How can a little guy make it in a such a big world?

I like this, taking me a down a peg - don't get me wrong, confidence is key, and I have come across arrogant re-reading that post.

However, I'd like to stress it isn't all about me, I'm providing a service, a HELP SERVICE; my objective is to provide results for my client, develop a relationship that will eventually result in them becoming advocates of my business.

I understand what you're saying and I agree; arrogance won't get me too far - try to see it fro my point of view. I have no intention of making the conversation about myself; the business I am targeting is the focus, hearing them out is far more important than exemplifying my achievements - at least initially.

I must say, however, confidence in both myself and the service, is a hell of a lot better than presenting myself in an unsure or insecure tone. I'm driven, I've got one shot, and I want to take it by the scruff of the neck!

Thanks to everyone else posting, some great ideas!

Agreed. There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. If you stay confident, it comes across in your voice, your posture and they feed off of that. Coming accrossed as arrogant will shut them off.

The first thing I had to do was gain confidence I could provide a service, once I did that, I could confidently tell businesses I could provide it. I didn't come acrossed as arrogant but once (in retrospect) which resulted in a near immediate hang up. At the time, I wasn't sure what I had done, but now looking back after reading David's post, that is exactly what happened.

Once I started actually learning how their business worked, and dive into their businesses needs, I started closing deals.

I like doing what I have been doing, and learning how different businesses operate, how they get paid, how they thrive, what makes them work and what does not.

I think the most interesting explanation I got into was how a new bail bondsman's business works, and the whole process. i.e. how their insurance works, how it builds up, how high of bonds he can take and feel 'safe", how he gets paid, how the insurance gets paid, how he has to get clearance for bonds of x amount of dollars..and how (basically) over a period of time he is able to take on larger and larger bonds..

So what can I do with that? The next bondsman I talk to, I know how is business works, I can talk with some decent knowledge in his industry,and I can ask him questions no other "marketer" would ask, or know to ask, which will set me apart.

To me, it is fun to learn that, and it is also good to want to learn that, because the business owners:
A. like to talk about their business (the same way you talked about you) B. Think to their self you are an organized person that doesn't make rash decisions
C. Most "salesman" don't take the time to figure out what their business needs help with - they just shove a services down their face hopin they say yes

Ryan