Advertising Sales Agent - Education and Transformation

One advertising sales agent sells advertising space to companies and individuals. They will contact potential customers, make sales presentations, maintain customer accounts, and often work under pressure to meet sales quotas.

They work in a variety of industries, which can include advertising, radio, television and Internet publishing.

What does an advertising sales agent do?

An advertising sales agent typically does the following:

• Finds and contacts potential customers to offer advertising services
• Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help to promote their products or services as effectively as possible.
• Provides customers with estimates of advertising costs for products or services
• Process all correspondence and documentation related to accounts
• Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers
• Inform customers of available options for advertising artwork, formats, or features and provide examples
• Provide proofs of advertising or illustration to clients for approval
• Prepare promotional plans, sales literature, media kits and sales contracts
• Recommends appropriate sizes and formats for advertising

Advertising sales agents occasionally work away from the office, calling clients and prospects from their places of business. Some may also make sales calls over the phone – calling potential customers, trying to sell the advertising space or time of the media company and arranging follow-up appointments with clients in potential.

A critical part of building customer relationships is learning about their needs. Prior to the first meeting with a customer, a sales agent will gather basic information about the products, current customers, potential customers, and the geographic area of ​​the target market.

The sales agent meets with the customer to explain how specific types of advertising will help promote the customer's products or services more effectively. If a customer wants to proceed, the advertising sales agent prepares an advertising proposal to present to the customer. The proposal may include an overview of the advertising medium to be used, examples of advertisements, and cost estimates for the project.

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What is the workplace of an advertising sales agent like?

Selling can be stressful, as income and job security directly depend on an agent's ability to maintain and expand their customer base. Companies often set monthly sales quotas and put considerable pressure on advertising sales agents to meet those quotas.

Getting new accounts is an important part of the job, and agents can spend a great deal of time traveling and visiting potential advertisers and maintaining relationships with current customers. Sales agents can also work in their employers' offices and manage the sales to incoming customers or those calling for information about publicity.