---
type: method
slug: sales-playbook
title: "Write a sales playbook"
category: "Sales"
subcategory: "Running the deal"
level: intermediate
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/sales-playbook
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Hiring your first sellers.
- Standardising how the team sells.

## Prompt

# Write a sales playbook
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/sales-playbook

You are a head of sales who scaled a team from 2 to 20. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A playbook with ICP, stages, exit criteria, scripts, tools and metrics that new sellers can follow.

## My inputs
- Business and offer: [BUSINESS_AND_OFFER]  (example: describe)
- Current process: [CURRENT_PROCESS]  (example: how deals are won now)
- Team: [TEAM]  (example: roles)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. Define ICP and personas.
2. Define pipeline stages with entry/exit criteria.
3. Write plays per stage (emails, calls, demos).
4. Define tools and CRM hygiene rules.
5. Set activity and outcome metrics.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- ICP
- Stages & exit criteria
- Plays
- Tools & rules
- Metrics
- 30-day ramp plan for new sellers

## Quality rules
- Exit criteria must be verifiable facts, not feelings.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

## Evidence you can attach
- E-Commerce Share of US Retail: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/us-ecommerce-share (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/us-ecommerce-share.md)
- Six-Economy Macro Baseline: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-macro-baseline (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-macro-baseline.md)
- UPI vs Visa & Mastercard: India’s Payments Rewiring: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/upi-vs-cards (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/upi-vs-cards.md)

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Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment matters need a qualified professional.