How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling

How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling is hands down the best sales book I have ever read, and one I will return to again and again. Frank Bettger’s story is incredibly relatable, inspiring, and packed with timeless wisdom. His transformation from a struggling salesman to a top performer is not just a narrative of success but a practical guide for anyone looking to improve in sales—or in life. What I loved most about this book is how Bettger breaks down complex sales strategies into simple, actionable steps. He shares personal anecdotes, failures, and lessons that resonate deeply, making it feel as though you’re getting advice from a mentor rather than reading a textbook. The principles he shares—such as enthusiasm, setting goals, and developing a winning attitude—are not just theories but proven techniques that can be applied immediately. The writing is straightforward, engaging, and filled with insights that transcend sales. Bettger emphasizes the importance of building trust and relationships, which is crucial not only in sales but in every aspect of personal and professional life. His emphasis on genuine enthusiasm and integrity truly sets this book apart. I highly recommend How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling to anyone, whether you’re a seasoned salesperson or someone just starting out. It’s an easy read, filled with actionable wisdom that will leave a lasting impact. This is not just a book for your bookshelf—it’s one to revisit time and time again for renewed inspiration and guidance.

After feeling a little bit dissapointed on my performance and ready to quit my position I knew nowhere to look. I found this book and decided to give it a try; knowing nothing about the author but just going by the reviews. I'll tell you. I do not regret a thing about buying this book and I'm actually glad for doing so. I was ready to quit my sales position in my company and was going to enter a "customer service" position which obviously pays less than sales. I felt dissapointed by my performance and my numbers; I thought I knew the business. It was then when I picked up this book. Even though it was written a bit ago, it still reflects proper techniques and successful sales guides that anyone can easily follow. I didn't know that such a strong but often unimportant word "why" would matter so much. After using this word "why not sir..." I could really get customers to go to the real truth; and of course, I had answers that made 100% sense to those rejections. In a couple of weeks I was able to double my commissions and felt more confident about myself. I started enjoying my job more. I felt like my sales job was a game, and I was the leader on my team! Now if I really want I feel like I can get around any rejections and by just asking "why" you can make the sale. It works! Just ask, "WHY?" And you'll get to the point; eventually your customer will not be able to give you an answer strong enough to justify that "why" and will make the sale. Of course, it doesn't happen all the time, depending on your sales offer and your job and your customers. Anyways, so to keep my story short. If you think you're failing at your sales position please give this book a try. Study it, keep it next to your desk, in your pocket or briefcase. Refer to it any time you need it. Learn that enthusiasm is one of the main keys to selling, and learn to love the customer's property, learn to ask "why?" and to agree with the customer. Frank Brettger wrote this book using real life examples from his own experiences, and he shows you how to put them to use. Think again. If you think you've failed, purchase this book. With very little time and dedication, you'll see real results.

This is a book written in 1949, and so the wording, the amounts, and so on, are based in that era. But my dad was right when he bought this book, read it, and lived by it, and passed it along to me. It's an easy read, and as you read along in it, you see what skills a successful salesman needs (or, indeed, what anyone needs that wants to influence another.) Find out what the other person wants, and then help them find the best way to get it. Dale Carnegie wrote the introduction, and showed his enthusiasm about this book. This book urges one to be enthusiastic, and this book shows one how to be enthusiastic--enthusiasm can't be faked, and enthusiasm works and true enthusiasm helps lead to success. There are lots of other organizational and selling skills discussed in this book. Again, this book shows its years in the dollar amounts and some of the situations that are discussed, but this book keeps its continuing relevance in the wisdom that it conveys. Be honest, and listen, said Bettger. Listen to this review, it's honest, and read this book, and learn from it. You'll be glad to read it, as my dad and I were, and I've asked my sons to read it as well. I looked over the other reviews of this book and almost universally they were very laudatory. You will also be glad to read this book and to look at a lot of ways how you can be more successful and still stay true to an honest view of the world and how anyone can, by looking for what someone else needs, to help them get there, whether you are in sales or you think you are in any other occupation (hey, we all help meet someone's needs no matter what we do, even when we define and meet our own needs or our customer's/client's/friend's/love's/family's etc's needs.)

How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling is one of those books that doesn’t try to impress you — it just tries to help you. And honestly, that’s its greatest strength. Frank Bettger writes like a man who’s lived every mistake he warns you about, which makes his advice feel less like theory and more like a conversation with someone who’s been in the trenches. The stories are simple, sometimes almost quaint, but they carry a kind of old‑school wisdom that still works. Bettger’s emphasis on enthusiasm, honesty, and genuine human connection feels refreshing in a world obsessed with hacks and shortcuts. You won’t find flashy formulas here; you’ll find principles that actually build trust. It’s not perfect — some examples show their age, and a few sections wander — but the heart of the book is solid. Bettger reminds you that success in selling isn’t about being slick; it’s about showing up with sincerity, discipline, and a willingness to learn from your failures. A worthwhile read for anyone who wants to grow in confidence, sharpen their skills, or simply rediscover the human side of selling.

