Ask HN: Would you sign up for a sales bootcamp? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Would you sign up for a sales bootcamp?

4 pointsfapi19745 comments

I have in mind an 8-10 week program that would turn you into a sales superstar. Content would include:

- Crafting the story for any product - Creating the pitch deck - Learning how to sell multiple different product types (SaaS, Packaged Goods, Yourself) - Presenting in various formats (1-1, in person, to a group, phone, screenshare, Skype, etc.) - Negotiations - Prospecting - Creating a team of virtual assistants to drive inbound sales (which you would take with you from the course) - Outside Sales - Social selling skills - content creation, use of Linkedin, Slideshare etc.

Also - I'm curious what other things people would like to see in such a program. The intent is that any Tech, Finance, or Fortune 500 would hire graduates from this program into a mid-level sales role, or that any technical founder could effectively drive the business side of their startup.

View on HN

I don't have any interest in being a salesman (working for someone else). As someone in the very early stages of trying to start my own business (technical founder), this type of thing sounds interesting, but 8-10 weeks of a full immersion program is just too much. Even if I had the time and the money to attend a rigorous 2 month bootcamp, I have a hard time believing that would be a good use of my time. Something more tailored to a part time schedule would be more interesting to me, and even then it would be a tough sell.

But if you do decide to push ahead with it, good luck. I do think there's probably room for this type of thing targeted to sales people if you can deliver the goods. I've only known a few people in sales, but it truly is a wonderful sight to see a pro work his magic.

8-10 weeks sounds like a very long time for basic sales training, whilst companies hiring mid-level candidates will tend to favour a track record of closing business over a sustained period of time (showing qualities of consistency and resilience that can't be taught) over successful passing of theory tests.

That said, there's a huge sales training market out there, I just think there's a good reason most courses are aimed to be short bursts at different stages of a salesperson's career.

Sales training is already a pretty crowded, competitive space. What's your Secret Sauce? http://www.sellingpower.com/2013/sales-training-companies/to...

It's unlikely I would hire program graduates, without a proven sales track record. But if the program content is solid, I might sponsor my people for additional/on-going training.

Have you heard of Tradecraft? You might consider reaching out to alumni of the program, and asking them about their experience. You could get insights on how those students found out about Tradecraft to help you sell your bootcamp.

http://tradecrafted.com/

Personally I think there is room for training in the way you describe it. I do not think I am very good at sales, so I've looked into a lot of programs to get better. But none touch on all the pieces you mentioned in your post.

Is there a big market? Not sure - would I be interested - yes.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com