How to get a prospect interested in your product/service

 

There isn’t one “trick,” but a reliable process that works across industries:

1. Earn attention with relevance (not persuasion)

   • Open with what’s true for them: their role, their constraints, and the specific problem they’re likely facing.
   • Avoid generic intros like “We help businesses…”—instead anchor to a scenario.

2. Diagnose first, then show value

   • Ask 3–5 high-signal questions (time, cost, risk, current workflow, buying process).
   • Mirror back what you heard in one sentence: “So the real issue is X, which is costing you Y and making Z hard.”

3. Create a concrete “before → after”

   • Prospects get interested when they can see the result.
   • Share a clear transformation: what changes, how fast, and what measurable outcome improves.

4. Make proof easy

   • Use one strong proof asset per stage:
     • early stage: short case study / quantified outcome
     • mid stage: demo + ROI model
     • late stage: implementation plan + references
   • If you can’t quantify, use credible proxy metrics (cycle time, error rate, adoption rate).

5. Reduce perceived risk

   • Offer a low-commitment first step: paid pilot, limited rollout, “proof of workflow,” or a fixed-scope engagement.
   • Risk reduction is often what turns “interested” into “yes.”

6. Use urgency correctly

   • Not fake scarcity—real triggers:
     • upcoming renewal
     • compliance deadlines
     • budget windows
     • internal leadership goals / headcount changes

7. Close with a specific next step

   • “If we can confirm A and B, can we schedule a 30-min technical fit call next Tuesday?”
   • Vague closes (“Let’s talk more”) kill momentum.

Reflect On These!!

1. Wealth is built in silence.

You don’t need to announce your wins. You need to protect them.

2. Complexity is not a strategy.

If it sounds too fancy, it’s probably too fragile.

3. Control is the real flex.

Money is fuel. Control is the vehicle.

4. Fast moves are only smart when backed by strong fundamentals.

Otherwise, they’re just a gamble dressed up in urgency.

You only need to get rich once.

1. Yes, you only need to get rich once.

But most people lose it trying to “do more” after the first win.

2. Leverage isn’t evil. But it’s not your savior either.

Use it to grow, not to compensate for a weak foundation.

3. Liquidity buys peace of mind.

You don’t need to be fully invested at all times. You need to be ready.

4. Relationships outlast returns.

Your network will either stabilize you or sink you. Choose wisely

Who’s ahead of you?

Challenges for You Today

1. Review your last 3 decisions.

Were they based on facts or feelings? Fix the pattern before it repeats.

2. Map out your real risk exposure.

Not just the obvious stuff. Look for the blind spots that could hit hardest.

3. Reach out to someone who’s ahead of you.

Ask them what not to do this year. You’ll save yourself years of pain.

What actually drives inbound.

Personal posts are everywhere on LinkedIn right now. And honestly, I love that people are showing more of who they really are. But here’s the part most people miss: Personal content doesn’t automatically drive inbound leads.

According to this year’s algorithm report, the performance gap is widening:

• Oversharing and “life updates” are down 38% in engagement.
  
  
• Personal stories anchored in insight are up 41%.
  
  

That’s because vulnerability alone doesn’t build trust or visibility. But vulnerability paired with clarity? That’s where authority and inbound opportunity comes from. If you want your personal content to actually bring the right clients to you, here’s what the updated data shows works now:

 

1. Center your story on transformation, not confession.

People don’t convert because you shared something personal. They convert because they see how your perspective changed and why it matters.

Transformation creates authority.Confession only creates attention.

2. Pair emotion with utility.

The posts that drive inbound end with:

• “Here’s what this taught me…”
  
  
• “Here’s what shifted for me…”
  
  
• “Here’s the takeaway for you…”
  
  

When you offer the “so what?”, you move people from feeling connected to seeing you as a guide. That’s where inbound starts.

 

3. Show the before and after.

This is the storytelling pattern that triggers the algorithm AND human psychology.

Before = tension
After = clarity Insight = authority

Authority creates trust which leads to inbound.

