Read Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. First you'll have to learn to compel customers to talk with you, then it's all about becoming comfortable with rejection, and grinding out the numbers game.
Added to the reading list! I don't love it when media takes a Machiavellian approach to human interactions and that's the initial impression I got when I looked at the blurb for book, but I should and will give this a chance and absorb the content before passing judgement. I appreciate the recommendation, thank you!
Influence is presented as a kind defense-against-the-dark-arts, but can definitely be used in reverse to inform approaches to sales.