90 Days to a Full Sales Pipeline: Prospecting for Aviation Professionals

Prospecting is the lifeblood of aviation sales, yet it’s often the most intimidating part of the process. In our latest workshop, we tackled this challenge head-on, breaking down the key steps to building a full pipeline in 90 days—without resorting to spammy, high-pressure tactics. From targeting the right prospects with precision to making confident first contacts, we explored how a strategic approach to prospecting leads to lasting relationships and sustainable sales success. If you’ve ever struggled with finding the right people, crafting compelling outreach, or overcoming the fear of rejection, this session was designed for you.

Timestamps & Summary of Key Topics

0:00:00 – Opening & The Power of Prospecting

• John kicks off with a quote: “Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”

• Paula shares how she overcame misconceptions about sales and learned its critical role in business success.

0:02:12 – The Biggest Prospecting Challenges

• Poll results: The most common struggles in prospecting include:

1. Targeting the right prospects

2. Finding an angle or alignment

3. Making the initial contact

• Discussion on how fear of rejection holds many people back from reaching out.

0:03:44 – Overcoming the Fear of First Contact

• Ali shares his experience with LinkedIn outreach and the discomfort of being ignored.

• Recognizing that sales is about giving potential clients an opportunity, not forcing a conversation.

0:05:01 – Real-World Sales Story: Confidence in Negotiation

• John shares a story about negotiating a vehicle purchase by being prepared and assertive.

0:06:45 – Using AI & Data for Better Targeting

• How tools like ChatGPT, LinkedIn, FAA databases, and JetNet help pinpoint high-value prospects.

• Customizing outreach based on publicly available data to improve response rates.

0:08:51 – Setting Realistic Prospecting Goals

• Why a full sales pipeline in 90 days is achievable with consistent effort.

• The biggest mistake: trying to accomplish too much in a single outreach.

0:10:37 – The Power of a Holding Pattern

• 20% of prospects will never buy, 20% are ready now, and 60% need nurturing.

• Why a well-managed holding pattern is essential for long-term aviation sales.

0:12:06 – Creating Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)

• Key criteria for identifying the best prospects:

• Company type, size, location, fleet details, financials

• Decision-maker’s title, needs, priorities, and personality

• Challenges in the South Asian market where job roles often overlap.

0:17:01 – The “Top 10” Prospecting Strategy

• Keeping a focused list of 10 high-potential leads at a time.

• How to prioritize based on engagement level, responses, and buying signals.

0:23:08 – Multi-Channel Prospecting: Best Outreach Methods

• LinkedIn DMs, emails, phone calls, in-person visits, trade shows, direct mail.

• The importance of testing different methods and adjusting based on response.

0:28:45 – The 8-Step Prospecting Campaign

1. Identify & research leads.

2. Initial connection (LinkedIn or email).

3. First follow-up call or voicemail.

4. Second follow-up email.

5. Engage with their content (comment on LinkedIn, share insights).

6. Third follow-up call or touchpoint.

7. Make a low-risk offer (consultation, report, or demo).

8. Track responses and adjust the approach.

0:37:03 – The Power of Making a Great First Impression

• Tips for starting a natural, non-salesy conversation.

• Using LinkedIn insights, shared connections, and AI tools for a personalized approach.

0:46:36 – Making an Offer Without Pushing for a Sale

• A first interaction should not be about selling.

• Instead, offer something valuable:

• A useful article

• An industry insight

• A free consultation or assessment

0:51:04 – Handling Rejections & No Responses

• A “no” is better than no response—because it means you can move on.

• If no response, try a different channel or touchpoint before moving on.

0:56:48 – What Comes Next: Holding Patterns & Converting Leads

• The transition from prospecting to nurturing.

• Why some prospects take months (or even years) to convert—but are still worth the effort.

0:58:36 – Final Q&A & Key Takeaways

• Sales isn’t about closing a deal in one call—it’s about building trust.

• Effective prospecting creates a pipeline where buyers come to you.

• Following a structured process eliminates guesswork and stress. T

his workshop laid the foundation for a sustainable, non-pushy sales approach that works specifically for the aviation industry. Want to learn more? Watch the full session or reach out for personalized guidance on your prospecting strategy! 🚀✈️