the best sales books of all time
1. the ultimate sales machine: chet holmes
what is this sales book about?
holmes, in his book on management, marketing and sales, offers proven strategies on how to adjust and enhance virtually every aspect of your business by spending just one hour a week on each area of impact you want to improve.
debunks the classic mistake of impulse marketers jumping on new trends, and instead suggests focusing on twelve specific critical areas for improvement as a guiding principle.
You are reading: Best books on selling skills
who is this for?
sales managers and salespeople alike who want to be successful basically everyone with a penchant for sales.
why should you read it?
has been called the compact package of the most powerful life-changing principles, fun and easy to read. I am also convinced.
what are people saying?
“re-read this book every 30 days for a year, maybe two years, and if you’re not on top of the game, then it’s time to find a new game.”
— dustan woodhouse, via good reads
2. selling spins — neil rackham
what is this sales book about?
This groundbreaking resource by Rackham is the first book to look specifically at selling high-value products and services.
spin selling details the revolutionary spin (situation, problem, implication, need-pay) strategy that will enable readers to dramatically increase their sales funnel from major accounts simply by following its simple, practical and easy-to-apply techniques.
who is this for?
spin selling is essential reading for anyone involved in selling or managing a sales force.
why should you read it?
Packed with real-world examples, illuminating charts, and informative case studies, and backed by hard research data, Selling Spins is the best sales book for understanding and producing high-level sales. without precedents. performance. I won’t take a chance and miss this one if I were you.
what are people saying?
“Indirect selling is, like anything else successful in life, counterintuitive. takes you on a journey from what is blatant and wrong to what lies below the surface and is right. written in a clear and direct style, it keeps your attention throughout the journey to becoming the successful salesperson you are determined to be.”
— Rafael Funes, via amazon reviews
3. secrets to close the sale: zig ziglar
what is this sales book about?
ziglar’s book will let you know the winning techniques to get positive responses and close deals.
Filled with entertaining stories and real-life illustrations, ziglar’s strategies and guidelines will show you how to master the art of effective persuasion.
who is this for?
Whether presenting a product or a principle, a service or an idea, we all participate in sales. This book is for the ultimate salesperson – let Ziglar light your way to successful closings.
why should you read it?
ziglar’s success principles are easy to understand and apply. And they have a far-reaching impact. his proven methods will have you approaching your prospects with enthusiasm and confidence.
what are people saying?
“I immersed myself in as many ziglar tapes and books as I could to develop my skills. within a few years, it was breaking every conceivable sales record.”
— Linda Burzynski, Computer Moms International
4. how to win friends and influence people — dale carnegie
what is this sales book about?
For over sixty years, the solid, proven advice in this book from Dale Carnegie has lifted thousands of now-famous people up the ladder of success.
Learn the twelve ways to win people over to your way of thinking, the nine ways to change people without arousing resentment, the six ways to please people, and the three fundamental techniques for dealing with people in the Carnegie’s famous sales manual.
who is this for?
This is the self-help book for learning to relate to people, which means it’s written for basically everyone. For people who are social and unsociable, this is the best sales book to build the foundation of your interpersonal skills.
why should you read it?
because “no book matters more than this one”. An absolute classic because Carnegie teaches timeless truths in timeless ways. Whether you’re a salesperson or not, Carnegie’s teachings will surely enlighten you.
what are people saying?
“I should have read it before.”
— timbo, via amazon reviews
5. the best salesman in the world — og mandino
what is this sales book about?
mandino’s book is, in essence, a guide to a philosophy of salesmanship and success through the chronicle of hafid, a poor camel driver who finally achieves a life of abundance.
The book’s main draw is the secrets embedded in ancient scrolls, which will provide you with timeless lessons in salesmanship. If mandino’s suggested reading structure is followed, it would take about 10 months to complete the book for an optimal reading experience.
who is this for?
the aspiring salesperson.
why should you read it?
has been called the compact package of the most powerful life-changing principles, which is fun and easy to read, and I’m convinced too.
what are people saying?
“I read this book 25 years ago on a business trip to Chicago. neither the drink service, nor the turbulence, nor a thunderstorm could make me look up. I think I read it in one day. the stewardess asked at the end of the flight. “That must be a very good book,” she said. it is.”
— anonymous, via amazon reviews
6. little red book of sales — jeffrey gitomer
what is this sales book about?
If salespeople worry about how to sell, Gitomer believes they’re missing the most important aspect of selling: why people buy. this, she says, is “all that matters.”
little red book of the sale is a playful book that aims to demystify the principles of purchase for sellers.