When I first saw this book, I thought to myself, "why would I buy a book that is so small compared to the others, and includes the word failure in its title"? Thankfully I purchased it anyway because it was one of the best books I've ever read. One that didn't even lull me to sleep since that's what happens when a book gets long winded. I was reading Tom Hopkins' book "How to be a successful salesman" and finished reading this book first! It's truly an amazing book because so much of the principles in it were written over 60 years ago, and it still can be applied today. I'm sure that many of those self help "gurus" such as Anthony Robbins or Robert Kyosaki (I think that's how you spell his last name) have read this book and basically plagiarized it's most important principles while calling it "there own ideas". It truly is one of the better books out there and believe me, there are plenty to choose from. Unfortunately, many of them are real losers but not this one. Mr. Bettger (pronounced bet-cher) uses some his own life experiences which is what makes this book such an easy read because he explains it with so much inspiration and enthusiasm. I guess it's because he uses some of the principles he learned from reading books by the REAL INSPIRATIONAL, if not the original gurus of self help, Napoleon Hill & Dale Carnegie. I tell you, when I started reading this book, I just couldn't put it down. It makes you want to do something right away just as soon as you finish reading it. For example, I've been meaning to loose a little weight (ok maybe alot) for some time, but I never got around to doing it. As they always say, something would always come up. If it wasn't one thing it was another. Well after reading this book, I would've ran to the gym and signed up except that it was about 12 in the morning. So I signed up the next day. I am proud to say that I have lost about 10-12 pounds so far and I'm feeling like a melting snowman. You see my friends, reading this book isn't just for people who are looking for a career in sales. It's a book that inspires anyone who is looking to do something with his life that should have been done ages ago! You just needed that little push and this book can help give you that push. So for anyone who feels his life is in a rut or needs to get a little inspired, or if you're a litte broke and don't have the $10.40 for this book because you just spent $25.00 on the last Anthony Robbins book,(man there's so many of his books) borrow it from someone! I urge you to get this book. As I said before it's an easy read and you can even read it to your children because since it was written 60 years ago, it contains no foul language. And you can "bet your life" on that!

I hope you don't think that I am making this up or exaggerating. This is from the heart. When I first read this book I was a pessimist. I disliked life and many of the people I met. My attitude left a lot to be desired and because of this it was hard for me to make friends. I was Eeyore, from Winnie-the-Pooh, personified. A metaphorical raincloud was always above my head. One thing I did have was a strong desire to be successful. So, when a friend gave me this book I was interested to read it and see what it had to say about being successful. I found the book easy to read, and the more I read the more interested I became. I couldn't put it down. I read the entire book in a single sitting. For some reason the book struck a cord with me. I bought into what the author, Frank Bettger, was saying. I decided to put what I read in the book to practice just to see if it would work. At first it was very difficult. But overtime I started to notice a change in myself. I became happier. I started to connect with people. I made new friends and contacts. My pessimistic attitude began to morph into an optimistic attitude. It wasn't long before I was a different person, a much better and happier person. Everyone I had known before could see the change. With the help of this book I literally changed a significant part of my personality. It has been almost 10 years since I first read this book and I still can't believe the difference it made. I can't even think where I would be had I not read this book. Now I try to give away as many copies as I can to people who I think could benefit from reading it. I hope you will take the time to read it. I hope that you will try to follow its advice. I hope that it will change your life. I know that it can, I experienced it first hand. Good Luck.

Old school read but if you're in sales this book is a must. Alot of the old school sales techniques this book talks about can still be applied to today's top salesmen and women. I changed some of my meeting techniques based on this material and it has been a game changer. If you're a young salesman and saleswoman, get this book and soak it up.

This book is timeless. And this book finally made the light go off in my mind several years back as to what sales truly is. There have been many other great works on the subject of sales I have read as well. But reading all these other books that came after only re-affirm what Bettger wrote here.

A nearly 100 years old book that still holds up to this day, most of the sales techniques you see today, but where they literally came from. A must read for anyone who ever faced a customer.

libro assolutamente fantastico. lo consiglio vivamente a tutti coloro che devono vendere.

Amazing book. Offer a lot of advice and learned alot. Will read it again soon to refresh myself as it was very powerful

This book really changed my career, where it's hard to survive, it's help me to write a success story

Buen libro para un principiante como yo. Sincero, práctico y positivo. Me ha gustado y lo recomendaré a los miembros de mi equipo.