Become a Sales Master with 15 of the Best Sales Books of All Time

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In 2020, online sales surged by 46%, the most significant increase since 2008 — if you don’t take this fantastic opportunity, you’re leaving money on the table.


Not everyone is a natural seller, but anyone can learn proven strategies that’ll improve the sales process.


There are thousands of books about best-selling methods, but they’re not equal.


That’s why we’ve prepared this list of the 15 best sales books of all time to help you find the right one suited to your needs.


Let’s begin!

1. Spin Selling by Neil Rackham

Spin Selling by Neil Rackham

Spin Selling by Neil Rackham

1.1. Who should read it?

Spin Selling is for anyone who wants to succeed in sales, regardless of their experience level.


This book is a must-read for:

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Sales representatives
  • Sales teams and managers

We recommend this book for pretty much anyone in the sales profession.

1.2. Why should you read it?

Neil Rackham’s Spin Selling comes from 12 years of extensive research and delivers real-life examples, graphics, case studies, and research data.


This means that the information it offers is incredibly easy to understand and to put into practice.


The foremost theory it teaches you is the SPIN method:

  • Situation — Situation questions help sales reps discover the business status quo
  • Problem — Problem questions help reps reveal the buyer's problem
  • Implication — Implication questions guide urgency around solving a problem
  • Need-payoff — Need-payoff questions lead buyers to understand the benefits of solving a problem and the payoff for taking action now rather than later

It is a question-based methodology that can help you close a sale by teaching you to ask the right questions at the right time.


A highly effective sales strategy will set you up for sales success.

2. Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer

Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer

Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer

2.1. Who should read it?

This book is mainly targeted at sales reps, solo entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to become successful in the sales industry.


However, it’s also useful for sales managers who wish to expand their techniques.

2.2. Why should you read it?

Jeffrey Gitomers’ book is easy to read, short, and straight to the point. It gives you plenty of best sales examples and funny illustrations.


You will learn:

  • The psychology of the buying process
  • How to be in charge of the sales game
  • How to close more deals

It will teach you how to prepare and execute a successful sale by involving your mindset and motivation.


This book also coaches you on how to sell the right way and become a sales professional.

3. The Art of Closing the Sale by Brian Tracy

The Art of Closing the Sale by Brian Tracy

3.1. Who should read it?

This book is for sales team members, sales managers, and top performers in the sales force.


It’s highly recommended for anyone who wants to master closing deals.

3.2. Why should you read it?

Brian Tracy earned the status of a legend by writing many books, giving speeches, and consultations across different industries.


He outlines a proven step-by-step approach to closing deals.


This proven method shows you how to handle objections so that you can complete the sale faster and more often than before.


If you want to increase your closing sales numbers, you’ll definitely benefit from The Art of Closing the Sale.

4. The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes

The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes

The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes

4.1. Who should read it?

If you’re a business owner or sales executive who wants to improve your sales skills and profit margins, then this book is for you.


We also recommend The Ultimate Sales Machine for entire teams, to help optimize the sales process for larger businesses.

4.2. Why should you read it?

Chet Holmes points out 12 different business areas and teaches you proven tactics to upgrade them.


Instead of chasing current trends, you need to focus on management, marketing, and sales.


Just 1 hour per week of the right strategy will positively impact you and your business.


Read this book and you’ll learn how to improve your sales performance dramatically.

5. Influence by Robert Cialdini

Influence by Robert B. Cialdini

Influence by Robert B. Cialdini

5.1. Who should read it?

This is an excellent book for any entrepreneur, sales rep, and sales team wanting to transform their leads into buyers.


If converting viewers into leads and then into customers sounds like something you need help with, then this is the book for you.

5.2. Why should you read it?

Influence is the result of 35 years of scientific research and 3 years of close psychological study that recognizes what causes people to change their behavior.


Learn how to influence people with 6 key strategies and make them take the desired action.


Influence will teach you psychological tactics to open and close more sales opportunities.

6. Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar

Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar

Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar

6.1. Who should read it?

This book is for business professionals and salespeople who want to learn a winning sales process from a world-renowned expert.

6.2. Why should you read it?

Zig Ziglar is a master of sales and his book gives you the foundation for a successful sales career.


You’ll get:

  • Tons of proven sales strategies
  • Closing techniques
  • Tricks of the trade from other top-performing professionals

Learn tested closing methods for any of the multiple scenarios you might

encounter.

7. To Sell is Human by Daniel H. Pink

To Sell is Human by Daniel H. Pink

To Sell is Human by Daniel H. Pink

7.1. Who should read it?

The book is for everyone in the business world and sales force, from beginners to top performers.


If you’re looking to upgrade your current sales methods, read this book.

7.2. Why should you read it?

The author gives a modern perspective on some top sales methods through the combination of art and science.


His contemporary approach reveals myths that might negatively impact your sales and provides the evidence to prove his claims.


You’ll learn:

  • 5 ways to form clear, actionable messages
  • 3 rules for understanding potential customers

8. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

how_to_influence

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

8.1. Who should read it?

This self-help book is for everyone involved in some sort of business or sales position.


Anybody who wants to succeed in any profession or area of life can gain something by reading it.

8.2. Why should you read it?

For over 6 decades, this time-tested classic helped now-famous people (like billionaire, Warren Buffet) climb the ladder of success.


You can learn the following useful lessons:

  • 12 ways to win people over to your way of thinking
  • 9 forms of changing people without irritating them
  • 6 ways to make people like you
  • 3 famous techniques for handling people

Carnegie teaches timeless truths in simple ways to help you achieve your sales, business, professional, and personal goals.

