Home Based Business Ideas: Advertising Sales Agent

Ad agents sell advertising such as: ad space in publications, signage, and advertising time for radio and television. Most advertising sales agents, or advertising sales representatives, work for some type of information company. Newspapers, magazines, radio stations, tv stations, print and internet publishers, direct mail ad companies, billboard companies are all examples.

Advertising sales agents are responsible for drumming up new business as well as maintaining relationships between advertisers and the company the ad agent works for. Ad sales agents will spend a lot of time visiting prospective advertisers and current clients. The ad agent needs to learn about the client's business and what the client's advertising needs are. Knowing the client's products and needs helps in providing effective advertising solutions.

Advertising sales agents sometimes have other responsibilities in addition to meeting sales quotas. These responsibilities can include analyzing stats, writing reports, handling customer service issues of clients, create promotional plans, build media kits, and make appointments. Some advertising sales agents may be required to handle billing and record keeping for their accounts. 

Because of advances in the internet and home office equipment much of the work of an advertising sales agent could be carried out from a home office. E-mail, phone, fax, and text messaging allow agents to stay in touch with customers from just about anywhere these days. If you can meet sales quotas we think most companies would feel fine with an agent working from home.

While a college degree in marketing, communication, or the like could likely be helpful in an advertising sales career a degree may not be entirely necessary. The ability to sell is the key to this profession. Pleasant personality, a professional air and appearance, honesty, persistence, and an independent spirit are helpful traits in this demanding career.   

If you think advertising sales agent is the right home based business idea for you and you're looking for more information check out our career in advertising sales resource page.

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