Independent Sales Representative Duties

Independent sales representatives perform the same duties as sales representatives employed directly by the manufacturer, but they're either self-employed or employed by another company. They may even work for more than one company. Many companies contract out sales duties; the role of an independent sales representative is growing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sales Process

Independent sales representatives find clients or pitch to former or current clients. They visit the client's office and promote the product, highlighting why the company should chose that product over one produced by a competitor. Sometimes the sales process can take several meetings and many months before a deal is reached. One of the largest duties of a sales representative is undertaking this sales process.

Paperwork

Independent sales representatives spend a lot of time filling out documents. They write emails and faxes to prospective clients to make initial contact and follow up to see if there's any client interest. A sales representative also must fill out paperwork for the company including information about clients and order forms if the client orders the product. They might also have to fill out a time sheet to bill the company for time spent selling the product.

Service

Even after a company agrees to purchase a product, the independent sales representative is still part of the process. Many times the company contacts the representative for shipping issues and to set up shipping times. The client company might also contact the representative for reorders and to order different products from the representative's company. Making sure the client gets the merchandise and is happy with the product delivered is another duty of an independent sales representative.