Where do you find good offline salespeople?

[TimP]

I am looking to expand my business, and I wanted to get some tips from fellow warrior forum members about find salespeople.

My service is mainly geared towards small to medium size financial institutions, although any business that does online payment processing is a potential client. I know that many of these businesses are more used to working with real-life salespeople, so I am trying to expand my sales force and not rely as much on internet marketing.

I am looking for salespeople to promote my service to interested businesses, and I am paying a monthly recurring commission (the salesperson will earn a commission every month as long as the business they referred remains a client).

If anyone has any experience finding good salespeople, please let me know.

[Jason Stepp]

Tim,

Have you considered posting an ad in the Craigslist employment section?

What about posting an ad in your local newspaper?

[AndrewCavanagh]

Generally speaking hardcore sales people are more motivated by a BIG upfront comission rather than ongoing commissions.

Also if you want to have a stable business you really want to consider having that one on one contact with business owners yourself.

And remember if your service is based around internet marketing your best sales people won't be able to explain it too well.

There is a simple solution.

Find sales people who are already calling on businesses and offer them a substantial referral commission.

You'll pay them simply for telling the business owner "I know a guy who helps businesses make good sales and profits using the internet. He's a friend of mine and I might be able to talk him into giving you one of his $500 consultations free."


They set up the consult, if it converts into a paying client they get paid a commission.

They don't need any special skill and you get face to face with a steady stream of new prospects.

There are many, many sales people calling on businesses who'd be thrilled to do this for you to make themselves an extra income.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

[TimP]

Thanks for the responses.

I would prefer not to use the local paper, as I don't want to provide competition for the local people I am already working with.

I haven't used craigslist before, but I will take a look, and see how it fits my business.

Andrew, you mentioned finding salespeople who are already calling on businesses. That is exactly what I am hoping to do, but I am not sure where to go to find them. Any suggestions?

[LMC]

I hired 10 college students to pitch the local college business's on some business packages. It was good, because college towns like to help students, so I had the students pitch the package.

Paid them $500 per package sold. Charged $1,500. Paid them $25 for every hour appointment they set up.

Sold 60 packages in 2007.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I also have "stolen" sales people. Usually done meeting people in the business and marketing section in Barnes and Nobles/Borders.

I agree with large upfront commission. As stated above.



Put an ad in a university paper, got 30 inquires, and spoke to each on the phone.

Paid $15 per hour

[tryinhere]

To find a high end sales person like that, you will not find them they will find you. So maybe borrow a good copywriter from here to write up a small ad as to what you are looking for, and or just ask quietly around in your business circle and let them know your looking for a top end sales person.

You would save the payment details until the interview, you would be looking for age in a sense / experience, and also past records of high sales volumes, and as mentioned if you package is set properly they will pick you.

I would agree a higher front end will be more attractive, but the recurring is also important.

The same as high end people work here in many ways, also everyone can tell you they are a good sales person, this is so far from the truth its not funny, a lot of people think they are good. In many ways as a good copywriter ads words to paper a good sales person ads words to the sale.

Always insist on a trial period as any good sales person will not have a problem with that.

edit I would also add a very good performance bonus

[nitin22]

GO to your local community college and place a job ad over there. Talk to their job counsellor. She will be typically very helpful. At times you get excellent experienced candidates at community college.