There are several ways to find independent sales reps, sales representative companies, or sales agents. Sometimes it may feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, check out this list and consider how RepHunter can shorten and sweeten your sales rep recruiting efforts.
1. Online Sales Rep Search Services.
There are several online services that provide cost-effective access to Independent Sales Reps. One of the most prominent is RepHunter. They have a large and growing database of Independent Sales Representatives and Agencies that you can search for free.
Pros
- low cost
- effective
- get in contact with reps in your industry looking for lines
Cons
- may not always be able to find what you are looking for
2. Finding Independent Sales Reps at Trade Shows.
Visit regional and national regional trade shows to meet Independent Sales Reps and Sales Agencies. Or set up a booth at a trade show and post in your booth a “Sales Representatives Wanted” ad.
Pros
- low incremental cost if you are already attending such trade shows
- good attendance by reps in your industry
Cons
- may be expensive if you are not already attending such shows
- can be time consuming
- shows not always readily accessible; may have to wait quite a while for the right show
3. Using a Consultant or Sale Rep Recruiter
Employ or engage a consultant or sale rep recruiter to act as a Sales Manager whose job it is to select, engage and train your National Sales Force.
Pros
- have a professional working to meet your specific needs
- pre-screen cuts down on the extent of the interviews necessary
- have been known to be able to provide excellent candidates
Cons
- can be quite expensive; as with typical staffing agencies, may cost from 25% to 40% of first year’s compensation of the rep
- more oriented towards employed sales reps, not independent sales reps
- can take a very long time
4. Advertise – The Shotgun Approach
Use Craigslist, on-line job boards, or classified sections of newspapers.
Pros
- low cost in some cases such as Craigslist
- famiiar method
Cons
- while advertising routes may appear simple and inexpensive, be prepared for their hidden costs and time delays
- to use them effectively, you will need an appropriate level of Human Resources staffing to screen a potential deluge of resumes, reduce their number by a factor of as much as a hundred or more, finally leading to phone and possibly in-person interviews
- advance staffing may be necessary to plan your recruiting campaign
- need to budget sufficient time and resources over and above the up-front advertising expense for this staffing
- newspaper advertising can be quite expensive; commonly runs into thousands of dollars for a single Sunday insertion in a major metro area
5. Guerrilla Marketing
Here are a couple of “guerilla marketing” methods suggested by Bob Reiss:
- Ask buyers at accounts that you are selling or want to sell for suggestions on the best reps they have dealt with and with new reps with high potential. The new reps could likely give you more time and be willing to learn your ways.
- Solicit suggestions from reps you know and especially ones that you are working with. Try to tap into the rep’s own network, where they might recommend each other. It is in the interest of their own reputation for them to recommend only strong candidates.
- At trade shows, rather than a “reps wanted” sign in your booth, ask other exhibitors not competing with you for leads.
- Be aware that the “best rep in the territory” may not be the best for you, as they could have too many lines, or they may have become complacent.
- This is the long short where you come across a good salesman in another industry and sell can them on the “glories” of being a rep and hire them. When that works, they will be very loyal, dedicated and successful.
Contact and Hire Qualified Independent Sales Reps
For more information about contacting qualified sales reps actively seeking new product or service lines, create your company’s profile on RepHunter for free.
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Great content, I’ve been looking for a rep for a while.
I wan to sell IT companies products and services In USA . Please suggest how to get sales representatives. I want to target small companies and retail shop owners.
Please suggest
Please check the website of our parent, RepHunter, at https://www.rephunter.net. Click on “Find Sales Reps”.
This is one of the best ways to get sales representatives. Check our Trustpilot reviews.
Dear Sir/Madam, I’m an registered agent in the Gambian. My question is. How do Agents find customers for companies selling their products?
I am interpreting your question to be asking how you find customers to call on; not how do you find customers for your customers.
Regardless of where you are located or what industry you are in, the main way the independent sales agents find customers for the companies they represent is through their network of connections in the industry. This presupposes that you have experience with that industry and with buyers. This experience often comes from previous work experience in inside sales. Such experience allows you to build up your network. That or some other alternative way of making those connections is mandatory, as the advantage to a company of using the independent sales agent channel is that such an agent can hit the ground running because of this established network of buyers.
I would like to sale retail cosmetics by outside sales could you find me a company to work for in return for a commission of my sales.
Naturally I am biased, but your most cost-effective and fastest way to find an independent sales rep is to use the company site affiliated with this blog at https://www.rephunter.net/manufacturers-sales-reps-find.
You can search for free for independent reps and rep groups in your industry who are actively seeking new lines. If you find a rep you are interested in, fees are very reasonable.
Be sure to search on your customers or who you would like to be your customers to find reps already calling on them. You can also search on your product lines, but start with your customer base.
Please feel free to create a profile at no cost to you. You can then take advantage our our training tools as well as conduct unlimited free searches.
I hope this helps!
You just asked about finding a sales rep, and now you say you are looking for a company to represent. Could you please clarify your intention?
Yes I am interested in talking to you
If you are seeking independent sales reps to sell your product or service, please contact us via our parent website, RepHunter. Please check our Help page at https://www.rephunter.net/contact-us.php to see the different ways to contact us.
How do I find a free sales agent who will work for commission from sales. thank you for your time
I am looking for info relating to Independent Sales Reps for the financial Services industry (ISO’s). Commission structures and related info. Can you lead me to info on that?
@Sutan: Your question is for a specific situation in a particular industry. For many such situations we have no special insight but can respond with general rules of thumb, which probably do not fit your specific situation.
Our “rules of thumb” are as follows:
• 90% of all commissions paid to reps are between 5% and 20% based on gross sale amount.
• Commissions differ with each industry.
• The best way to establish your commission amount is through conversations with knowledgeable reps in your industry.
Having said the above, your best bet might be to subscribe to Rephunter.net. This service works exceptionally and costs less than a single job posting. They can give you answers and show you how to have success finding the sales reps you are seeking.
Click on the link https://www.rephunter.net/register.php?mode=create&usertype=pri to profile your sales opportunity. Then call Brenda direct at 877-895-2909.