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Career Details

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41-3011.00 - Advertising Sales Agents


Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
167,900
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
163,400
Estimate
Change in Employment
-4,500
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-2.7%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising.
  • Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible.
  • Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts.
  • Process all correspondence and paperwork related to accounts.
  • Deliver advertising or illustration proofs to customers for approval.
  • Draw up contracts for advertising work, and collect payments due.
  • Locate and contact potential clients to offer advertising services.
  • Provide clients with estimates of the costs of advertising products or services.
  • Recommend appropriate sizes and formats for advertising, depending on medium used.
  • Inform customers of available options for advertisement artwork, and provide samples.
  • Obtain and study information about clients' products, needs, problems, advertising history, and business practices to offer effective sales presentations and appropriate product assistance.
  • Determine advertising medium to be used, and prepare sample advertisements within the selected medium for presentation to customers.
  • Consult with company officials, sales departments, and advertising agencies to develop promotional plans.
  • Prepare promotional plans, sales literature, media kits, and sales contracts, using computer.
  • Identify new advertising markets, and propose products to serve them.
  • Write copy as part of layout.
  • Attend sales meetings, industry trade shows, and training seminars to gather information, promote products, expand network of contacts, and increase knowledge.
  • Gather all relevant material for bid processes, and coordinate bidding and contract approval.
  • Arrange for commercial taping sessions, and accompany clients to sessions.
Supplemental
  • Write sales outlines for use by staff.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 97%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 91%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 English Language
  • 79%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Communications and Media
  • 77%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Mathematics
  • 71%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Clerical
  • 67%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 66%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Administration and Management
  • 63%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Education and Training
  • 54%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Production and Processing
  • 53%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 53%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Telecommunications
  • 50%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 50%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Tablet computers
 Personal communication devices
  • Multi-line telephone systems
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Contact management software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • QuarkXPress
 Data management and query software
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Salesforce softwareHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Google AdWordsHOT
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
 Network applications software
  • Web browser software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Bridgewater College
 Programs
Randolph-Macon College
 Programs