Description:
The South Windsor Chamber of Commerce has produced a phone directory with advertisements every 18 months for the last 25 years. It is desired to expand the directory for advertising beyond South Windsor and to employ two or three college level individuals to help sell advertising and to create some of the ads themselves.
This will be a short-term 3-6 month position for a college Junior, Senior, or even a recent graduate interested in experience in the development, sales, and post production aspects of a non-profit community organization. Position will be unpaid except for an available commission based on sales and creation of ads. Estimated potential commissions for the 6 month assignment would range between $3,000 and $10,000 based on performance and ability to create ads. Student must be willing to sell ads and be personable, presentable, and have good verbal communication skills
Job duties would include several aspects. First, they will conduct research to produce a database of area businesses currently advertising in; local and regional telephone directories, newspapers or journals, coupon books, or sponsoring local events. Also they will produce a list of businesses who are members of area chamber of commerces, or registered at town clerks offices. Territory would include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester, Ellington, Tolland, East Hartford, and East Windsor.
Once the list is created (about 1 month), they will begin outbound marketing by phone, mail and in person to sell ads to businesses not currently in the South Windsor Phone Directory. They will be responsible for contacting businesses, showing them various advertising options as well as the current 2008-2010 telephone directory and securing payment. They will earn a sliding scale commission when payment is received based on a well-defined set of criteria. They will also have the opportunity to create the ads for the business using various graphic arts software products and earn a small commission for doing so.
Student will report to an individual who is currently President-Elect of the South Windor Chamber of Commerce, the recent South Windsor Mayor, and a business person with over 30 years of experience if marketing, accounting, and information systems. Training will be provided in the use of Microsoft Office based database software or web based CRM (Contact Relationship Management) software to prepare lists of businesses and track progress. Student will work with various sales and grahic arts professionals to be trained in the art of selling and marketing. Scripts will be developed with sales professionals and student will be accompanied in their initial contacts to help them feel comfortable. Training will also be provided in the creation of ads but student will be expected to have some experience in this area in the use of graphic software (Publisher, Illustrator, or Photoshop).
Hours are very flexible but a minimum of two half days in the South Windsor Chamber Offices and three days on the road selling ads. A limited expense allowance will be available for personal mileage. Students will be expected to have a laptop though a computer will be provided in the office.
The position is available starting on February 1 and will last until at least late May and probably through the summer. If student is available beyond the spring and summer, they can also participate in the production of the directory and proofreading.
Minimum Requirements:
Training will also be provided in the creation of ads but student will be expected to have some experience in this area in the use of graphic software (Publisher, Illustrator, or Photoshop). Profiency in Microsoft Applications are a must.