Short, sweet and to the point, it’s packed with answers people are looking for to help them make sales for now and for the rest of their lives.
who is this for?
highly recommended for an individual or team in the sales profession.
why should you read it?
Salespeople hate to read, which is why the Little Red Book of Sale is attractive and accessible, packed with hilarious cartoons, excerpted quotes, and sound bites to take away. approaches sales with a lively blend of humor and professionalism to help sellers walk through many more doors.
what are people saying?
“this is not just a red book; is a red bull of high energy sales advice & lawyer.”
— david dorsey, the wall street journal
7. selling to big companies — jill konrath
what is this sales book about?
get your foot in the door of big business with konrath’s sure-fire strategies to break into big accounts, shorten your sales cycle, and close more deals.
stop making endless cold calls or waiting for the phone to ring. It’s about time you start positioning yourself as an invaluable resource, rather than a relentless product pusher. selling to big companies will teach you how to target the accounts where you have the greatest chance of success.
who is this for?
best sales book for senior sales executives and consultants working in pre-sales.
why should you read it?
Selling to Big Companies offers a practical step-by-step guide and template with examples based on hard experience, insight and persistence – a real life guide for real life .
what are people saying?
“This is some of the best advice I’ve ever heard.”
— undercover jack, 800-ceo-read
8. solutions selling — michael t. bosworth
what is this sales book about?
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Bosworth’s book reveals a process for taking the guesswork out of hard-to-sell intangible products and services.
allows sellers to make the way they sell as big an advantage as their product or service.
who is this for?
salespeople and sales managers alike. Solution Selling is a specific sales strategy manual that cuts to the chase and shows you how to become familiar with your consumer market.
why should you read it?
Understand buyer psychology with the bosworth bible. brings to the table a revolutionary step-by-step system that ensures a higher success rate for sellers and a higher chance that buyers’ expectations will be met.
what are people saying?
“I loved this book so much that I incorporated this sales methodology into our organization and require all new sales employees to read it.”
— robert, through good reads
9. the new strategic sale — robert b. miller & Stephen E. heman
what is this sales book about?
Rejecting manipulative tactics and emphasizing process, Heiman and Miller pushed the idea of selling as a joint venture and introduced one of the most influential concepts of the decade, win-win.
his book presents the assets and mechanisms of a unique sales system that has proven successful even in the best companies in the united states.
who is this for?
This book offers valuable advice to business development executives in particular.
why should you read it?
If you’re a salesperson interested in speeding things up and taking your sales team to the next level, Strategic Selling is your referral program. offers detailed step-by-step instructions for account management, opportunity evaluation, and trust building.
what are people saying?
“This book changed my life 30 years ago. I’ve given it away dozens of times, because its process is simple, timeless, and repeatable for all sales people of any age, at any time. organize, downsize and thrive.”
— robin olin, via amazon reviews
10. how to say it: geoffrey james
what is this sales book about?
Selling to other businesses is not the same as selling to consumers. and that’s why a completely different set of skills is required from business-to-business sales reps.
Learn how to sell business to companies like a seasoned pro. James’s book will give you the best tips to speed up your sales cycle and build sales partnerships.
who is this for?
how to say caters exclusively to business-to-business sellers. its short chapters provide tips and strategies tailored especially for the unique business-to-business selling process.
why should you read it?
james takes the mystery out of the selling process with a crystal clear message of understanding with practical material that can be applied in all areas of business. is the best sales book for honest and valuable advice suitable for all levels of sales prospecting.
what are people saying?
“Salespeople learn differently than the rest of us. they don’t want fluff, b.s. or yet another book describing what worked for some author when they sold fax machines to woolworth. what salespeople do want is to talk directly about the tools, strategies, and tactics that will help them do one, and only one, very important thing: win business.
here’s the good news: geoffrey james, the best writer in b2b sales, has collected compelling, relevant, and thoroughly field-tested content from the experts in fifteen critical areas of b2b sales and served it up for you in a powerful, organized and deliciously consumable way. if you’re in sales or sales management, you’ll love this book.”
— dave stein, beyond the sales process, through amazon reviews
11. never close — tim hurson & Tim Dunne
what is this sales book about?
Selling better isn’t just a one-time thing; it’s a way to become a more valuable long-term partner. in the sales book of him, hurson & amp; dunne presents 12 explicit techniques that would benefit both the seller and the customer.
Never Close teaches sellers how to improve their strategy and sell anything to anyone using a simple, repeatable framework and problem-solving approach that is more beneficial to both seller and customer. the client.
who is this for?
Although the practical content of this book is aimed at salespeople (sales managers, leaders, coaches), it is really about how we can strengthen any relationship by trying to convince another person of something.
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why should you read it?
