Frequently I have customers or friends say to me, It must be very much of fun being a Yacht Broker; being on boats all day, youre on vacation all the time. Sure, I do enjoy it but it is a lot of work if you want to be productive. Let me tell you what it takes to make it work. If you think you have what it takes, give me a telephone call.

The hard part.

To start with, Florida boat Brokers have served a 2 year apprenticeship as sales people, before a full Broker position can be attained. Other states have different requirements. As a Broker you may own the company or merely work as an Employing Broker for a parent company. As an owner/Broker as I do with Paradise Yachts, performance of a yacht sales business includes marketing, sales, marketing, accounting, banking, web site design and building, search engine optimization, tax collecting, and bottle washing. So I have to allocate my time based upon what needs to keep the business operating. But for the purpose of this article, well just be assuming you will want to become a yacht sales person.

So to start, the primary thing is you have to like yachts; no, you have to live yachts and boating. But theres more. You must know boats and yachts like the back of your hand; its got to be your life. You have to be able to discuss yachts in detail; your customers will certainly be able to do so.

Do you own a boat? Have you ever owned a boat? What is your experience operating a boat? Your customers will want to talk about how to work things while underway, how to dock a twin screw boat, and how things aboard operate. Can you walk the talk? Have you ever done it? Can you guide your customers based upon experience?

Whats your personality? Are you outgoing and able to reach out to clients? Most of the individuals you meet will be total strangers.

Are you a self-starter? Are you prepared to make it happen; if you dont go to work, no one will be there to remind you?

Do you possess a basic sales perspective? Are you a customer service type of person?

Can you exist without a paycheck for 1, 2, 3 months? It does and can happen. boat Brokers only get paid when we sell a yacht. Money management skills are critical.

Are you prepared to work 7 days a week, every day including holidays if necessary? I work every day, usually 12 hour days. Clients look at boats everyday and you must be willing to take the call or answer the email at any time, Sundays and holidays included.

Are you computer literate? Can you handle your way around a website? Youll need to own a powerful computer, printer, and scanner and have internet access to upload listings online.

Are you an accomplished photographer? Can you use a digital camera and use photographic software. Youll need to own at least a 8 mega pixel digital camera. They are not cheap!

Can you survive a full background investigation? If you wish to work in Florida, its required to be conducted before you are issued a license. If you are in another State, you cannot even enter the State of Florida as a Broker if not licensed.

Are you willing to dish out $600.00 every two years for the exclusive right of having that license?

Do you have a cell phone, and/or a Blackberry; they are essential.

Are you willing to work in the hot sun, sometimes in the pouring rain to show yachts to customers?

Are you willing to put up with annoying customers that often want something for nothing?

Can you live with many nos before getting a yes; you must as it occurs all the time.

The easy part

Do you wish to have an infinite income? Yes, the money you make is up to you. You receive a portion of the commission when you make a sale. Boat sales commissions are 10% of the selling price; a yacht selling for $100,000.00 will net the company $10,000.00.

Do you like to have fun? Yes, its a lot of fun meeting a new, happy boat owner. And yes, you get a lot of boat rides.

Do you like taking on many new friends? Every stranger I meet is just a friend I havent yet made.

Do you like being your own boss? In the boat business, you get to call the shots.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.

Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide.