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The OG Sales Secrets That Stand The Test Of Time - Tom Hopkins
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This episode is a throwback to our episode with the legendary sales king himself: Tom Hopkins. He goes over his success story, his experience in training this generation's solar sales pros, and a few strategies on how to sell on the doors with confidence for our product.
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Transcript
Introduction and Taylor's Journey
00:00:03
Speaker
Welcome to the Solarpreneur Podcast, where we teach you to take your solar business to the next level. My name is Taylor Armstrong. I went from $50 in my bank account and struggling for groceries to closing 150 deals in the year and cracking the code on why sales reps fail.
00:00:19
Speaker
I teach you avoid the mistakes I made and bring in the top solar dogs of the industry to let you in on the secrets of generating more leads, falling up like a pro, and closing more deals.
00:00:31
Speaker
What is a solopreneur, you might ask? A solopreneur is a new breed of solopro that is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve mastery, and you are about to become one.
Challenges in Solar Sales
00:00:42
Speaker
So some of you already know that I run my own door-to-door sales team here in San Diego.
00:00:46
Speaker
And as we are gearing up for the summer, I realized if we do the same thing we always did, we're going to get the same results. But if I want to increase my deal flow, I need to do something different to get an advantage.
Discovering SolarScout and Special Offer
00:00:57
Speaker
Then we discovered an app called SolarScout. But it's not a door knocking app, it's a data platform that shows us who is likely to go solar in our market. It shows us who has previously applied for solar but later cancelled the deal, who has moved in recently, even how much electricity the homes are using in given neighborhood.
00:01:16
Speaker
It's been working for a lot of teams across the country, and now I'm on board too. I'm going to be one of the first to use SolarScout in San Diego, so I decided to partner up. But I told them, hey, if I'm going to talk about SolarScout on my show, you need give my listeners a great deal. And they did.
00:01:31
Speaker
So go to solarscout.app forward slash Taylor and book a demo with them, and you'll get 10% off your first month when you sign up. That's solarscout.app forward slash Taylor.
00:01:44
Speaker
Okay, back to the show.
Meeting with Tom Hopkins
00:01:46
Speaker
Okay, what's going on, solopreneurs? This is ah probably one of the most exciting episodes I've ever had the opportunity to be a part of because we're hanging out here with Mr. Tom Hopkins in his backyard. so Tom, ah thanks for coming on the show with us today.
00:02:01
Speaker
You bet. I'm pumped. I love what you guys do. Yeah, I can't wait. And I mean, just yesterday we were here for part of the Noxstar sales competition.
00:02:12
Speaker
We had the opportunity come ah hang out with you here at your house. You took us out on a boat ride. Just a wonderful time we had with you. And so, yeah, I'm excited to you know even talk a little more today. Good. You know, hear why you decided to start working with Solar Guys and get a little more involved.
Tom's Impact on Sales and Mentorship
00:02:28
Speaker
Well, you know, what I...
00:02:31
Speaker
found when I did research was how desperately people in this country need to take advantage of solar. And of course, as you know, ah Taylor McCarthy was only 18 years of age when he was given some of my training by his father, and then he came to my seminars, he has just become a product of the product, which means he knows what I do as well as I do. And that's why I'm so thrilled that he is starting to take my training and carry on as I slow my life down.
00:03:08
Speaker
which, you know, it's been 42 years where every week I've flown somewhere in the world to teach people called salespeople. You know, he is going to be doing a lot of that for me.
00:03:19
Speaker
um I'll still be active, but it's time. You know, I think I've seen people stay too long doing what they're doing to where they should have retired earlier. So that's kind of where I'm at. Yeah. I'm kind of up in the air right now. Well, I don't blame you with this with this yard and the boat you got here. ah It'd be tough for me to go. Yeah. I'm going to be back on stage.
00:03:43
Speaker
But yeah, and so it's one of my favorite stories. When I first met Taylor McCarthy,
Sales Fundamentals and Motivation
00:03:48
Speaker
I saw him speak at Door-to-Door Con, which i don't know you've been to that, but it's the big convention conference for all the door-to-door people.
00:03:55
Speaker
And I remember after I heard him speak, this was maybe like five, six years ago, he was the top like alarm guy at the time. And I went up to him after, I said, what's your secret? And one of the first things he said is, he's like, oh, everything I've learned is from Tom Hopkins. And he started passing out flyers of your ah seminars coming up.
