Advertising Sales Representative Career Information

Advertising Sales Representative Career InformationAdvertising Sales Representative Career InformationAn advertising sales representative sells space in print publications, on websites, and on outdoor media to companies that want to advertise their products. He or she may also sell airtime during radio or television broadcasts. The advertising sales representative must convince advertisers that this is the best way to reach consumers. Also known as an advertising sales agent or ad sales rep, he or she builds a customer base by setting up meetings with fhigkeit clients, assessing their needs, and presenting proposals to them. A proposal gives details about the advertising plan and provides its costs and benefits. The advertising sales representative is the clients primary point of contact, answering questions, resolving any problems that arise, and proposing new advertising plans. He or she also analyzes client sales data and prepares reports. Quick Facts In 2015, advertising sale s reps earned amedian annual salaryof $48,490. Earnings are typically comprised of a base salary plus a commission that is based on sales.This field employed almost168,000 people in 2014.Most jobs are at least full time. Many advertising sales reps work overtime.The job outlook for this field is poor. Employment is expected to decline through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A Day in the Life We looked at job listings on Indeed.com to find out what employers say advertising sales representatives duties are. We learned they manage the full sales-cycle including prospecting, fact-finding, presenting, negotiating, and closing key agency and brand accountsmanage and generate revenue from developmental sales listinteract with various internal departments to carry out client requirements such as scheduling advertisingreact to inbound customer requests via phone and onlineuse phone and email, and make occasional face-to-face sales callsdevelop relationships for l ong-term growthassist customers with basic ad layout and design and develop spec ads Education and Training You dont need a college degree to be an advertising sales rep since you will receive your training on the job. However, many employers prefer job candidates who have earned a bachelors degree with coursework in advertising, marketing, andbusiness. Soft Skills Here are several attributes that make some people particularly well-suited for this occupation as well as othersales careers. Communication Skills You must be able to communicate with your clients. This requires excellent listening and speaking skills.Persistence It often takes several meetings with a potential client to convince him or herto buy advertising space or airtime from you.Organizational Skills To keep track of multiple accounts, you must be well-organized.Interpersonal Skills Your interactions with clients and potential clients require you to have great persuasion and negotiation skills. You must also be socially perceptive, which means you can easily figure out what someone is thinking without him or her telling you. Employer Expectations In addition to skills and experience, what qualities do employers look for when they hire workers? Here are some requirements from actual job announcements found onIndeed.com Strong media math skills and understanding of industry research tools/metricsMotivated, passionate, and a real team playerA great welcoming personality that encourages relationship buildingCapable of multitasking and working in a fast-paced environmentProfessional and entrepreneurial spiritAbility to overcome objections and work under pressure, meeting deadlines and sales goals Related Careers TitleDescriptionMedian Annual Wage (2015)Minimum Required Education/TrainingSales RepresentativeSells a manufacturers products$48,490No formal requirements bachelors degree preferredSales EngineerSells advanced technical and scientific products to companies$97,650Bachelors degree in engineering or a related fieldInsurance AgentSells insurance policies to individuals, families, and businesses$48,200Bachelors degree in business or economics SourcesBureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,Occupational Outlook Handbook, 201617(visited October 26, 2016 ).Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,O*NET Online(visited October 26, 2016).