Choosing Between Inside and Outside Sales in Manufacturing: What to Consider

Building an inside or outside sales career in manufacturing can be rewarding. You can connect companies with relevant solutions and be financially rewarded.

Knowing what to consider lets you choose between inside and outside sales in manufacturing. The following information can help.

Learn what to consider when choosing between inside and outside sales in manufacturing.

Inside Sales Overview

Inside sales in manufacturing involve selling remotely. Phone calls, email, messaging, social media communication, and videoconferencing help close contracts.

An inside sales representative prospects and generates leads from an office. These professionals engage in inbound sales, where leads initiate contact about the manufacturing firm’s services, or outbound sales, where the representatives reach out to prospects to gauge their interest in the firm’s services.

Potential earnings depend on the commission structure, location, and individual success level. Therefore, continuously improving performance should lead to elevated income.

Outside Sales Overview

Outside sales in manufacturing involve traveling to meet with prospects. Phone calls, emails, messaging, and in-person meetings help close contracts.

An outside sales representative prospects and generates leads outside the office. They meet with prospects to build relationships and provide solutions to pain points.

Potential earnings for outside sales typically are higher than for inside sales. Income depends on location, compensation structure, tenure, and sales volume.

Advantages of Inside Sales Jobs

An inside sales job offers many advantages:

  • Large potential customer base: Sell anywhere within the manufacturing company’s service area.
  • Productivity: Digital tools and technologies such as videoconferencing, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, customer behavior analysis programs, and data analytics strengthen efficiency and conversion rates.
  • Work-life integration: A consistent work schedule provides time for personal interests.

Advantages of Outside Sales Jobs

An outside sales job offers many advantages:

  • Face-to-face interactions: In-person meetings strengthen trust and customer relationships for high close rates.
  • Flexibility: Aligning meetings with prospects’ schedules supports diverse work hours.
  • Autonomy: Meeting or exceeding sales goals, expectations, and key performance indicators (KPIs) is more important than the number of hours worked.

Are You Ready to Begin Your Inside or Outside Sales Career in Manufacturing?

Partner with Connectology for guidance and support to build your inside or outside sales career in manufacturing. Visit our job board to apply for a role in Wisconsin or Minnesota today.

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