The sales industry offers almost unlimited earning potential for professionals who excel at closing deals. Top sales leaders can earn up to $250,000 annually(opens new window) in salary. Many other sales careers pay six-figure salaries – no degree required – and have uncapped commissions.
The leading sales professionals continually develop their skills and stay informed on the latest trends. Below, we’ve researched the top sales training courses for 2024.
Top free sales courses for 2024
Multiverse Retail Sales Apprenticeship
Multiverse’s Retail Sales Apprenticeship gives aspiring sales professionals the skills and experience they need to thrive in fast-paced sales environments. The program teaches students how to nurture customer relationships and leverage cutting-edge sales technologies.
Apprentices adopt a sales mentality, strengthen interpersonal skills, and learn to connect with customers from diverse backgrounds. You’ll also develop practical experience as you work for a leading company and get mentored by seasoned sales professionals via group and monthly 1:1 sessions.
Topics covered in this program include:
- Communication techniques
- Customer service
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
- Personal branding
- Sales technologies
- Understanding customer personas
- And much more
Multiverse’s apprenticeships are free to all students, and you’ll earn a competitive salary as you learn. You’ll also get access to Multiverse’s innovative AI Jumpstart module. This exclusive learning resource teaches you how to use cutting-edge AI tools to drive sales and improve productivity.
Duration
6 months
Price
Free to students
Hubspot Academy
Hubspot Academy offers three free sales certification programs(opens new window) for current or aspiring sales professionals.
- Inbound Sales - covers foundational concepts in inbound sales, such as identifying leads and creating outreach strategies.
- Sales Enablement - teaches sales managers strategies for marketing-driven sales enablement.
- Sales Software - learn to use the Hubspot customer relationship management (CRM) and Sales Hub software to track contacts and generate inbound sales.
Hubspot Academy also offers short classes on sales team management, frictionless sales, and other topics. These resources can help you quickly gain foundational sales knowledge. However, you won’t receive personal instruction or work on projects.
Duration
1 to 4 hours per class
Price
Free
Why sales training is essential
The sales process is often a delicate dance between the seller and the customer. Sales professionals must know when to apply pressure and when to step back. They also need strong interpersonal skills to win over potential clients and gain trust.
Sales training programs teach tactics and tools for engaging prospects and closing deals. These techniques will allow you to navigate the sales process more effectively and close deals faster. As your performance improves, you can consistently achieve your sales goals and earn higher commissions.
A structured sales training program can also unlock new career opportunities. You’ll acquire valuable skills employers desire, such as customer relationship management and sales management. These abilities can help you qualify for more advanced roles and stand out from applicants without formal training.
Top paid sales training courses for 2024
Sandler Training
Sandler Training is a series of online courses designed to help established sales professionals master David Sandler’s Selling System. This seven-step approach focuses on building rapport with clients and guiding them through the sales funnel.
The curriculum teaches techniques for prospecting clients, closing deals, resolving conflict, and gaining confidence. Students can choose from instructor-led courses or asynchronous options.
You may consider this option if you have foundational sales knowledge and want to elevate your skills. But, this online training doesn’t include opportunities to work at a company while you study. Students also need to pay extra to earn sales certifications.
Duration
6 to 9 months, depending on the program
Price
$1,000 to $3,000
Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie’s sales training focuses on building genuine connections with customers. Students learn relationship-oriented techniques to build trust and convey value.
This program offers in-person or virtual courses. Learners develop competencies in customer acquisition, interpersonal skills, and professionalism.
Dale Carnegie is designed for established sales professionals who want to improve interactions with customers. Like Sandler Training, this program doesn’t provide opportunities to gain practical work experience.
Duration
3 consecutive days or once per week for 8 weeks
Price
Starts at $399 for individual courses
Sales Engine
Sales Engine’s MasterCourse™ Series helps business leaders and sales professionals achieve personal and professional growth. The program offers live video and asynchronous online courses on over 100 topics.
