Sales Reps for a niche market

[R_e_z_a]

Hey guys,

I have a rapidly growing start-up that's begging for expansion, I started it from my garage and it’s grown to $360,000 in annual sales in just over 2 years with only one customer. Now there are hundreds, if not thousands of potential customers out there in North America but I'm not sure how to find the candidates qualified to sell the product/service as it requires engineering knowledge and a grasp of advanced materials. I personally do not have enough experience in corporate sales or I would do it myself. Any ideas on where I could find qualified candidates and compensation strategies?


Ps. I am looking to provide low base but high commission or equity in the company so that capital can be used for further expansion.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Regards,

Reza

[Phranksizzle]

You need to find a TRUE sales person. A true sales person can sell anything. Give him enough knowledge, and he can sell it. You just have to educate, educate, educate. I have sold mostly in the wireless industry. I have a very basic grasp of how cell phone work, but I still sold the crap out of them. I have sold furniture, TV's, voice over IP service, TV service, internet service, sunglasses. You can sell anything if you're amped up about it.

You need to find somebody who learns quickly and for lack of a better term, is full of piss and vinegar. (Hows that for a Texas sayin' ?)

Piss and vinegar = means someone who is just jumping off the walls with enthusiam... more or less

[BC SEO Guy]

just put an ad on craigslist - base plus commission you should have no problem finding someone. Product knowledge etc can be taught to a good salesman.

I'm sure I could sell it - but I don't have the time or the interest really.

All I can offer is free advice -_-

[Uta]

WOW1 Niche market, huge profit!

[ideamaned]

Well, one thing that is in your favor is the rising unemployment rate. It means the pool of available people that might be qualified is the largest its been in a while. You should be able to pick and choose.

I would consider offering a piece of equity for a top talent with a track record of selling success with products of similar difficulty-level. But the equity reward should only come after a certain probationary period and after certain milestones have been reached. This would need to be setup very carefully with attorney oversight.

Good luck

[TylerBakerllc]

rephunter.com is a great resource that I use to find reps. Its costly, but it weeds out all the morons so you get only qualified candidates. I used it for a month, and had 6 reps.

Take care!

[mikek]

recent grad students in mechanical engineering need jobs now more than ever, as entering the job market they have nothing to do. you will find many young and willing candidates who will want to learn as well as be very enhusiastic in making money from something they love doing. plus you dont have to pay them much at first, and they have alot of knowledge.

just a tip!