00:04:14
Speaker
This was, I think, six years ago. And I never had the chance to go to one, unfortunately. But I just remember, even back then, he spoke so highly of you. Yeah. You know, you can you can hear it in almost everything he says. It reflects back to something you've taught.
00:04:27
Speaker
So, yeah, we really appreciate you, you know, just passing on that legacy in there. Well, it's up yeah, and I couldn't be happier because i don't think you have the right to and the ability to teach something you haven't totally done.
00:04:42
Speaker
And someone could totally invest in what I do and want to carry on my legacy, but if they haven't lived in the street, knocked on the doors, handled the rejection, overcome objections, and become a pro and made a lot of money, they really shouldn't. But of course, that's why Taylor totally satisfies all those items. Man. I think based on the way I watch him and his ability, he'll
Anecdote on Professional Golf
00:05:11
Speaker
take it to a new level.
00:05:13
Speaker
It'll even be finer and and more profound for the solar industry. Solar entrepreneurs, I just know, and I think solopreneurs is a great name. I mean, it's clever, it's fun, and, you know, let's face it, no one will forget it once they can learn how to say it, solopreneurs. So anyway, that's great. Thank you.
00:05:39
Speaker
Yeah, no, of course. and But yeah, we were just talking, Tom. We're sitting, there's some guys up on your roof. For a second I pulled up, I thought they were putting solar panels up there. ah Not quite yet, huh?
00:05:49
Speaker
No, no, we have had some challenges with our roof and so we're getting ah what area redone. But we'll probably have that done. you know, he and I are always working like that, but yeah it just hasn't been on the plate right now, but we will.
00:06:05
Speaker
Okay. Well, yeah, once once
Timeless Sales Techniques and Overcoming Objections
00:06:07
Speaker
you get your roof fixed up, let me know. I some solar guys. I bet you do. but yeah Well, Tom, so I wanted to ask you, um I know you spoke a little bit to this already, but what was it when Taylor first maybe approached you or said, hey, Tom, do you want to get more involved with Noxstar and, you know, some of these events and calls and all that? What was it that made you excited to be a part of that or want to be more involved? Well, two things. First of all, i am aware that the energy people, the utility companies, everyone is increasing it to the point where the average homeowner, average income earner, average homeowner is stressed as they see what their utility bills are and how it's going up and up and how solar satisfies that.
00:06:56
Speaker
I saw that, and again, as I said, Taylor came and we talked. We've been visiting a lot on what we could do, and you know it's a normal, beautiful match for a person as good as he is and as qualified as the industry is for what we need to do It's just a win-win.
00:07:17
Speaker
And so I'm pumped. You know, I could see with the group yesterday how they are so excited that what we're giving them, it's not rah-rah, jump over the fence, blah-blah. It's, hey, here's exactly what you say when they say what they say. Here's how you knock on a door and make sure you bring down defense barriers. Yes.
00:07:37
Speaker
Here's how you all suddenly establish rapport to where a person who was upset that you knocked on their door is now happy that you called on them. yeah So, i mean, all this is an art form. yeah And selling in general is a very important art form. and It's not luck, wit, charm. It is the skill of all these little things you do You know, it's fundamentals applied properly, which is true of everything. In football, the team that wins has fundamentals of blocking and tackling done properly. And because they do, they even usually win the game.
00:08:15
Speaker
So every activity sport has fundamentals that you must follow. And if you do and do it right, you'll usually always income getting the agreement of whoever you're talking with.
00:08:28
Speaker
And that's the art form. you know, meeting someone at a door who has huge defense barriers and an hour or two later, they're thanking you and writing a check. And that's the art form. Yeah, no doubt. Yeah, it's something we've learned a lot, and you know, from Tom, from Taylor coming to these events.
