If you lack sales experience, or the prospect of face-to-face contact with potential customers makes you nervous, you might think it’s impossible to become a successful field representative. But don’t be too quick to rule out a career in sales. The fact is, with a little time and patience it is possible to hone your skills and confidence in this area.
Develop your knowledge day by day
It’s true that to be successful, you’ll need a good grasp not only of the products or services you’re selling, but also of the sales process itself.
However, if you take up a field representative role, you might be surprised by how quickly you gain the information and hone the skills you need. As long as you have a desire to learn and the willingness to put in the hard work, you could become an expert within a relatively short space of time.
The self-employed field representatives within Appco’s network of marketing companies receive in-depth client product training to ensure they have all the information and resources they need to be outstanding brand ambassadors for the clients they represent.
Field representatives also have opportunities to be mentored by more experienced field representatives and business owners within the network to help them develop their sales skills, confidence and business acumen.
This means that those who have the right attitude can quickly start to achieve impressive results, regardless of whether they have previous direct sales experience.
We are committed to maximising skills right across the global Appco network, and use a range of initiatives to ensure field representatives have plenty of opportunities to improve and operate at their best. For example, Appco Group UK runs a range of compliance, business improvement and sales support workshops throughout the year and Appco Group Asia turned to Upskill People to develop a range of online learning tools for the face-to-face sales specialists in its network who wish to enhance the skills.
Build your confidence as you go
Even if you’re a generally confident person, you’re bound to feel at least a little nervous starting out as a field representative.
You may not know exactly what to expect and you might feel unsure of your skills. However, as each day passes, your confidence in dealing with potential customers will increase. Just ask UK field representative Pippa Blunden. In a recent interview, she admitted her first presentations were nerve-wracking, but just two months on, Pippa is highly successful and committed to turning her role into a long-term career.
In that respect, sales is just like any other role; the longer you do it, the more natural it will feel. Even if it’s difficult to control your nerves at first, your anxieties should ease away over time, and you will become more effective in your role.
Reach a level you never thought possible
You may be surprised by how far a career in field sales can take you. With the right attitude, you could achieve impressive things in this line of work – including having your own business.
Successful self-employed field representatives contracted to the marketing companies in Appco’s network have the opportunity to enter the Appco Group Business Development Programme. This gives you a chance to mentor other field reps, with the prospect of eventually running your own marketing company.
As long as you are ambitious and you’re prepared to work hard and think big, that goal is within your reach.