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Hiring Salesmen off Craigslist and pay them by commission

by Donowhy
20 replies
Hello everybody,
So I've been putting allot of thought into selling websites to local businesses (preferably mobile websites).
My biggest concern is that I'm not a salesmen, I am a computer guy. This would be my first time selling something to someone in person, so (like many others I'm sure) am a bit nervous about making the sale.

But I've been thinking... Why not just hire other salesmen to do exactly what I would be doing? They are just as good as I am, or better (since I don't know much about sales).
I would pay them by commission, maybe set up a system so 1 sale/week=30%, 3sales/week=50%, etc.
Basically, I would make a few videos that I would put into a nice package (as well as maybe a PLR ebook on selling mobile sites I found) then give that to the sales people so they know exactly what to get from the customer, and ultimately collect a check.

All I would have to do then is make the website, which doesn't talk long at all.

So would this work? Also, if I'm doing this in the United States (California, specifically), do I need a business license? Is there a bunch of paperwork involved with hiring salesmen? Is it legal to just grab willing salesmen off of facebook/craigslist/monster and just pay them as they make sales?
#commission #craigslist #hiring #pay #salesmen
  • Profile picture of the author shockwave
    The search feature is your friend as this topic has already been beat to death.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    First off, if you don't feel comfortable selling, how are you going to train them? How are you going to know what to look for? And most importantly, how can you sell a salesman on working for commission only for you?

    Hiring commission only definitely works, but you need to be able to sell, and you probably need an actual office and real business. AND... be willing to invest a lot of time into people that usually won't last..
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    • Profile picture of the author Donowhy
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      First off, if you don't feel comfortable selling, how are you going to train them? How are you going to know what to look for? And most importantly, how can you sell a salesman on working for commission only for you?

      Hiring commission only definitely works, but you need to be able to sell, and you probably need an actual office and real business. AND... be willing to invest a lot of time into people that usually won't last..
      I have no problem training them; I know what I should say during the sale, what kinds of statistics and materials I would provide to move things along nicely. If they're willing to take a sales job, chances are they either have experience (which I can also make a requirement) or theyre a 'people person'. I just have to provide them with what to say and what to collect. I'd do this by making videos and sending each salesmen a video package to refer to.

      Also, what do you mean selling a salesman on working only for me?

      The way I see it- I could go out and make sales myself, but that would be only one person doing so. I might get 1 client per day. Why not get other people willing to do the sales part. Even if they leave after a week, they're completely disposable. I can't hire 25 people in my city or they will be fighting for competition with other salesmen working for me. So I'll hire in different cities as well (fiverr adds to be posted throughout college campuses, IP router to post in different cities on craigslist, etc.)
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by Donowhy View Post

        I have no problem training them; I know what I should say during the sale, what kinds of statistics and materials I would provide to move things along nicely. If they're willing to take a sales job, chances are they either have experience (which I can also make a requirement) or theyre a 'people person'. I just have to provide them with what to say and what to collect. I'd do this by making videos and sending each salesmen a video package to refer to.

        Also, what do you mean selling a salesman on working only for me?

        The way I see it- I could go out and make sales myself, but that would be only one person doing so. I might get 1 client per day. Why not get other people willing to do the sales part. Even if they leave after a week, they're completely disposable. I can't hire 25 people in my city or they will be fighting for competition with other salesmen working for me. So I'll hire in different cities as well (fiverr adds to be posted throughout college campuses, IP router to post in different cities on craigslist, etc.)
        I don't think you have any idea what you're doing... on many different levels.
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        • Profile picture of the author Chuck Avants
          It would be a good idea for you to go out
          yourself and make some sales.

          Iamnameless is correct is saying that you
          need guidance (thats not exactly what he
          said. I'm translating it nicely) due to your
          lack of experience in the sales realm--

          It may help develop social skills that
          will help you down the road.
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          Because it is the right thing to do
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  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by Donowhy View Post

    Hello everybody,
    So I've been putting allot of thought into selling websites to local businesses (preferably mobile websites).
    My biggest concern is that I'm not a salesmen, I am a computer guy. This would be my first time selling something to someone in person, so (like many others I'm sure) am a bit nervous about making the sale.
    You said; "This would be my first time selling something to someone in person"
    Woah...Pardner.

