New to Field Sales?

Field sales can be an exciting and lucrative career, but it can also be challenging, especially if you are new to the field. In this blog post, we'll cover the basics of what you need to know to be successful in field sales. We'll start by defining what field sales is and what makes it different from other types of sales. Then, we'll discuss the skills and traits you need to excel in the field. Finally, we'll provide some tips on how to make the most of your time on the road.

What is Field Sales?

Field sales, also known as outside sales or B2B sales, is a type of sales where the salesperson meets with potential customers face-to-face. This is in contrast to inside sales, where the salesperson typically communicates with customers over the phone or email. The goal of field sales is to establish a relationship with the customer and persuade them to purchase the product or service.

What Makes Field Sales Different?

Field sales is different from other types of sales in several ways. First, it requires a different set of skills than inside sales. While inside sales requires excellent communication and phone skills, field sales requires a higher degree of interpersonal skills, as you will be meeting with potential customers in person. Additionally, field sales require excellent time management skills, as you will be spending a significant amount of time on the road traveling to meet with customers.

Skills and Traits Required for Field Sales

If you are considering a career in field sales, there are several skills and traits you need to excel in the field. First and foremost, you need excellent communication skills. This includes the ability to listen actively, ask probing questions, and explain the features and benefits of your product or service in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, you need to have excellent interpersonal skills, as you will be meeting with potential customers face-to-face. This includes the ability to build rapport and establish trust with the customer.

Another key trait required for success in field sales is self-motivation. Unlike inside sales, where the salesperson may be working in an office with a team, field sales can be a solitary job. You need to be able to motivate yourself to stay on task and achieve your sales goals. This requires a strong work ethic, self-discipline, and the ability to work independently.

Finally, successful field salespeople need to be able to handle rejection. Not every potential customer will be interested in your product or service, and it's important not to take it personally. Instead, view every rejection as an opportunity to learn and improve your sales pitch.

Tips for Success in Field Sales

Now that we've covered the basics of what you need to know to be successful in field sales, let's discuss some tips to help you make the most of your time on the road.

1. Plan your day ahead of time. Before you hit the road, make sure you have a plan for the day. This includes a list of potential customers to visit, as well as a route map to help you optimize your time on the road.
2. Be prepared. Make sure you have all the materials you need for the day, including business cards, product samples, and a tablet or laptop to give presentations.
3. Be flexible. While it's important to have a plan, it's also important to be flexible. If a potential customer cancels or reschedules, be prepared to adjust your plans on the fly.
4. Follow up. After meeting with a potential customer, make sure to follow up promptly. This can be a simple email thanking them for their time or a phone call to answer any questions they may have.
5. Continuously learn and improve. Successful field salespeople always look for ways to improve their skills and techniques. Attend sales training seminars, read books on sales, and seek feedback from your colleagues and customers to identify areas for improvement and to refine your approach to sales. By continually learning and improving, you can stay ahead of the competition and achieve greater success in your field sales career.

Sales Route Apps

Sales route planner apps can be incredibly helpful for new sales reps in several ways. First, these apps can help you optimize your routes and save time. Sales route planner apps like RepMove use real-time traffic data and GPS technology to calculate the most efficient route between multiple stops. This means that new sales reps can spend less time on the road and more time meeting with potential customers. Many outside sales teams employ field sales software to take their organization's performance up a level and supercharge results for their teams.

Additionally, sales route planner apps can help new sales reps stay organized and keep track of their appointments. Many of these apps allow users to create a schedule of appointments and sync it with their calendars. This means that you can easily view your schedule for the day and be on time for each appointment.

Sales route planner apps can also help new sales reps prepare for appointments. These apps allow users to view customer information, such as contact details, past purchases, and notes from previous meetings. This means that new sales reps can go into each appointment with a better understanding of the customer's needs and preferences, which can help them tailor their sales pitch and increase the likelihood of making a sale.

Finally, sales route planner apps can help new sales reps track their progress and performance. Many of these apps provide analytics and reports on sales activity, such as the number of appointments made, the number of sales closed, and the average time spent on the road. This information can help new sales reps identify areas for improvement and adjust their sales strategies accordingly.

Sales route planner apps can be an invaluable tool for new sales reps. By helping them save time, stay organized, prepare for appointments, and track their progress, these apps can help new sales reps achieve greater success in their field sales careers. Download RepMove today and experience the benefits for yourself!