A lot of people think sales sucks.
(I used to be one of them.)
When you think about sales, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
A pushy salesperson? A flood of LinkedIn DMs asking for “15 minutes of your time”? The classic stereotype of the used car salesman?
Sales has a stigma for a lot of us. But here’s the thing: sales isn’t just about closing deals or hitting quotas. It’s one of the most valuable skills you can build—in business and in life.
Why everyone should learn to sell
No matter what you do for work, you sell every single day.
You might not call it “sales,” but you’re constantly pitching ideas, influencing decisions, and getting buy-in.
- If you’re a creative, you’re selling your ideas to clients or your boss.
- If you’re a founder, you’re selling your vision to your team and investors.
- If you’re a teacher, you’re selling the value of learning to a room full of distracted students.
- If you’re an orthodontist, you’re selling your approach to nervous parents (trust me, I’ve been there).
And even outside of work, we sell. Convincing your friends to try your favorite brunch spot? Sales. Negotiating bedtime with your kids? Sales.
The truth is, selling is just communicating with confidence and empathy. The better you get at it, the more effective you become in almost everything else you do.
The fear that keeps people from selling
Learning to sell is really about getting over your own fears.
Fear of rejection. Fear of being pushy. Fear of hearing no.
According to psychology studies, rejection activates the same regions in the brain as physical pain—which explains why so many people avoid situations where they might hear “no.” But that avoidance can also limit your growth.
When I started Accelity, I relied on my instincts and referrals for years. Most of our new clients came through word of mouth. That worked fine… until I realized it would only take us so far.
If you have big goals—the kind that require scaling, expansion, or major career growth—you have to get comfortable selling. Sitting back and waiting for new business (or new opportunities) to appear isn’t a growth strategy.
How to start learning sales (without feeling slimy)
Here are a few easy ways to build your sales skills—no sleazy tactics required.
1. Take an online course.
Platforms like Coursera or HubSpot Academy offer free or affordable classes that teach modern, human-centered sales techniques.
2. Find an accountability partner.
Pair up with a friend or colleague who also wants to level up. Meet weekly, read books together, and practice role-playing scenarios.
3. Read To Sell Is Human by Daniel Pink.
It’s a classic for a reason. Pink reframes sales as something we all do every day, and shows how persuasion and service go hand in hand.
4. Practice “selling” in low-stakes situations.
Pitch a new idea at work. Negotiate a deadline. Offer feedback with confidence. Small reps build the muscle for bigger conversations later.
5. Master inbound marketing to make selling easier.
The best salespeople know the job starts long before a conversation ever happens. When your brand is already attracting and nurturing the right audience, you’re not “convincing” people to buy—they’re coming to you ready to say yes. Inbound marketing funnels ready, qualified leads right to you.
Selling well means serving well
When done right, sales isn’t manipulation, it’s motivation. It’s about helping people make decisions that solve real problems.
If you can listen deeply, communicate clearly, and show genuine care for the outcome, you’re already better at sales than most people who do it professionally.
So whether you’re trying to close a client, inspire a team, or convince your family to watch something other than Paw Patrol tonight, remember: you’re selling every day.
And if you can learn to do it well, you can achieve almost anything.
P.S. I cover this topic in depth on my podcast, The Art of Entrepreneurship! Here are some of my favorite episodes to help you get started:
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