23 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually start by checking CRM tasks in HubSpot and your calendar in Google Workspace, then follow up on leads by phone and email. Expect to spend 40–60% of the day on calls and demos, 20–30% on paperwork like sales reports and expense reports, and the rest on research or meetings.
You’ll also update Microsoft Excel or QuickBooks with quotes, delivery schedules, and customer credit info, arrange installations or testing, and sometimes visit local accounts or industry trade shows.
Start with HubSpot because that’s where leads, call logs, and follow-ups live; learn how to create deals, set tasks, and track pipelines. Next, learn Microsoft Excel for quotes, cost computations, and sales reporting—focus on formulas, filters, and pivot tables.
QuickBooks or Intuit comes third if you handle invoices or expense reports. Basic Google Workspace skills (Gmail, Calendar, Docs) and Microsoft Office for presentations are also required.
Yes, AI can draft pitch emails, propose negotiation points, and model cost savings, but always verify facts. Cross-check AI outputs against Excel calculations, product specs, and your company’s price lists before sending.
Don’t share customer credit data or proprietary pricing with public AI services. Keep sensitive info in HubSpot and company tools, and follow your employer’s data rules.
Expect a mix: many roles require 30–60% outgoing calls (cold outreach) and 40–70% following up on inbound leads or existing accounts. The exact split depends on whether you sell wholesale, manufacturer products, or handle assigned territories.
Regardless, you’ll need to log every interaction in HubSpot, update delivery schedules, and follow up after sales to arrange installation or confirm warranties.
Take a basic sales course covering negotiation, quoting, and CRM use—many online platforms offer HubSpot Academy free certifications. Study Excel (formulas, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables) and basic QuickBooks for expense reporting.
Also learn the product: read technical data sheets, attend manufacturer training, and practice demos. Showing you can explain product features, compute customer installation costs, and present ROI numbers helps a lot.
Inside sales works from an office or remotely, handling calls, demos, paperwork, and arranging installations; you mainly use HubSpot, Excel, and phone/video tools. Outside sales spends more time visiting clients, inspecting sites, and doing face-to-face negotiations.
Both may close large-quantity trades, but outside reps often verify delivery schedules and materials in person. Inside reps must be strong at remote demos, quoting prices and credit terms, and coordinating installations with technicians.
Follow-through. The best reps move deals by consistently logging actions in HubSpot, updating Excel with accurate quotes and delivery dates, and following up after demos and installations.
That includes checking customer credit ratings, verifying materials lists, and closing paperwork like sales and expense reports. Reliable follow-through wins repeat business and referrals.