4. Keep it visual (especially for personal stories).

Real photos catch attention long enough for your message to land. Authenticity in the visual creates curiosity in the reader. Curiosity is what leads someone to click your profile. And profile visits are the #1 precursor to inbound leads. (see how that works?)

Here’s the bigger truth:

Personal storytelling isn’t just about engagement anymore. It’s about creating the conditions for someone to trust you enough to reach out.

The right personal posts do three things:

1. Build connection
   
   
2. Demonstrate perspective
   
   
3. Position you as someone worth working with
   
   

That combination is what actually drives inbound.

You need to take a step before filing your business return!

Before your CPA filed your business 2025 return, didd you take this single step?

Get a second opinion.

I'm serious.

That return sitting on your accountant's desk right now? It's full of clues.

Clues about strategies you missed.
Clues about deductions you overlooked.

Most CPAs will just file what's in front of them.

They won't dig deeper.

They won't ask, "Could we have done this differently?"

They won't tell you,  "Here's the specialized tax incentives you should have taken."

That's not their job. 

Their job is to report on the past.

But your 2025 return is actually a roadmap for 2026 savings.

At Stryde, we analyze your benefits to find exactly where you overpaid — and what to do about it going forward.

$37 billion in benefits found over last 24 years with zero IRS disallowances!!

The decisions you make in the next 90 days will determine your 2026 tax bill.

If you didn't implement tax strategies before December 31st, those opportunities are gone.

But here's what most business owners don't realize.

The decisions you make in the next 90 days will determine your 2026 tax bill.

Your CPA is probably still recovering from the holidays.

Meanwhile, you're already:

• Making business purchases
• Paying employees
• Structuring deals
• Taking distributions

Every one of those decisions has tax consequences.

And you're making them without guidance.

The business owners who pay the least in taxes aren't more intelligent than you.

They just started planning earlier.

Stryde analyzes your business across all major tax categories:

• Retirement 
• Deductions  
• Credits 
• Niche-specific strategies 
• Tax Cuts & Jobs Act Updates 

Want to make 2026 the year you finally stop overpaying?

Planning ahead.

While most business owners were recovering from the holidays, the smart ones were doing something different.

They were planning.

Because here's what they know that most don't…

Tax savings don't happen in April when you file.

They happen in January when you plan.

Think about it.

Every major tax strategy requires time to implement:

Entity restructuring? Takes months. 

Retirement account setup? Needs proper documentation. 

Cost segregation study? Requires professional analysis. 

If you wait until December to think about these strategies, you've already lost.

But if you start now, you have several months to execute.

That's the difference between business owners who pay $90,000 in taxes and those who pay $35,000.

It's not luck. It's not some secret loophole.

It's planning ahead.

Right now, you're making decisions that will impact your 2026 tax bill:

• How much to pay yourself 
• Whether to buy equipment 
• How to structure client payments 
• When to take distributions 
• Where to invest profits

Are you making these decisions with a tax strategist? Or are you guessing?

Most business owners guess. And it costs them.

Stryde gives you a comprehensive 2026 tax plan that shows you:

• Exactly what strategies apply to your situation 
• How much each strategy will save you 
• When to implement throughout the year 
• What documentation do you need

No more guessing. No more scrambling in December.

Just a clear roadmap for paying the minimum legal amount in taxes.

Schedule a free assessment, and we'll show you exactly how much you can save this year. No upfront fees.

Structure problems.

 

What You Keep > What You Make

Starting a new year always brings that “clean slate” energy.

But clean slates don’t mean anything if you don’t change the way the game is played.

I’ve had years that looked great on paper. Revenue was up. Activity was high. Clients were coming in.

And still... the bank account didn’t reflect it. And worse, my lifestyle didn’t reflect it.

That's when I realized most entrepreneurs don’t have revenue problems. They have structure problems.

The business is busy, but it’s not efficient. Money comes in, but it leaks right back out. Here in the middle of May Stop it!!

Did you write another New Year's Resolution this year?

