# Missed Quota Series: The Dark Funnel - The #1 Reason Sellers Missed Quota In Q1 | Donald C. Kelly - 1993

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-sales-evangelist-745326/missed-quota-series-the-dark-funnel-the-1-reason-sellers-missed-quota-in-q1-donald-c-kelly-1993
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-sales-evangelist-745326/missed-quota-series-the-dark-funnel-the-1-reason-sellers-missed-quota-in-q1-donald-c-kelly-1993.md
Podcast: [The Sales Evangelist](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-sales-evangelist-745326)
Published: 2026-04-13T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thesalesevangelist.com
Audio file: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/clrtpod.com/m/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/01e118f8-79a7-4d07-bc5b-13dae567b119.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1157

## Resource

A lot of sellers are working hard but still falling short in Q1. The challenge isn’t always activity. It’s timing. This is part two of the missed quota series, and I’m sharing why buyers are already far into their journey before you ever connect with them and how you can show up sooner. Why Q1 Feels So Difficult for Sellers Most sellers wonder why Q1 feels so tough, and a big part of it comes down to this. By the time you’re getting in front of a buyer, they’re already about 67% through their decision-making process. They’ve done their research, explored options, and in many cases already have a shortlist before you even show up. The Buyer’s Shift: The Dark Funnel This is what I call the dark funnel. It’s everything happening behind the scenes before a buyer ever talks to you. And here’s the reality. A lot of buyers prefer it that way. Gartner found that 61% of B2B buyers want a seller-free experience early on, and 43% of executives are discovering solutions through social media. If you’re not visible during that stage, you’re already behind. Content Is How You Show Up Early So how do you get ahead of that? You’ve got to start thinking like a content house. If you’re not consistently showing up with insights, you’re invisible while buyers are forming their opinions. This isn’t about posting just to stay active. It’s about sharing content that actually helps your ideal customer think through their challenges. What to Share to Stay Relevant If you’re in something like cybersecurity, think about the kind of content your buyers care about. Break down major breaches and what companies can learn from them. Explain new compliance changes in a way that’s easy to understand. Share real-world insights based on what you’re seeing in the field. This is the kind of content that bui…

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