00:08:45
Speaker
So definitely if you're, you know, i'm more interested in getting involved involved, we'll talk more about that. But something i wanted to ask you, Tom, is in solar, i don't know if you've seen this yet um since you haven't been, you know, working with solar guys since a ton of time now, but something we see a lot, just training guys on our teams is solar. There's so much money to be be made on a single commission. I mean, you're talking guys can make 10, 20,000 on a single commission sometimes, especially out in California where I'm at. And so something we struggle with is just having guys stay motivated. Like they'll go close one deal
00:09:17
Speaker
And then they'll make this big commission and they'll be like, okay, cool. Well, I don't have to work for the rest of the month. And just not like, you know, wanting to hit bigger numbers and just being satisfied with low numbers. So I'm sure you saw that in real estate too. Sure. Do you have any advice and things you do? It's hard to motivate a person. Yeah.
00:09:35
Speaker
who isn't self-motivated. And many people work to make enough money to have an existence of security. But the challenge is a pro doesn't work like that. As you've heard Taylor say, and I say, solar marketing is a fun thing happy opportunity, and the money is not as important as the enjoyment you get for the family you serve. So I think that people who earn a certain income and then lay down or stop, they aren't real pros. They're doing okay. But the pro doesn't quit, doesn't stop. you know that's why the income that ah Taylor and people of his stature in an industry make doesn't determine how hard they work or the activity level they have.
00:10:22
Speaker
They stay focused and they go out, they do the job, and of course they
Early Career Insights and Financial Planning
00:10:27
Speaker
do reward themselves with vacations, They take good care of their families. They do yeah i'll say, hey, I've worked hard. Now we're taking this week and going to the Bahamas. But no, you reward yourself after you've had a very strong activity growth level. yeah But you don't lay down when you're doing good because that's when you should do better. Yeah. Well, that's something you talked about yesterday. is like
00:10:54
Speaker
I think for me, sometimes I'm tempted to slow down when I get a sell or two. Not other guys, but it's like once you have that momentum on your side, once you get the one sell, Taylor always talks about how the best time to get the second sell is right right after the first one. Yeah. And the momentum is amazing what happens when your emotions, when your drive level has enjoyed a transaction where you have not only made a nice amount of money, but have satisfied a client, a homeowner, When that all happens, it should be adrenaline to say, let's go for more.
00:11:28
Speaker
and And again, ah people that let the income they make determine their activities really are not true pros. Yeah. Well, another thing i was curious about, Tom, is like you've written, what is it, 19 books now? Yeah. Okay.
00:11:42
Speaker
So just a lot of books. but so That's a good amount. So congratulations on that. Thank you. Your golf book is the best though, right? Yeah. Right. I had fun with that.
00:11:53
Speaker
He showed his his golf book yesterday that's not released yet. And it was it's fully ah you know developed, but there's no ah writing on the page yet. Yeah, no, that's one of my, I would call it kind of a joke book where this guy who is an old dear friend, one day we went out, we played golf and he we opened up his bag and he says, Tom, I've got a little gift for you.
00:12:16
Speaker
And he pulled out this book. And it said, you know, on the front, what I have learned about professional golf by Tom Hopkins. And I was amazed because I'm not a good golfer, not near anywhere a professional golfer would be. But looked at and I was so excited.
00:12:35
Speaker
And so I said, thank you so much. he says, I hope you enjoy it because it really is what you do and what you know. And so I opened it up and you're sure enough, there's 150, 200 pages, not a word on a page. And of course, I laughed and laughed and you it was a cute thing ah because it was true.
00:12:59
Speaker
What I really know about professional golf is nothing. yeah I just like to play, not well, but I enjoy it ah ah Yeah, we got a laugh out of that. Yeah, it was fun.
00:13:09
Speaker
But after all these books, um because I don't know, these days, you know, there's new books that come out. They're supposedly like the new best sales tactics and everything. And everyone everyone's trying to market their stuff.
00:13:21
Speaker
But after, you know, having written all these books, being sales education for so long, what do you think are some timeless things that like won't change? Or is there things you think that are changing as time goes on? Or do you think sales is pretty much staying the same?
00:13:34
Speaker
No, I think there's basic fundamentals. um Every activity has fundamentals. And the fundamentals of selling, and I teach basically seven of them, these will never change. um People need to realize prospecting has got to be done properly. Handling objections, overcoming objections, closing the sale, then, of course, getting referrals, then follow-up, all these ah Fundamentals must be done properly and they're learned. they're not they're not You're not born with them. I went to so many seminars, listened to so many instructors. I was a sponge to to learn what they said we should do. All of you that are watching this become very coachable because people are successful, their minds are always open. and they'll listen to someone and get an idea, ah some phraseology, and they'll suddenly say, I'm gonna make that mine. And that's what happened to me. I was a 19-year-old, broke, uneducated, didn't make it through college, went 90 days and quit. And that's when I realized, you know, what am I gonna do? And thank God, and I
00:14:50
Speaker
I found the art of selling, and my vocation was real estate, which I loved. and spent eight glorious years finding homes for people and moving them in That's another thing you have to realize. You have to really love and believe in what you do.
