How Do You Become a Tech Sales Professional?

A tech sales professional is an individual who specializes in selling tech-related solutions to businesses and consumers. These solutions can include CRMs, cybersecurity tools, sales automation, sales intelligence tools, project management applications and several others.

For you to be a professional in this field, you need to have a firm understanding of core sales principles and in-depth knowledge of the application of the technology you intend to sell. Knowing this makes it easy for you to service potential customers, close deals faster, and build lasting relationships. 

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Like most tech sales professionals, your focus should primarily be on three core objectives. 

• Identifying potential customers. This involves prospecting potential new clients who might be interested in or benefit from the company's products or services. This process can involve various methods, such as market research, networking, and lead generation strategies. 

• Understanding customer needs. This often involves asking insightful questions, listening carefully, and understanding their pain points and its solution.

• Presenting suitable solutions. Once a potential customer's needs are understood, [you] — the tech sales professional present a practical solution that addresses these needs. This can involve delivering product demos, creating and delivering proposals, and overcoming any objections or hurdles that might prevent the customer from purchasing. 

Related → 14 Questions to Ask During SaaS Demos.

What are the Different Roles in Tech Sales?

There are various tech sales roles in the industry, but we’ll be taking a look at the three most common ones. 

• Sales Development Representative (SDR). SDRs are typically the first point of contact for potential clients. They prospect, qualify, and develop leads for the company's sales team. This can be through cold calling, emails, or social selling. As an SDR, your role is crucial for filling the sales pipeline with potential customers.  

• Sales Engineer. These are the technical experts in the sales team. Sales engineers assist in explaining and demonstrating advanced technological products or services to potential customers. They work closely with the sales team to understand customers' needs and propose the best-suited solutions. To be a sales engineer, you’d be required to have a strong understanding of both business and tech. 

• Account Executive. Account Executives are responsible for managing relationships with specific clients or accounts. They directly negotiate and close deals — often working with leads brought in by SDRs and using the technical insight provided by Sales Engineers. Your role here includes securing new business, managing ongoing relationships, and upselling or cross-selling as appropriate.

While each of these roles requires a solid foundation in sales principles, tech sales professionals often need to have a grasp of the tech industry and its products, including software and hardware. The ability to understand and explain the value of complex tech products to customers is crucial. 

This is why tech sales training programs are so important—they provide the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in these roles. 

Related → How to Sell to C-Level Executives: The No Bullshit Guide.

💡Pro Tip → Get Instant Access Into The Exact Cold Calling ‘System’ Trent Dressel Used to Generate $1.47M in ARR. 

What is a Tech Sales Training Program?

A tech sales training program is an online or in-person training aimed at developing the skills and knowledge of sales professionals responsible for selling technology solutions to businesses and individuals. 

Given the specialized nature of tech sales—often involving complex products such as software, hardware, cloud services, and more—these training programs go beyond the scope of general sales training. 

They aim to provide a deeper understanding of the tech industry, the specifics of tech products and services, and how to effectively communicate their value to potential customers. 

In addition, tech sales training programs teach the fundamentals of the sales process, including sales methodologies, negotiation tactics, closing techniques, and relationship-building strategies. Through a combination of these elements, tech sales training programs help produce well-rounded sales professionals who can navigate the tech industry.

How To Choose A Tech Sales Training Program

Choosing the right tech sales training program can be instrumental in laying the groundwork for a successful career in technology sales. 

With a variety of programs available, it's crucial to know how to identify and select a program that best fits your individual needs and career goals. 

Here's a more detailed context to guide you through the process. 

Identify reputable tech sales training programs

Start by looking for programs with a proven industry track record. You can evaluate this by the program's reputation and the credibility of the organization or institution offering the training.

An easy way to do this is using online platforms like Reddit and Quora, to gather information. These platforms will give you unbiased views of the program, so you know if it’s the right fit for you. 

Evaluate program features

Consider what each program offers in terms of delivery and content. 

• Does the program provide self-paced learning, or is it a fixed schedule? 
• Is there hands-on training, such as role-playing exercises or real-world sales scenarios? 

Consider mentorship and career coaching opportunities 

A good tech sales training program should offer more than just educational content. Look for programs that offer mentorship from experienced tech sales professionals and career coaching. These elements can provide valuable insights and guidance, helping you navigate your career path and effectively apply what you've learned. 

