Spotlights
Brand Ambassador, Demo Specialist (Demonstration Specialist), Demonstrator, Event Specialist, Field Merchandiser, Food Demonstrator, In-Store Demonstrator, Merchandiser, Product Ambassador, Product Demonstrator, Product Promoter
Sometimes when you’re at a store, it’s hard to decide which product to buy. You might not even realize you’re interested in a product–until you see it being demonstrated live!
Companies realize this, which is why they often send out Product Demonstrators to promote and showcase their offerings to potential customers. Product Demonstrators work in retail stores and shopping malls as well as at product expos and various festivals.
They set up displays and conduct live merchandise demos to answer questions and show off product benefits to the public. Depending on the venue, they may also engage in direct sales, but some simply take down the information of prospective consumers and let their sales team do the rest.
The job may seem fairly straightforward, but it requires plenty of preparation, expert product knowledge, a consistently engaging personality, and outstanding communication skills.
- Engaging with the public and helping them make product choices
- Contributing to increased sales and product awareness
- Enjoying a dynamic and interactive work environment
- Gaining valuable experience in sales and marketing
Lịch làm việc
- Product Demonstrators often work part-time and may have shifts during weekdays, weekends, or evenings. Travel to different retail locations or event venues is often necessary.
Nhiệm vụ tiêu biểu
- Learn details and key selling points about the products to be promoted
- Outline the workflow for the intended presentation or demo. Create supply lists
- Rehearse presentations in advance (depending on the complexity)
- Establish contact with venues where demonstrations will be done. Review plans, schedules, seating options (if applicable), and any special equipment needed
- Procure any perishable goods and ensure suitable refrigeration is available
- Pack all items and travel to work sites. Set up and maintain clean, attractive product display stations such as tables, carts, or booths
- Prepare products and any samples, as needed. Follow safe product handling protocols
- Ensure the availability of a power source and electrical extension cord, as applicable
- Make in-store announcements over store intercoms. Offer free giveaways, if authorized
- Engage with store customers in a friendly manner, generate interest, and answer their questions
- Effectively convey key talking points as outlined in advance by marketers
- Make direct sales or collect customer contact information to provide to sales teams
- Maintain a clean and sterile station using cleaning products and chemicals, as needed. Clean up messes and remove trash items
- Collect customer feedback and report results to marketing teams
Offer product coupons or other information
Trách nhiệm bổ sung
- Maintain relations with staff at the hosting establishment
- Train new Product Demonstrators and assistants
- Present a positive, professional appearance and demeanor during demonstrations
- Tear down display stations and store or transport them
- Manage inventory. Complete expense reports
Kỹ năng mềm
- Khả năng thích ứng
- Sáng tạo
- Dịch vụ khách hàng
- Effective communications
- Nhiệt huyết
- Độc lập
- Sáng kiến
- Kỹ năng giám sát
- Motivation
- Tổ chức
- Thuyết phục
- Độ tin cậy
- Responsibility
- Safety consciousness
- Kỹ năng bán hàng
- Sociability
- Phán đoán đúng đắn
- Stamina
- Quản lý thời gian
Kỹ năng kỹ thuật
- Brand awareness
- Food handling skills (for food-related items) and allergen awareness
- Quản lý hàng tồn kho
- Operating motor vehicle
- Product use and product display knowledge
- Safe product handling and preparation
- Sales techniques and Cashier Display Stand usage
- Sanitation practices
- Lập kế hoạch
- Setup and teardown of display areas, equipment, tables, etc.
- Large retailers and wholesale outlets
- Malls
- Product expos and festivals
Product Demonstrators must have extensive knowledge of the products they showcase, including benefits and unique features that distinguish them from the competition. But that’s only half of their role! As salespeople, they must be engaging and enthusiastic speakers who know how to attract an audience and hold its attention.
They may work nights, weekends, and holidays, often traveling from site to site. It’s a physically demanding gig that requires stamina for standing and driving. Many jobs are part-time, seasonal, or temporary, so it’s not always an option for people who need consistent, full-time work. But Product Demonstrators gain a ton of valuable, first-hand sales experience via frequent customer interaction—which can be rewarding on its own and beneficial for other careers in sales and marketing!
Consumer preferences can be notoriously unpredictable, so companies must keep up with shopping habits as well as product marketing and demonstration trends. Ideally, they can then determine the best products and strategies to provide to their Product Demonstrators before sending them on the road!
Product Demonstrators receive live, real-time feedback in the field which they can report back to company marketers. Right now there’s a trend towards promoting high-demand products that cater to healthier lifestyles. In some markets, customers are also seeking to buy products made with more sustainable manufacturing practices.
