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What is a direct sales agent and how to become one
Direct sales agents are independent salespeople who distribute goods through the network they create. They work directly with consumers, selling the products and finding each customer personally.
As a direct sales agent, you will be self-employed and responsible for arranging market materials and samples for yourself. You will be working for a commission after the merchandise you sell, and you are free to manage your own working methods. No one will check your schedule or tell you how to do your job; whether you sell online or door-to-door is entirely up to you.
You will need to build a network of clientele on your own. People typically start with family and friends, so that might work for you as well. If word gets around, your product will be successful, but you might invest in other marketing strategies as well. Your only limit is your creativity
What general advice would you give to a Direct Sales Agent?
Frederik Beuk
Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Akron
Avg. Salary $57,712
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 10%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%
Asian 9.26%
Black or African American 5.85%
Hispanic or Latino 12.35%
Unknown 4.15%
White 68.17%
Genderfemale 41.98%
male 58.02%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Direct Sales Agent career paths
Key steps to become a direct sales agent
Explore direct sales agent education requirements
Start to develop specific direct sales agent skills
Skills 
Percentages Customer Service 25.46% Medicare 14.58% Health Insurance 11.86% Direct Sales 11.17% Underwriting Process 5.86% Complete relevant direct sales agent training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New direct sales agents learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a direct sales agent based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real direct sales agent resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed direct sales agent usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed direct sales agent in most of states. 38 states require direct sales agents to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License Url Alabama - - Licensed Insurance Producer Arkansas Degree required State exam required Insurance Sales Producer (Agent) Colorado Specific course required State exam required Insurance Agent Connecticut Specific course required State exam required Producer License, Individual Delaware - State exam required Insurance Agent Research direct sales agent duties and responsibilities
- Increase customer understanding of Comcast products and pricing models as well as competitive advantage over other service providers.
- Produce call reports and CRM dashboards.
- Demonstrate strong understanding of Comcast products, promoting and selling offerings to individual customers by knocking every door within assign territories.
- Contact new and existing customers to discuss how TWC products can meet their needs.
Prepare your direct sales agent resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your direct sales agent resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a direct sales agent resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Direct Sales Agent Resume templates
Build a professional Direct Sales Agent resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Direct Sales Agent resume.
Apply for direct sales agent jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a direct sales agent job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Direct Sales Agent Job
Are you a Direct Sales Agent?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average direct sales agent salary
The average Direct Sales Agent salary in the United States is $57,712 per year or $28 per hour. Direct sales agent salaries range between $30,000 and $107,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do direct sales agents rate their job?
Direct Sales Agent reviews
Communicating and helping my clients.
The travel was extensive. Sometimes. It took more than month to close a deaĺ.
i enjoy the interaction with people, listen the customer in order to convert him/her into your friend, detect and help customer with his/her needs.
People without vision, dreams and selfishness.
Marketing products from a traceable companies to consumers and providing a good service to the clients .
I don't like to work for a company without good management which results in disappointing consumers
Updated January 8, 2025