The book introduces some innovative tactical tools that could be added to sales strategy or training approaches that never fail. provides insightful information and practical methods for communicating one’s point of view in a wide variety of situations involving negotiation or persuasion. The ideas in this book can be implemented immediately with immediate results.
what are people saying?
“if you really want to succeed, this is a must read.”
— jill konrath, agile selling and instant selling
12. the challenger sale — matthew dixon & brent adamson
what is this sales book about?
Challenging Selling argues that classic relationship building has become a losing approach, especially when it comes to selling complex business-to-business solutions on a large scale.
Dixon’s study found that only one type of sales rep, the challenger, consistently delivers high performance. Rather than go along with the customer’s every whim and whim, Challengers are assertive, backing down when necessary, and taking control of the sale.
adds that the qualities that make challengers unique are replicable and teachable to the average sales rep. Once you understand how to identify challengers in your organization, your approach can be modeled and embedded throughout your sales force.
who is this for?
the challenger sale is highly recommended for sales executives, managers and, above all, for professionals.
why should you read it?
The sales book is highly promoted and has generated new insights based on extensive research conducted by the Executive Sales Council on the attributes of successful sales professionals, which are central to the book. all the information given by the sale of the challenger has been well informed.
what are people saying?
“This is a must-read for all sales professionals. The authors’ groundbreaking research explains how the rules of selling have changed and what to do about it. If you don’t want to be left behind, don’t miss this groundbreaking book that provides the new formula for successful selling.”
— ken revenaugh, vice president, sales operations, oakwood temporary housing
13. the magic of thinking big — david j. schwartz
what is this sales book about?
In his book, Schwartz lays out a carefully crafted game plan for getting the most out of your job, your marriage, your family life, and your community.
The magic of thinking big demonstrates that it is not necessary to have an innate talent or an immense intellect to achieve great success and satisfaction. however, what you need to do is learn and understand the habit of thinking and behaving in ways that get you there.
who is this for?
The Magic of Thinking Big is the best self-help book for anyone intent on fostering the right attitude and approach to living. that basically means everyone, because… who doesn’t?
why should you read it?
think success, don’t think failure: the mantra of believing in yourself is the central premise of this book. Brimming with indispensable insights and vital secrets, Schwartz’s solid philosophy compels you to think beyond the mundane status quo and strive for excellence. To quote Schwartz, “Think big and you will live big. you will live large in happiness.”
what are people saying?
“This book changed the way I see the world and will continue to be a powerful reminder of the great things that can be achieved with the right attitude.”
— david rosage, through good readings
14. selling is human — daniel h. pink
what is this sales book about?
pink draws on a rich trove of social science for its counterintuitive ideas in selling is human. he reveals the new ABC’s of moving others and shows how giving people an “off-ramp” for their actions may be more important than changing their minds.
Along the way, he reveals the six successors to the elevator pitch, the five frameworks that make your message persuasive, the three rules for understanding another person’s perspective, and more.
who is this for?
everyone: valuable reading to improve your daily interactions.
why should you read it?
The fact is, if you haven’t already figured it out from the previous parts of this post, they’re all in sales in some way. we are all trying to get others to listen to us, buy from us or do things for us. Pink’s research and writing style make this an incredibly informative guide to living around this practical necessity.
what are people saying?
“dan pink is a still. a what? a still thinks of a mad scientist (or perhaps an alchemist). An alembic is that funky glass thingy, round at the bottom, crooked neck, sitting over a flame with liquid bubbling merrily. the liquid vaporizes, travels through the neck into a flowered glass dealybob, and exits the other end condensed and distilled. that’s what dan does; It takes a ton of information from our ever-changing world, filters it, condenses it, and distills it, then writes down the results in a fun, easy-to-read, easy-to-understand style.”
See Also: Vogue Editors Recommend 31 Books to Read Before You&x27re 30 | Vogue
— a.c. hurst, via good reads
15. throw anything — oren klaff
what is this sales book about?
“better method, more money… much better method, much more money”. a really good pitch can improve your career, make you a lot of money, and even change your life.
Drawing on the latest research in the field of neuroeconomics, klaff, in his book, explains how the brain makes decisions and responds to pitches while sharing illuminating accounts of his method in action.
who is this for?
launch is essential for leadership in all aspects of life. pitch any is a must have for beginners and professionals looking to improve their pitching method.
why should you read it?
The unique, “strong” framework and strategies described in This Anything can be applied immediately to engage and persuade your audience. And soon after, you’ll find yourself with more funding and support than you ever thought possible.
what are people saying?
“what do supermodels and venture capitalists have in common? they listen to hundreds of releases a year. throw anything to make sure you get the thumbs up (or wink) you deserve.”
