If you want to improve your sales tactics, close confidently, and start reliably raking in 6 figures, it’s important to read the best books on sales. After all, why wouldn’t you want to pick the brains of successful salespeople?
An incredible wealth of sales knowledge that is right there for the taking. And today, we’ve rounded up the best business books on sales and marketing to make it easy for you to access the top tips and tricks in the field.
The 44 best books on sales and marketing
Here are the best books on sales and marketing that will help you perfect your craft and take your career to the next level:
1. SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham
SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham is one of the best books on sales. This classic introduces the SPIN (Situation, Problem, Implication, Need-payoff) technique, providing a systematic approach to consultative selling.
2. The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson
The Challenger Sale turns traditional sales methods on their heads and introduces the concept of “the Challenger salesperson.” This is someone who teaches customers new insights and perspectives – which helps you land sales in the end.
3. The Book on High Ticket Sales: The Ultimate Guide to Making Millions Through Remote Selling by Chad Aleo
That’s right, your eyes don’t deceive you! The Book On High Ticket Sales is my own book, and I’d like to think that any list of the best books on sales should include it.
In my book, I teach you how to master the art of remote selling with the latest sales techniques that give you the most reward for your effort.
4. To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink
In To Sell Is Human, Pink explores the changing nature of sales – and argues that we are all in sales whether we realize it or not. He offers valuable insights into persuasion and influence.
5. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
Though not exclusively a sales book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion is a must-read for understanding the psychology behind decision-making and persuasion – making it one of the best books on sales.
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Another classic on influence and human relations, How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the best books on sales because it provides timeless principles for building relationships – a crucial aspect of successful sales.
7. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
While not a traditional sales guide, The Greatest Salesman in the World provides timeless sales lessons in the form of a fictional story. It imparts wisdom on persistence, positivity, and ethical sales practices, making it one of the very best books on sales.
8. The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
The Ultimate Sales Machine offers a comprehensive guide to building a high-performance sales organization. In this book, Chet Holmes outlines strategies for improving various aspects of sales, including time management, lead generation, and customer retention.
9. Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount
Fanatical Prospecting is one of the very best books on sales. It focuses on the importance of consistent prospecting and provides practical advice on how to fill your sales pipeline.
10. The Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy
In The Psychology of Selling, Tracy covers the psychological aspects of making a sale, offering insights into customer behavior and effective sales strategies.
11. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Chris Voss was a former FBI hostage negotiator. His book, Never Split the Difference, provides negotiation techniques that are heavily applicable to sales.
12. Exactly What to Say by Phil M. Jones
Want a book that teaches you Exactly What to Say to close sales? Phil M. Jones's book offers concise and powerful language patterns for effective communication in various sales situations. And it even gives you scripts and phrases to use as you navigate conversations and influence decision-making.
13. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Start With Why by Simon Sinek encourages you to start your business approach with a clear sense of purpose and values. This is one of the best books on sales because it highlights the importance of communicating the “why” behind products or services to connect with customers on a deeper level.
14. The Science of Selling by David Hoffeld
Want some truly concrete advice on selling? Why not turn to science? The Science of Selling draws on scientific research to explain the psychology behind buying and selling. It is one of the best books on sales because it provides evidence-based insights into influencing buyer behavior and improving sales effectiveness.
15. Sell or Be Sold: How to Get Your Way in Business and in Life by Grant Cardone
Sell or Be Sold by Grant Cardone introduces the idea that everyone is a salesperson in some aspect of life. It provides practical advice on handling rejection and overcoming obstacles in the sales process.
16. Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cardone
Another great book by Grant Cardone, Be Obsessed or Be Average encourages readers to adopt an obsessive approach to achieving their goals and avoiding mediocrity. It stresses the significance of passion, commitment, and persistence in finding success – which you can directly apply to your role in sales.
17. Way of the Wolf by Jordan Belfort
Written by the real-life “Wolf of Wall Street” himself, Way of the Wolf offers insights into persuasive communication and the psychology of sales. Belfort on the importance of mastering the art of persuasion and building rapport with clients.
18. Ninja Selling by Larry Kendall
What is “Ninja Selling?” It's a customer-centric sales approach that emphasizes building relationships and providing value.
This book provides effective strategies for creating a positive and seamless customer experience throughout the sales process – making it one of the best books on sales.
19. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
While not strictly a sales book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People provides fundamental principles for personal and professional effectiveness. Learn to embody habits such as proactive behavior, understanding others, and synergizing for mutually beneficial outcomes.
20. Objections by Jeb Blount
Objections by Jeb Blount is all about handling objections in sales. It gives you practical techniques and strategies for overcoming resistance – and actionable steps for turning objections into opportunities.
21. Inbound Selling by Brian Signorelli
Inbound Selling uses the inbound marketing methodology to explore how sales professionals can adapt to a changing landscape where buyers are more empowered. It teaches you how to build relationships and create value for potential customers.
