The Job Duties of an Ad Sales Agent
People who have ad sales careers can work as either outside sales agents or inside sales agents. Inside sales agents are responsible for answering phones and handling walk-in clients, as well as for setting up follow-up appointments between outside agents and interested prospects. Outside sales agents work outside the office and are responsible for visiting prospects at their offices and cold calling in order to bring in additional accounts.
Ad sales agents are responsible for building relationships with clients and learning as much about the given client as possible so that client can better be served. Some of the information the ad sales agent might collect includes, but is not limited to, product background, customer base, potential customers, and physical location of the company. People with this career can then use this information to determine what types of advertising would be best for the client and sell them on those ideas. If a client agrees, the agent is then responsible for putting together sample advertisements and presenting them for the client’s approval. In addition, the ad sales agent needs to provide the client with information regarding the costs involved with the planned campaign.
This job also requires one to serve as the main contact between the advertising firm and the media firm. Prospective agents may also be required to book taping sessions, and also attend them to ensure things run smoothly. Agents might also be expected to maintain sales and oversee all aspects of client accounts. They might be expected to analyze sales statistics and consumer demographics to ensure effective campaigns, while also being required to write reports on these statistics and to closely monitor and gather information on the competition. This information might include data on new products, sales, and prices.
Ad sales agents, in addition to their other responsibilities, must also develop promotional plans, sales tools, and media kits, and are expected to reach a certain sales quota per month. Agents may work full or part time, but most put in at least 40 hours per week or more.
Education and Training Necessary to Become an Ad Sales Agent
Ad sales agents typically need a bachelor’s degree or higher in order to pursue a career in this field, although some companies will accept those who have only a high school diploma or associate’s degree.
More than 50% of those in the field have a bachelor’s degree or higher, with many others receiving on-the-job training. Other qualifications necessary to become an ad sales agent include being honest and pleasant while also exhibiting a neat and professional appearance. Prospective ad sales agents must also have excellent communication skills, including having excellent written communication skills. Being multi-lingual is also a plus in this career, with knowledge in speaking Spanish being particularly attractive to potential employers. Those who pursue a career in ad sales must also be motivated self-starters who can set their own schedules and work without supervision.