— ralph cram, investor, via amazon reviews
16. predictable income — aaron ross & marylou tyler
what is this sales book about?
Discover the outbound sales process that, in just a few years, helped add $100 million in recurring revenue to salesforce.com, nearly doubling their company’s growth, and…wait for it…no cold calling.
Aaron Ross, also one of our esteemed Founding Coffee Podcast guests, reveals insights into the seven fatal sales mistakes CEOs and VPs of Sales make, and developing self-managed sales teams that will convert. your regular employees into mini CEOs, increasing the effectiveness of your sales force.
who is this for?
Predictable Revenue is the best sales book for CEOs, VPs of Sales, and entrepreneurs to learn how to start building an efficient sales machine.
why should you read it?
Ross’ methods promise to exacerbate your sales process by producing a predictable, profitable and scalable new revenue stream. the best part: many had so much fun doing it!
what are people saying?
“I’ve read predictable income and it’s business crack!”
— damien stevens, executive director, servosidad
17. how to master the art of selling — tom hopkins
what is this sales book about?
in his million-copy bestseller, hopkins will show you how his great sales techniques can be yours.
Success in the sales profession by learning how to sell to the most important people you know. learn referral and non-referral prospecting, effective phone techniques, how to fine-tune the first meeting, and how to handle objections, among other techniques.
who is this for?
how to master the art of selling is great for you if you have a sales job and want to increase your sales.
why should you read it?
The book details broader sales challenges and offers top-tier tips, memory aids and phrases, and examples of how to use them. Hopkin’s techniques are practical and applicable to anyone in sales.
what are people saying?
“what hopkins sets out to do is motivate…it succeeds…one of the most useful books on sales.”
―small business news
18. sell or be sold — grant cardone
What’s this sales book about?
What’s this sales book about?in the classic philosophy of cardone, everything in life can and should be treated as a sale. Knowing the principles of selling is a prerequisite for success of any kind.
With this sales book, you’ll learn how to fill your portfolio with new business, handle rejection, turn things around, stand out even in the midst of an economic downturn, shorten sales cycles, and above all, guarantee yourself greatness.
who is this for?
is a book not just for salespeople, but for anyone (parents, teachers, managers, coaches, etc.) who needs to influence and motivate the behavior of others. so take cardone’s book and be today’s change.
why should you read it?
Either you are selling your beliefs and convictions (whether they are ideas, products or services of any kind), or they sell you the same thing. selling or being sold will change the way you look at selling, and life in general, as you will be able to sell other people for what you want in life, instead of taking what others sell you to you. life.
what are people saying?
“grant often calls his reader a “dog”, as in: “listen, dog, this is really good”. forks. If you’re in sales (and, to be honest, who isn’t in sales, since all of life, at least, involves selling your point of view to others), if you’re in sales, listen up because Grant has something important to say. .”
— matt evans, via goodreads
19. the psychology of selling — brian tracy
what is this sales book about?
tracy strives to double or triple your sales in her guide to ideas, methods, strategies and techniques.
These methods can be applied immediately in any market (yes, really) to generate sales faster and easier than ever. It’s a time-honored promise of prosperity that Tracy offers over and over again.
who is this for?
Beginners, journeymen, and experienced, high-performing sellers.
why should you read it?
serves as an instructional model, or roadmap, for establishing, building, growing, and maintaining a successful sales career. is an easy-to-read, practical guide back to the fundamentals of professional salesmanship articulated in a progressive step-by-step process that will teach you how to grow from “good” to “great” in the highly competitive business of sales. p>
what are people saying?
“Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it does. Brian Tracy’s words are simply not to be missed, no matter who you are or what you do.”
— vaishali, via goodreads
20. best damn bestselling book ever: warren greshes
what is this sales book about?
greshes sheds light on the one simple truth: motivated, positive, goal-oriented people sell more.
learn how to project a friendly and positive attitude with the best selling book from greshes. This book packs all that motivational guru gold and the added punch of goal-setting and action-planning instructions to help you focus his efforts on anchoring yourself on a successful path.
who is this for?
Learn how to motivate yourself to action with this book for each and every aspiring successful salesperson.
why should you read it?
the best damn sales book of all time is a unique guide to honing the core impetus (your attitude) of what it really takes to achieve and maintain true sales success.
doesn’t cover the big hard stuff ie the art of prospecting, closing, collecting referrals, or presenting for one simple reason: they’re practically worthless without the right attitude and motivation.
what are people saying?
“the best damn book.”
— anonymous, via amazon reviews
This is becoming a true sales ninja. enjoy reading!
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