Charlotte Martin - Display Sales Executive, Lifestyle Magazine
I went to Manchester University and graduated in 2002 with a 2:1 in English literature & language. I decided to do the travelling thing after uni, for 7 months.
When I got back to the UK I was not sure about which career path to follow. I saw an ad on a website for media sales. I had never sold anything in my life but it was working for Vogue which really appealed to me. I applied and two interviews later I found out I got the job. I moved to London and that is when my career in media sales began. I loved the atmosphere and made so many friends. It was so exciting working for such a well known glossy magazine; however it was very hard work. I made on average 60-65 calls each day selling advertising to businesses direct/pr agencies and some small fashion/beauty advertising agencies. I received in-house sales training and got to learn about how the publishing industry works as I got a really good insight of how all the departments interlinked with each other.
After 18 months I moved company and took a job selling Display adverts (larger/more creative ads in magazines) on a very well known young women's lifestyle title. Selling Display involves much more face to face selling- you have to build really strong relationships with the ad agencies who have their own clients advertising budget to spend - you have to show them how and why your media will reach their target audience. I deal with a selection of advertising agencies whose clients have big schedules in terms of their advertising requirements. My sales pitches are more creative and tailored to each individual client. There is also an element of client hospitality so I sometimes take my clients out for lunch, or go to launch parties! Since I have been with my new company I have received advanced negotiation training as well as media research tool training. It is hard work and can be stressful as the pages in the magazine have to be sold, so sometimes the pressure can really be on. However the people I work with and the work environment are great and it is a really fun, varied job.
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