Question about making a living on sales/commission?

[QuarterMillionMan]

Does anyone here make it their livelihood solely on sales/commissions? And is this a trait inherent in the individual or can it be a learned behavior? The reason I ask is that this is one area where I could not survive doing this type of work if my life depended on it (LOL). I've tried selling door to door and hated it with a passion (Kirby, Solar water heaters, etc.). My dad once took me along to cold sell door to door solar water heaters and on the first day by lunch time I had quit (ha-ha). I had jumped back in my car, headed home and began a new job search. My dad on the other hand is a life-long salesman. At 78 he is still going door to door as an estimator for a roofing company. My belief is that either you have it in you or you don't. I definitely DON'T! And no amount of training will convert me (lol).

[hamchan]

Sales, no, but commission and tips, yes. I can only be booked for so many appointments, and am usually booked up pretty well, so it's pretty reliable in terms of numbers from one month to the next. I actually do get a small commission on product sales as well, but it typically only amounts to $10-15 a paycheck. I make the majority of my money on commissions and tips from services.

[feh]

Does anyone here make it their livelihood solely on sales/commissions? And is this a trait inherent in the individual or can it be a learned behavior? The reason I ask is that this is one area where I could not survive doing this type of work if my life depended on it (LOL). I've tried selling door to door and hated it with a passion (Kirby, Solar water heaters, etc.). My dad once took me along to cold sell door to door solar water heaters and on the first day by lunch time I had quit (ha-ha). I had jumped back in my car, headed home and began a new job search. My dad on the other hand is a life-long salesman. At 78 he is still going door to door as an estimator for a roofing company. My belief is that either you have it in you or you don't. I definitely DON'T! And no amount of training will convert me (lol).

I agree with you. Truly great, natural salespeople (the kind that cold call or go door-to-door) are born, not trained.

I know a few of these people. As an introvert myself, I find what they do amazing.

[hamchan]

I am naturally very introverted, but I guess years of being in my industry has made me get good at being charming and likable if I need to be. You're not just selling someone on the quality of your work, you're selling your personality, and no one wants to spend an hour with someone who has an awkward or crappy personality. We have a few repeat clients I can't stand, but they have no idea that I can't stand them. It's sort of like acting. I put on a character that isn't really me, but it comes off as genuine. It didn't happen overnight though. I've had lots of time to hone my skills. I doubt that I could easily parlay what I do into a different environment though, because it's so specific. I couldn't see myself doing door-to-door at all.

[ua_guy]

I came in here to post about introversion/extroversion and how a lot of people truly aren't cut out physiologically for sales work, but it's already been touched upon. Not that introverts can't be in sales, but by pure nature of being one and, if the studies about dopamine response in the brain is right, a sales job would be an unnatural fit for most of us. My father was in sales for more than 30 years. It's how he supported our family. I admire the work he did, but in terms of personalities, we are polar opposites.

I don't find the work of extroverts any more amazing than I find the work of introverts to be amazing. Just like I couldn't cold-call, or entertain new clients for an evening, or forge sales relationships, those same people that can would find the natural work of an introvert to be just as appalling -- deep analysis, mental processing, spending more time in mental real-estate than in actual space engaging with other people.

[cougs4bcs]

I'm an introvert, but I get a HUUUUUGE rush when I make that sale for my commission. Even though it is a small part of my salary, I have always loved the feeling of getting a cut of what I'm already hired to do anyways. I am the definition of introvert, but I absolutely LOVE the feeling of making a sale. Maybe it's just the "provider" in me that enjoys getting the extra commission money.