Examine the curriculum and focus on tech sales skills 

Take a close look at the curriculum. It should provide comprehensive coverage of tech sales skills, from understanding technical products and services to mastering sales techniques. Ensure it covers all the critical aspects of tech sales, including prospecting, relationship management, negotiation, and closing deals. 

Researching program success stories

Look for testimonials and success stories from past participants. This can give you an idea of the effectiveness of the program and its impact on the careers of those who have completed it. You should also see if the program offers any statistics on job placement rates or increases in sales performance. 

Explore part-time and full-time program options 

Finally, consider the program's structure and duration. A part-time program may be more suitable if you are currently employed or have other commitments. On the other hand, a full-time program might be more intensive and enable you to complete the training in a shorter period. 

💡Pro Tip → You can skyrocket your selling skills by joining Chris Orlob in his six-day live virtual sales training program. Check it out here 👈

The 11 Best Tech Sales Training Programs Right Now

1. Pclub
2. Winning by Design
3. JBarrows
4. Gap Selling
5. Sandler Training
6. Miller Heiman
7. Dale Carnegie
8. Salesforce Trailhead
9. Challenger Sale
10. Careerist
11. Springboard

1. Pclub — Overall Best Tech Sales Training Program [Top Pick of the Year]

Led by the infamous Chris Orlob, who grew Gong from $200k to $200M+ ARR and a $7.2B valuation — Pclub’s tech sales training program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers all the essential areas of tech sales. 

In this program, participants are introduced to the fundamentals of technical products —no matter how complex they can be — and master the art of turning the features of these products into benefits that serve the customer’s needs. 

Compared to all other programs, Pclub’s focus on real-world application of their tech sales teachings is what makes it different. The training program isn't just about imparting knowledge but equipping participants with practical skills that they can immediately apply in their tech sales careers. This is achieved through hands-on exercises, real-world sales scenarios, and direct mentorship from experienced tech sales professionals. 

Price: $25,000. 

Duration: Six-day coaching session. 

Ratings: 5/5 reviews from 10,000 sales professionals. 

Specifics:

• Day 1. You’ll learn the discovery question framework that’ll help identify the business’s pain point. You’ll learn how to understand the real need behind what's being asked and start measuring the impact of these issues.

• Day 2. You’ll learn to surface your customer’s perceived root causes and influence those perceptions in your favor. 
• Day 3. You get a live 60 minutes ‘office hours’ and Q&A session with Chris Orlob and other expert sales trainers.
• Day 4. You’ll learn expert (and natural techniques) on how to ‘create urgency’ in your buyer’s mind by outlining the negative impact of their problem. 
• Day 5. You’ll learn to ask questions that create a vision in your buyer’s mind about solving their problem by purchasing your product. 
• Day 6. Final day. You get one more live ‘office hour’ and Q&A session to help deepen your understanding of the learned techniques. 

Want to join 10,000+ tech salespeople growing their companies across top companies like LinkedIn, HubSpot, Slack, Gong, Zoom — amongst others? 

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2. Winning by Design

Winning by Design (WbD) is a global B2B company known for offering an interactive, hands-on training approach with best-in-class frameworks that equip teams with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in driving recurring revenue growth. 

WbD delivers role-specific training certifications encompassing the entire Go-to-Market (GTM) team including — Sales, SDR/BDR, Customer Success and even Revenue managers/leaders. Regardless of their roles, participants can expect to learn and hone the fundamental skills necessary for their specific positions.

Price: The Revenue Academy is priced on a ‘per-course basis’ — meaning you pay for each course in the bundle. The cost of each course ranges between $1,500 to $2,500. 

However, if your organization plans to train eight people or more, you can reach out to discuss private course options. 

Duration: All WbD’s courses are live, featuring four 2-hour weekly sessions via Zoom.  

Ratings: 4.8/5 from 694 reviews on G2. 

Specifics: 

There are ten live courses on the WbD platform covering private equity, sales, marketing, customer success, and revenue enablement. 

3. JBarrows (Sales Done Right)

The Sales Done Right training program is run by John Barrows, and it’s a platform devised to equip individuals and sales teams with the tools, techniques, and structure needed to drive immediate results. Simultaneously, it sets up a flexible framework that businesses can adapt to their evolving needs.

