I have mentioned before that I work in the magazine industry selling advertising. I have done this for 12 years now and my income continues to plummet.

I am good at sales and enjoy it for the most part but cannot continue to lose money and stay afloat. The job has been good as I work from home which allows me to keep an eye on my kids, now teens. (I need to keep and even more watchful eye on them now)

I am looking for ideas of something else to sell beside advertising as I enjoy the process but the product I sell, print advertising is in a decline at the moment, especially my industry.

I took the real estate course but don't want to do this, too many expenses, only 4% of realtors make all the money. I don't have a husbands income to depend on while I get established. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas. Do you know anyone that is in a sales position that works well for them. I have to double my income as it is now half of what it used to be.

It has been mentioned to me before to sell a higher ticket item with a higher commission rate but I don't know what that higher ticket item might be?

Any feedback appreciated.
Kate

Unfortunately your need to work and sell something from home is the problem. I sold newspaper advertising for years and made lots of money, but you need to do that face to face as in most sales.

Hi Kate,

I just met someone at a networking luncheon today who started a territory for RelyLocal. I don’t believe they are in Canada yet, but it’s something you might want to check out. With your advertising experience and local connections, it might work for you. It also says there are no upfront costs to get started. Here’s the link:

http://www.relylocal.com/main/career-opportunities.php

I sell magazine advertising for two publications and with one of them I do face to face meetings. In the current economy with all the competition it is harder than before. My income is down by 40%.

I don't have to work enitirely from home, make sales calls and then go out to meet people.

I will check out the relylocal website.
thanks,
Kate

How about going green? People are getting more and more aware about using products that aren't so damaging to our environment.
If you want to think big, I can advise selling solar heating systems. It has boomed over here in Germany. The companies here have their own training seminars, and are always looking for sales people.

I looked that up. I am not sure as I don't know much about it.
I'm trying to decide whether to keep my insurance license or give it up. After taking the course and getting licensed I am wondering what I am doing.

I finally figured out this week that all this indecision has come from extreme grief from losing my father. Yes it appears to be so. I have been in mourning for 2 1/2 years and am just coming out of it. Right before he died I was heavily involved with my real estate course and just quit it. Then let someone talk me into taking the insurance course.

I am just shaking my head now wondering where my head has been. Still at the same job for over 12 years and not wanting to let go of the same old same old as it's safe.

I was so excited about getting into real estate and spent so much time studying.

And lately I've been in panic mode as at age 53 going on 54 I am so worried about my future and how I will take care of myself financially. I have little saved as all my income went into raising my kids and I am not thinking straight.

I keep going back and forth, maybe I should do this, maybe I should do that. I'm driving myself crazy.

Why did I take the insurance course instead of finishing my real estate license? I just had the exam to write and then I just dropped it.

The Insurance business does not excite me because I am already in sales and you have to get out there and try to find people to sell insurance to. Most people already have it so you have to try to get them to switch over to your company offering them better rates. Lots of cold calling and bugging people. I already do that with my advertising sales job.

With real estate you still have to find clients but there is something tangible to sell and you can find clients doing open houses. Also it's not as hard a sell as insurance as there are buyers and sellers.

For now I am weighing my options. Trying to find out where my heart is at. Trying to figure out what I really want to do, not what is just best for me financially although that is important.

I have to say I have been in a total state of confusion and I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The fog is lifting. I hope to get some clarity soon.

Kate

Have you read or listened to

"Who moved the cheese"?

good suggestion Mountain.
Kate, I wish you all the best. You have so much in your head and it sounds like you are beginning to find ways to sort it all out. I am confident that you will!

Thank you!
Who moved the cheese? Never heard of it but will google it.

I think slowly I am figuring things out. I am going through kids getting older not needing me anymore; wanting a career change as I have been at this one far too long with zero promotions and not making enough money at it; worried about my future, how will I survive if I don't get a higher paying job and put some money away; coming out of a long period of grief over my father; questioning every thing I do with incredible indecision; not being able to make a decision; going through menopause; dealing with brain fog; recently just diagnosed with fybromyalgia; dealing with my drug addicted adult son being in and out of custody and treatment centers; dealing with rising debt.....
Welcome to the boomer years and all that goes with it :-)

I will SURVIVE!
Kate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C0M2CL9TJE

A preview of last years (?) movie. You will like this Kate.