6 Insider Tips to Ace HubSpot‘s Inbound Sales Certification in 2023
In the age of information abundance, buyers are more in control than ever. Studies show that modern B2B buyers are already 57% through the purchase decision before contacting sales. They expect salespeople to act as trusted advisors and tailor their approach to the buyer‘s unique needs.
This shift in buyer behavior has fueled the rise of inbound selling. Rather than pushing products, inbound salespeople attract buyers with helpful information and engage them with a personalized, consultative sales process. According to HubSpot‘s 2022 Sales Strategy Report, salespeople who use an inbound approach have a 28% higher win rate on forecasted deals.
One of the best ways to learn inbound sales is through HubSpot‘s free Inbound Sales Certification course. Launched in 2016, the program has become a gold standard for inbound sales education. Over 50,000 professionals across 150 countries have earned the credential so far.
By getting Inbound Sales Certified, you can master the key principles of inbound selling, like how to:
- Identify and engage active buyers
- Uncover buyer challenges and goals
- Deliver personalized presentations
- Manage objections and close deals
Earning the certification also helps you stand out to employers and clients as an inbound sales expert. In fact, 73% of hiring managers say they‘re more likely to hire a candidate with a HubSpot certification.
Ready to join the ranks of inbound selling pros? Follow these 6 insider tips to successfully complete HubSpot‘s Inbound Sales Training and ace the certification exam.
Tip 1: Treat the training like a course you paid for
Just because HubSpot‘s Inbound Sales Training is free doesn‘t mean you should breeze through it haphazardly. To get the most out of the program, approach it with the same commitment you‘d give to a paid course or college class.
That means setting aside dedicated time for learning. Block off at least 30-60 minutes a day on your calendar to watch the training videos distraction-free. Consistency is key; even half an hour daily will get you through the 5 classes in about a week.
It also means taking quality notes. Don‘t just passively absorb the content; actively summarize key points and capture your questions and reflections. This helps you engage with the material and retain it better. In fact, research shows that students who take high-quality notes score higher on exams.
Finally, treat the training as a chance to genuinely upgrade your skills, not just check a box. Reflect on how you can apply the inbound principles to your own sales conversations. Role-play with a colleague or try out a new technique on your next call. The more you put the knowledge into practice, the more it will stick.
Tip 2: Speed up your learning with video controls
Between busy schedules and shortening attention spans, many of us struggle to find time for learning. Luckily, HubSpot‘s video lessons come with speed controls that let you learn at your own pace.
If you‘re a quick study or already familiar with some of the concepts, try playing the videos at 1.25x or 1.5x speed. Just a modest 25% increase in pace could shave nearly an hour off the total viewing time. Alternatively, slowing down can help you grasp complex topics you want to spend more time on.
HubSpot also lets you rewind or replay sections with a single click. This is handy if you drift off or want to review an important point. Studies suggest that rewatching parts of educational videos enhances learning.
Of course, it‘s still important to focus and not let your mind wander too much at high speed. Take breaks if you feel yourself losing concentration. And avoid the temptation to crank the dial to 2x, or you might miss key details!
Tip 3: Reinforce your learning with lesson resources
Watching the training videos is a solid start, but truly mastering the material takes reinforcement. Luckily, HubSpot provides several free resources to support your learning:
- Slides: Download the slide decks to review key concepts or visualizations on your own time
- Transcripts: Read along with the videos or scan the text for important points
- Quizzes: Take the short quiz after each lesson to test your knowledge and retention
- Study guide: Review this high-level summary of the content to prepare for the exam
Make a habit of downloading these materials after each lesson and spending a few extra minutes reviewing them. Studies show that revisiting learning content over spaced intervals promotes long-term memory.
These resources will also come in handy during the exam, which is open-book. Having the slides and study guide at your fingertips means you can quickly search for answers without relying purely on recall.
Tip 4: Test your knowledge with the practice exam
When it comes to acing the Inbound Sales Certification exam, practice makes perfect. Before attempting the real test, complete the 60-question practice exam to assess your readiness.
The practice questions closely mirror what you‘ll see on the actual exam in terms of format and difficulty. You‘ll get an overall score as well as a breakdown by topic so you know which areas need more review.
