Working as a Credit Card Marketing Representative

Six years ago, I was penniless and unemployed, with less than three weeks until rent was due. I was frantic to find a job - anything that paid would do - and I picked up a Greensheet because I couldn't even afford the Houston Chronicle. I browsed through the Office/Clerical section first, because I was hoping to find at least temporary employment as a clerk or secretary, and when nothing jumped out at me, I turned the page to the Marketing section.

At that time, I had no idea that Marketing and Sales were not the same thing. My mother had always cautioned me against taking a job that paid by commission only, so I was loathe to even call on any of the listed positions. Most offered instant wealth and incredible business opportunities - ads for jobs that I knew were scams - so I ignored those and called on an advertisement for Marketing Representatives at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

As it turns out, it was the best call I ever made.

For over a year, I worked as a Marketing Rep for Trendline Marketing, Inc. My job consisted of standing at a booth in the airport, talking to people and inviting them to sign up for the Chase Continental Credit Card. We offered free t-shirts and stuffed airplanes as premiums, and targeted business people who traveled thousands of miles a year for their jobs. I was paid $10.00 an hour, or $2.00 an application, whichever was greater. Most days, I averaged between 90 and 100 applications a day, which translated to $22.00 to $25.00 per hour.

And all I had to do was sit at a booth!

After that, I was able to move on to bigger and better things. The following year, I traveled with Nascar to thirty-two different cities, marketing the MBNA Nascar Visa. The company paid for my airfare, my meals, my rental cars, my hotels, and my gas. I made $1.50 per application, and averaged about 1,300 applications per weekend. I was traveling for free, living with very few expenses, working two days a week, and pulling in close to $80,000 per year. It was amazing.