This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
[Music]
Solar Panel Sales Pro earns $120,000 plus. Welcome to Side Hustle School. It's Chris Guillebeau here, your host in this week's Throwback Thursday segment. We're gonna hear from a Solar Panel sales rep in Utah who earns pretty much all his income through commissions. He does this on the side, but it's kind of a, I don't know if it's a full-time side hustle, maybe it's like a three quarters time, whatever it is, he's doing really well.
He rose from a newbie to a top performer, now earning well over $100,000 a year working in this competitive solar market. This is following up our story last week where we heard from an affiliate for a nutrition school who turns her reviews and videos into a lucrative business earning up to $20,000 a month. So we've had some high earning side hustles recently, which is great, love to see people earning well. So let's go today to Utah, let's hear from Brian. He's gonna tell the story of how he got started in Solar Panel sales, what happened along the way, maybe a lesson or a tip or two, and then I'll come back at the end with a few words of wrap up.
Thanks so much for being out there, here's Brian. [Music]
Hi, I'm Brian from Utah. When I first appeared on the show, I had just started my journey as a Solar Panel sales rep earning all my income through commissions. The solar industry in Utah is booming, but it's also highly competitive. Here's how I navigated the challenges and found success.
When I first got into Solar Panel sales, I was motivated by the potential for high earnings and the chance to work in a growing industry. The job was commission only, which meant no base salary, but I saw it as an opportunity rather than a risk. I believed in the product and the environmental benefits it offered, which fueled my passion for the work. That said, the beginning was tough. I had to learn everything about solar energy, from how the panels work to the financial incentives available for homeowners in Utah.
My initial sales pitches were clumsy and I faced a lot of rejection. I quickly realized that success in this field required not just knowledge, but also excellent communication and persuasion skills. In that, communication is probably the most important part. To improve, I started shadowing more experienced reps and attending every training session available. I also made a point to follow up with potential clients, addressing their concerns and providing additional information as needed.
One of the turning points was when I started hosting free informational sessions at local community centers. These sessions allowed me to educate groups of people about solar energy and build trust within the community. By the end of each session, I often had several interested leads to follow up on. As my confidence and skills grew, so did my sales. I developed a methodical approach to prospecting, making sure to follow up on every lead and keeping detailed notes on each client.
A key strategy was focusing on referrals. Satisfied customers were happy to recommend me to their friends and neighbors, and I started offering referral bonuses to incentivize them. This approach significantly boosted my sales and helped build a steady stream of new clients. Within a year, I had become one of the top performers in my company. My income from commissions was not only steady, but also growing.
By my second year, I brought in $60,000 part-time. As my experience and client base expanded, so did my earnings. I consistently exceeded my sales targets and my income continued to rise. Now, still working part-time, I earn over $100,000 a year. This achievement has allowed me to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while also feeling good about contributing to a cleaner environment.
One memorable success was closing a deal with a local business owner who had been on the fence for months. After patiently addressing all his concerns and showing him the long-term financial benefits, he finally agreed to install solar panels on his business property. That sale alone earned me a significant commission and boosted my reputation. I continue to stay updated on the latest in solar technology and policy changes to provide the best advice to my clients. My goal is to keep expanding my reach and help more people make the switch to solar energy.
Thanks for bringing me back on and letting me share my update. [Music]
Awesome, Brian. Really appreciate you sharing those updates with us. There is something out there that everyone can do. There is a skill you have, a talent.
Some way it's possible to monetize that, create products or services, offers and such, and go on to earn money apart from your day job, create independence. That's what it's all about here on the podcast. Let me know what you think, who you'd like to see featured from our archives of more than a thousand stories, 2,700 plus total episodes. And of course, a new one rolls out every day, always completely free. You can listen wherever you like.
My name's Chris Guillebeau. This is "Side Hustle School." [Music]
From the Onward Project.
