Resource: Media Sales

Are you knowledgeable about advertising and marketing? Do you have a friendly, extroverted personality, and good attention to detail? Consider pursuing an exciting career in media sales! The pressure is high, the deals are frequently high stakes, but the financial rewards can be high as well.

In most media sales jobs, you will be responsible for selling advertising spots, such as television advertisements, radio spots, or magazine or classified advertising. You might be employed by a newspaper, a magazine, a radio or television station, or an internet publication, particularly those with streaming audio or video.

One of the most important parts of a media sales representative’s job is understanding their clients, and how they can best target their potential customers. As a media sales agent, you should be able to advise your clients on what kind of advertising spots to purchase, and how they can get the highest return for their advertising investment.


Media Sales: Past & Future

In times gone by, media sales representative and media buyers had much simpler jobs. There were only a few television channels and major newspapers, and media sales was a relatively straightforward business.

In today's world of digital media, things have changed considerably. There are hundreds of cable television channels; there's digital radio; there's streaming audio and video on the web; and millions of high-traffic websites, including the electronic versions of popular newspapers and magazines. With so many channels to choose from, advertising is now more attainable for small businesses. Plus, the options are greatly increased for every advertiser, including the big ones.

The result is that the job of a media salesperson has become much more complicated! The days of the "long lunch" are over, and the job is typically high-pressure and fast-paced. However, the good news is that there are many more opportunities in the industry. Each and every media channel or publication needs to sell advertising, so there are lots of positions available for media sales representative. The highest spots in the industry are just as enviable as they used to be, but the entry-level positions are more attainable.


Media Sales: Do you have what it takes?

To be a successful media sales representative, you will need to possess a combination of the following traits and abilities:

• You must be driven, ambitious, and money-motivated, with a strong work ethic.
• You should have good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• It's important to have a neat, professional appearance and attractive self-presentation. Attending events and networking may be a big part of your job, so you should be comfortable in professional and social situations.
• You should have a bachelor's degree. Marketing, communications, or a business degree offer good academic preparation.
• Many positions require previous sales experience.


A Career in Media Sales: The Payoff

As a media sales representative, you can expect to earn a salary commensurate with the size of the publication or channel you work for, and the advertising budgets of your clients. The best positions in the industry pay extremely well. You may also be able to earn commission on the spots you sell. Additionally, you can also expect a comprehensive benefits package.

Media sales offers a fun, high-energy environment – you may even occasionally rub shoulders with the rich and famous!

In addition, it is typical to receive ongoing training and education, ensuring that you will stay competitive in the field. There is a great deal of room for upward advancement – if you are a high performer, you may find yourself moving up in the ranks as a media executive.