Aim to score at least 80% on the practice exam before moving on to the real thing. If you don‘t hit that mark on the first attempt, don‘t worry. Go back and re-read the study guide or rewatch the relevant lesson videos. Then take the practice exam again to check your progress.
Remember, you have 3 attempts to pass the real exam each month, so it‘s better to be overprepared than risk a failing grade. With diligent practice and review, you‘ll be ready to crush the test on the first try.
Tip 5: Strategize your exam-taking approach
When exam day arrives, it‘s natural to feel some nerves. But with the right strategies, you can stay calm, focused, and set yourself up for success:
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Optimize your environment: Find a quiet space with a good internet connection where you won‘t be interrupted. Turn off phone notifications, close browser tabs, and gather any supplies you need (water, snacks, notes).
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Read carefully: Read each question thoroughly to make sure you grasp what it‘s asking. Look out for tricky wording like "not" or "except." If you‘re stuck, try eliminating obviously wrong answers first.
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Flag and skip: Don‘t get hung up on a single tough question. Flag it, make your best guess, and move on. It‘s better to finish the whole test and come back to tricky parts than to run out of time. HubSpot‘s exam platform makes flagging easy.
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Search strategically: The exam is open-book, so use your resources wisely. Do a quick search of the study guide or slides if you‘re unsure of an answer. But don‘t spend too long flipping through notes and second-guessing yourself. Trust your gut if a question seems familiar.
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Pace yourself: Keep an eye on the clock to make sure you‘re on track to finish within the 120-minute time limit. On average, spend no more than 2 minutes per question. If you have time at the end, review your answers carefully.
With these test-taking tips, you‘ll be poised to perform your best and cruise through the exam with a passing grade. Once you hit submit, all that‘s left is to celebrate your shiny new Inbound Sales Certification!
Tip 6: Continue your inbound learning journey
Becoming Inbound Sales Certified is a major milestone, but in many ways it‘s just the beginning. To stay sharp in today‘s fast-paced sales landscape, it‘s vital to be a lifelong learner.
Luckily, HubSpot offers a variety of resources to help you continue honing your inbound sales skills:
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HubSpot Academy: Take your knowledge to the next level with more advanced certifications like the Sales Management Certification or Sales Enablement Certification. The Academy also offers dozens of bit-sized lessons for quick skill-building.
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HubSpot Sales Blog: Stay on top of the latest sales trends, tips, and strategies. The blog publishes fresh expert content every week on topics like sales process, sales technology, and virtual selling.
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Inbound Sales Day: Attend HubSpot‘s annual virtual event to learn from top sales speakers and trainers. The one-day conference covers the cutting edge of inbound sales with inspirational keynotes and actionable breakout sessions.
To connect with other inbound-minded sellers, join the HubSpot Sales Forum, Modern Sales Pros community, or #salestribe conversation on Twitter. You‘ll find a welcoming space to ask questions, swap tips, and geek out about all things sales.
By dedicating yourself to continuous learning, you‘ll stay ahead of the sales curve and excel as a trusted advisor to your buyers. As Zig Ziglar said, "The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity." Keep sharpening your inbound sales saw and success will surely follow.
Go Forth and Sell Inbound
There‘s never been a better – or more crucial – time to master inbound selling. Gartner predicts that 80% of B2B sales interactions will happen digitally by 2025, which means inbound will soon be the norm. By getting certified, you‘ll be uniquely equipped to thrive in this buyer-first world.
So take these insider tips and put them into practice as you work through HubSpot‘s Inbound Sales Training. Schedule your learning sessions, speed up those videos, and soak up the lesson resources. Practice diligently for the exam and go in with a solid test-taking strategy. And once you earn your badge, pay it forward by teaching others and continuing to learn.
With the right approach and dedication, you‘ll soon be looking back on your certification journey with pride. Who knows, maybe one day you‘ll be the inbound sales pro sharing wisdom and inspiring the next generation of HubSpot graduates.
To get started, enroll in HubSpot‘s Inbound Sales Certification course and begin watching the first class. Your inbound seller transformation awaits!
