What is Inside Sales?

Inside sales refers to a business model where salespeople conduct their sales activities remotely, often over the phone or internet. This approach allows for a larger reach and the ability to communicate with potential clients from anywhere in the world. It also offers cost savings for companies, as they do not need physical office space for their sales team. However, building personal connections with prospects can be more challenging in an inside sales approach. Ultimately, whether a company chooses inside or outside sales will depend on their specific industry and target market preferences. 

There are plenty of benefits to working in an inside sales role. For starters, you don't have to deal with the nasty weather conditions that can sometimes make life difficult for field sales reps. You also have the benefit of a more controlled environment, which can help you stay focused and motivated. Additionally, inside sales roles often come with a higher salary and commission potential than field sales positions. And last but not least, you can often have a more flexible schedule as an inside sales professional, which can be a huge perk if you have other commitments outside of work.

Different types of inside sales can include appointment setting, lead generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention. Appointment setters work to schedule appointments with potential customers, while lead generators focus on finding new leads and customers. Customer acquisition inside sales representatives work to bring in new customers, while customer retention representatives keep existing customers happy. All of these types of inside sales require different skillsets, so it's important to choose the right type of representative for your needs.

Outside sales refers to the process of selling products or services in person, typically away from a traditional office setting. This could include visiting clients at their place of business or attending industry events and trade shows. Inside sales, on the other hand, involves selling over the phone or through digital channels such as email and web conferencing. This type of sales often takes place within a designated office space.

Some examples of inside sales include telesales, e-commerce sales, and software subscriptions sold over the phone or internet. In contrast to outside sales, where a salesperson physically visits potential clients, inside sales take place within a company's office setting. Additionally, inside sales often involve selling to a larger number of customers in a shorter amount of time. This type of sales can be highly efficient and cost-effective for companies. However, it also requires strong communication skills and the ability to quickly build relationships with potential clients remotely.