00:15:06
Speaker
It's hard not to, first of all, believe that solar is so hot and wonderful today. It's hard to... See how you wouldn't love what you do because everybody seems to win in a real nice way.
00:15:21
Speaker
Homeowner wins because of savings. The company wins because of activity and and growth, productivity. The representative wins because of making more money.
00:15:32
Speaker
So, you know, whenever you get your life in a win-win situation, take advantage of it, put a lot of activity for it. And I really believe, i don't care what the product or service, if a person will burn the midnight oil, will commit to, I mean, ferocious activity, they'll have three years to where they're financially on the road to financial independence.
00:15:57
Speaker
And that should be the goal. ah By financial independence, I mean living comfortably off the income your assets make at a given point in time. And that basically means that you can live well at your lifestyle without having to now make any money because you did it. Yeah. But see, so many people don't want to put forth the effort. Or like you say, they get doing well and they slow down. Then they say, I need some money and they speed up.
Practicing Sales Techniques and Mastery
00:16:27
Speaker
And that is an average person. Their cycles are this, where a pro is always this. Right.
00:16:34
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, I know. Well, yeah, you mentioned that you've struggled, know, starting out 19 years old, what, you're knocking in your band uniform for a while, weren't you? Yeah, I didn't have a, in fact, what happened was, you know, i wanted to get hired and I was only 19. And keep in mind, this is back when there were very few number one young teenagers under 20 or women, believe it or not, the real estate business. Mm-hmm.
00:16:59
Speaker
Now, that's totally changed. Women control residential real estate as far as numbers. But there were no teenagers and no broker wanted to hire me. And one broker said, you know, son, I'm going to give you a chance.
00:17:13
Speaker
And I didn't have a car. I was on a motorcycle. And he says, well, I shouldn't probably give you a chance and hire you, but your attitude is good and So if you'll show up Monday, even though you don't have a car, we'll hopefully get you making money so you can buy a car.
00:17:31
Speaker
And he says, show up Monday. And of course, we have a dress code. and We would like to have our people wear a suit, which right away I cringed. I didn't say anything. But I literally at that point in my life didn't own a suit.
00:17:45
Speaker
And then I thought, i do. Because... When the Beatles came to the Hollywood Bowl the very first time, I said, you know what? I went to the Hollywood Bowl, saw the Beatles, and they walked out in these gorgeous suits that had vests or what's on the collar?
00:18:07
Speaker
Anyway, they were beautiful, silver, shiny suits that And I took a picture and sure enough found a tailor and I had one made.
00:18:18
Speaker
And so I decided that's the only suit I got. So I walked in that next Monday to the real estate office, got off my motorcycle, walked in in this...
00:18:30
Speaker
bright silver band uniform. The broker kind of looked up and saw me standing there, and he said, everybody heads up here. This young man just walked in, Tom Hopkins.
00:18:43
Speaker
He drove his motorcycle in, and when you look at what he's wearing, if he can make a living in that outfit on a motorcycle, I expect all of you to get rich.
00:18:55
Speaker
And that was kind of how I started. okay you know, fortunately I ended up getting a car and starting. And it was a wonderful eight years selling homes. Yeah, no kidding. Well, how long did it take you, would you say, until you you know started making money, having success? about a four and a half, five months of really not making hardly anything. And luckily, started going to seminars.
00:19:19
Speaker
I went and saw a man named Jay Douglas Edwards, which is mike was my original mentor, took every word. And most of the people watching this have access to the Doug Edwards, we call it Doug Edwards, but his name was Jay Douglas Edwards.
00:19:36
Speaker
And his, they were records, and I took them and put them on cassettes. ah We don't have them on CDs, but his training, it was my foundation.
