As consumers we are more informed than ever before. We are as human beings more stressed than we've ever been. Vacations and finding time for our family and loved ones is crucial. For some of us, our family is just about all we can really count on.

The timeshare sales industry has grown because of the consumer demand to take control of this portion of their lives. As consumers we want answers for our housing, transportation, employment, and personal time. The secret to long-term success working with people is to ask the right questions so that you can determine how to help the potential buyers with their purchase.

Communication skills are essential for success because you have to be able to talk comfortably and candidly with people you probably met a few minutes ago. You have to be authentic and sincere. Business is about making money to stay in business, but it's also about creating relationships and building a customer base.

If you approach handling the guests who visit your sales location like family and with a concern for their well-being and a true interest in finding a pathway and a plan that will fit in their lifestyle and budget you will have more success.

Honesty about your product and service are essential. All products and services are different.  Be honest about features and benefits. Consumers want to know how purchasing your product will benefit them and their family and they want to know they will be serviced when they need help using the product. Share with the consumer how to best use your product and service and show them where they will get additional information if they need help.

As a salesperson in the timeshare industry it is important to read about travel destinations, trends, food and entertainment, and to upgrade your business and communication skills. There are professional organizations where you can receive more education  and network with others in the industry. In the United States, ARDA, American Resort Development Assocation, and in Canada, CRDA, Canadian Resort Development Association.

Worldwide there are now publications in magazines and online to keep you informed of news and trends and to make you more professionally prepared. Perspective Magazines also posts news updates online and features global timeshare job postings. The most successful representatives read more, improve their skills, and learn to network with other professionals. Their relationship skills help them to attract a strong flow of referrals from previous buyers. The Levitin Group offers weekly podcasts online to help with timeshare sales success skills.

Shari Levitin has also created training programs you can listen to on your iPod and videos you can purchase from anywhere in the world to enhance your skills. Successful business people practice their skills regularly. As industry changes and consumer demands change it is important to keep up with these trends.

To be successful you also want to learn about your competition and be informed about what other options the consumers have for consideration besides your product. Most importantly, sincerity in sales people comes from those who own timeshare or vacation ownership products and use them. They can share experiences of ownership and how it has changed their family and personal vacation lifestyles and impacted their budgets.