Verticals are growth opportunities
If your product serves one industry well, chances are it can serve others. The challenge is entering a new vertical without the industry knowledge, relationships, and credibility you have in your current market.
Commission agents who already operate in your target vertical solve this problem instantly.
Choosing the right vertical
Not every industry is a good fit. Evaluate potential verticals on three criteria:
Problem alignment. Does the new industry have the same core problem your product solves? If you help retailers manage inventory, do manufacturers have a similar need? If the problem is different, your product may need significant modification.
Market size. Is the vertical large enough to justify the effort? A niche with 200 potential customers nationally may not be worth a dedicated push.
Willingness to buy. Some industries adopt new solutions faster than others. Technology, professional services, and retail tend to be early adopters. Government, education, and healthcare are typically slower.
Repositioning your product
Your product may solve the same problem in a new vertical, but the language and priorities will be different. Manufacturers care about different metrics than retailers. Healthcare providers have different compliance requirements than financial services firms.
Create vertical specific materials: a one pager, two case studies, and an objection guide tailored to the new industry. These do not require product changes, just messaging changes.
Recruiting vertical specialists
The fastest way to enter a new industry is to recruit agents who already sell in that space. They have the relationships, the industry knowledge, and the credibility that you lack.
On Zepys, you can specify industry preferences when listing your product. Agents with experience in your target vertical will find your listing and apply.
Start with two to three agents. Give them your vertical specific materials and set a 90 day validation target. If they can generate interest and close deals, the vertical is viable.
Learning from the frontline
Your agents in a new vertical are your market research team. They hear objections you have never encountered, learn about competitors you did not know existed, and discover use cases you never imagined.
Capture this feedback systematically. Monthly calls with your vertical agents should include questions about what they are hearing from prospects, what objections come up, and what features prospects wish you had.
Scaling in the vertical
Once validated, scale by recruiting more agents in the vertical, creating more industry specific content, and pursuing speaking opportunities or partnerships within the industry.
The bottom line
Commission agents are the lowest risk way to enter a new industry vertical. They bring the relationships and knowledge you lack, and you only pay when they produce results. Choose verticals carefully, position your product specifically, and let agents validate the opportunity before you invest heavily.