SaaSyBee

Founder

Commission-Only Ad Sales?

A guy I know from LinkedIn reached out and offered me a "job" with him.

But after taking a call, I found out that he's launching a newsletter with the email lists he's built up and is looking for help with ad sales.

I'd earn 25% of revenue, but there's no base and it feels... sketchy.

So my question isn't whether or not to take it (I passed), but rather, has anyone sold in this type of sketchy situation?

I want stories.

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38 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

If he's sketchy how do you know you'll see a dime of what you're owed 🤔

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Ha! So true. He has a large following so I don't think he'd want to fuck me over, but who knows...

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Large following doesn't make you trustworthy. Look at Trump ;)

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Oof. So true

boredAnti

Tycoon

That One Guy

For a side… maybe? Long shot maybe??

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

That's what I was thinking originally. But I'm not sure how long to try it out. A month? A quarter? Don't want to waste my time.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Most won’t do commission only role. Is it a side gig or you’re asking from Full time perspective?

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

It's a side gig! But still...

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Try it out for a few months to see if it works. I wouldn’t try it because it doesn’t motivate me personally.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

I've never taken one of these golden opportunities. Why? Cuz dude ain't got no money. Meh

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Yup! It's barely an opportunity at all. But I'm always curious to know if I'm wrong. And I love a challenge haha

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

I hear ya. I'm always applying also. I've had a few of these lately too. I could actually have like 4 non paying big title roles right now. Bahhh

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

What kind of newsletter? What makes it special/different?

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Honestly, I have no idea. He didn't pitch it well. His pitch was basically, "we have a large email list." Which is why I was sketched.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Hey, so do I! But I have something to sell them.

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

Director of Revenue

Bro got a 7 day trial of ZoomInfo and exported EVERYTHING

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

If it was a side gig, I'd consider doing it for 3 months seeing if there was any traction then make an educated decision, there's no risk really and at most it would cost me 10 hours a week.

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Good point! I think if a similar opportunity with someone I trusted came along, I'd do it. 3 months and 10 hours a week is a good idea.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

The guys an entrepreneur. He can’t afford to pay you unless you perform. Hence the 100% commish.

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

And I totally get that. But I guess my question is... if all he has is an audience and nothing tangible to sell, isn't it just a waste of everyone's time? I think it would be fun to try to sell, but I don't want to ruin my credibility selling something that isn't anything yet.

pirate

Big Shot

Account Executive

Definitely need a base

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

It just feels too risky without it

pirate

Big Shot

Account Executive

Yeah. Maybe for a side gig as others said. Otherwise naaah run

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

I have never done it, but if you have a commission only opportunity, it means that you need to have multiple. Just a thought.

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Oh, for sure. This would be a side thing. But I honestly don't see the value in what he's trying to have me sell so it would be tough to convince anyone to buy it.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Then it is up to you. If you can sell it, just get the money. Otherwise it’s a pass.

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

I've talked to people about these sort of roles a few times but never pulled the trigger. Always leave the conversations with a weird feeling and have to follow your spidey sense

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Yes! If I get a gut feeling that it's too shady, I pass. This one was one of those.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Commish only jobs are a fuck no for me.
But that's a personal opinion.

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Nah, I feel the same way. Might as well build and sell something on my own.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

Why take the risk of $0 when you could start you own business and get all the money if it works out

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

My sentiments exactly! They don't even have a newsletter yet. If I wanted to get into the newsletter ad sales business, I'd just start my own newsletter.

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

Eat what you kill.

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

I suppose. I'd rather just build and sell my own thing I suppose. If I'm taking that big a risk.

countingmyinterest

Politicker

Account Executive

Lmfao pass that shit

SaaSyBee

Politicker

Founder

Yeah, might as well start my own dang newsletter

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

Director of Revenue

It's a new and unknown newsletter. Unless he has a massive following, no one's going to be reading it for quite some time, meaning it's going to be a tough sell. You'd be working for free for a while.
On top of that, any "commission only" role always feels sketchy at best. They are essentially telling you upfront that they don't think your prospecting/qualifying work is worth anything.
It'd be a hard pass from me.

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

I was once freelancing, and I did this on a contractual base. I'd say - NO. If it feels sketchy, there's no base; it's a gamble in this market. If you are not earning, mind you - which might happen in this economy; you are earning ZERO!
How do you plan to budget for everything, if you have no personal finance forecast!
That's a level 100 of uncertainty I wouldn't tread into.