The trainer, John Barrows, is a go-to expert for tactical sales training and its real-world application. He is also the top B2B sales trainer for fast-growing companies like Slack, Salesforce, Splunk, Zendesk, ServiceNow, Workday, LinkedIn, Okta, etc. 

John boasts 25 years of experience working in several roles in sales, including becoming a VP of Sales at Thrive Networks (Now acquired by Staples). 

He’s tagged ‘Top Voices in Sales on LinkedIn,’ ‘Top 30 Social Salespeople in the World’ by Forbes, and Salesforce considers him one of the ‘Game-Changing Sales Influencers’ you should be following. 

Price: 

• Individual training: $365 per year. 
• Team training. 

• JB Team membership: $5,000. 
• JB Flex: $25,000. 
• JB Dedicated: Pricing not disclosed. 

Duration: Most of John Barrow’s training sessions are live.

Ratings: 4.8/5 from 367 reviews on G2. 

Specifics:

John Barrows offers training in two ways — individual training and team training. 

Individual training. 

This live monthly training program has an ‘On-Demand Library’ designed to help you acquire the techniques and skills needed to drive immediate results on your next client call. 

Package includes: 

• Live monthly workshops on various sale-related topics with a strong focus on execution. 
• Live monthly AMA (ask-me-anything) sessions directly with John Barrows
• Certifications on Signature Program (Filling the Funnel & Driving to Close). 

Team training. 

This is a proven training program for sales teams who want immediate results while positioning them for long-term success. 

The team training program has three options, each accommodating teams of different sizes and budgets. 

They include: 

• JB Team Membership

• Everything in individual training +
• Up to 30 licenses. 

• JB Flex. 

• Everything in JB Team Membership +
• Unlimited membership  to Sell Better Teams membership
• 4-hour live coaching by John. 

• JB Dedicated. 

This is a per-request training session for sales teams who want a tailored session to fit their needs. It includes:  

• (3) two-hour remote sessions or (1) day on-site session for up to 30 reps at a time. 
• Team exercises and role-playing with a focus on immediate application. 
• Complete access to Sell Better membership for all trainees and managers. 
• Playbook and reinforcement documentation. 
• Pre and post-training calls with management. 
• Certification of the selected Signature course. 

💡Pro Tip → Want to 10X your meeting booking rate? Get this cold email template that helped grow Gong from $200K to $200M. 

4. Gap Selling by Keenan

The Gap Selling program is an in-person and virtual instructor-led training for B2B and SaaS sales professionals. 

Led by the famous sales expert KEENAN, the Gap Selling Methodology refocuses sales from the “Problem-Centric” standpoint — a sales methodology that teaches salespeople how to sell the way your buyers like to buy. 

A few of their clients include Limble CMMS, Emburse, Cart.com, ARMS Reliability, Scorpion Design, and Deer Employees Credit Union. 

Price: Not disclosed. 

Duration: The duration of the training varies depending on the organization's needs and the depth of training required.

Ratings: 4.7/5 from 72 reviews on G2.

Specifics: 

The Gap Selling training is subdivided into three categories: 

• Gap Selling Methodology. The training teaches the fundamentals of becoming a problem-centric seller to accelerate sales growth. 
• Gap Selling Prospecting. This training will help you become a Problem-Centric™ prospector and build a healthy pipeline. 
• Gap Selling for Managers. This training is ideal for those who want to become Problem-Centric™ sales leaders and develop high-functioning sales teams. 

For enterprise sales teams of 500 or more salespeople, ASG offers custom Gap Selling enablement team training designed to make it easy to implement Gap Selling in global sales organizations. 

💡Recommended by Pclub → Get instant access to a simple, powerful checklist that has led thousands of closed saaS deals. Free Access Here. 

5. Sandler Training

Sandler is a renowned sales training organization that offers a variety of programs, including specialized training for technology sales professionals. Their courses focus on consultative selling, relationship building, and effective sales techniques.

One of the highlights of their sales training program is a seven-step system for successful selling called the ‘Sandler Selling System Flywheel.’ This low-pressure, consultative selling approach puts you, [the salesperson], in control of the discovery process.

