Door-to-door sales is a unique profession that requires a specific set of skills. While developing these skills requires real world practice and experience, these books can jumpstart your journey to become the best door to door sales rep that you can be!
While a few of these books apply specifically to sales, most of them are focused on self development and will help you in any career.
The Greatest Salesmen in the World- Og Mandino
While the parable in this book describes the experiences of a salesmen, this self help classic is about much more than just sales. In fact, this empowering short story could benefit people working in any industry that requires them to be self-starters and go-getters.
The story follows a young man named Hafid in ancient Jerusalem. Hafid’s wealthy and successful mentor is on his death bed and promises to impart the secret to his success and riches in the form of 10 scrolls that were given to him when he was young. The book then lists the contents of the 10 scrolls for the reader to follow and apply.
It’s a very easy read with most editions clocking in at about 111 pages. While some may find the book cheesy, many find it inspiring. Actor Matthew McConaughey even says that the book changed his life. Maybe it will change yours!
Door to door Millionaire- Lenny Gray
If you are going to be doing summer sales (specifically in the pest control or home security industries) picking up a copy of door to door millionaire can prepare you with the skills needed to have a productive selling season. The author draws from decades of experience in the industry as a salesmen, business owner, and sales trainer.
Lenny uses real stories of door to door encounters to teach about proper use of body language, how to develop listening skills, and advice for overcoming specific objections customers may have.
This is the most industry-specific book on our list and depending on what company you sell for, it may accompany the sales manual as part of the standard training curriculum.
How to Win Friends and Influence People- Dale Carnegie
If anyone practices what they preach, this book does. It professes to teach you how to influence people, and has consistently been ranked as one of the most influential books of all time. In it, Author Dale Carnegie (not to be confused with Andrew Carnegie: the 19th century steel mogul) gives a series of practical tips and entertaining anecdotes relating to our daily human interactions.
The book promises to among other things:
“Get you out of a mental rut, give you new thoughts, new visions, new ambitions”
“Help you to win people to your way of thinking.”
“Help you to handle complaints, avoid arguments, keep your human contacts smooth and pleasant.”
“Help you to arouse enthusiasm among your associates.”
Never Split the Difference- Chris Voss
As a former high stakes hostage negotiator for the FBI, Chris Voss knows a thing or two about negotiating. In this book, he disseminates his experiences and the lessons learned through his line of work.
Hopefully while you’re knocking doors, you won’t be talking with criminals, bank robbers, and terrorists; but the skills taught in this book are applicable in any human to human interaction. The author states that life is made up of near constant negotiations and he wants to teach you the necessary skills to navigate them and get what you want out of the deal.
With a mix of intense stories and practical tips, this book will help you get that edge you need both on the doors as well as help you navigate relationships with other sales reps, management, and your friends and family.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People- Stephen R. Covey
Anyone who has not read this book is missing out on some of the best life advice that exists. One of the most popular self help books ever, over 25 million copies have been sold.
The first three habits deal with self-mastery and conquering our personal struggles. The next three deal with our relationships with others. This section is extremely applicable to a sales environment. Finally, he teaches how someone can maintain these habits throughout their lives.
This book is great because it teaches you how to not only be a better salesman, but a better person. It can aid you in learning to work hard, dedicate your time to the most important pursuits, and excel in business and life.