Why Commission-Based Sales is the Worst Thing to Do as a CEO

Many startup founders try to save money early on by hiring commission-only sales reps. They think it is a risk-free way to grow sales without upfront cash. But this is actually one of the worst mistakes a CEO can make.

When you outsource sales in the early stages, you completely cut yourself off from direct customer feedback. At this stage, your priority is not just revenue, it is finding product-market fit. By not talking to users yourself, you miss out on understanding their real objections, their pain points, and why they might choose not to buy.

Furthermore, commission-only reps are incentivized purely by short-term transactions. They will not spend time nurturing long-term relationships or giving you the critical product feedback you need to build a lasting company. As a founder, you must do the sales yourself first to truly understand your market and refine your product.

0 comments