Where to find sales training, etc.

Question

As I'm gaining more experience in investing and learning more I wonder what opportunities are out there for other related fields that could boost my skills as an investor. I'm planning to continue a full time job, preferably a part time job so I can focus more on investing.

I'm considering companies with great sales training or entrepreneurship training. I'm interested in small business training. I did recently get emails from Farmer's insurance asking me to interview.

If anyone out there can recommend high quality programs or other avenues for training I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Bill Gulley · Answer

Insurance sales is an excellent place to get sales training. If you can sell insurance you can sell anything, and they usually pay you to train. Insurance is an intangible product, you don't get to test drive a life insurance policy! You are selling a concept.

RE sales are all about selling concepts, you sell the concept and the property sells itself. :)

Nkrumah Morgan · Answer

I must agree here... Tom Hopkins has some great sales training. I own his audio sales collection.  I subscribe to car university, so I can listen to him while driving.

Annette Hibbler · Answer

Steven Johnson   I'm not sure what you mean by "designation" however, each state has its own license requirements.  Check with your local real estate professionals branch and look online to find out how many hours are required, where to take exam, etc.

Tom Goans · Answer

Steven,

I completely agree with Bill Gulley. Insurance salespeople are considered to be the best trained of any sales profession. Many sales techniques are first born and tried within the insurance industry.

Insurance sales will also be great at teaching you how to deal with all types of people.

The added benefit, insurance sales will expose you to possible real estate investments or possible partners.

One of my real estate investment partners' primary business was as a life insurance salesman.

You will also be in charge of your time.

You may find the book "Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive" a very good read.

Mehran K. · Answer

Check out  Tom Hopkins

People learning sales from all different industries learn from him. He started in selling real estate.

Bill Gulley · Answer

I sold camping trailers and supplies at 12 and 13 demonstrating them and telling on lookers what the features were, at 16 I was working in a bike shop selling bikes. Then I sold flooring and started my own business. Then the Army where you'll learn to get along with all kinds of folks. I always sold the meat, not the sizzle, and when I went into insurance they taught the phycology of selling, over coming objections and how to lead others to a desired conclusion.....so they say anyway.  So, while I thought I was a pretty good salesman, I realized I didn't have a clue that I was following many of the basics of the art until I was in insurance. Metropolitan and Prudential have great training.

Insurance is a necessary evil in our economy, it's a rip, until you need it! :)

Steven J. · Answer

Thanks for the responses. I've done a little bit of looking into this and there is a lot of information on what I'd want to specialize in.

If someone could explain, to get my Realtor license do I just need one designation on the NAR site? Or is there a set number I need? And James Vermillion and Annette Hibbler, to get my real estate sales which designation is that going to be? Or am I approaching this incorrectly?

Bill Gulley I am torn on your comment. I imagine I would hate selling insurance, but at the same time I know sales is something I can work at and as you say,  if you can sell insurance you can sell anything, I would be great at selling.

Jack Bobeck I will definitely look into material from the library. I am always fascinated by the emotional decisions people will make when it comes to marketing, buying, selling, etc.

Jack Bobeck · Answer

Whichever sales acumen you get into, try and make sure that the product or service is something people NEED, preferably daily in their lives. The local library is filled with good books about sales, Success Magazine is a good one for sales and entrepreneurism. But to really succeed in sales, you really need to know and understand people, so books on how and why people do the crazy stuff they do will be helpful.

David Beard · Answer

You might also go the commercial agent route, could do leasing work initially, then sales. Check out the CCIM designation and see if it looks interesting to you.

Annette Hibbler · Answer

I agree with James. Definitely, look into Real estate sales training as it will also provide you with an excellent education on how to find and utilize OPM (other people's money).  Not to mention the instant credibility factor with having a real estate license.  Working as a real estate sales rep will also teach you how to analyze properties from an investors side of things as well.  The experience and knowledge you can acquire is well worth the investment in time & expense of the course.

Where to find sales training, etc.

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