9. How to Say It by Geoffrey James

How to Say It: Business to Business Selling by Geoffrey James

How to Say It: Business to Business Selling by Geoffrey James

9.1. Who should read it?

How to Say It caters pretty exclusively to people selling business-to-business (B2B) products or services.

9.2. Why should you read it?

Selling to other businesses requires a different skill set than selling to consumers.


James' book provides proven techniques and tips explicitly tailored for the unique business-to-business selling complex.


The author teaches you to understand and deliver the selling process. You can apply the practical material in all areas of business.


It is the most valuable book for all levels of B2B sales prospecting.

10. The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson

The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson

The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson

10.1. Who should read it?

This book is for business and sales professionals involved in a large-scale B2B selling process.


It’s especially useful for those who want to learn new sales techniques.

10.2. Why should you read it?

Dixon and Adamson's study revealed that only one type of sales representative delivers persistently — a challenger.


The challenger seller is unique in any sales force because they’re:

  • Assertive and push back when necessary
  • Able to take control of the entire selling process

The Challenger Sale teaches you the qualities and attributes of a Challenger that you can apply to your own organization.

11. Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff

Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff

Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff

11.1. Who should read it?

Pitching is essential when selling products/services to prospects, presenting ideas to investors, or negotiating at work or home.


This book is for any sales rep, sales professional, or sales manager who wants to improve their pitching methods to succeed in any aspect of life.

11.2. Why should you read it?

“Better method, more money . . . A much better method, much more money.”


The author outlines the exclusive "STRONG" method with a framework and strategies.


One truly great pitch can:

  • Make more sales
  • Generate lots of money
  • Improve your future sales pitches
  • Benefit your career and even change your life

Klaff teaches you the 6 step method for pitching your ideas, products, and services. Apply it to engage and persuade your audience.

12. Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler

Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler

Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler

12.1. Who should read it?

Predictable Revenue is for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and top sales professionals who want to learn how to build an efficient sales machine.

12.2. Why should you read it?

Ross and Tyler reveal the sales process that helped add $100 million in recurring revenue to their company, Salesforce (their total revenue almost doubled in a matter of only a few years).


Learn how to:

  • Develop self-managing sales teams
  • Drastically increase your sales force and efficacy

Improve your sales methods by creating a profitable and scalable new stream of predictable revenue.

13. How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins

How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins

How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins

13.1. Who should read it?

How to Master the Art of Selling caters to entrepreneurs and sales professionals who want to increase their sales.

13.2. Why should you read it?

Hopkins shows you his best-selling techniques in this highly acclaimed bestseller.


Selling is not only about how to sell but also about whom to sell to.


Learn the following essential sales skills:

  • How to sell to the most important people you know
  • Referral and non-referral prospecting
  • Effective calling techniques
  • Organizing the first meeting
  • Handling objections

This book helps you manage sales challenges and offers top-rate solutions with phrases and examples of using them.


The techniques are practical and applicable to anyone in the sales world.

14. Sell or Be Sold by Grant Cardone

Sell of Be Sold by Grant Cardone

Sell of Be Sold by Grant Cardone

14.1. Who should read it?

This book is for sales professionals, business owners, leaders, coaches, parents, and teachers.


It’s also applicable to anyone who wants to influence and motivate others' behavior.

14.2. Why should you read it?

Cardone shares professional tips on excelling as a salesperson in any industry.


He walks you through how to handle rejection, tame challenges, turn bad situations around, and get more leads.


The author also helps you with the right mindset to overcome the sometimes paralyzing fear of cold calling.


Learn how to become successful even in a difficult situation, overcome the fear of making cold calls, and stay positive.

15. The Psychology Of Selling by Brian Tracy

The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy

The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy

15.1. Who should read it?

The Psychology of Selling is for entrepreneurs and sales professionals that want to achieve a higher level of sales success and become sales leaders.

15.2. Why should you read it?

This sales book serves as a blueprint for establishing, growing, and maintaining a successful career in sales.


It’s a practical and easy-to-read guide articulated in a helpful step-by-step process.


Learn about:

  • How to set up sales goals
  • The 6 types of goals you should be setting

Tracy teaches you the 11 reasons why people make a purchase.


You’ll also learn strategic selling and the proper sales methodology to become a successful salesperson.

16. Systeme.io — The best platform to turn practice into a profit

The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy

systeme.io logo

To become successful in sales, you have to practice what you’ve learned.


All you need is an all-in-one business platform with the right tools to make your dreams a reality.


We believe that one of the best options on the market is systeme.io!


With us, you can sell different types of products:

  • Physical
  • Digital
  • Your own
  • Somebody else's

We know that you need a complete solution that's easy to use and fits your unique needs.


That's why we provide all the tools you need to succeed — from sales funnels to payment processing and more.

systeme.io’s tools

systeme.io’s tools

Systeme.io enables you to control the selling process with innovative solutions such as:

  • Integrated payment methods, email lists, and course sites
  • Automated funnel steps and customer tagging

You can create any business with systeme.io, whether you want to sell physical products or digital downloads or if you want to promote someone else's products as an affiliate.


Sign up for our forever-Free plan today and see how systeme.io can help you build your business!

17. Conclusion

We provided you with the list of the top sales books.


So now you can choose which of the books are the best for your business model.


Whether you want to start a new business or focus on revenue growth, you need to put the knowledge into practice.


Starting a new business is an exciting perspective but also can be overwhelming and may cost you lots of money. That is why we strongly suggest systeme.io as the best all-in-one business solution.


Sign up to our Free plan today and start turning the book practice into profit!

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