00:19:47
Speaker
Yeah, and it's that's someone that Taylor McCarthy talks a lot about, too. And he has record. records from Mr. Edwards. I know Taylor went and bought every one of Mr. Edwards records, got them. And so anyone that hasn't heard them or wants to listen could probably see if you could even borrow one from Taylor yeah and listen to it and record it. I'm sure he'll let you and make it yours.
00:20:14
Speaker
Yeah, that's a great idea. And well, yeah, because just like in real estate, a lot of people on solar, I mean, that's that's the one but i guess sometimes complaint people have about solar is that sometimes it takes a while for these commissions to start coming in. And it's not as quick of a sell as other things like people sell pest control door to door and andll get sure, you know, can get a commission on it the next week. And solar, I think, is getting better with that. But for those that are like, I don't know, maybe struggling or it's taking a while, for you, was it just putting your head down, going to work? Or what were he what would you say are the things that took you from you struggling to actually finding success?
00:20:50
Speaker
Well, fortunately, I was in construction before I went into real estate. And I also was, I think, smart enough to put my money away. So I had enough money.
00:21:02
Speaker
cash saved from construction, and I could live for six months. And that's something I've always taught. If a person goes into the field of sales and marketing, they need to have enough money to live without stress until it starts to happen. Yes, you it. And it does take a while.
00:21:23
Speaker
I understand in solar that some people have to wait but quite a while. They close the transaction, but the money's not there. But I think that's just part of the way the game's played.
00:21:34
Speaker
You got to learn the rules, play the game, and plan to win. yeah Well, it's true. And I wish I would have known that. So for those listening, I think it's good. I mean, there's ways they can do it now where they give people some upfront money, and for outfront money things like that. But i so when I started in slower, I had 50 bucks in my bank account and had to live off of other people's food. And and I was, you know, cooking them eggs in the morning, just hoping they'd share their breakfast with Yeah.
00:21:58
Speaker
getting out there. um but i don't know, there's something to be said with that too, is when you have the urgency to make sure happen, you go out and push more, I think. too Well, and see, your story is is the kind of story that people need to hear, that you weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth. You weren't born with abundance.
00:22:17
Speaker
I mean, you're the same way I was. My mom and dad were very average income people, wonderful, wonderful parents, but dad never found his niche. And I believe your niche in life, when you find a way to make an income that you love and it's possible to make a lot of money. And that's what sales and solar is all about. Because you can do that.
00:22:42
Speaker
I look at the income some of the folks who were here yesterday were making And they never make that an average jobs. and and so So it's super.
00:22:53
Speaker
And I think it's going to even get better. Our world is changing so rapidly. And I think that the people in the world are saying, I'm not paying these utility bills. And of course, if you have a good presentation, if you learn to speak as Taylor does at the door, if you learn to handle objections the way you do.
00:23:15
Speaker
if you If you just concentrate on the phraseology, become an actor or actress, learning your lines, you can make an incredible income. yeah And again, you're not selling a bunch of crap, you're selling something good for a family. Yeah, no doubt. And yeah, if you're if you're listening to this podcast and not convinced of that, then I mean, that's obviously the first place you should start is write down all the reasons how you're helping out homeowners. Sure.
00:23:40
Speaker
You got to be completely sold. And they well, speaking of like, you know, um learning the lines. So something you talk about a lot about Tom and Taylor does too, just practicing, drilling, rehearsing.
00:23:51
Speaker
So how much of that was a factor and we when you were starting out? Were you going to top guys in the office and memorizing their lines? Sure. Or what exactly do you do when you're practicing drilling? Well, And that's kind of what I did.
00:24:03
Speaker
I went to a seminar and the man said, find out the top income earner in your company, get their permission to sit as they're on the phone talking to make appointments, ask their permission to sit when they are talking with people at the desk or in their home.
00:24:19
Speaker
And I did. I found the number one income earning real estate person. And went and listened and made notes. Back then we had no recording devices. I know that sounds funny, but this is many years ago.
00:24:32
Speaker
But I was an avid note taker and I wrote down everything they said. Then I became an actor or actress and rehearsed it. You know, they say it costs too much. I had 14 words, I would say.
00:24:45
Speaker
They say I want to think it over. I had 73 words, I would say. So that anything they said to not get the yes to me, I'll handle the words to turn the no into the yes. Yes.