• Establishing Rapport
• Setting an Up-Front Contract
• Identify the Prospect’s Pain
• Uncover the Prospect’s Budget
• Identify the Decision
• Present Your Fulfillment of the Agreement
• Confirm the Post-Sell Process

Price: Pricing is customized based on individual or company needs. 

Duration: This is dependent on the organization's needs and the depth of training required.

Ratings: 4.8/5 from 97 reviews on G2. 

Specifics: 

Sandler features five core sales training solutions to help sales professionals master their craft. 

• Sales Foundations. Helps you learn the basics of the ‘Sandler Selling System’ and how it can help you sell more and sell easily. 

• Sales Mastery. You’ll learn the best practices, selling strategies, skills, buyer psychology, and success principles that will propel you to the next level and serve you well for the rest of your sales career. 

• Sales Certifications. This is a verified learning path towards sales mastery that will help you build the awareness and knowledge necessary, but also apply the new techniques and build the habits required to sustain them. 

• Enterprise Selling. This is a special program specifically designed to address the unique challenges of winning, maintaining, and growing major accounts, learn how to team sell and organize a company-wide effort for key accounts.

• Negotiating Mastery. Learn how to reach a win-win agreement with mutual respect and equal business stature, even in the most complex deals.

6. Miller Heiman Group (now Korn Ferry)

Miller Heiman Group is a leading sales training and consulting firm known for its strategic and customer-focused approach to sales. 

The company offers a range of sales training programs, but it's widely known for two of its unique methodologies: 

• Strategic Selling. This provides sales teams with strategies to navigate complex sales scenarios involving multiple decision-makers. This method helps sales professionals identify all the influential people in a sale and understand their roles and priorities.

• Conceptual Selling. This focuses on customer engagement, teaching sales professionals how to better understand and align with the customer's buying process. It helps sales reps engage in better dialogue and build stronger customer relationships.

These programs provide frameworks for understanding customer needs, managing complex sales processes, and developing strategic account plans.

In addition, the Miller Heiman Group's sales training programs are research-based with the inept ability to predict performance in any role using more than four billion total data points, including 74 million assessment results. This makes producing a personalized learning journey for salespeople and managers easy. 

Price: Details are only available upon request. 

Duration: Not specified. 

Ratings: 4.7/5 from 22 ratings on Gartner. 

7. Dale Carnegie Training

Dale Carnegie Sales Training is part of the broader suite of professional training programs offered by Dale Carnegie, an organization with a long-standing reputation for personal and professional development. 

Their sales training is designed to improve sales teams' skills by building strong customer relationships, influencing skills, and effective communication that eventually leads to sales. This approach stems from the proven selling processes outlined in Dale Carnegie’s bestseller: How to Win Friends and Influence People.’

Their training methods incorporate real-world examples, interactive activities, and practical techniques that participants can immediately apply to their sales roles. They also offer ongoing reinforcement and coaching to ensure that the skills learned during the training are effectively implemented in the workplace.

Price: The price for the team training program is not specified on the website. However, the prices of all available courses are available. 

Duration: Dale Carnegie’s sales training programs and courses typically span several weeks, but the duration can vary depending on the specific program chosen and the learning objectives set by the organization. 

Dale Carnegie is also known for offering flexible training schedules (in-person, live online, online subscription, and on-demand) to accommodate the needs of working professionals. 

Ratings: 4.5/5 from 29 reviews on Gartner. 

Specifics: 

Dale Carnegie’s sales training program features practical techniques for engaging customers, handling objections, and closing deals.

• Dale Carnegie Sales Training: Winning with Relationship Selling. This course teaches sales strategies that facilitate the buying process, how to establish connections with customers, and maintaining long-lasting business relationships. 

• Sales Effectiveness. Teaches relationship selling and helps you build sales and presentation confidence. 

• How to Cold Call and Build New Customers. Helps build your cold-calling skills and confidence. 

• Cross and Up Selling. Learn how to identify win-win situations, create opportunities to add value for customers, and apply cross and up-selling processes to make customer decisions easy. 

• Compelling Sales Presentations. Learn how to create targeted sales presentations and ask thought-provoking questions. 

• Sales Essentials. Learn how to listen more deeply to clients to understand their needs better and build more consultative relationships.

Each of these courses is offered in-person or live online. 

