Ask HN: Where to find Sales people?
Simple question, complex answer. We have a product, pricing structure, and product documentation, but no one to sell it. Has anyone been able to find an amazing sales person and how did you find them?
3 comments
Why don't you sell it? Like programming, selling is hard and challenging but it's not impossible and getting the first few wins under your belt feels pretty awesome.
Also like finding a great hacker, finding a great sales rep is challenging. A great sales person for your business is probably already in your industry and may be working for one of your competitors. To find them you have to go to the networking events and/or trade shows - go to the places they try to find customers. Or depending on your industry you might be able to call a purchaser of one of your larger prospect customers and ask them who they think are the good sales people - the purchasers know, they deal with (Or avoid) sales people all the time.
Also like finding a great hacker, finding a great sales rep is challenging. A great sales person for your business is probably already in your industry and may be working for one of your competitors. To find them you have to go to the networking events and/or trade shows - go to the places they try to find customers. Or depending on your industry you might be able to call a purchaser of one of your larger prospect customers and ask them who they think are the good sales people - the purchasers know, they deal with (Or avoid) sales people all the time.
an idea: Post a job offer on a local/graduate website, interview 20 applicants, trial run 8 of them. Offer them a probationary period of employment at a very low rate, with a commission (which you reserve the right to vary at the end of each month.)
Think about your selling strategy. Are you cold calling, sending mail-outs, or arranging face-to-face meetings with clients? Each requires different sales skills (persuasiveness and the ability to bounce-back from rejection, marketing sense, and charisma, respectively.)
Think about your selling strategy. Are you cold calling, sending mail-outs, or arranging face-to-face meetings with clients? Each requires different sales skills (persuasiveness and the ability to bounce-back from rejection, marketing sense, and charisma, respectively.)
Why not tell us about your product? Maybe we can be more helpful if we know what you want to sell.