10 Best Cold Calling Books of 2024: Key Techniques & Strategies

photo of six covers of cold calling books

Cold Calling is not dead! Despite what you might be hearing in some trending podcast or from your sales team, cold calling is more alive and more profitable today than ever before.

There are some thought leaders who disguise the term cold calling with ‘warm calling’. In short, they’re associating the use of high-quality business intelligence as warming a cold call.

But when the prospect picks up the phone and is greeted by someone who they’ve never heard from before, yet the caller knows quite a bit about them and the business, it’s still a cold call. And you want to know something? There’s nothing wrong with that.

Because with the integration of real-time intelligence, sales technology, and AI-optimized sales processes, cold calling is shortening the sales process in record time.

If you’re interested in accelerating sales cycles with cold outreach, you’re only one book way from experiencing exponential results!

Choose from one of our favorite ten books below. You won’t be disappointed. And while you’re waiting for Amazon to drop off your new book, be sure to read our free guide—Cold Calling: Everything a Salesperson Needs to Know.

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The 10 Best Books on Cold Calling

Authentic Cold Calling

If you’re like many of our telecommunications clients, you’re used to everything cold—cold calling, cold emailing, heck even cold stop-ins. Gregory Priola, a former salesperson who consistently lead the country in cold outreach referrals for one of the biggest telecom companies in the nation, shares all his secrets in his book, Authentic Cold Calling.

This book was written with high-performing sales teams in mind. Greg jam-packs readily applicable best practices in only 34 pages. If you’re like us, you’ll finish it one or two seatings over the weekend, ready to hit the phones with renewed excitement Monday afternoon!

In this book, you’ll gain access to a process for building a quality and formatted lead list, a mindset for managing yourself emotionally after hangups, and a surprising list of the best times and days to call prospects.

Get your copy of Authentic Cold Calling here

book cover for authentic cold calling

Smart Calling

If you’re looking for a book that has been celebrated and updated over the years to keep up with the times, one that especially focuses on overcoming call reluctance, then Art Sobczak’s book is for you!

Fear and rejection are common feelings felt by cold callers, especially entry level sales development representatives. As all salespeople know, the next “Yes!” can help overcome any and all reluctance to make more sales calls, and Art Sobczak has one of the most renowned formulas for this path to success.

This book shares a quickly adaptable list of foundational concepts, messaging, and methods that will accelerate your path to longer phone calls, more converted leads, and most importantly—a boost in your confidence.

Want more? When you open this book you are also given free access to Art’s online Smart Calling companion course. This is coupled with a helpful list of tech resources that aid in successful cold calling techniques.

Get your copy of Smart Calling here

book cover for smart calling

The Secrets to Cold Call Success

Time is of the essence. If you’re looking to improve your outbound performance in record time, reaching your quarterly and annual goals with confidence, then this is the book for you.

Meet the Cold Call Coach—Paul M. Neuberger!

He wrote this book to help any and all salespeople wanting to accelerate sales with the right cold calling techniques. Need proof? Paul has helped salespeople in over 100 industries execute a strategic-first approach to outbound while quickly crafting a cold call script that sounds natural and captivating.

And if your sales team needs more convincing that Paul’s secrets will work, he averages a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Amazon, and his raving fans even upload smiling photos with paragraphs-long glowing reviews.

Get your copy of The Secret to Cold Call Success here

book cover for the secrets to cold call success

Cold Calling Techniques (That Really Work!)

Similar to the previous book authors, Stephen Schiffman is on his 7th edition of his popular ‘Cold Calling Techniques’ book.

Known by many as ‘America’s #1 corporate sales trainer’, Schiffman has helped millions of salespeople like yourself close more deals confidently with cold dialing.

Don’t tell Stephen that cold calling is dead. Not only does he double-down and prove why it is still critical for a fluid sales cycle, he shares how it has evolved and what you need to do to stay ahead of the changing overcommunication environment your buyers find themselves in today.

You’ll also discover how to best integrate outbound dials with email and LinkedIn, and how to improve your response rates after leaving voicemails (another commonly feared channel).

