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Thoughts of hiring 100% commission sales reps in other markets (COMPLETELY OFFLINE)

by Jeremy James
10 replies
Hey guys,

I have a particular product that I want to sell/promote in other areas. Actually, I have a few.

This is a completely non-internet related product. I want to sit here, in SE Alabama, and sell this product in ThatBigTown, AnyState without having to go/call/visit. One of these products is made by a family member, and I make another one.

The one that I make is a marketing product. I have tried Craigslist, but, no avail there.

Any thoughts?

Jeremy
#100% #commission #completely #hiring #markets #offline #reps #sales #thoughts
  • Profile picture of the author David Miller
    I just love posts like this.

    Thoughts about what? The fact that you want to hire sales people? The fact that you provided no information whatsoever about your product? Or the fact that you've had no luck on Craigslist?

    Perhaps you're just another person who thinks you've invented a better mousetrap and sales people should be lining up to sell it for you.

    Just what is it you want thoughts on sir?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy James
    Sorry, I have been working on various projects today, including packing.

    For instance, I have a completely offline marketing service that I want to provide somewhere else, but, don't want to go there. I can do all of the work. For instance, this would relate to someone's idea of hiring reps 500 miles away to call on local businesses just to design websites.

    Or, pizza cards.

    I want to be in that market, want to provide services in that market, but, am 500 or 1000 or 2000 miles away.

    Also, I have a physical product - an arts/craft product that I think would be a good hit for local schools, and I want to get into other markets, because it's already doing here. We just produce them, but, want to go from 3 customers (who are already doing us pretty well) to 30 or 300 customers.

    Just looking for ways to make that happen.

    Jeremy
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    • Profile picture of the author David Miller
      Basically you're asking "how do I hire a salesperson?" and you want to keep what you do close to the vest so as to prevent anyone from stealing your idea.

      No problem there, it's your perogative to do so. After seeing so many posts similar to this in the past, I've resigned myself to ignore them because inevitabley they tend to dinegrate sales people. Many people seem to believe that all sales people have a pavlovian response to the word "commission" and forget that the product you have to market is typically the least important part of the puzzle.

      Having said that, what is it that you are bringing to the dance? Why would a sales person want to sell your product from a distance of 500 miles? What's you're business background? Do you have a record of success? Do you have a method of generating leads?

      Are you aware that prospecting and sales are two different things and a sales person that can do both is the most valuable "temporary" asset you will ever have?

      I noticed you mentioned web design. Were you just saying that as an example, or is that what you plan to sell from a distance? If it is, or if it's something remotely close, unless your sites warrant a price tag in the 7-10k range, it can all be outsourced without the aggravation of a sales manager.

      I know I sound somewhat hostile, but I've grown tired of posts requesting information or help about how to find sales people. The fact of the matter is that if you have something that is truly marketable, you need to go out and network, introduce yourself in circles where marketing people can be found.

      If you're very fortunate, you may develop a relationship with some quality sales people. Talented sales people rarely look for something to sell, that's why you have no luck with Craigslist.
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      The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.
      -- FRANK SINATRA, quoted in The Way You Wear Your Hat
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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Edited.

        You've gotten some excellent advice here. Hope it helps you.
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        "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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    • Profile picture of the author MaxwellB
      Originally Posted by Jeremy James View Post

      Sorry, I have been working on various projects today, including packing.

      For instance, I have a completely offline marketing service that I want to provide somewhere else, but, don't want to go there. I can do all of the work. For instance, this would relate to someone's idea of hiring reps 500 miles away to call on local businesses just to design websites.

      Or, pizza cards.

      I want to be in that market, want to provide services in that market, but, am 500 or 1000 or 2000 miles away.

      Also, I have a physical product - an arts/craft product that I think would be a good hit for local schools, and I want to get into other markets, because it's already doing here. We just produce them, but, want to go from 3 customers (who are already doing us pretty well) to 30 or 300 customers.

      Just looking for ways to make that happen.

      Jeremy
      So you have 3 customers....are there only 3 prospects within 10-20 miles? In other words do you really live in an area where there are only 3 schools around for miles and miles?

      What I'm getting at is you need to do more selling of the product yourselves because if you havn't perfected how your products sales process goes you can't expect a sales rep getting paid no salary to figure that out for you.