8. Salesforce Trailhead

Salesforce offers a comprehensive online training platform called ‘Trailhead,’ which includes a variety of courses for sales professionals. These courses cover Salesforce-specific tools and methodologies, as well as broader sales skills and strategies.

For instance, in the ‘Sales Rep’ training module, you learn how to prepare your team to sell successfully and how to create an effective selling habit. The program also features a sales career learning path for BDRs, AEs, Sales Leaders, and Sales Operations. 

In addition, the Salesforce Trailhead operates on a self-paced model, which means the duration varies based on individual learning speeds, the amount of time a learner can dedicate, and the number of modules they choose to complete. Some trails can be completed in just a few hours, while more complex trails or the completion of multiple trails can take significantly longer.

Price: Free. 

Duration: Not specified because it depends on the module. 

Ratings: 4.8/5 from 11 reviews on G2. 

Specifics:

• Hands-on Learning. Salesforce Trailhead emphasizes practical learning, with many modules incorporating interactive challenges that allow learners to apply what they've learned in a safe, simulated environment.

• Personalized Learning Paths. Learners can choose the trails that best fit their learning goals, allowing for a personalized learning experience. Whether a user is looking to improve their sales techniques, learn about specific Salesforce tools, or acquire a new set of technical skills, they can find a trail to suit their needs.

• Badges and Certifications. On completing each module, learners earn badges demonstrating their skills and knowledge. These can be added to their professional profiles and resumes. Additionally, advanced learners can aim for Salesforce certifications, which are highly respected in the industry.

• Community Support. Salesforce Trailhead also has a strong community of learners, providing collaboration, networking, and peer support opportunities. This community aspect can be particularly beneficial for learners new to Salesforce or those facing complex challenges. 

9. The Challenger Sales

The Challenger Sales training program is developed from the concepts of the book — ‘The Challenger Sales’ by  Matthew Dixon, Brent Adamson, and their colleagues at CEB Inc (now part of Gartner). The training is more of a practical application of all the theories outlined in the book, allowing participants to ‘learn-by- doing.’ 

During the training, participants learn the behaviors they need to build in order to take control of the sale and guide buyers to a decision. This includes building constructive tension with buyers to move conversations to the next stage. 

The platform also features a mix of different learning modalities to fit participants' schedules and retention capability — this includes offering training in three formats; 

• Instructor-led sessions and workshops. 

• eLearning via the Challenger Activation platform. 

• Hybrid— which is a combination of dynamic virtual content, deal-based exercises for real-world application, and virtual coaching.

One extraordinarily bold claim by Challenger Inc company is that 60% of salespeople earning $250k+ use the Challenger Sales Methodology. 

Price: Available upon request. 

Duration: Not specified. 

Ratings: 4.5/5 from 22 reviews on Gartner. 

Specifics: 

• Insight Selling. Challenger Sales teaches sales reps to lead with insights, presenting unique perspectives that reframe customers' understanding of their business and highlight unmet needs.

• Tailoring for Resonance. The program emphasizes the importance of tailoring the sales message to resonate with the customer's needs and situation. 

• Effortless Experience. In addition to their sales methodology, Challenger, Inc. also offers training based on their second book, "The Effortless Experience," helping organizations to deliver a low-effort customer service experience.

10. Careerist

If you’re looking to become a tech sales professional or improve your skills, then careerist is your best bet. The learning path opens up opportunities for tech sales roles such as Tech Sales Rep, Sales Engineer, Software Sales Representative, Business Development Representative, Sales Development Representative, and many more!

Careerist offers a 30+ live, expert-led interactive training session for six weeks and three weeks of internship simulator — making it a nine weeks training program. Participants also get weekly Zoom meetings with instructors and graduates for hands-on practice. 

Price: $5,600.

Duration: Nine weeks. 

Ratings: 4.5/5 from 876 reviews on CareerKarma. 

Specifics: 

• Technical Training: The program includes extensive technical training to ensure students are well-versed in the products or services they sell. This training can cover various areas depending on the industry, including software, hardware, and other technology products.

• Sales Skills: The course also covers essential skills like negotiation, customer relationship building, and sales presentations. These skills are taught in technical sales, helping students effectively convey complex technical information to customers.

• Real-world Projects: These are called ‘Capstone projects,’ and they feature hands-on learning, often including real-world projects in their curriculum. These projects allow students to apply what they've learned and gain practical experience.