    You think you know how to sell, but you don't. You need to make several sales on your own, work out the bugs and then hire salespeople.

    Statistics and charts are tools that help make sales...but you need to make sales yourself first, so you have an idea of how a sales presentation goes.

    Thinking you know how to sell because you have charts and graphs is like thinking you know how to drive a car because you recognize the street signs.

    I'm not being mean here. I'm trying to help.

    One of the biggest mistakes I've seen sales companies do is create sales presentations by the engineer or a graphics person.

    Base your sales presentations on proven profitable presentations that have worked in the past. It will take a little time and money...but it's worth it.

    Want to really make money in the real world?
    Sell on your own. Hire salespeople one at a time, in your area. Train them one at a time. Take them with you on presentations. Show them sales. Pay a decent commission.

    Hire the next one.

    You don't need 25 salespeople in different cities...you need to learn how to sell, and train a few more to do what you do.

    But the blind leading the sighted? No.
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    The problem you are facing is the fact that any salesman with any experience selling has signed on to quite a few gigs that turned out to be garbage. You not having done sales, I can get why you don't know that. The thing is, there is a lot of other stuff you probably don't know either.

    I don't have a lot of experience hiring sales people, but I have a lot of experience being one and I can tell you, it doesn't take long to become very skeptical of the people looking to hire you.

    That is why you have to be able to sell the person on working for you. A decent seller doesn't sit around hoping for a job. Anyone who can't sell themselves into a job is not someone you want anyway.

    The bottom line is that if you want someone to bring real value to your business, you in-turn must provide real value to them.
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    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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  • Profile picture of the author Donowhy
    I appreciate the responses guys
    However, I don't want to be a sales guy. Period.

    Perhaps my terminology is wrong? Do I need a sales manager that will take care of hiring salesmen and training them?
    Maybe hire someone with a promise of 90% commission as long as he also trains the guys I send to him.

    Also, I apologize if I'm coming off too direct. I am looking forward to any helpful information I can get! =]
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    Why not build a sales landing page, pay Facebook $10.00 per day, have your ad show to business owners only in a certain city. It's working great for me right now. You can see my latest post right here https://www.facebook.com/jameshickeysdentrepreneur
    Hope this helps....Way better than getting a sales team. Just pay Facebook or Google....
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    • Profile picture of the author Donowhy
      Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

      Why not build a sales landing page, pay Facebook $10.00 per day, have your ad show to business owners only in a certain city. It's working great for me right now. You can see my latest post right here https://www.facebook.com/jameshickeysdentrepreneur
      Hope this helps....Way better than getting a sales team. Just pay Facebook or Google....
      Great Idea =]
      I'll try this as well, thank you!
      But why not do this as well as a sales team? More clients, more money.

      If you find that you're booking more clients than you have time for- Just hire a web designer, or even better, if you're using a template just show some kid how to do it and pay him $12/hr.

      The reason I like mobile site building is because you can build really nice looking 5 page websites in less than an hour if you're using a template. (as seen in countless WSOs)
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      • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
        I don't build mobile or websites. I prefer consulting and if they need any web or mobile design, I outsource and make a commission.

        Originally Posted by Donowhy View Post

        Great Idea =]
        I'll try this as well, thank you!
        But why not do this as well as a sales team? More clients, more money.

        If you find that you're booking more clients than you have time for- Just hire a web designer, or even better, if you're using a template just show some kid how to do it and pay him $12/hr.

        The reason I like mobile site building is because you can build really nice looking 5 page websites in less than an hour if you're using a template. (as seen in countless WSOs)
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        • Profile picture of the author craigslistleedz
          Interesting business model. Do you charge up front for consulting? Are you charging for creating a plan and then upsell the actual services?

          Thanks for your input

          Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

          I don't build mobile or websites. I prefer consulting and if they need any web or mobile design, I outsource and make a commission.
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          • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
            Yes, I charge $1,500 to $3,000 per month (need to raise my prices) I create an Internet Marketing Plan, give the companies sales team access to training videos, then meet several times per month, in person or through Google Hangouts to meet with Business Owner or Marketing Team.

            On the other question. Write a Facebook Ad: Are you a Business Owner in San Diego that needs a new website? I can help !!
            Visit www..............Com

            Maybe some better sales copy...whatever you website builders say...lol....

