A sales agent is one job position among many within the field of marketing.
Marketing involves anything related to the development, production, sale, promotion or distribution of products, services or events. Marketing positions are plentiful and employment can be found with media groups, design agencies, marketing companies and the marketing department of many businesses, hospitals, organizations and corporations. Some workers may perform the tasks of multiple job positions. Although job openings may be easy to find, competition for these jobs is stiff.
Media/Print Material
Television, print publications, radio, the Internet, billboards, brochures and signage are a few ways to advertise a business, product, service or event. Ad text is written by copywriters; computer layouts are designed by graphic designers; printers create multiple copies of packaging, ads and promotional material; and web designers maintain an Internet presence with the upkeep of a company's website. Creative or art directors head design departments within media firms and design agencies. Managing editors oversee those who produce content for newspapers and magazines and earn an average of $82,619 per year, according to MySalary.com in January 2011.
Advertising/Promotions
Organizations and businesses must regularly promote their events, products or services to the public. Public relations managers or specialists mold public perception and recognition of companies by issuing press releases, arranging for media coverage and publicly addressing problems with reputation. Media planners determine which advertising methods will reach large target audiences while staying within budget. Advertising managers or marketing directors supervise a company's entire advertising or marketing department. MySalary.com reported median yearly salaries for media planners of $48,667, while a May 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistics report said that public relations managers earned an average $89,430 a year and advertising managers $80,220 annually.
Product Development
The concept and physical development of products and their packaging and how they look on store shelves are key marketing elements. All aspects of product design and the manufacturing of new or redesigned products are observed by the product development director. Package design managers take the helm in the design and printing of packaging. Average annual salaries were $90,386 for package design managers and $150,874 for product development directors, according to MySalary.com.
Sales
Retail salespeople, cashiers, stockers and store clerks are marketing personnel. The way items are placed on shelves, where they are located in stores and the helpfulness of sales clerks all affect product sales. Sales representatives, sales agents and account executives must land new clients and accounts and nurture ongoing client relationships. Telemarketers, or call center representatives, make sales over the phone. MySalary.com claims yearly wages of entry-level telemarketers averaged $27,055. Sales managers--who direct sales teams--earned an average of $97,260 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Research
Information must be gathered to make sound decisions for successful marketing campaigns and product launches. Market researchers initiate surveys, public polls, product reviews and focus groups to determine what consumers want. The results are studied by marketing analysts who play a role in designing or reconfiguring a marketing strategy. Sales analysts focus on sales projections, while product marketing analysts focus on product effectiveness. Yearly entry-level pay averages $58,165 for product marketing analysts and $47,239 for sales analysts, reveals MySalary.com.
Tags: average year, marketing analysts, according MySalary, analysts focus, average year according