Show notes
Learn how to sell more at the end of the year by helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) reduce their tax bill while making strategic investments in their company on this Money Monday episode of the Sales Gravy Podcast.
If you’ve been looking for a way to hit or exceed your annual quota, qualify for President's Club, or simply earn a bigger paycheck or bonus, focusing on SMBs in the final weeks of the year might give you the edge you need.
SMBs are Motivated to Reduce Taxes
In the United States there are millions of SMBs and the vast majority of these businesses are what we call pass-through organizations for tax purposes. This means that the owners or partners in these businesses report the profits on their personal tax filings.
Unlike big companies, small companies don’t have the luxury of rolling profits over to the next year. So whatever they made this year, they have to pay taxes on.
As the calendar winds down SMB business owners are often motivated to invest in products, services, and software solutions in order to reduce taxable income.
In other words, if a business has shown strong profits throughout the year, its owners might be keen to spend some of that money on improving their operations, expanding their capabilities, or streamlining their processes—right now—rather than hand over a large chunk of their profits to Uncle Sam come tax season.
Business Owners Hate Paying Taxes
To understand why this year-end period is so critical, let’s get into the mindset of a small or medium-sized business owner.
Unlike large enterprises with multiple departments and complex accounting strategies, SMB owners are often personally invested in the company’s financial results because those results are essentially their income. It’s how they pay their mortgage and put food on the table.
For this reason, they watch their revenue and expenses closely. As the year comes to an end, they’re looking at their bottom line and thinking about the upcoming tax bill.
For many of these business owners, profit is a double-edged sword. Don’t get me wrong, they want to make a profit. But at some point, too much profit triggers a much higher tax bill.
If there is one thing I know about small and medium sized business owners its that they hate taxes. They are always looking for ways to legally minimize their tax liability.
One easy and productive way to do this is to make fully or partially depreciable investments in the business before December 31st. That could mean buying new equipment, software, training packages, or services that will not only improve the business long-term but also reduce taxable income for the current year.
An Urgent Need to Spend
As a salesperson, the key takeaway here is that your prospects have a natural, time-bound incentive to spend. If you can position your product or service as the right investment at the right time, you might find it easier to close those deals that seemed just out of reach during the rest of the year.
And by the way, if you are dealing with decision-makers who are pushing off decisions to next year, this is a great way to get past that objection.
Framing Your Business Case
I want to be clear though that most businesses are not going to spend money for the sake of spending money. Savvy business owners want to reduce taxes and do the right thing for their company.
Therefore, you can’t just be transactional. You still must follow the sales process and build a bridge to the value of tax savings AND business improvement when making your business case.
It’s all about framing your product or service as a strategic investment rather than a mere expense.
For example:
If you sell software tools that improve operational efficiency, make the case for how your solution will help them save on labor costs, reduce errors, and streamline workflows.
If you’re selling advertising, highlight how a year-end launch of a new campaign will lead to immediate results that set the stage for a strong Q1.
If you sell capital equipment walk them through how the new equipment will make them more productive and help them expand their business in the new year.
The key is to connect the value of your offering directly to the timing. Consider messaging like:
“This is an opportune moment to upgrade your systems, so you’ll enter the new year with a competitive edge and potentially lower your tax liabilities this season.”
“By getting your campaign locked in before the year closes, you can reap immediate tax benefits while ensuring your advertising starts generating leads in January when you need them the most.”
If we get the equipment ordered now it will be delivered in Q1 giving you plenty of time to get a high ROI next year.
When you can tie the ROI of your product to both tangible improvements and the financial perks of year-end spending, the business case becomes much more compelling and you will sell more.
Tailor Your Approach
While the end-of-year tax incentive is a common denominator, not every SMB is identical. Some might be profitable but cash-constrained, while others have capital burning a hole in their pockets. Some may be in sectors that had a booming year, while others are just recovering from a difficult market.
The more you understand the unique challenges and goals of each prospect you’re targeting, the better you can tailor your approach.
Before you pick up the phone, walk through their door, or send an email, do some research. Check out their recent announcements, whether they’re hiring or expanding. Look into trends in their industry.
Understanding these nuances will help you fine-tune your messaging. If you know a business is tight on cash, emphasize flexible payment plans or financing options. If the business is flush with profit, reinforce the immediate tax advantage and the strategic value of reinvesting those funds.
Empathy and relevance are your allies here. Show that you understand their position and that your solution aligns perfectly with their current goals. That personal touch, combined with the natural urgency of year-end, is a powerful recipe for closing the deal.
Lead With Urgency: Clear, Direct, Compelling
I don’t want to sweep under the rug how important timing and urgency are with this tactic. While you don’t want to be completely transactional, you do want to be direct.
As we approach the end of the year, many SMB owners have a long to-do list: Finalizing paperwork, inventory checks, reviewing vendor contracts, preparing for holiday promotions, and on and on. They’re busy. They have limited time to spend on sales pitches. This means your outreach needs to be respectful of their schedule and also clear, direct, and compelling.
Say right away: “I’m reaching out before the year ends because I have a solution that can help you maximize your tax benefits this year and help you grow your business next year."
Being direct and to the point respects their time and sets the context immediately. If you need more help with direct and to-the-point messaging, grab your copy of my book Fanatical Prospecting and review Because Statements.
It’s crucial that you create and maintain a sense of urgency. Not the aggressive, pushy kind, but a natural urgency rooted in a real calendar event: The year-end.
The clock is ticking, and if they don’t make their purchase by December 31st, they miss out on the potential tax advantages. This deadline isn’t artificial—it’s a reality. Use it to frame your conversations. Urgency helps prospects prioritize your offer over other distractions in their busy schedule.
Handling Objections
You might encounter objections like: “We’re too busy to consider new solutions right now,” or “We don’t have enough budget.”
In these cases, it’s wise to highlight the cost-saving and tax benefits again. Stress that investing now can actually put them in a better position financially. Remind them that waiting until next year could mean missing out on an opportunity to reduce this year’s taxable income.
If time is an issue, propose a quick and efficient implementation plan. Show them that you can be agile and help them integrate the solution without massive downtime.
If budget is a concern, consider promotions, discounts, or favorable financing terms. Sometimes, offering a small year-end incentive can tip the scales in your favor.
The Five Keys to Selling More to SMBs at the End of the Year
SMBs have a natural incentive to invest before year-end: They want to reduce their taxable income and set themselves up for a strong next year.
Frame your product as a strategic investment: Highlight the value, ROI, and tax benefits that come with a year-end purchase.
Avoid being transactional: Follow the sales process and position yourself as a partner who can help them navigate this critical period.
Tailor your approach to each SMB’s situation: Research their needs and adjust your prospecting message accordingly, showing empathy and relevance.
Create urgency with a real deadline: The calendar itself is your ally; emphasize that the benefits come from acting before December 31st.
Here's the deal though. Do not wait. Start this process now. The low-hanging fruit is out there but it will rot on the vine if you fail to pick before the sand runs out of the hourglass this year.
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