Sales Trainer

Start-up cost: $500–$2,500 (for spinoff products, add another $5,000–$15,000)

Potential earnings: $80,000–$150,000+

Typical fees: $125–$150 per hour plus travel expenses

Advertising: Professional sales associations, networking, advertising in local business publications

Qualifications: Sales training or teaching experience

Equipment needed: Computer, printer, fax, high-speed Internet access, cell phone

Staff required: No

Hidden costs: Liability insurance, travel expenses not covered by client, incentives to help secure new clients (CDs, books, consulting time, or other business-building freebies)

What You Do

If you have a knack for inspiring and motivating others, in addition to a sales or marketing background, becoming a sales trainer could be a fun and profitable business option for you. You will travel all over the country offering high-paying workshops, seminars, and keynote speeches that energize sales professionals and motivate them to peak performance. Once you become better known for your motivational abilities, you will see that the largest part of your job is actually marketing your own best product—yourself—to other companies who might sponsor your seminars. Keeping the calendar full will insure that the money keeps rolling in, so don’t forget to get testimonials from each gig in order to continually gain more interest in your services. Forget the tired buzzwords of the past. Develop your own formula for sales success, and you can make yourself a valued resource among thousands of sales professionals everywhere.

What You Need

Most sales trainers have also written books and produced a variety of spinoff products such as cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, or videos. Expect to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 for marketing materials, including brochures, business cards, and a Web site that is as dynamic as you are. Aside from your self-promotion tools, you really don’t need more than charisma and tenacity to get a business like this off the ground.

Keys to Success

In this business, reputation is everything. Inspiring others to reach for their best is a noble profession, but it can only be successful if you constantly promote yourself to more prospects. Having a complete portfolio of “spin off” incentive products like books, CDs and self-assessments on your Web site is one way to keep customers coming back—and the money streaming in.