Get your copy of Cold Calling Techniques here

book cover for cold calling techniques

Cold Calling is for Chickens

Wait, what? This, and the last recommended book, have by far the most captivating titles across the cold calling bookshelf.

Don’t be fooled! The author, Bob Etherington, has been training salespeople worldwide for over 40 years.

Bob’s aware that the three biggest reasons why cold calling fails today is a complex process, a poorly trained sales force, and ignored emotional training.

So what’s his message embedded in the reference to chickens? That simplifying the preparation and approach to cold outbound resolves the aforementioned reasons for failure every single time.

If you’re like our team, you’ll sit back and wonder why you ever feared cold dials after reading this worthwhile 160 pager.

Get your copy of Cold Calling is for Chickens here.

book cover for cold calling for chickens

Oh F*ck Off - The Art of Cold Calling

Now here’s an eye-opening book title! While some may find it offensive, it doesn’t cower from an all too common response to cold calls by prospective customers—vulgarity.

Coupled with a lack of interest, confrontational prospects can quickly drain any confidence an SDR or Account Executive has on the telephone.

Thankfully for you and I, Mark White chose to write a hard-to-put-down cold calling book on how to foster the strongest sales mindset—not just for overcoming confrontational customers, but actually preventing vulgar and hostile responses in the first place.

Speaking with some of my clients, this 90 minute read is a popular handout to newly hired inside sales reps. It rapidly gives them the best approach to making 100 dials a day, and it offers dozens of case studies that help salespeople prevent bad calls by acting as a positive influence over the phone.

And there’s quite a bit of humor, too, and we all could use some laughs today.

Get your copy of Oh F*uck Off here.

book cover for oh f*ck off

Fanatical Prospecting

Let’s dive into “Fanatical Prospecting” by Jeb Blount, your go-to manual if you’re navigating the sales world. Jeb unpacks the art of prospecting with a blend of real-world wisdom and actionable strategies, turning what many see as a challenge into a thrilling journey.

With his innovative methods, including the standout 30-Day Rule and a unique voicemail strategy, Jeb hands you the keys to not just filling your pipeline but keeping it bustling with opportunities. 

This isn’t your average sales book; it’s a masterclass in engaging prospects effectively across various channels, making sure sales slumps are a thing of the past. Praised by sales mavens and newbies alike, Jeb’s work is likened to the “Harry Potter of sales books” – essential reading for those ready to turbocharge their sales skills and witness substantial growth.

Get your copy of Fanatical Prospecting here.

book cover for fanatical prospecting by jeb blount

Outbound Sales, No Fluff

“Outbound Sales, No Fluff” by Rex Biberston and Ryan Reisert is the espresso shot of sales books – quick, potent, and exactly what you need if you’re pressed for time but thirsty for knowledge.

In under an hour, it promises to arm sales professionals and teams with straightforward, actionable strategies, focusing on what you can control in sales – from cold calling techniques to lead management. It’s light on anecdotes but heavy on concepts, making it a smart pick for those looking to cut through the clutter and get straight to the point.

Readers rave about its direct impact, highlighting how it delivers old-school sales wisdom adapted for today’s market and sales technology. Whether you’re a seasoned outside sales rep looking for a refresher on cold calling or a newcomer eager to make your mark, “Outbound Sales, No Fluff” offers valuable lessons compacted into a brief, impactful read.

Get your copy of Outbound Sales, No Fluff here.

book cover of outbound sales, no fluff

Cold Calling for Cowards

“Cold Calling for Cowards” by Jerry Hocutt is a game-changer for anyone who dreads the thought of cold calling. Hocutt, with a blend of personal success stories and insights from over 150,000 sales professionals, turns the daunting task into a series of manageable, effective techniques (ie. you need this book!).

This book promises not just to equip you with strategies for making successful cold calls but to transform your view on rejection, turning it into a doorway for opportunities and sales. It’s a perfect read for those looking to overcome the fear associated with cold dialing and for seasoned salespeople seeking innovative ways to improve their success rates.

With methods that are both simple and impactful, Hocutt’s guide is an essential tool for anyone in sales looking to boost their numbers and confidence. The book’