If you’re like me, then you’re always looking for ways to improve your sales skills. After all, the better we are at selling, the more successful our businesses will be. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for the best sales books that can help me close more deals.
Well, I’ve found some real gems over the years. Books that have helped me hone my craft and close more businesses than ever before. If you’re serious about taking your sales game to the next level, then check out these best sales books:
Best Sales Books: A Comprehensive Guide
These best sales books are the ones that every salesperson, from newbie to veteran, should pick up. They cover everything from what it is to sell to how to negotiate.
1. To Sell Is Human
This book is a must read if you’re looking to dispel any misconceptions about selling. Author and best-seller, Dan Pink, dispells any myths about sales and presents his revolutionary ideas in this great resource.
If you want to learn more about the psychology behind sales and the modern sales process, then pick up this book.
“Any time you’re tempted to try and sell someone something, try and provide value first.”
2. Everybody Lies
What would it be like if you knew what your potential customer was thinking before you picked up the phone and called them?
With the internet, we have access to more data than ever before. This data can be used to help us predict what someone will do next. For instance, we can look at a person’s social media profile or their voting history to get a sense of their personality.
This book by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz discusses human thinking and feeling in a more in-depth way than other books on the subject.
If you want to change data in a field, it’s best to do it in a spot where the old method doesn’t work.
3. Blueprints For A SaaS Sales Organization
This book aims to redefine how sales teams have to be built in the software as a service industry.
If you’re looking to take your sales team to world-class status, then look no further than the new book, “Blueprints for a Saas Sales Org.” In it, authors, Jacco Van der Kooij and Fernando Pizarro, share their expertise on how to build, execute, and scale a high performing, world class, SDR and AE org, and give you the tools and framework to do so.
” The main idea is that you should get the model of the problem right to avoid wasting time.
Time is our most valuable commodity, and in a fast-paced industry, we need to always be on our toes.
4. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
And, most importantly, how you can apply these insights to your business.
And, most importantly, how you can apply these insights to your business.
The fear of losing something is a more powerful motivating factor than the hope of winning. This can be used in business, negotiations, and persuasive techniques.
5. Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal
If you want to make a great sales presentation, then check out Oren Klach’s new book, “Pitch Anything.” This book will teach you his successful method for making pitches that win you deals. Oran has used this method to raise over $400 million in capital, so you know it works. If you’re looking to increase your sales, then this book is for you.
Klaff’s approach to pitching is scientific, outlining key points that every great pitch needs to hit, and how to do it effectively:
In his book, Pitch Anything, author Oren Klaff outlines his method for making the perfect sales pitch. His approach uses scientific data, rather than guesswork, and is guaranteed to help you close the deal.
A sales message will never reach the rational side of a person’s mind without passing through the “fight or flight” part of their brain first.
The pitch is one of the most difficult things for us to do. Our brains have evolved in such a way that we automatically reject anything that isn’t logical.
6. Never Split the Difference
This book is perfect for anyone who wants to up their negotiation game because author Chris Voss was a former FBI International Hostage Negotiator.
Former FBI hostage negotiator and bestselling author, Christopher Voss, highlights his practical principles for negotiating and the skills he used to save the lives of hostages.
“Understanding your prospect’s world is the key to persuading them.”
The best way to convince someone to do something is to make them think that it was their idea all along. Don’t try to convince with logic and force them into doing whatever you want.
Don’t talk about yourself. Instead, ask questions that lead the conversation to your goal.
7. Zig Ziglar’s Secrets of Closing the Sale
In the realm of selling, few are as influential as the legendary salesman, Mr. Zig.
In his book, The Closer, he discusses how to close a deal. He provides examples, such as what to say and questions to ask yourself before you ask for a sale.
If you’re not confident in your product, then you shouldn’t offer it to your own family.
Sales Books on Management
If you want to become a great manager, you should read these books. They offer insights into the management of a sales force and the psychology behind being an effective leader.
8. Cracking the Sales Management Code
Why you’ll love this audiobook: If you’re looking to learn how to hire, coach, and manage a high-performing team, this is the right book for you. You’ll get an in-depth look at how to build, manage, and motivate a sales force, and you’ll get plenty of advice that you can put into action right away.
