So You Think You Want to Become a Yacht Broker

Often I have customers or friends say to me, "It must be a lot of fun being a Yacht Broker; being on yachts all day, you're on vacation all day long". Sure, I do enjoy it but it is a lot of work if you want to be productive. Let me explain what it takes to make it work. If you think you have what it takes, give me a call.

The challenging part.

To begin with, Florida Yacht Brokers have served a 2 year apprenticeship as sales people, before a full Broker status can be attained. Other states have different requirements. As a Broker you might own the company or work for a parent company. As as the owner and Broker of record with Paradise Yachts, operation of a yacht sales business includes marketing, sales, marketing, accounting, banking, website design and building, search engine optimization, tax collecting, and bottle washing. So I have to allocate my time based upon what must be done to keep the business running. But for the role of this article, we'll just be presuming you will want to become a yacht sales person.

To begin, the principal matter is you must like boats; no, you have to love yachts and boating. But there's more. You have to know yachts and yachts like the back of your hand; it must be your life. You will have to be able to talk boats in detail; your clients will certainly be able to do so.

Do you currently own a boat? Have you ever owned a boat? What is your background operating a yacht? Your clients will want to talk about how things work 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 direct your customers based upon past experince?

What's your personality? Are you out going and able to reach out to customers? The majority of the people you meet will be total strangers.

Are you a self-starter? Can you make it happen; You you do not get up to work, no one will be there to remind you?

Do you understand sales? Are you a customer service type of person?

Can you live without a pay day for 1, 2, 3 months? It does and will happen. Yacht Brokers only get paid when we sale a yacht. You must have good money management skills.

Are you willing to work 7 days a week, every day including holidays if necessary? I work every day, usually twelve hour days. Customers look at boats everyday and you must be willing to take the phone call or respond to the electronic mail at any time.

Are you computer literate? Can you manage your way around a website? You will need to own a robust computer, printer, and scanner and have internet access to upload yacht listings online.

Are you a good photographer? Are you good with a digital camera; can you use photographic software. You'll need to own at least a 8 mega pixel digital photographic camera. They are not cheap!

Can you endure a full background probe? If you want to work in Florida, it's required to obtain a license. If you are in another State, you cannot even enter the State of Florida as a Broker if not licensed.

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

Do you have a cell telephone, and/or a Blackberry; they are indispensable.

Can you survive the unbearable hot sun or endure pouring rain to show boats to clients?

Are you willing to put up with irritating clients that often want something for nothing?

Now the easy part

Can you handle a six figure income? Yes, that's right; the money you make is entirely up to you.

Do you like having fun? Yes, it's a lot of fun seeing a new, happy boat owner. And yes, we do get to have our fair share of boat rides.

Do you like meeting many new friends? Every stranger I meet is just a friend I have yet to make.

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

Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our selection of Used Trawlers, Used Motor Yachts, and Used Sailboats for Sale

National and international sales. We ship Used Yachts and Used Boats worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431