Have you ever found yourself jotting down some New Year's Resolutions, only to watch them fizzle out in days or weeks after the holiday excitement settles down?

 

If so, you’re not alone!

 

One of the biggest blocks people face when setting big intentions for the New Year, is they get stuck in “wanting” mode.

 

They are in a state of “I don’t have what I want, so I have to get what I don’t have”.

 

But the Universe doesn’t respond to what you want, it responds to your state of being in the moment.

 

The antidote is shifting from wanting to having mode.

 

When you truly believe that what you want is already yours, the Law states that it has to make manifest in physical form.

 

This is just one of 21 daily practices from a new book, Countdown to Riches, that are designed to change the way you think, feel and act towards abundance in your life.

 

Don’t let 2026 be another year where your desires fade with the holiday excitement, allow it to be the year you see lasting transformation.

Who do you allow in your business?

Working with the wrong people will always cost more than being “short-staffed.”

A mismatched team creates confusion, not results.

Boundaries protect the vision. Compromising them to “be nice” is how resentment starts.

Who you allow in your business is just as important as what your business sells.

“You are not a rehab center for unmotivated people.”— Ed Mylett

The vision doesn’t fail because you didn’t work hard.

It fails when you work hard with the wrong crew.

Choose wisely.

Always.

Avoid audit headaches, BusinessRefund.com

Not one IRS challenge in 23 years. 

CPAs and tax preparers also welcome, just takes 60-seconds to run the online app that only asks 4 simple questions to locate 1000's in benefits at 

Tax Due Dates

May 15

Calendar-year exempt organizations: File a 2025 information return (Form 990, Form 990-EZ or Form 990-PF) or file for an automatic six-month extension (Form 8868). Pay any tax due.

Calendar-year small exempt organizations: File a 2025 e-Postcard (Form 990-N) if not filing Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.

Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for April if the monthly deposit rule applies.

Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for April if the monthly deposit rule applies.

June 10

Individuals: Report May tip income of $20 or more to employers (Form 4070).

Strong relationships don’t happen by accident.

We can work so hard to build a beautiful life—our homes, our careers, our routines, our goals. But at the end of the day, so much of what we experience in that life comes down to one thing: relationships.

Not just the romantic kind. The ones with our kids, our friends, our coworkers, our clients, our teams… and the relationship we have with ourselves. Relationships shape the tone of our days. They steady us when things feel heavy. And when they’re strained, it can spill into everything else—focus, energy, confidence, even joy.

Here’s the hard (and hopeful) truth: strong relationships don’t happen by accident. They’re built—often through small, courageous choices that require us to lead with humility instead of ego.

One of the most powerful shifts we can make is moving from blame to responsibility.

When something feels off, it’s so easy to point a finger—at a tone, a missed expectation, a lack of support, a misunderstanding. But real growth begins when we pause and ask:What’s getting triggered in me right now? What do I actually need? How can I communicate that clearly—with care?

That doesn’t mean we excuse bad behavior or carry everything alone. It means we “clean up our side of the street” first—so we’re not reacting from hurt, stress, or exhaustion. From that place, we can show up differently: calmer, clearer, kinder, and more effective.

As life gets busy and emotions run high, my encouragement is simple: choose one relationship and take one small step toward health. A thoughtful check-in. A sincere apology. A clear request instead of a complaint. A moment of appreciation.

Those small moments are never wasted. They’re how trust is rebuilt. They’re how connection grows. And they’re how we create a life that feels not just successful—but supported.

Do not abandon traction.

Starting fresh feels good.

But scaling what works feels better.

If your system is making money, don’t throw it out, sharpen it.

Most people abandon traction before it turns into momentum.

This isn’t a reset button.

It’s a mirror.

“New” doesn’t mean better.

It usually just means unproven.

Clarity and consistency outwork chaos every time.

You don’t need a brand new business model.

You need a better version of what’s already working.

When you stop chasing excitement and start building leverage, you start getting peace.

Challenges for You

Make a list of everything that worked in your business before.