Author’s Jason and Jordan provide the essential knowledge for boosting your sales, such as:
“Sales Management: Crack the Code of Driving Performance” by Jason and Jordan is the definitive guide to managing a sales team. In it, they explain how to select the right processes for your team, which performance metrics you can and cannot manage, how to resolve conflicts between different goals, how to organize sellers’ time, and how to leverage a CRM system to coach more effectively. This book is essential for anyone trying to drive the performance of a sales team.
By hiring the right people, effectively training them, and focusing on your customers’ needs, you can ensure that your business will be successful for many years to come.
9. The Ultimate Sales Machine
As a manager, one of your biggest responsibilities is identifying strategies, and getting rid of the ones that don’t work for you.
If you’re looking to focus on improving your sales strategy, then you should check out this book by business consultant, Chet Holmes. In only an hour per week, you can begin to see results!
“The person who provides the most and the best information to potential customers will always beat the person who just tries to sell them products and services.”
10. SPIN Selling
Why you’ll love this book: SPIN Selling is a timeless classic when it comes to sales technique books. Although it was published a few decades ago, the fundamentals presented by author Neil Rackham are still relevant today. If you’re looking to improve your sales skills, this is a great place to start.
SPIN Sales is a methodology that was developed by Neil Rackham, a world-renowned authority on sales and business. It’s designed to help salespeople overcome objections and close deals.
Customers don’t buy products or services from companies because they understand them, but because the employees understand their needs.
11. Coaching Salespeople Into Sales Champions
Why you should read: Coaching Your Sales Team to Success If you want to take your sales to the next level, this book will help you learn how to train and coach your salespeople.
If you want to create a positive work environment, then you should check out this book by author, speaker, and consultant, Keith Rosen. In it, he lays out the specific steps you need to take in order to get the most out of the people on your team.
This book is perfect for anyone who’s looking to create a more inspiring and positive workplace.
If you don’t have a clear process in place, then what is it you’re actually doing?
12. The Art of War
Why you should read this book: If you’re looking for a timeless guide on how to handle conflict, look no further than Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. This 2,000-year-old text is still revered as one of the most insightful works on strategy and war.
The strategies in this book have been employed by powerful people throughout history.
“Victorious warriors start by looking at the end result they want and then work backwards to figure out what they need to do to get there. Defeated warriors do the opposite: they figure out what they need to do to survive first, and then hope that it’s enough to win.”
Despite the chaos that may exist in one’s life, there are still opportunities to be seized.
Understand the expectations and beliefs of your audience, and use those as the foundation for your messaging.
It sets them up for predictability, and keeps them occupied while you’re waiting for that unexpected, amazing opportunity.
Best Selling Business and Marketing Books of All Time
Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Daymond John are three of the biggest influencers of our era.
These books can help you on your own path to success in sales.
13. From Impossible to Inevitable
Why you should read this book: The authors have compiled their 7 key ingredients of growth from companies including Zenefits and SalesForce, and explain how you can apply these to grow your business.
Why you should read 7 Ingredient of HyperGrowth: This book contains 7 ingredients that the authors believe are fundamental to achieving hyper-growth. These ingredients are applicable to any industry.
Your goal should not be to make a sale, but to solve a problem for your “customer”.
14. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
The battle of sales is a cliche, but it’s apt in describing what it feels like to be up against tough competition.
If you’re looking for a book that teaches you how to lead your sales force to success, check out “Extreme Ownership” by Navy SEALs, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, who both have extensive experience in the field. This bestseller has been used by many successful businesses as a roadmap to reaching their goals.
“The book, “The Extreme Ownership”, describes the mindset of successful SEALS. It has been used to help companies from startups to Fortune 500.
The alarm test is a simple one: when that annoying sound rings, do you spring into action, or do you roll over and go back to sleep? If you actually get up and do something, you passed—you passed the test.
It’s okay if you feel like you can’t get out of bed one day. You can always try again the next day. Don’t let that feeling of mental exhaustion carry over to more important choices.
If you are disciplined, you will be more successful in other areas of your life.
15. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Most of us don’t believe it, but this book will change the way you think and show you that you can achieve and grow your business.
But, how many of us have lost accounts or failed at hitting targets? It’s easy for us to get disheartened and believe that it wasn’t meant to happen. But, with a positive frame of mind, we can motivate ourselves and our team to be even better than we are right now. In her book, Psychologist, Dr. Carol Dweck, explains the benefits of having a Growth Mindset. She describes how this way of thinking can help us to overcome obstacles and succeed.
