A book sales representative is the go between from the book publishers to the book retailers. To become a book sales representative it’s important that you have an idea of what qualifications you’ll need. Let’s go over some of them now and see just what is needed.
First of all there is an advantage if you are well read, highly literate and highly educated. A bachelor’s degree is one of the usual requirements upfront. It also helps to have account sales experience and an entrepreneurial spirit as well as an energetic personality. The different angle of being a book sales rep is that you have to negotiate the sell of books that haven’t even been released. It isn’t like showing the customer something that is all packed up and ready to go. You are selling an idea of what something is going to be. Unique and creative sales skills are a definite advantage. You need to be able to catch the attention of your prospective client and keep them interested so your presentation has to be focused and well presented. Your clients will have a lot of questions about books. They’ll want to know what the story is about, information about the author, sales statistics and how well the book is doing. A lot of book sales reps have laptops they take to the meetings for easy access to information that they’ll need. Some of the questions you’ll have answers to off the top of your head and some you’ll have to find the information on it.
There is a lot of traveling that comes with this job. You will be traveling to different areas. Your job could cover as many as 3 or 4 states and you have to visit all the book retailers often. You’ll be working extensive hours and sometimes weekends. . The plus side of this job is that you set your own schedule, you’re the boss and can enjoy high commissions if you work hard. You’ll meet new people, see new places and learn a lot from the books you are selling.
There are different ways to get a job in this field. One way is to get help from book publishers. Some may actually need a book sales rep so send in your resume after hearing what they have to say. Check the internet for book sales representative openings. Visit sites that post job openings and, if you find one, submit your resume.
This job can be rewarding and exciting, especially if you love to travel. So what are you waiting for, go for it!
If you are a book sales representative or interested in this type of job, please leave your feedback, I’d be happy to hear from you!
By Linda Lee Ruzicka
Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Decending Darkness, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She is a Affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association She also does freelances work for Beyond and for Salesheads. More of her blogs can be found at Salesheads blog.
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