Advertising Sales Agents - Assignment Example

First, the advertising agents should prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers about the company’s products and services. Secondly, liaise with the company officials, sales departmental heads, and the advertising agencies to develop the promotional plans. Third, to identify new advertising markets and propose products that will suit the customers and in turn generate revenue for the company. The advertising agents attend sales meetings, trade shows, and training seminars to gather information, promote the company products and services, expand the network of contacts and increase knowledge due to exposure (United States Department of Labor, 2014). The agents also organize the commercial tapping sessions together with coordinating bidding and contract approval.

Moreover, the advertising sales agents determine the best advertising method to use and prepare sample advertisements to present to target customers using the proposed medium of advertising. Other tasks include providing clients with estimates of the cost of the products and services, maintaining an assigned account basis explaining to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products and services in the most effective way possible. The sales agents need a lot of confidence since not everyone will listen to them and so they have to learn to be strong when facing rejection (United States Department of Labor, 2014).

For this job, a high school diploma is usually sufficient. However, some employers prefer the applicants to possess a bachelor’s degree as an added advantage together with excellent communication skills and two or three years’ experience. Previous work-related knowledge and skills increase the opportunity of an applicant or serve as an added advantage. Before embarking on the job, many employees need a few months of training on the job experience both formal and informal with other experienced workers.

In addition to competence, the advertising sales agents must possess some skills. One of the skills required is persuasion skill whereby the sales agent will be able to change the minds or behavior of the customers to his advantage. Secondly, the agent should be eloquent in speaking to convey the information most effectively. The third skill is active listening and the sales agent is required to give full attention to the customers or undivided attention (United States Department of Labor, 2014). Lastly, the sales agents should be aware of the reactions of the customers and understand why they react that way to find a solution.