00:24:58
Speaker
Yeah, incredible. And yeah, it's super important. I think it's forgotten. Really, we have no excuse because back in your day, I mean, had to write everything down. That's
Building Referral-based Business and Handling Rejection
00:25:07
Speaker
right. These days we got YouTube, we got this podcast. You can go online anytime here. you know Yeah, no, you have access to so much valuable information today.
00:25:18
Speaker
And, you know, the key is practice, drill, rehearse. yeah ah You know, you can't just hear it once. You have to hear it, and if it's recording, listen to it, turn your car into a classroom every mile you drive. And the average salesperson of any product, if we could average it out around the world, will spend about 5,000 hours driving in their vehicle. yeah And that can be either just music or negativity of news,
00:25:51
Speaker
Or it can be motivation, be training. yeah And i just think people need to turn that darn player in their car into a training tool yeah and listen and listen and rehearse and rehearse till, you know, you practice drill and rehearse till it all becomes an internalized part and of you.
00:26:13
Speaker
Yeah. Well, yeah, it's funny because I did a podcast with Taylor McCarthy last year. we're We're going to do another one here soon. But um so many people have gone up to Taylor and told him the exact same lines.
00:26:26
Speaker
And then he has a lot of videos, things like that and now. But um like when we first did this podcast, people just listen this on repeat 20 times. then they go up and say the same words. He's like, man, I feel like I'm talking to myself. yeah right i'm go go But really, I mean, that's how it's done. It's like, it leaves clues, right? and And for guys, which is most of us that aren't like born salesmen and everything, it's all you have to do is go listen to the guys that are having a ton of success. And we're fortunate to have good content and good material.
00:26:58
Speaker
Yeah, that's one thing i ah hope the folks watching this will realize that if you have an environment of success with talented people to watch and listen to but you're in such a great opportunity to become successful.
00:27:15
Speaker
You know, there are many companies, and I know a lot of them, that people on the top don't know what to really teach to the people that are starting or that are in the middle.
00:27:25
Speaker
But in your company, you got people on every level that can help, can train, and practice, drill, rehearse, watch their the other people take this program and just internalize all we're covering. Super. Yeah, no no doubt.
00:27:43
Speaker
And so, Tom, just to kind of transition towards the towards the end here, another thing that I'm really impressed with is just, you know, all the referral-based business you built when you're in real estate.
00:27:54
Speaker
And so in solar, a lot of us struggle sometimes to get referrals because it's like they put solar on once and they stay in that home forever. They're lot of times not necessarily going to be repeat customers or anything.
00:28:07
Speaker
um So do you have any advice, like what what would you say to build out a referral program? What helped you in real estate? Do you think we could apply over to solar? Well, first of all, if you make them happy with solar, I think the thing I would do and say, and I would make it honest, like say the people working under you or your company, ah your team,
00:28:33
Speaker
they should literally use you for the reason why they have to knock on the door, why they have to say hi And I also like the words management has asked me to ask the folks we serve if they know anyone else we can help.
00:28:54
Speaker
like that And if they like and trust you, they all have managers or people above them. yeah So when you say management has asked me to ask people we serve,
00:29:07
Speaker
if there's anyone else they might know. For example, ah it could be a relative, it could be an aunt, an uncle. Now see, I'm opening their minds to people.
00:29:18
Speaker
Uncle, it could be one of the neighbors. We find something interesting. There are 10 people across the street and five on each side, and these 20 people are very interested once they see we're getting solar on your roof,
00:29:35
Speaker
Which of those folks do you think I might go and see? and of course, I really want you guys and gals to do this. When you put in a solar unit, the neighbors need to know.
00:29:45
Speaker
You need to blame management. And of course, you today you can get the name of every homeowner from their address. Yes. So you can knock on the door, back up, smile. Hi, Mr. Johnson, i came by because the upper manager of my company knows that we just installed a wonderful so solar program for the Smiths up the street.
00:30:10
Speaker
And they've asked me to make sure the neighbors know because people today are looking for every opportunity to lower overhead, to cut this tremendous utility challenge with money.
00:30:23
Speaker
So I thought I'd let you know what we do. Do you know anyone that it might serve if it's not right for you? Boom. See? That's all. Yeah. Say it the right way and you will make the play. Yeah.