22. New Sales. Simplified. by Mike Weinberg
Weinberg's book, New Sales. Simplified. is one of the best books on sales. It is a practical guide that covers prospecting, messaging, and effective sales processes with straightforward and actionable advice.
23. The Only Sales Guide You'll Ever Need by Anthony Iannarino
The Only Sales Guide You'll Ever Need may not be the ONLY sales guide you need, but it sure covers a lot! This is a comprehensive guide for both new and experienced salespeople that addresses the importance of mindset, skills, and tactics for sales success.
24. The Sales Acceleration Formula by Mark Roberge
Roberge, former CRO at HubSpot, outlines a data-driven approach to building a high-performance sales team in The Sales Acceleration Formula.
25. The Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer
The Little Red Book of Selling is one of the best books on sales. Gitomer provides a collection of tips and principles for successful selling, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building.
26. Snap Selling by Jill Konrath
Next on my list of the best books on sales is Snap Selling by Jill Konrath. Konrath focuses on selling to today's busy and distracted buyers, providing strategies to capture attention and make sales quickly.
27. Sales EQ by Jeb Blount
Sales EQ by Jeb Blount explores the emotional intelligence necessary for sales success and provides insights into understanding and connecting with customers.
28. The Art of Closing the Sale by Brian Tracy
In The Art of Closing the Sale, Tracy offers practical advice on closing deals and handling objections. It is one of the best books on sales because it provides a comprehensive guide to the closing process.
29. Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar
Secrets of Closing the Sale is another motivational and practical guide to effective sales closing techniques by the renowned Zig Ziglar.
30. The Sales Development Playbook by Trish Bertuzzi
In The Sales Development Playbook, Bertuzzi provides a playbook for building and scaling successful sales teams to sharply accelerate your growth.
31. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Through Building a StoryBrand, Miller introduces the concept of creating a clear and compelling story for your brand. This helps customers understand and connect with your product or service, so you can easily increase your sales.
32. Epic Content Marketing by Joe Pulizzi
If you want to focus on content marketing strategies, Epic Content Marketing provides insights into creating valuable and shareable content to attract and retain customers.
33. Permission Marketing by Seth Godin
Permission Marketing introduces the idea of obtaining permission from customers before delivering marketing messages, emphasizing the importance of building trust.
34. Invisible Selling Machine by Ryan Deiss
In Invisible Selling Machine, Deiss outlines a systematic approach to building automated marketing systems. This is one of the best books on sales because it provides insights into creating effective sales funnels and maximizing your marketing efforts through automation.
35. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk
It’s important to provide value to customers before making an ask. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook delves into social media marketing strategies, detailing how to engage with an audience and deliver compelling content in a busy online market.
36. Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout
In Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind, Ries and Trout emphasize the need for a clear and distinct position in the minds of customers. This book explores how smart positioning can help you create a competitive advantage.
37. Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
Building on his previous book “Crush It!,” Vaynerchuk shares success stories of individuals who have leveraged social media to build personal brands and businesses. Crushing It! is truly motivational and provides insights into contemporary marketing strategies.
38. The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business by Elaine Pofeldt
In The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, Pofeldt explores the stories of entrepreneurs running successful one-person businesses. It provides insights into how individuals can effectively market themselves and their services in a competitive landscape.
39. Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown
Ellis and Brown provide a systematic approach to achieving rapid business growth in Hacking Growth. This book emphasizes data-driven strategies and the importance of experimentation in marketing.
40. Agile Selling by Jill Konrath
Jill Konrath's Agile Selling provides insights into staying agile in sales strategies, leveraging technology, and meeting the evolving needs of customers. This makes it one of the best books on sales in an ever-changing marketing landscape.
41. Words That Sell by Richard Bayan
Bayan's Words That Sell is a comprehensive guide to crafting compelling and persuasive language in sales and marketing, making it one of the best books on sales. It's a valuable resource for improving communication skills, writing effective sales copy, and influencing buyer decisions.
42. Heart and Sell by Shari Levitin
Shari Levitin's Heart and Sell emphasizes the human connection in sales. It explores the emotional parts of a sales pitch and provides insights into building trust, understanding buyer emotions, and creating authentic connections.
43. Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success by Colleen Stanley
Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success is one of the best books on sales because it provides practical tips on understanding and managing emotions, both for the salesperson and in relation to customers, which helps you to foster stronger relationships.
44. The Introvert's Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone by Matthew Owen Pollard and Derek Lewis
That’s right, introverts can succeed in sales, too! In The Introvert’s Edge, Pollard and Lewis offer practical strategies for leveraging introverted qualities in sales. It challenges common misconceptions and provides a unique perspective on selling – making this the absolute best book on sales for introverts.
Want to write your own business book?
I’m sure there is something special about your sales tactics that sets you apart. And you can make a lot of money by sharing your insights with the world.
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Book a free strategy call with one of our team members at selfpublishing.com today to get a game plan for writing a book that could change your life. For all you know, your future book could make the next list of the best books on sales.
