. Le Chéile helps creative agencies like you develop authentic sales conversations that build trust and drive meaningful client connections. This shifts the dynamic from “selling” to collaborating, making the process more authentic and effective.
Clarity is Key: Focus on the Next Step
Instead of rushing to send proposals, Melissa advises focusing on clarifying the next step in the conversation. This could mean setting up a follow-up call or agreeing on what the client needs before jumping into contract details. This approach prevents wasted time on proposals that aren’t a good fit and helps maintain clarity throughout the sales process.
Change Your Mindset: From “Bad at Sales” to Problem Solver
Melissa’s message is clear: stop framing yourself as “bad at sales.” You’re already skilled at building relationships, which is the foundation of any good sales process. By shifting your mindset to see yourself as a problem solver and guide, you can remove the pressure and discomfort often associated with sales.
Final Thoughts
Melissa’s solo episode offers actionable, empowering advice for anyone hesitant about sales. Sales isn’t about pushing or convincing—it’s about listening, understanding, and helping clients make informed decisions. If you’re ready to rethink sales and embrace your natural strengths, Melissa’s insights are a great place to start.
For the full episode and more practical advice, be sure to check out Melissa’s solo conversation on our podcast.
About the Author
Meredith Fennessy Witts,
Founder & Strategic Growth Advisor at Le Chéile
and Co-Host of Agency Darlings
With a background in financial and operational consulting and a successful track record of founding and scaling her own agency, Meredith brings deep expertise in strategic growth for indie creative and digital agencies.
Her company, Le Chéile, helps agencies scaling toward and beyond 1M+ in revenue to rightsize teams and payroll, increase founder pay, scale offers and packages and more. She helps clients to achieve their goals while clarifying their business strategy and finances.
She is a trusted authority on building mindful, profitable businesses—especially for underserved founders in the women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.