posted
Been reading some posts here lately, and it seems that most of whom I hear from are one-man shows.
I have been in graphics for 25 years. Around 15 years in display and exhibit graphics, and about 10 –12 years in signs with only some of those years overlapping.
I am considering making a move into sales. Same shop, different position.
At a One-man show, you sell (what you want to sell and to whom), build (what you want to build, and how you want to build it), invoice (what you feel it’s worth), and collect (what you deserve). Ideally.
I have had two shop owners tell me that in all their years in business, combined about 20, they NEVER paid ANYONE what they have paid me. I make about what I made as an art director with a full service art studio in 1985-87. I realize that was then, and this is now. There is very little about what and how that studio worked that is left in the industry anymore (other than-sales). That’s not the issue.
It’s time to realize I’ve hit the proverbial wall. I think that sales may be a way over, around, or through it.
posted
It's a big move, but I would think that your previous experience would be a great asset to your customers. You could give them a better idea than a typical "salesman" could of what to expect for their well spent money. But, like artists, salesmen cannot be "made" you either are or aren't. Rarely some can do both. Perhaps it's you...Depending on your age and financial circumstances, it could be a great move.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3503 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Years ago I sold for others and found that most offerings I was asked to present did not end up living up to any reasonable standard I would have set for myself if I were producing what was being sold. This bothered me a lot so I became my own producer and salesperson.
When I attempted to employ perfectly competent people in a sales capacity on my behalf, I found that the best of them could only produce about half of what I could from a sales presentation. Since I couldn't afford to leave that much on the table, I took back that chore for myself.
I have to ask though, with your background, have you considered drawing on it to produce some product or service that would help others wanting to succeed and who might be willing to pay you handsomely for providing it?
-------------------- Fred Weiss Allied Computer Graphics, Inc. 4620 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33463 561 649-6300 allcompu@allcompu.com Posts: 427 | From: Lake Worth, Florida | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
i was a "salesman" for NAPA auto parts, when i lived in maine, west virgina and south fl. when i quit working in the parts i started painting signs. most of my 1st customers came from the peopel who i sold auto parts to. so being a salesman for signs i have never found that hard to do. most who have met me at meets will tell you i never shut up!!!!!!!!!haahahahaha. last couple days i have been resting my voice box, after this weekend i almost cant talk.hehehehe
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
i saw joe shut up or back up at sandcastle when this cute young gal told himto let her kiss him. she told him that she would not slip him any tongue.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic