subject: How Can I Find Independent Sales Reps or Sales Agencies? [print this page] The following are some of the main ways Independent Sales Reps or Sales Agents can be found:
Online Services.
There are several online services that provide cost-effective access to Independent Sales Reps. One of the most prominent is RepHunter at http://www.rephunter.net. They have a large and growing database of Independent Sales Representatives and Agencies that you can search for free.
Pros
low costeffectiveget in contact with reps in your industry looking for lines
Cons
may not always be able to find what you are looking for
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 showsgood attendance by reps in your industry
Cons
may be expensive if you are not already attending such showscan be time consumingshows not always readily accessible; may have to wait quite a while for the right show
Consultant
Employ or engage a consultant 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 needspre-screen cuts down on the extent of the interviews necessaryhave 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 repmore oriented towards employed sales reps, not independent sales repscan take a very long time
Advertise
Use Craigslist, on-line job boards, or classified sections of newspapers.
Pros
low cost in some cases such as Craigslist
Cons
while advertising routes may appear simple and inexpensive, be prepared for their hidden costs and time delaysto 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 interviewsadvance staffing may be necessary to plan your recruiting campaignneed to budget sufficient time and resources over and above the up-front advertising expense for this staffingnewspaper advertising can be quite expensive. Commonly runs into thousands of dollars for a single Sunday insertion in a major metro area
How Can I Find Independent Sales Reps or Sales Agencies?
