How did you choose your industry?

Was tired of having 1000 pounds on my shoulder so i choose my passion, Tea & Health

I'd worked for a couple other companies in my industry before and knew that it was a proven market. The thing I dislike about it now, though, is that it's seasonal and has become very competitive.

I've been thinking about putting in a couple hours per day in a different market, or maybe using one of Bob Ross' proven methods. The one big benefit of doing what Bob does (printing industry) is that it's all hands off and there's no inventory to carry. It's get on the phone, make the sale, get the payment via Paypal, place the order and pay for it up front. Everything above and beyond that is yours to keep.

Some people prefer selling higher ticket items and that's fine. I think Jason Kanigan addressed that recently. Still, my concern about that is the actual commission percentage I'd receive, whether it was a "one and done" sale or if I got residual commissions from future sales and how much support I'd have to be involved in after the sale.

I sell smaller ticket items, but I have a decent amount of repeat business. I don't get into anything too technical. I never have to support anything and I rarely have returns. Seriously. I've had one return in the past 25 months and it was a combination of the customer and suppliers fault, so I never even had to touch it. It was replaced by the supplier.

I'd say to think about what makes you happy. Is it the software business? If so, what are you waiting for? If not, perhaps you should explore other opportunities. You may even want to strike out on your own. I'm not rich by any means, but I do have a certain amount of freedom that I enjoy. I think I've reached the point where I've become unemployable.

You're at a crossroads. Only you can choose which path to take from here.

Good luck!

Same thing, my passion. Marketing for Nightclubs and Bars !

socialentry, you're asking a question I wish I'd thought about when I started. Like you, coming from a technical field I decided to enter sales. For the best sales training I worked for a Fortune 500 company. After hitting big sales numbers I realized it was a drag. However, income was good and the training is the best.

I then entered a different market (finance). The income was consistent, above $20,000 every month for years. If you choose this path, it's fast money. I know software salespersons who make this income. It's what you should expect if you go into it.

You might think I'm crazy for not being content to make over $20k each and every month in sales. There are "shark tank" guys and gals who go into wildly enthusiastic descriptions of their income potential. I'll share with you that beyond a level of good income it becomes less exciting. Then you can focus on what you enjoy. More importantly, what is meaningful.

On the other hand, it's great to do what you love, but if the car transmission goes out or you fall behind on your mortgage, there are problems. Artists and writers and others following their "passion" have the same dilemma.

Don't just do what you love, make sure you can nail good income opportunities in it. This comes from experience. It's how I came into internet marketing several years ago, working diligently over long hours without really feeling like it's work.

My advice is to go into a sales area you really, really enjoy, and make sure it's one that pays well.

Said a different way, you can go after big money in something you don't find interesting and you'll make phenomenal income. You can also go into something you truly love, as I did later in an unrelated field, but then you'll be stressed over getting your car fixed. And that sucks.

Find a good balance. Make sure you're interested in the product or service. I mean really into it. Be honest about whether you like the people in that industry because you'll be around them most of your waking hours.

You remarked that you are looking into software sales and gave the reason that it (programming) came easy to you in school. I would get really clear on that. You sound intelligent and you're probably super talented in that segment, just make sure you're also excited by it. If you spend your free time around it, that's a good sign.

Once you are solid that you will enjoy it long-term, find where the money is in it. Identify what others aren't doing in the sales end of the industry. The difficult times (and there are many) will be easier and you'll be enthused knowing you're going to capitalize on it someday.

You recognize this language from your internet marketing activities: Look for tails and niche areas. Make a decision about the industry and the company with this in mind. You can only get better.

Remember this about sales: It's the lowest paying easy work and the highest paying difficult work you can do. If you don't give 110%, it's average income. I think this is true across all industries.

To attain higher-than average income, you must work harder than anyone around you. Anything less than that isn't worth being in sales. The 80-20 rule ("Pareto's Principle") is definitely true in high-level sales. I think it came from sales.

Hope this helps you with an insight or two.

~ atomAnt

This book is excellent in advising exactly how to figure what to do showing case examples and it's number one message will prove to you, again with case examples (including that of Steve Jobs), that having a "passion" for something is NOT the recipe:

Amazon.com: So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why...

Industry or Product doesn't matter.

If you have burning feelings from inside, you can sale anything to anyone.

Just sharpen your sales attitude.