• Career Support: Careerist offers extensive career support to its students, including resume reviews, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. This support is aimed at helping students transition into their new careers after completing the program.

⚠️Note → Several reviews alleges Careerist’s programs to be using false claims and false guarantees to participants. 

11. Springboard

The Tech Sales Bootcamp offered by Springboard is a mentor-led online training program for aspiring sales professionals. It boasts of tech sales graduates that have been hired by ZoomInfo, Dell, Zappar, and Grainger. 

The program features a 12-week training process where participants learn the fundamentals of tech sales and build skills to get an entry-level role as a Sales Development Representative (SDR) or Business Development Representative (BDR). Here, you’ll learn how to solve problems for clients, build relationships, grow your sales pipeline, and manage your time. 

For instance, during weekly sessions, you get to watch tech sales professionals apply their principles in real-life scenarios. After this, you’re giving an assessment to help a fictional company find and attract customers — understand their objectives and execute qualifying sales calls. This will give you hands-on experience and room to practice your newly acquired skills. 

In addition, you get to work 1-on-1 with a career coach that will help you get prepped for your job search, build your network, and ace the interview. 

Price: $4,900

Duration: 12 weeks.

Ratings: 4.6/5 from 465 reviews on CareerKarma. 

Specifics: 

There are fourteen (14) topics in the syllabus and participants need to attend weekly 60- 90- or 120-minute live classes at 8:30pm ET / 5:30 pm PT to graduate. 

Want to join 10,000+ tech salespeople growing their companies across top companies like LinkedIn, HubSpot, Slack, Gong, Zoom — amongst others? 

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Ideal Tech Sales Training Program Curriculum

An ideal tech sales training program curriculum should offer a comprehensive understanding of essential sales skills, industry-specific knowledge, and hands-on practice.

• Understanding the fundamentals of sales and business development. This serves as the foundation of the training program. It covers basic sales principles, strategies, techniques, and the art of negotiation and customer relationship management.

• Exploring the tech industry and its unique sales challenges. Trainees should learn about the tech industry's landscape, including key players, market trends, and challenges. This also includes understanding the sales cycles in tech, managing tech products and services, and handling industry-specific sales hurdles.

• Developing effective communication and presentation skills. Effective communication is key in sales. This involves training in active listening, clear articulation of ideas, and persuasive speaking. Presentation skills are also crucial in demonstrating products and services to clients.

• Mastering product knowledge and technical sales techniques. In tech sales, in-depth product knowledge is essential. Training should include understanding technical specifications and being able to explain them in a customer-friendly way. This also includes mastering technical sales techniques to engage and convince tech-savvy customers.

• Learning about SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) and cybersecurity sales. These are two significant areas in tech sales. The training should cover the following;

• Understanding the SaaS business model and subscription-based sales.
• Selling cloud-based solutions and value proposition of SaaS offerings.
• Cybersecurity sales strategies and addressing security concerns of potential customers.
• Compliance and regulatory considerations in tech sales, such as GDPR or CCPA.

• Utilizing LinkedIn and other platforms for job search and networking. Training should cover how to optimize LinkedIn profiles, network with industry professionals, and search for job opportunities. It should also include best practices for using other social media platforms for sales prospecting and personal branding.

• Leveraging mentorship opportunities and learning from sales leaders. Mentoring is invaluable in sales training. Trainees should have the opportunity to learn from experienced sales leaders who can share their insights and experiences. This could also involve attending talks, networking events, industry events, or workshops hosted by these leaders.

• Practicing sales skills through role-playing and real-world scenarios. Role-play scenarios and real-world sales situations can help trainees put their skills into practice. This includes simulated sales meetings, cold calling sessions, and handling tough customer objections.

This ideal curriculum provides a practical approach to tech sales training, equipping trainees with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in the industry. 

Possible Tech Sales Career Paths

A career in tech sales can be gratifying, offering numerous paths for advancement and specialization. 

For the most part, if you’re an aspiring tech sales professional, you’ll likely start in roles such as Sales Development Representative (SDR) or Business Development Representative (BDR), where your focus is on prospecting and qualifying leads. 

From there, you may move into an Account Executive (AE) role, where you work on closing deals. With more experience, you might advance to roles such as Account Manager, Sales Manager, Sales Director, or even Vice President of Sales.

