Three Ways to Make Yourself More Productive at Selling from Home

Joseph Stubblebine
Posted by


For many people, selling from home sounds like the perfect job. Though a home office may be more comfortable and more convenient, it can also present distractions that prevent you from meeting your sales goals. When you take time to adjust your workspace and your sales process, you can increase the chances of success.

As a sales professional working from home, the first step in boosting your productivity is eliminating distractions. Start by targeting the things that make you lose focus. If you find that incoming email takes you away from making cold calls or following up with potential clients, turn off all notifications and close the window or application. If household chores are distracting, create a schedule that integrates work and other activities. During a morning break, you might load the dishwasher. At lunch, you might tidy the kitchen. If you are still having a hard time focusing, silence your phone, turn off the television, and request that all family members let you work uninterrupted. Without distractions, you'll be more effective at selling from home.

When you want to be more productive at selling from home, examine your workspace. If it is near high-traffic areas of the house, such as the kitchen, you'll be less likely to accomplish your sales goals. Create a workspace that is isolated from activity—preferably in an area with a door that you can close. Because selling from home often requires a great deal of phone time, choose a space that is quiet; that way, you won't need to worry about household noise disrupting a call. If you like to move around during calls, purchase a quality headset or Bluetooth earpiece. By creating a quiet, comfortable space, you can be more productive and separate your work and personal activities.

For many people, it is easy to lose focus on sales goals when selling from home. As much as possible, emulate the procedures of a standard sales office. Post daily, weekly, and monthly goals above your desk. If you are just getting started, create goals for the number of cold calls you want to make each day. Set aside time to research new clients and create tailored pitches. At the beginning of each week, create a plan and a to-do list for the week; according to a recent story from the Detroit Free Press, this simple action can help reduce anxiety and keep you on track. By focusing on the specific steps that will lead you to a productive sales career, you can increase productivity. Plus, with a solid list of tasks to accomplish, you won't have to worry about finding something to do during slow periods.

Like any other job, selling from home has its benefits and drawbacks. By making an attempt to organize your workday and set up specific goals, you can make it easier to stay productive—even in the face of household distractions.

 

 

 

(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)

Comment

Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.

Jobs to Watch