What Does a Product Promoter Do?

A product promoter plays an important role in a sales team. They promote products and their features and benefits to potential customers. They’re very knowledgeable about the company's products, enthusiastic about capabilities, and able to demonstrate functionality and answer any questions.

Product promoters represent their company, so staying on brand is very important. Their goal is for customers or clients to buy the products. They must use brand voice and protocols to ensure they’re promoting the products in line with the company image.

Types of product promoter jobs

Product promoter jobs are available in a variety of industries. As a promoter, you can be responsible for selling directly to customers within the retail market, such as demonstrating products in a store, on television, or via phone as a telemarketer. You can also work in a business-to-business (B2B) capacity, helping sell products to a bigger distributor or demonstrating products at trade fairs. 

Most product promoter jobs are entry-level, but there are some exceptions. Promoter jobs can come with more responsibility, including planning campaigns and managing budgets. These roles tend to be at a higher level and require more experience and education. They also command a higher salary.

Product promoters may work in medical sales, electronics, manufacturing, sports, real estate, luxury goods, food and beverages, cosmetics, and software, to name a few.

Duties and responsibilities of a product promoter 

The duties of a product promoter vary according to job level and whether the promoter is working in a B2B capacity or demonstrating products to a customer base. For an entry-level product promoter, the following are general responsibilities:

• Demonstrating how a product works, its functions, and capabilities

• Working with supervisors to understand goals and sales targets 

• Setting up stalls, displays, and demonstrations

• Using interactive methods such as video, audio, and slideshows

• Learning about a product and its best features to promote it effectively

• Answering questions and giving samples

• Building a rapport with customers and holding an audience 

• Making transactions and keeping a record of sales

• Preparing sales reports and keeping up with sales targets

• Working in line with the company brand and voice 

Product promoter skills

To work as a product promoter, you must possess some skills and qualities to perform well. These are primarily transferable skills you can bring from other jobs, education, and other aspects. A product promoter is part of a sales team with some crossovers.

Workplace skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport

• Customer focused approach

• Professional but friendly approach

• Positive and enthusiastic

• Highly organized and efficient

• Target driven 

Technical skills  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

• Competent in using video and graphics for demonstrations

• Knowledge of the product you’re promoting

• Understanding payment devices

Qualifications and requirements to be a product promoter 

Since product promoter jobs are generally entry-level positions, the educational requirements are not advanced, and training and experience take precedence. You may need higher education and experience to progress to more senior positions.

Educational requirements 

A university degree is typically a minimum requirement for an entry-level product promoter job. Consider business, administration, and marketing majors, which teach company structures and business strategies. With a bachelor’s degree in one of these specialties, you can work towards becoming a promotions manager, which comes with more responsibility. 

Training and certifications 

On-the-job training is usually standard. If you apply for a product promoter job without a degree, it’s worth considering additional training to increase your chances of getting the job. 

You can take classes in business subjects or additional technical training, such as using video and visual presentations. If the products you want to promote are specific, such as kitchen products, having a certification or taking a cooking class can help enhance your resume for the role.  

Experience

Experience in marketing or sales is usually essential for a product promoter role. Working in retail or taking on an internship often boosts your resume if you want to get ahead and have the opportunity. For an entry-level role, you'll receive training, but you can still benefit from some experience to verify your skills. 

Consider temporary roles that typically require less experience and are suitable for building experience on your resume. Experience is critical in demonstrating your value for more senior promoter roles. 

Salary and job outlook 

The average product promoter's salary is $39,933 [1]. The job outlook is “Limited” to “Good” in most provinces and territories through 2026 [2]. 

Product promoters can work in various industries and choose between working directly with customers or demonstrating products to other commercial buyers. This gives you plenty of choices. 

Possible career pathways 

A product promoter role has a vast scope and can lead to many opportunities in sales and marketing. It’s also an excellent entry point for all sorts of careers. 

A promotions manager is the most directly related role to a product promoter. Promotions managers typically need experience in promotions and a bachelor’s degree. Some positions ask for leadership certifications or management training because the role involves leading a team, interviewing, and implementing sales strategies. Promotions managers earn more than product promoters, with an average salary of $60,601 [3]

Other roles you can pursue with experience as a product promoter include:

• Marketing manager: $69,322 [4]

• Advertising manager: $60,601 [5]

• Market research analyst: $58,170 [6]

• Public relations manager: $70,097 [7]

• Sales manager: $85,232 [8]

Next steps

If you’ve gone through the product promoter job description and think it’s for you, a great starting point is to take a beginner-level sales course. Consider taking HubSpot Academy’s Sales Training: Building Your Sales Career, which has an overview of what it takes to build a career in sales.