      Also you may not even have enough margin for a sales rep. How much do you sell the "product" for? What's your profit margin? How much do YOU think a sales rep is worth? What percent of revenue?
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  • Profile picture of the author MonteMichaels
    David it's not even commission that scares most salespeople off. It's small startups businesses that have no real structure and most likely no future. We can sense that as soon as we talk to a potential employer. Just because you have an opportunity to make money that makes sense to you doesn't mean that it makes sense for us to sell it. We need to know that there is support back at the home office for us if we need it.

    The next best thing I have seen all over the offline section is those that think that they will become rich and throw the salesperson a few peanuts for their trouble. The best employers know that if they are going to pay commission that they at least have to give them a sizable chunk of the pie. I cant believe how many times I have seen someone think that they should be able to charge a grand a month and give the salesperson a lousy ten percent. What incentive do I have to go work for you when there are hundreds of similar employers who are going to give me 30 to 40 percent.

    People here need to understand that salespeople will jump ship as fast as they come in. If they think they are getting a raw deal, then they are done. It's as simple as that.

    That is how I found out about the warrior forum. I got hired by a guy like many here and was trying to figure out how to sell it because he left me with no materials whatsoever. I was supposed to figure out by myself what was going on using his website and Google. He was only giving me 15 percent of a $1500 deal once. No reoccurring or anything. I was told that it would be so easy to sell that I should be making at least a couple a day.

    It was part time work so I figured I would try it out. And if I didn't make a sale in a few days I was out. It didn't take me long in my research to find this forum and learn to do much of it myself. Never made a single call for the other guy.

    People like that annoy me. They have this idea that they are the big deal, and those salespeople are so easily replaceable. In reality it is the other way around. You need us more than we need you, especially if we can figure out how to do the work ourselves.

    Sorry for the rant, but I was thinking some of the same things that David was while I was reading the OP.
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  • Profile picture of the author mojo1
    @MonteMichaels

    I had just logged out when reading your response above but couldn't log back in fast enought to tell you how spot on you are. The thanks button didn't work for me but in my best southern voice...I show wanna thank you for tellin tha truth.
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    • Profile picture of the author MonteMichaels
      Originally Posted by mojo1 View Post

      @MonteMichaels

      I had just logged out when reading your response above but couldn't log back in fast enought to tell you how spot on you are. The thanks button didn't work for me but in my best southern voice...I show wanna thank you for tellin tha truth.
      I've seen that same attitude from employers in the real world as well. You can always tell which ones could care less about their salespeople, because they are the company that is always running ads hiring because the are "expanding".

      It's real sad because the salesperson really is the person that will make or break a business. You can have the best product in your industry, but if your current salesperson sucks because you are too big of a cheapskate to pay the last one well and they left, you are not going to sell as well. The reverse is true with a shoddy product.

      Marketing is great and all to get the prospect in the door, but without that guy or gal there to close the deal, spending all the money in the world on the newest and greatest internet social twitter style page is useless without someone to close them. Money needs to come back in the business as well. Salespeople don't just take orders, they convert the ones that are on the fence, that could also be looking at other options.

      Many times when someone buys a product its because the ran into a salesperson, not an order taker.
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  • Profile picture of the author karankhanna8
    A suggestion..

    Why not offer fixed but with a target..
    Say for example - Your ticket cost is $500 and you planning to pay 30% ($150) to the sales guy..

    Rather offer $500 fixed per month with a base target of 4 sales...
    anything above 4 per sale $150 and if below 4 sales $100/sale

    This will keep them motivated to acheive or over acheive their target.. will help you get better sales guys looking at the $500 mark.. and you will not pay anything out of your pocket for the non-performers..

    I have been using it from past 4 years and it works!!
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  • Profile picture of the author TorinoGray
    If the question is where to find them, I agree with David Miller. You need to network to locate the type of salespeople that will generate sales, goodwill and repeat business. Salespeople will make you or break you.

    The salespeople that stand too close, talk too loud and aggravate your client to no end are the kind you will find at the other end of a help wanted classified. If they are truly talented, you need them, they don't need you, pay them accordingly.

    EDIT**Just read Monte's post ** So read: "Thumbs Up, Monte!"
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