How to Start in Sales – 3 Tips

At Uvaro, we prepare our students to excel in software sales. But if you're new to the profession, what's the best way to learn how to start in sales? Certainly, there are a handful of college degree programs available, and some include beneficial coursework.

Still, you may find it challenging to feel confident in your skills and to land a job after earning a general business or marketing degree. Unfortunately, many headwinds could impede your progress if you aren't aware of the challenges you'll face.

For instance, there's a stereotype about what a salesperson "looks like" in the real world: slick hair cut, custom-tailored suit, sterling silver wristwatch, and a smartphone practically glued to one ear.

This stereotypical salesperson might even throw about the catchphrase "always be closing" at least ten times a day, and chances are they sold used cars in the past.

But we don't want you to assume that's the cartoon persona you need to emulate to start a sales career! In the beginning, the first question we'd like you to ask yourself is, "what do I want to sell in the first place?" Is it...

• Med-tech?
• Ed-tech tech?
• Mar-tech
• Sales tech?
• Etc.

Depending on how you want to begin your journey, you'll need different skill sets to perform well. The bottom line is that every industry has unique sales processes, and some will require specific time commitments per sale.

The good news is that once you learn the fundamentals of how to start in sales, you can make progress much faster than your peers who try to do it on their own.

How to start in sales

Essentially, starting in sales requires a gradual approach to education. It would be best if you didn't feel pressured into learning everything you'll need to know in a single day.

You can only learn some skills from a mentor, such as how to deal with a frustrated, angry customer over the phone, but there are other fundamentals to know before you even get to that point. The good news is there are TONS of resources out there to help!

1 - Take online courses

First, there are a ton of free resources online to help with learning the art of sales, the art of genuinely presenting customers with solutions to their problems. Although some can be too expensive for the quality of the education, so that's why we created Uvaro On Demand – our free online sales training platform!

2 - Read sales books

If you want to succeed like to the pros, you have to learn directly from the pros themselves, so these books are must-reads for our students:

• Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount
• Sales Development by Cory Bray and Hilmon Sorey
• The Sales Development Playbook by Trish Bertuzzi
• Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler

When reading these resources, notice how each book has a slightly different take on what it takes to succeed in sales.

3 - Grow your professional network

At Uvaro, we try to instill the value of networking in our students. One of the best parts of a sales career is building a vast array of contacts that may pay dividends down the road when you least expect it.

Your professional network can help with job leads, and it can also provide you with an avenue for career advice and guidance from someone who knows the daily struggle first-hand.

Need a hand with where to start when growing your professional network? Our career change guide has everything you need to get started.

Psst...

Indeed, starting a sales career isn't easy, but with Uvaro by your side, you can fulfill your dream of earning a lucrative job that you'll enjoy for decades to come. Our online courses will give you the skills and knowledge needed to land and excel in a tech sales role.

Want to learn more? Apply now and get your career started today!