Advice on moving into SaaS from Ad Sales

Hey all! New to the platform, 1st post. I have 10+ years experience in media/Ad sales (digital, print, radio, tv), and pretty much my entire network is that world. It's been a great run but am ready for a new industry. As I don't have the software/tech background, would be open to start as SDR. Any recommendations on industries, companies? Thanks!

👥 Hiring
🤝 Networking
13
oldcloser
Arsonist
7
💀
I love this one- Deserves a real answer. I would personally like to welcome you to:

a) a nightmare swapping industries
b) the war room

If you know what GI's and CPP are, you go back as far as I do in broadcast... ahh, the good old days of big agencies, avail requests and a bowl of cocaine with every order... a bathtub if you were any good.

Those days are dead. And right now, so is the idea making the hop from anything advertising to straight tech. Unless...

... what, there's hope?

...not really, but... if you dig hard and find a place in the software that replaced the good old days, you might find a crevice through which you may enter. Many AdTech/MarTech companies find value in someone who's sold print, radio and/or TV. Why? We're not scared to call people we don't know and ask them for money.

You're not looking for a sales job in tech. You're looking for a sales role at an up and coming SaaS marketing platform.

Use the skills you've got. Merchandise the living hell out of them from the "I learned to prospect hard" in broadcast media angle. You might find an audience that'll listen. That's your #1 attribute. But don't forget to translate your skills that do apply.

If you've ever sold a homepage takeover, you have experience optimizing conversions. Believe it or not there is such a thing called CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization). That little niche might find value in someone who's been where you have.

Find a marketing automation company that sells reach and they might listen. Take a look at what Skai (formerly Kenshoo) does. Skai won't hire you, but their competitors might.

It wasn't always this hard. It is now. You're just going to need to correlate your accomplishments and your skills to the software environment. Good luck... mean it.

Edit: spelling godammit
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
4
Account Executive
Thanks so much for the detailed reply, and the suggestions. Avails, RFPs, those days are definitely gone but glad to have experienced them! MarTech seems like a possible natural fit, I'll look into that angle. I think in my interviews I've undersold how much prospecting and relationship building I've done in the media world, and you're right - that's the best thing I bring to the table without the experience. Thank you again!
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
Been there myself. Tough leap but not impossible
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
2
Account Executive
How long were you in media, and when did you make the jump?
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
First job, KABC AM, #1 in LA. 1990. Converted ‘08.
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
1
Account Executive
Nice. First media job for me, Tribune South Florida. 2008. I did a quick stint in radio, Power96 Miami in 2016.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
3
Sales Director
You've been on fire with advice lately.
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
Thanks, detective. This one was too close to home to ignore
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
That's what made this one particularly great. Nothing beats personal experience.
oldcloser
Arsonist
1
💀
a Qompliment from the Queen of Quality.
I'm just not worthy.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Qalm down.
Pachacuti
Politicker
4
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
There are many posts about transitioning to SaaS from something else, I would search for those.
But on your resume I would mention SaaS everywhere I could. Every SaaS company you sold to, tried to sell to, and solution you used. That way you can get through the ATS screening.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Keywords are a bitch.
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
1
Account Executive
Solid!
Diablo
Politicker
3
Sr. AE
Welcome to Bravado. You will have to do a bit of research on the industry based on your interest. There is a frequent post on the list of the companies and the openings. Make the search bar your best friend :)
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
2
Account Executive
Thank you for the feedback!
Blueberrypancakes
Opinionated
3
Account Executive
Curious why you would want to move out of media into that of B2B saas as the industry is kind’ve a shitshow rn
On a separate note, have you seen anyone with a saas background break into digital media sales?
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
4
Account Executive
Sure. Media landscape has changed drastically, becoming more fragmented and for sales it's a declining industry. I've sold many forms of it - digital, print, tv, radio, out-of-home. Not that I've 'done it all', but certainly a lot. SaaS is something I've thought about moving into for some time. Funny you ask that - over the years I've seen people from many other industries come into media but don't recall any from SaaS.
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
💀
and dont forget to upvote your replies.
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
Welcome on board,have you tried the search bar yet!
It would have dozens of posts that should help you in that regard and wish you much of luck with your search!
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
1
Account Executive
Thank you! Yes, I'm exploring that, super helpful. As well as the related posts that pop up below this one. Thanks again.
quotascammedeverytime
Opinionated
0
account executive
Just don’t bother. Ad sales isn’t bad
ExpensivePaper
Fire Starter
0
Account Executive
Solid
3

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