You don’t want to be mediocre. 

You don’t want to be stuck in a rut of repeating last year’s performance. 

And you definitely want to smash your personal selling goals this year.

In the world of sales, the difference between a mediocre year and a record-breaking one often comes down to one thing: continuous improvement. 

The best sales professionals understand that investing in themselves pays dividends in their sales results.

If you want to outsell last year and take your performance to the next level, consider focusing on these three key upskilling sales strategies that go beyond the basics.

Solicit Feedback Whenever You Can

Self-awareness is crucial in sales, but real growth comes from ongoing feedback. 

There’s no substitute for getting the good, the bad, and the ugly of your techniques from someone who knows their stuff—like a sales leader or a mentor.

Many reps shy away from feedback because it feels uncomfortable, but the truth is, avoiding it stunts your growth. High performers actively seek out critique and use it as a stepping stone to success.

Create feedback loops by seeking input from managers, peers, mentors, and even clients. 

Honest insight from others helps you uncover blind spots, refine your skills, and elevate your sales game.

And don’t just ask—implement. Adjust your approach based on their feedback. Hone the skills you have and train to do better in weak areas.

How to implement it:

• Record and review your sales calls to spot areas for improvement, like tone, phrasing, or listening skills.
• Use coaching tools to analyze your speech, energy, and engagement levels.
• Ask top-performing colleagues for feedback and offer your insights in return.
• Role-play tough sales conversations with a mentor to build confidence in handling objections.
• Join a mastermind group or sales forum where you can exchange insights and get unbiased feedback.

Understanding is Worth Its Weight in Deals

Sales isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about reading people.

When you master emotional intelligence, you close more deals, build trust faster, and position yourself as the go-to advisor.

How to implement it:

• Learn to recognize emotional cues and adjust your approach to match your prospect’s needs.
• Use “emotional mirroring,” which is subtly matching a prospect’s tone and energy to build trust.
• Improve your ability to read body language and facial expressions in meetings or video calls.
• Practice active listening by summarizing and repeating key points your prospect shares. This shows you’re engaged and ensures mutual understanding.
• Take notes on common objections and the emotions behind them so you can craft better responses in future conversations.

Your sales emotional intelligence will bring you closer to customers, allow you to upsell, and lead to more closed deals.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a trusted advisor rather than just a sales rep. Consultative selling is the future of sales. 

Get in on the ground level with your prospects and customers by focusing on their needs, asking great questions, and providing needed solutions.

Build Your Brand Now

Today’s top salespeople build personal brands and strong networks to attract leads.

Your personal brand is a powerful spokesperson for your skills, knowledge, and sales acumen. It’s an important tool in your toolbox to both attract leads and lend credibility to the prospects you call.

If people don’t know you, they’re not doing business with you. The best reps aren’t just voices on the phone; they’re recognized, trusted, and in the conversation before the sale even begins.

A strong personal brand doesn’t just attract prospects—it builds trust before you ever pick up the phone. Buyers today research salespeople before engaging. Make sure what they find works in your favor.

Use these sales strategies, and you’ll win more business.

How to implement it:

• Share insights and success stories on LinkedIn to position yourself as an industry expert.
• Use personalized videos or handwritten notes to boost response rates.
• Nurture referral networks by providing value to clients and connections for warm introductions.
• Engage with prospects’ content on social media before reaching out—it makes cold outreach feel warmer.

Crush Your Numbers

If you want to upskill and outsell last year, commit to becoming more self-aware, mastering the psychology of influence, and innovating your prospecting approach to include your personal brand. 

Sales strategy is not just about working hard, it’s about working smarter by continuously evolving your skills and strategies. 

Investing in yourself today will ensure you dominate your market tomorrow.

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