Outside sales are transactions sales professionals make with clients or customers in the field. People who work in outside sales rarely operate in a typical office environment. Rather, they travel to the client to sell to them directly a product or service.

Understanding the Context

Outside sales involves meeting potential clients face-to-face. Learn what outside sales is, pros/cons, and how it differs from inside sales. What is Outside Sales? Is it a good career?

Key Insights

Honest Pros and Cons. Outside sales refer to the practice of sales professionals who operate in the field, meeting prospective and existing customers face-to-face to generate business for their company. Outside sales reps meet prospects and clients in person, as opposed to inside salespeople, who work remotely, calling prospects and messaging them online. An outside sales rep often travels to meet with customers at their offices, conferences, trade shows, and other industry events. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, “outside sales” describes an employee whose main job is making sales or landing contracts while working away from the employer’s office or facility on a regular basis.

Final Thoughts

Outside sales (a.k.a. field sales) is a type of selling strategy where reps meet prospects face-to-face. Field salespeople typically spend a lot of time traveling within their given sales territory. Outside Sales: What It Is, How to Nail It, & If It's Right For You Outside sales (aka field sales) is the practice of selling product and building customer relationships through in-person interactions. What is Outside Sales? Everything You Need to Know in 2025 - Veloxy Outside sales, also known as field sales and territory sales, encompasses selling face-to-face out in the world.

Rather than inside sales, which is selling remotely, outside sales reps call on clients at their places of business, attending trade shows, or knocking on doors. Outside sales mean selling goods or services by a company with sales representatives who help involve the company, meet the customers, and enter into sale transactions with them. Outside sales are sales scenarios in which a rep goes to the customer, providing a sales presentation or engaging with them at their home, office, or other location, depending on the products and services sold.