We have a tendency to think that our idols and mentors were born different from us, rather than ordinary people who worked hard to become successful.
16. Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers
If you want to find out how to be a leader, then this book is for you. In it, author, entrepreneur, and investor, Timothy Ferris, has interviewed over 200 business leaders, from Olympic athletes to billionaire investors.
If you want to become a successful salesperson, this book will teach you the tactics and habits of successful salespeople from billionaire entrepreneurs to iconic celebrities.
When most people don’t believe in you, it’s probably because you’re about to make a huge mistake or change the world.
17. Never Eat Alone
I read the book because the author, son of a steel mill worker, was able to make his way into Harvard Business School and into publications like Forbes.
If you’re looking to find success in life, this book by author Keith Ferrazzi is for you. He shows how to turn negative aspects into opportunities for making others successful, which is the real key to effective networking.
“The best networkers find ways to help other people succeed in business.”
18. Emotional Intelligence 2.0
The “Decision” book explains why we make the decisions that do, and why you should read it.
Emotional intelligence is incredibly important when it comes to dealing with customers. By following the advice of psychologist and best-selling author, Dr,. Travis Bradberry, you can better understand the needs of your clients and provide the best level of service possible.
“It’s easy to get angry, but it takes skill to be angry at the right people, in the right amount, and at the right moment.”
19. Ender’s Game
Why should you read this novel? Why is it on the USMC’s list of recommended reading?
Orson Scott Card is not only a fantastic writer, but uses his writing to teach us important life lessons on leadership and team work, which are essential to any successful sales career.
“If you don’t try, then you can’t blame yourself if we fail. But if you do, and we still end up failing, then it’s all on you.”
20. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Any business can describe what it sells. Some can explain how they do it.
Simon Sinek has written a book about how people can better articulate their beliefs and why those beliefs matter.
When trying to sell something, knowing why it exists in the first place can give you an edge over the competition. It will allow you to answer deeper questions than your competitors and prove that what you are offering is what they need.
“Your customer doesn’t buy your product because of what you do, but because of why you do it. And what you do only proves what you believe in.”
Learn key life lessons from sales books
Want to become a better salesperson? Then you need to read. But it’s not just about getting good at selling. Books can help you become a well-rounded person and a better overall human being. Here are some great books that will teach you valuable lessons.
If you’re looking to boost your sales game, these 3 books will help you do just that. They focus on improving your mindset, building your emotional intelligence, and treating people with respect.
21. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Why you should read this book: This book is recommended by many successful businessmen and self-improvement experts.
If you’re looking for some advice on how to live a good life, check out The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This book by Steven R. Covey is packed full of advice, from understanding others and empathy to goal setting and prioritization. If you’re in a rut or just looking for some inspiration, this is a fantastic book to read.
Habits are the intersection of knowledge, behavior, and desire.
22. Rejection Proof
Why you should read this: Sales rejection can make you feel demotivated and like giving up. But, with the right tools, you can overcome this and keep moving forward.
This book, written by a salesman who experienced more failure than success, details how to ask people for things, how to choose who to ask for, and how to turn a no into a yes. This is helpful for anyone looking to up their selling game!
If your dreams are bigger than your failures, then it’s time to keep pushing forward!
FAQs
Which is the best book for sales?
The best book for sales is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. This book has helped people in sales for over 80 years and is still relevant today. It teaches you how to build relationships, communicate effectively, and influence people.
How can I become a great salesman?
There is no one answer to this question, as becoming a great salesman requires a combination of skills, attributes, and experience. However, some tips on becoming a great salesman include studying successful salespeople, practicing your pitch and delivery, understanding your product inside and out, and always putting the customer’s needs first. Additionally, it is important to be able to build rapport with potential customers and close deals confidently.
Who is the best salesman in the world?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on individual preferences and opinions. However, some of the world’s top salesmen include Grant Cardone, Joe Girard, Zig Ziglar, and Tom Hopkins. These salesmen are known for their ability to close deals and motivate others.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to take your sales skills to the next level, then be sure to check out these must-read titles. These best sales books will give you the edge you need to close more deals and succeed in business.
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