            James



            Originally Posted by craigslistleedz View Post

            Interesting business model. Do you charge up front for consulting? Are you charging for creating a plan and then upsell the actual services?

            Thanks for your input
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        • Profile picture of the author Donowhy
          Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

          I don't build mobile or websites. I prefer consulting and if they need any web or mobile design, I outsource and make a commission.
          Interesting. In your experience with the facebook advertising, do you think it would work well for selling websites?
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        • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
          Originally Posted by Donowhy View Post

          I appreciate the responses guys
          However, I don't want to be a sales guy. Period.

          Perhaps my terminology is wrong? Do I need a sales manager that will take care of hiring salesmen and training them?
          Maybe hire someone with a promise of 90% commission as long as he also trains the guys I send to him.

          Also, I apologize if I'm coming off too direct. I am looking forward to any helpful information I can get! =]
          Originally Posted by Donowhy View Post

          Great Idea =]
          I'll try this as well, thank you!
          But why not do this as well as a sales team? More clients, more money.

          If you find that you're booking more clients than you have time for- Just hire a web designer, or even better, if you're using a template just show some kid how to do it and pay him $12/hr.

          The reason I like mobile site building is because you can build really nice looking 5 page websites in less than an hour if you're using a template. (as seen in countless WSOs)
          Here is the reason I said it seems that you have no clue what you are doing...

          I hire people regularly off craigslist....BUT... there are laws. You can't hire someone and post job ads if all you're really doing is creating an "opportunity". If you're hiring for a job, then you need to be a real business, with an EIN. You need to send in reports to the state.

          Sending sales people a video series, is not going to cut it.

          To really get commission only workers, you're going to need an office. If you don't have office space, then you need to do it on your own for now or JV with someone that is looking for an opportunity, not a job.

          You went on to talk about IP routers and all that crap, which doesn't make any sense. You can post across the country from the same IP, and you're posting job ads, which cost money anyway and doesn't rely on you being near that location anyway. You just pay the fee each time you post.

          Next... the reason I said is you need to sell the sales people, is because if you're offering a job in sales, you need to be able to SELL THEM on WHY they should work for you. You need to be able to offer actual training, not just some videos and presentations.

          The good sales people.... will never give you a chance unless you actually have your ducks in a row. Even then, every business is in need of sales people so you're going to have stiff competition.

          Anywho... don't take our word for it, go ahead and try it out. What you have right now is an idea, and theory... theory doesn't work in the real world, you need real experience, both in sales, in hiring, and running a business. Your idea will likely evolve and you'll adjust based on those experiences.
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          • Profile picture of the author Donowhy
            Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

            Here is the reason I said it seems that you have no clue what you are doing...

            What you have right now is an idea, and theory...
            Which is exactly why I posted this thread.
            You're absolutely right, I have no clue what I'm doing. That is why I'm asking.



            Note. As far as craigslist and IP routers go.. I've been told craigslist ghosts your ad if you post in any city other than where your IP is located.
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            • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
              Originally Posted by Donowhy View Post

              Which is exactly why I posted this thread.
              You're absolutely right, I have no clue what I'm doing. That is why I'm asking.



              Note. As far as craigslist and IP routers go.. I've been told craigslist ghosts your ad if you post in any city other than where your IP is located.
              Most of what people say about Craigslist is false. Same thing with SEO. A lot of incorrect theory gets passed around.

              When posting job ads, you can post anywhere you'd like... after all, they're charging you for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Ian do you have your sales people as W2 or 1099?
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      Ian do you have your sales people as W2 or 1099?
      It depends.. I have had one guy do 1099 since he wasn't here, he would just go out in the field door to door. Anyone I have in my office, I have them as a W2. The laws regarding 1099 employees and me wanting as much control as possible have steered me away from even messing with 1099 much from a sales standpoint.
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      • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        It depends.. I have had one guy do 1099 since he wasn't here, he would just go out in the field door to door. Anyone I have in my office, I have them as a W2. The laws regarding 1099 employees and me wanting as much control as possible have steered me away from even messing with 1099 much from a sales standpoint.
        Thanks for the real world advice and rundown of why.
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        Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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