Then ask yourself how to double it.

Identify one process you’ve been “winging.”

Systematize it.

Kill the “I need something new” mindset.

Ask: What’s underutilized right now that could be maximized?

If you want clarity, let’s map it out together.

What's in front of you?

This month doesn’t need a reinvention. It needs execution. And sometimes the best way forward… is already in front of you.

The goal isn’t to do more. It’s to do what works — better.

Is New The Answer?

 

Years ago, I thought the secret to success was more new ideas. New deals. New projects. New directions.

It felt productive. It looked exciting. It gave me something to chase.

But eventually, I realized I wasn’t building anything. I was just busy.

What actually moved the needle? Refining what already worked. Tightening systems. Doubling down on proven leverage.

Are you giving yourself subsconscious permission to delay success?

You can usually tell in minutes if someone's really on the path to success... or headed straight for a brick wall. Just from the words they use about their life and goals, like...

"I'm trying..."

"I hope this works..."

"I might do this..."

"I'm thinking about it.."

These aren't harmless catch phrases.

Every time you talk like that, you give yourself subconscious permission to delay success. You're letting fear and indecision take over. And your business will never be able to outperform the standards you set with your own words.

Your brain has millions of thoughts and ideas every day. Ideas don't matter. DECISIONS are what the brain acts on.

And there's nothing decisive going on when you use weak words.

Your success requires powerful language that identifies your clear end goal.

I'll make you a challenge right now that'll change your business forever, if you take it seriously:

Record yourself talking to someone about your business. Play it back and be brutally honest at what you hear. (And don't deliberately try to sound different. Talk how you normally do.)

If you speak with powerful, action-filled words and have a clear goal... congratulations. You're part of the minority and already on the path to success.

But if you're like most and your business needs more cashflow to allow your business to grow, then let's hop on a 10-minute call and go over some details.

People listen to how you speak.

Weak language builds weak businesses.

Period.

You don’t drift into success.

You decide into it.

When your language is foggy, your actions will be too.

Your team listens to how you speak.

So does your subconscious.

The way you talk about your business becomes the way you build it.

 “Try” is a shield for people who don’t want to be held accountable.

I don’t use it. Neither should you.

The most successful people speak with clarity, not confusion.

They don’t “hope.” They plan.

Every time you catch yourdelf self using soft language, it shows you where you are avoiding something.

The way you talk about your business becomes the way you build it.

"The words you speak become the house you live in." — Hafiz

If you’re wondering why your business isn’t moving…start by listening to yourself. Because success doesn’t come from what you say. It comes from how you say it.

Before you ever ask a business owner about revenue, margins, or their offer…

Listen to how they speak.

Because their words tell you everything.

"I’ll try..."

"I’m thinking about it..."

"I hope this works..."

They don’t realize it — but they’re already making excuses for failure.

You don’t grow when your language is soft.

You grow when your words reflect decisions.

CFOs are suddenly feeling very confident.

CFO confidence climbed to a four-year high in Q4 of 2025, according to Deloitte’s released CFO Signals report. The latest confidence score, 6.6 on a scale of 1–10, was “substantially higher than the Q3 reading of 5.7,” and not much lower than the record score, 7.2, from Q3 2021, placing it “squarely in high confidence territory,” according to the report’s authors.

And just like anyone who’s listened to the aforementioned power pop breakup anthem playlist and then gone on an ill-advised date: CFOs are also feeling risky.

Nearly six out of 10 CFOs think it’s a good time to take more risk, a steep climb from just 36% who said the same in Q3. The report covers survey responses from 200 CFOs at North American companies with at least $1 billion in annual revenue, though you’d think it was a poll of extremely self-assured teenagers from the confidence results.

So, what gives? Short answer

Visibility by switching to male profiles?

Women on LinkedIn are reporting view increases of up to 400% after switching their profiles to male pronouns and using more assertive language, according to reports on the platform. 

Users suspected the algorithm was suppressing women's content and formed a campaign group called Fairness in the Feed demanding transparency.

