Comprehensive Review: Matt Ryder, 7th Level & NEPQ™ Sales Training

Whether you are an individual sales representative aiming for a high six-figure income or a B2B sales leader looking to scale your team, 7th Level (co-founded with Chairman Jeremy Miner and led by CEO Matt Ryder) offers one of the most prominent modern sales training methodologies: Neuro-Emotional Persuasion Questions (NEPQ™).

This complete guide breaks down Matt Ryder's background, the core methodology, what the live coaching calls offer, and whether this investment makes sense for your sales career.

Who Is Matt Ryder?

Matt Ryder is an ex-special forces operator turned high-ticket sales professional, CEO of Sales Sniper Consulting, and CEO of 7th Level Communications.

• Background: Transitioning from military operations into commission-only sales, Matt earned seven figures in direct sales commissions before moving into sales management and enterprise consulting.

• Role at 7th Level: While Jeremy Miner developed the foundational NEPQ™ methodology, Matt Ryder drives the operational application, enterprise implementation, live call breakdowns, and tactical execution across B2B and high-ticket B2C spaces.

• Podcast: Co-host of the "Closers are Losers" podcast, focusing on behavioral economics, persuasive psychology, and modern closing frameworks.

Core Philosophy: What Is NEPQ™?

The core premise of 7th Level’s curriculum is that traditional sales techniques—pitching features, high-pressure closing, overcome-the-objection tactics—trigger prospect resistance.

NEPQ™ (Neuro-Emotional Persuasion Questions) shifts the dynamic from pushing products to guiding self-persuasion through targeted behavioral questioning.

Traditional Selling (High Resistance)
[ Pitch Product ] ──> [ Pitch Benefits ] ──> [ Overcome Objections ] ──> [ High Pressure Close ]

NEPQ™ Methodology (Low Resistance)
[ Connect & Disarm ] ──> [ Identify Situation ] ──> [ Surface Problem & Consequence ] ──> [ Prospect Closes Themselves ]

The 6 Core Phases of NEPQ™

1. Connecting Questions: Disarm defensiveness and establish authority without sounding like a typical "pitchy" salesperson.

2. Situation Questions: Uncover the prospect’s current reality and establish a baseline.

3. Problem Awareness Questions: Help the prospect realize that their current situation is problematic or costing them money.

4. Solution Awareness Questions: Guide the prospect to visualize what a solution looks like on their own terms.

5. Consequence Questions: Highlight the friction and costs of inaction ("What happens if you don't change this over the next 12 months?").

6. Commitment Questions: Lead the prospect to ask for the next step or solution, shifting the dynamic so they pitch you.

Course Structure & What's Included

7th Level offers tiered programs depending on your experience level and business needs:

Tier / Component	Best For	Key Deliverables
NEPQ™ Academy (Base)	Solo Reps, SDRs, AEs	On-demand video library covering scripts, tonality, frameworks, and objection handling.
Advanced Coaching / Live Call Access	High-Ticket Closers & Agency Owners	Access to weekly live teardowns, script customization workshops, and live call review sessions.
Enterprise B2B Training	Sales Teams & Founders	Customized corporate pipelines, management dashboards, and direct consultation with 7th Level trainers.

The Live Calls: What Happens Inside?

The live training sessions led by Matt Ryder and senior 7th Level coaches form the core value driver of the upper-tier memberships.

Key Features of the Live Sessions

1. Real-Call Teardowns: Members submit recorded sales calls (Zoom or phone recordings). Matt Ryder and the coaching team analyze the audio second-by-second, pinpointing exact moments where tonality shifted, frame control was lost, or a question fell flat.

2. Tonality & Cadence Drills: NEPQ™ relies heavily on neutral, curious, and empathetic tonality. Live calls offer real-time feedback on how to sound less like a salesperson and more like an unbiased consultant.

3. Custom Script Building: Reps can bring niche-specific objections (e.g., "I need to speak to my spouse," "We already have a vendor," "Send me an email") to construct tailored NEPQ™ questioning paths live.

4. Live Q&A: Direct troubleshooting for active deals in your pipeline.

Key Takeaways: Pros & Potential Cons

Pros

• Moves Away from Sleazy Tactics: Replaces outdated "always be closing" techniques with psychological principles that lower buyer defense.

• High Focus on Execution: Live call audits ensure you don't just consume course theory, but actively refine your real-world delivery.

• Applicable Across Industries: Works well in B2B SaaS, enterprise consulting, high-ticket coaching, real estate, and direct sales.

Cons

• Steep Learning Curve: NEPQ™ requires unlearning habits. If you are used to pitching fast, adjusting to asking strategic questions requires practice.

• Higher Price Point: Live coaching tiers require a meaningful financial commitment compared to standard off-the-shelf ebooks or basic courses.

Verdict: Is It Worth It?

If you struggle with prospect ghosting, handling price objections, or high-pressure situations, Matt Ryder and 7th Level’s NEPQ™ training provides a repeatable, battle-tested framework. The live calls serve as the engine that bridges the gap between understanding sales theory and executing it under pressure.