The curriculum covers strategies for networking, delivering confident presentations, storytelling, negotiating, and other essential sales skills. The program is designed for companies that want to improve sales performance. Sales Engine consultants assess the sales team’s knowledge and develop a custom training plan for each organization.
Duration
30 to 90 days
Price
Varies by company size and services. Contact Sales Engine for specific pricing
SalesHood
SaleHood provides skill training for sales professionals who want to boost their productivity and performance. This program focuses on business-to-business Software-as-a-Service (B2B SaaS) sales.
Learners get access to a digital library of turnkey training resources. They can complete lessons on account planning, elevator pitches, negotiations, prospecting emails, and other topics.
SalesHood offers a free trial for interested learners, but you must buy a subscription after your trial expires. This program may be a good fit if you’re pursuing a career in B2B sales or the tech industry. But the classes don’t include live instruction or projects.
Duration
Self-paced
Price
Subscriptions start at $50/month
What to look for in a sales training course
Students can choose from dozens of free and paid sales training programs. Here are a few considerations to help you choose the best option.
Review the course content to see if it aligns with your goals. Look for comprehensive courses that cover relevant skills, sales techniques, and tools. The best courses help you develop a strong foundation before diving into more advanced concepts.
You should also check the content’s creation date and see if the program updates regularly. Sales methods constantly evolve as new technologies emerge and market dynamics change. A course considered cutting-edge two years ago could already be outdated.
Another important factor is the course structure. Some people prefer live, instructor-led courses, while others want the freedom to complete training on their own schedule.
Finally, look for sales programs that let you practice applying your skills. Top courses include hands-on activities like workshops, role-playing exercises, and sales simulations. Students may also complete real projects. For instance, you could conduct market research and create a sales presentation for a company.
Benefits of sales training
Sales training programs have many benefits for professionals at all career stages.
This training can positively impact your sales performance. You’ll learn how to develop authentic customer relationships and address their needs. You’ll also add new sales tactics to your toolkit so you can adapt to different situations. These skills can help you achieve more success and gain long-term customers.
Sales training also lays the foundation for a rewarding career. Many programs teach advanced skills like social selling and personal branding. Mastering these techniques will help you close bigger deals and climb the career ladder.
Additionally, some sales training programs have networking opportunities. For example, a Multiverse apprenticeship lets you connect with industry experts, peers, and an extensive alumni network. These connections can lead to exciting opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.
How to break into sales
You don’t need a college degree to launch a sales career. Most employers care more about your experience and skills than your educational background. But you’ll need to prove you have what it takes to succeed.
Prepare for a sales role by gaining foundational skills. Most entry-level positions require strong communication and interpersonal abilities. You’ll also need a strong work ethic and the ability to persevere in the face of rejection.
A sales training program can help you develop these skills while giving you a credential to list on your resume. Other options include completing an apprenticeship or volunteering for sales-related projects. For example, you could help a nonprofit organization coordinate and promote fundraising events.
Additionally, you may already possess transferable skills that you could apply in a sales career. Use your cover letter and resume to highlight these abilities and explain how they would help you succeed in a sales role. You should also tailor your materials by including relevant keywords from the job advertisement.
Networking can also help you jumpstart your sales career. Join professional sales organizations and online communities to make connections with industry leaders. You can also expand your network by attending conferences, webinars, and networking events. Building relationships with other sales professionals allows you to continuously learn about the field and receive mentorship.
Multiverse’s apprenticeship program teaches the latest sales techniques and trends. Apprentices receive one-on-one guidance from sales experts and get paid for on-the-job training. This program can give you a leg up on your sales journey.
Kick Off Your Sales Career With Multiverse
Businesses rely on sales professionals to generate revenue and nurture client relationships. Professionals in this field often earn six-figure salaries and have hybrid or remote work arrangements. Commissions also allow you to increase your earnings exponentially as your performance improves.
With Multiverse’s Retail Sales Apprenticeship, you’ll develop a sales mindset and learn the latest selling techniques. You’ll also acquire technical and interpersonal skills as you get paid to develop real-world experience.
Embark on your journey with Multiverse’s free sales courses. Learn more and complete our quick application(opens new window) today.