Another trend is that shoppers like the convenience that digital tools bring to the table. That’s why Product Demonstrators use tablets and other devices to engage customers and provide more product information through virtual and augmented reality. Interactive, hands-on workshops and “do-it-yourself” stations are yet another way demonstrations can engage consumers and drive sales!
Many Product Demonstrators love social interaction and meeting new people. Students with backgrounds in sales, teaching, or performing arts are often great for these roles.
- Product Demonstrators usually need a high school diploma or GED certificate, though some may get started while still in high school
- Prior experience in sales or customer service roles is very helpful. Public speaking or presentation courses can also be useful
- Employers usually provide basic On-the-Job training to show how the product works. The company’s marketing team and others Product Demonstrator usually assist and show new workers what to do
- Students can earn optional third-party certifications such as Promotional Products Association International’s Certified Advertising Specialist
- Product Demonstrators don’t require a degree, but many community colleges and websites offer courses that could help students prepare, such as marketing, sales, public speaking, consumer psychology, and more.
- Consider the availability of financial aid and scholarships!
- Check out apprenticeship opportunities!
- Focus on courses in marketing, branding, public speaking, and business
- Volunteer or get a part-time job working at events where products are demonstrated
- Go to stores where Product Demonstrators are working. Watch them and try to strike up a conversation when they don’t have a lot of customers
- Watch videos and read blogs about how to present a successful product demonstration, including how to speak, how to dress, and questions to ask the audience
- Get your driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record
- Be prepared for a potential background check
- Keep your resume current and add relevant experience, certifications, and educational achievements as you complete them
- Ask potential professional references for permission to give out their contact information
- Once you’ve acquired basic sales skills (plus any required product handling certifications), it’s time to look for jobs!
- Check out job ads on portals such as Indeed, Glassdoor, Zippia, or even Craigslist for smaller local listings
- Screen job ads carefully. Note applicable keywords to use in your resume, such as:
- Customer engagement
- Product safety
- Interpersonal communication
- Quản lý hàng tồn kho
- Marketing
- Kỹ năng thuyết trình
- Product demonstration
- Product knowledge
- Sales techniques
- Review Product Demonstrator resume templates for formatting ideas
- Reach out to working Product Demonstrators to ask for job-seeking tips
- Search online to find common interview questions to expect, then practice doing mock interviews with friends
- Dress appropriately for job interviews and show off your enthusiasm for the job!
- Consider apprenticeship opportunities!
- Consider knocking out additional certifications, training, or perhaps even a degree!
- Talk with your supervisor or manager about professional development and how you might advance with the company
- Offer to take on extra duties such as overseeing other demonstrators
- Gain additional experience in sales and marketing within the specific industry of the product you specialize in
- Stay up-to-date on relevant changes in safe product handling guidelines
- Study manufacturer and software guides for related equipment or software used for demonstrations
- Keep learning new things from seasoned pros!
- Small businesses usually only have limited opportunities for advancement. To move up, you may have to apply to larger
organizations at some point after you build up your experience. Product Demonstrators sometimes use their experience as a stepping stone to other careers in sales and marketing - Be active in professional organizations like the Northwest Promotional Marketing Association or other groups that apply to your area of expertise
Các trang web
- Liên đoàn quảng cáo Hoa Kỳ
- Hiệp hội Marketing Hoa Kỳ
- Hiệp hội các nhà quảng cáo quốc gia
- Chartered Institute of Marketing
- Direct Selling Association
- Northwest Promotional Marketing Association
- Promotional Products Association International
- Sales Management Association
Sách vở
- How To Be A GREAT Salesperson...By Monday Morning!, by David R. Cook
- Inside the Mind of Sales: How to Understand the Mind & Sell Anything, by Derek Borthwick
- The Ultimate Sales Machine, by Chet Holmes, Amanda Holmes, et al.
Being a Product Demonstrator can be a fun and rewarding career, but there’s not always room for promotions and long-term career advancement. If you’re curious about other sales-related career options, check out the suggested job titles below!
- Advertising Sales Agent
- Cashier
- Counter and Rental Clerk
- Đại diện dịch vụ khách hàng
- Door-to-Door Sales Worker
- Người lập kế hoạch sự kiện
- Host/Hostess
- Merchandise Displayer
- Parts Salesperson
- Retail Salesperson
- Kỹ sư bán hàng
- Sales Representative
- Telemarketer
- Wholesale and Retail Buyer
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