To be a salesman involves many things – you need to be a good communicator, a persistent seller and a great influencer. Thankfully, these are qualities that can be cultivated. Here is a list of 7 books that can teach you amazing salesman qualities. These are qualities that all salesmen need and corresponding books help them to develop the qualities.
7 Books That Can Teach You Amazing Salesman Qualities:
Persuasion – Influence by Robert Cialdini
From one of the leading social psychologists in the area of conformity and social influence is a groundbreaking work on the power of persuasion. In this book, Cialdini outlines the five principles you need to work your persuasive magic on anyone and everyone. Since most of a salesman’s job is persuading people they need a product and convincing them to buy it, this is a great book for salesmen.
Sociability – Social Engineering by Christopher Hadnagy
Sociability is a crucial skill in sales, because the customer needs to find you well placed in the social network to believe you. This is where the aforementioned book comes into the picture. In it, Christopher decodes the art of ‘human hacking’, replete with definitions, examples and scientific explanations. This is a book that will give you a holistic understanding of psychological concepts of salesmanship.
Communication – How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
Communication is one of the most important aspects of salesmanship. The ability to communicate effectively determines whether or not you sell a product. This book by Leil equips the reader with 92 tricks up their sleeve to be able to talk smoothly and seamlessly with anyone. From first impressions to hacking small talks, deep talks and talking like a celebrity or an insider, this book is your go to to influence people.
Charisma – The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane
An inherent part of being a good salesman is to wow people with charisma. When people feel attracted to you due to your charisma, they are more likely to be influenced by you. In Olivia’s book, she teaches you to turn your charisma on and off like a switch. Drawing on science, she teaches you to build your own charisma. And then you regulate it according to what a specific situation needs. This book is also very entertaining, full of funny anecdotes and quirky tips.
Management – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
This book outlines seven tips to become a success with regards to people and employees. It details ways to be productive in both professional and personal spheres of life. This is important because salesmen, like all employees, need to strike a balance between professional and personal. Plus they need to excel in both because so much is riding on them.
Salesmanship – The Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer
It comes as no surprise that salesmen need the quality of… well, salesmanship. And this book, it might as well be the Bile of salesmen. From short, crisp technical methods to sell a product to psychological ways to prey on customers, this book has it all. This book will teach you the art of selling your product to your customer and is an absolute must read for all salesmen.
Likeability – How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less by Nicholas Boothman
A lot of sales thrive on the likeability of the salesperson. Psychology proves that people who we like are more attractive to us, and they can influence and persuade us better. Now this likeability depends on internal and external factors. Either you could be similar to the customer, well groomed and having a great appearance, or you could behave in likeable ways. It is the last point that this book emphasizes. It basically teaches you to form a positive impression on your customers in the very short time you get to persuade them.
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