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:
1. Online Services.
There are several online services that provide cost-effective access to Independent Sales Reps. Try searching "Independent Sales Reps" on Google to easily find some of the most prominent ones.
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. 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. 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 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
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 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