00:30:35
Speaker
I love that. Well, it's cool. good lake how How can someone be mad about that? Sure. Don't be mad at me. Upper management. the That's right. Send me to the house. That's right. Blame the but guy above you for why you're doing it because they'll relate and they'll feel empathy for you and not be upset.
00:30:52
Speaker
I know. Yeah. And I think you were talking about that yesterday. Just a door So I'm like, hey, forgive me. Just upper management told me. Yes, they're requiring me to do this.
00:31:03
Speaker
Yeah. All right. Yeah. power I love that. But that's the problem is most people, i think you probably agree, most people like don't ask for the clothes. They don't ask for the the referral.
00:31:13
Speaker
It's just, ah I think it's something had to learn is just getting used to like being in that sometimes. some Some people say it's awkward or whatever, but just getting used to that feeling of asking for what you need, because sure think people don't ask for referrals. Well, you know this too.
00:31:29
Speaker
I am ah such a believer that you become a master asker where you learn to ask all the right questions. And and all of you folks, I hope, you'll take advantage of the art of questioning that both Taylor, this Taylor, ah my Taylor McCarthy, and that we all eat, sleep, drink, questioning and listening, not talking and telling. yeah Well, and Tom, to wrap up here, another thing that we've learned a lot from you is you talk about your ah positivity shield, the little, I think you called that, were you? Zip, zip. Zip, zip, positivity.
00:32:07
Speaker
um So can you speak to that? like Sure. how How important is just being positive for you? and Well, you know you know, I think everybody can agree that overall in the world,
00:32:18
Speaker
there's much more negativity than positivity. I mean, the news is loaded with negative cycles. There's been so many economic challenges.
00:32:29
Speaker
And so you've got to put guard yourself. And it's a game I started playing. I just felt that I am in a block negativity and I call it my zip zip game and it's something that I did every morning before I left to get in my car and go and talk to people on the street and I just take my left hand and I go zip My right hand, I go zip, and then I say, I'm now in my positive shell.
00:32:59
Speaker
And I pretend that I put a shell around my brain, my mind, so that anything that comes at me negative is blocked. So I hope you that are watching this will take advantage of that.
00:33:12
Speaker
And it was so fun yesterday, and it's so fun at a seminar when I get people, hundreds of them, going zip, zip, I'm now in my positive shell. and we block the negativity and keep going and if we get rejected we laugh it off and look for the next yes hidden behind the nose yep so everyone listening you can pause right now zip up your positivity shield and that's right zip them up especially in door to door. Yes.
00:33:44
Speaker
That's yes. It affects us all. So Tom, it's been incredible just being able to hang out with you, spend some time with you. And my last question is if people want to, um, you know, you've written 19 books. So if just, I guess, keeping solar in mind, what would you say if someone was going to look for the first book? well check out Yeah. In fact, what's happening because I'm kind of returned not really retiring, but slowing my life down.
00:34:06
Speaker
Amazon has taken all my books and CDs and, And they've got them and discounted them, which is really exciting because they've got them at like 70% less than we used to market them for. So my 19 books, my CDs, my DVDs, and all of that is available if you go to Amazon, Tom Hopkins, and you can find them.
00:34:33
Speaker
And if you have a challenge with that, our company, Tom Hopkins International, is here in Phoenix, Arizona, and you can always contact us and we'll take care of finding you what where our books are. But the first book, How to Master the Art of Selling, served millions of copies because I tried in that first book to give Everything a human being would ever need to make a lot of money selling whatever the product is. So I hope I can become a part of your life and a part of your growth to achieve your full potential, which we all deserve and should go for. 100%. So for our all our solopreneur listeners, go buy Tom's book if you haven't read any of his books. Reach out. do you ever get on a social media or anything like that, Tom? No, not really. Give that to the young guys. Yeah, you guys guys take care of that now. I'm still and so yeah um Well, if you want to connect with Tom, Noxstar is a great way to do it. Sure. Getting on calls with you.
00:35:38
Speaker
So you know reach out to me or Taylor McCarthy. Let them know you heard this podcast. Great. All the best. So, Tom, thanks again for coming on. yeah but Look forward to continuing work with you and Noxstar and appreciate you everything you're doing. Let's keep going. All the best. Thanks, Tom.
00:35:55
Speaker
Hey, solarpreneurs, quick question.
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00:35:57
Speaker
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00:36:06
Speaker
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