In addition, there are opportunities for specialization within tech sales, such as becoming a Sales Engineer, combining technical knowledge with sales skills, or moving into enterprise sales, where you focus on selling to large corporate clients.

Average Salary Range for Tech Sales Professionals

Salaries in tech sales can vary widely based on the role, the company, and your experience. 

As a rough guide, an entry-level SDR might earn a base salary of $40,000 to $60,000 per year, while a seasoned AE might earn $60,000 to $100,000 base salary, plus commission. 

At the highest levels, a VP of Sales at a tech company could earn a base salary well into the six figures, plus bonuses and equity.

Advancing from entry-level positions to sales manager and leadership roles

The journey from an entry-level sales position to a leadership role involves gaining experience, consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets, and developing strong leadership skills. 

As you move up the ladder, you'll take on more responsibility, manage larger accounts or teams, and contribute to the strategic direction of the sales department or the entire company. 

Opportunities for growth and specialization within the tech sales industry

There's a wide range of opportunities for growth and specialization in tech sales. For instance, you may specialize in a particular type of technology, such as cybersecurity or cloud computing. Alternatively, you could focus on selling to a specific industry or type of customer.

💡Pro Tip → Want to learn sales tips that will help you grow your SaaS revenue, income, and attainment at breakneck speed ? Watch Chris Orlob on YouTube. 

Transitioning from other fields, such as software engineering, to tech sales

Transitioning from a field like software engineering to tech sales can be a natural progression. As a software engineer, you likely have a deep understanding of the technology you've been working with, which can be incredibly valuable in a sales role. You would need to develop your sales and communication skills, but your technical expertise could give you a significant edge. 

Importance of continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends

The tech industry is always evolving, so continuous learning is crucial for anyone in tech sales. This might involve attending industry conferences, taking additional training courses, reading industry news, or networking with other sales professionals. By staying updated with industry trends, you can ensure you're always able to provide the most relevant and valuable solutions to your customers.

Tech Sales Training Program FAQs

Are tech sales bootcamps worth it? Yes, here’s why. 

• Enhancing sales skills and knowledge.
• Gaining hands-on experience and practical sales techniques.
• Developing a strong foundation in sales fundamentals.
• Building confidence in sales interactions.
• Learning effective prospecting and cold calling strategies.
• Understanding the sales process and sales cycle.
• Mastering techniques for qualifying and closing deals.
• Improving customer success and building long-term relationships.

What Tech Sales Jobs Can I Get After My Bootcamp?

After completing a tech sales bootcamp, you’re qualified for a number of roles such as Sales Development Representative (SDR), Account Executives (AE), Account Manager, and Sales Engineer. 

How do I start off in tech sales?

Ideally, understanding the fundamental principles of sales is the first step to starting a career in tech sales. You can do this by studying on your own, taking a course, program, joining a bootcamp, or through a personal sales coach. 

Next, consider applying to the role of an SDR — this is an entry level position where your primary role is to generate leads and qualify prospects for your sales team. This will give you hands-on experience working with customers. 

How long does it take to become a tech sales rep?

The time it takes to become a tech sales rep can vary widely depending on your starting point. If you're new to both sales and tech, it might take several months to a year to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. This includes time spent learning independently, completing a tech sales training program, or gaining experience through an entry-level job.

If you already have a background in either sales or tech, the timeline might be shorter. For example, if you're an experienced salesperson moving into tech, you might spend a few weeks or months learning about the tech industry and specific products or services.

How can I pay for a technology sales bootcamp?

There are several ways to pay for a technology sales bootcamp:

• Upfront payment. This involves paying the entire cost of the bootcamp at the start. Some bootcamps might offer a discount for upfront payments.

• Installment plans. Many bootcamps offer installment plans, allowing you to spread the cost of the program over several months.

• Deferred payment or Income Share Agreements (ISAs). Some bootcamps offer deferred payment plans or ISAs, where you only pay after you've completed the program and landed a job.

• Scholarships and grants. Some bootcamps offer scholarships or grants to certain students, such as those from underrepresented groups in tech.

• Company sponsorship. If you're currently employed, your company might be willing to cover the cost of the bootcamp as part of their commitment to employee development.

Remember to research each option thoroughly to understand any potential fees, interest, or obligations.