LinkedIn denies using gender as a ranking signal, attributing reduced visibility to increased competition as posts climb 15% year-over-year. 

Women self-promote 28% less than men on social media, partly due to cultural conditioning and fear of negative reactions, it was reported. 

For business owners relying on LinkedIn to attract clients, reduced visibility could directly impact their ability to compete and generate revenue.

Does Your Success Feel Off?

Yes, you’re stacking revenue.

Hiring team members.

Getting attention.

Growing fast.

But it still feels unstable.

Cash is moving, but not flowing.

Decisions feel rushed.

You’re reacting instead of leading.

And deep down, you know something’s off, even if the spreadsheets say you're crushing it.

That feeling isn’t fear, but rather you're business is missing something.

It’s awareness.

Success without structure isn’t success.

It’s a ticking clock.

There's nothing we can do at this point!!

Ever heard that from your CPA?

Usually comes around February or March, when you ask about your business tax bill.

And technically, they're right.

By the time you're filing, most strategies are off the table.

But here's the question nobody asks –Why didn't we do something when there was still time?

The answer is that nobody was planning to reduce your biggest business expense – taxes..

Your CPA was waiting for your documents. 

You were waiting for your CPA to call. 

And the year ended without anyone taking action.

This is the cycle that keeps business owners overpaying year after year.

Stryde breaks that cycle.

We work with you throughout the year — when there's still time to make moves — not in April when it's too late.

When things get quiet it tests people's dedication more than anything else.

Contracts slow down. Orders take a hit. No one's responding to your paid ads or interacting on your social posts.

It'll mess with your mind and make you doubt your abilities.

Doubt causes you to make irrational snap-decisions. Usually bad ones.

Bad decisions lead to lost money and bigger messes... and more frustration.

Stop. Breathe. And listen to me when I say you need to learn how to use this time to build your confidence and reignite your drive.

My anxiety still shoots through the roof when I can't control the exact timeline of what I want to happen. When things don't work out they way they 'should' have.

But in most cases, they end up working out. Or my initial plans blow up and get replaced with something better. In other cases I learn what NOT to do.

And guess what?

Pretty soon the next 'down time' is coming. It's part of life in this game. Just be prepared to ride the wave.

And never confuse quiet times with 'time to quit.'

Why doesn't my CPA mention most tax strategies?

It's not because they're hiding something.

It's because they're paid to prepare your return — not to reduce taxes.

Tax preparation and tax planning are two completely different services.

Preparation – "Here's what you owe based on what happened."

Planning – "Here's how to change what happens to owe less."

Most CPAs are excellent at preparation.

They're trained for it.
They're efficient at it.
It's what they sell.

But tax planning? That requires a different skillset, a different mindset, and different tools.

Stryde was explicitly built for tax planning.

Our team analyses your business against 30+ tax incentives to find what you're missing.

Your CPA can still file your return. But Stryde makes sure you're not overpaying!!

Living with grit.

Grit is “the combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals.”

I’m not just talking about being tough or grinding through. But standing for something you believe in despite the struggle. 

It's the CEO choosing to work with ethical labor standards, even when pressured by shareholders to chase higher profits.

It's the mom pursuing a classroom that includes her child with special needs, even though she might get labeled "too much” by some parents.

It's my teammates at Stryde who stay in the fight against rising business cost day after day even after seeing some business' fail.

I think Churchill was spot on.

We must stand for what's right. 

Even if some might say you’re wrong.
Even if progress might take years.
Even if it might cost you. 

Sometimes it's good to have enemies!!

 

We recently came across this quote:

"If you have enemies, good. It means you stood for something at least once in your life." — Winston Churchill

At first I thought, “How can it be good to have enemies?”

But look what happened to Churchill.

British generals questioned him.
Americans doubted his competence.
His own government nearly voted him out.

But he stood by his convictions.

By the end of his life, the same people who once criticized eventually came to respect him. Not because he softened his stance, but because he held to it.

As someone who can be a bit of a people pleaser, that really convicted me.