Outside Sales Rep

The definition and meaning of an Outside Sales Rep: Outside Sales Rep is a specific type of sales role. Outside Sales Rep is a sales role selling products and/or services from outside of a typical office setting, requiring travel to interact with prospective customers in-person. Sometimes referred to as field sales.

An outside sales representative is a professional salesperson who specializes in reaching out to potential customers to generate new business outside of the office. They typically work for companies that require a high volume of leads to be generated in order to drive revenue growth. The main goal of an outside sales representative is to generate leads by reaching out to potential customers and then nurturing those leads until they are ready to be passed on to the sales team for further qualification and closing.

The role of an outside sales representative begins with researching potential customers and identifying leads through various methods such as online research, attending industry events, and networking. Once potential leads have been identified, the outside sales representative will reach out to them using various forms of digital communication such as phone, email, or social media. During these interactions, the outside sales representative will work to understand the customer's needs and preferences, and will present solutions that align with the company's products or services. They will also provide the customer with any necessary information such as product literature, demonstrations, and pricing.

An outside sales representative must be able to effectively communicate the benefits of the company's products or services and be able to handle objections. They are responsible for nurturing the leads until they are ready to be passed on to the sales team for further qualification and closing. They also need to be able to handle administrative tasks such as paperwork, follow-up calls, and scheduling appointments. They are responsible for meeting or exceeding the sales targets set by their managers and regularly reporting on the progress of their sales efforts.

Outside sales representatives typically work in the field and have set schedules, but may have some flexibility in terms of when they work. They must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and be able to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. They must also be able to work independently and be comfortable interacting with customers over the phone, email, and other digital communication channels. They must possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to effectively communicate in written and verbal form, and have the ability to multitask, prioritize and meet deadlines.

Overall, an outside sales representative is a professional salesperson who specializes in reaching out to potential customers to generate new business outside of the office. They generate leads by reaching out to potential customers and then nurturing those leads until they are ready to be passed on to the sales team for further qualification and closing. They possess strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to think on their feet, and are able to generate new leads and sales opportunities through various digital communication channels. They are an integral part of the sales team and are able to manage their own tasks and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, and responsible for meeting or exceeding the sales targets set by their managers.

View more sales roles and sales job descriptions in the glossary.