Salesmanship is about understanding people, knowing your product, and helping customers find what they need. You will plan a sales effort, make a pitch, and actually sell something. These skills help in fundraising, jobs, and any time you need to share a good idea.
Why it's worth it
Selling is really about listening: figuring out what someone needs and showing them honestly how you can help. That skill helps you raise money for a trip, land a job interview, pitch a project idea at school, or start your own small business. In this badge you'll research a product, plan a territory, make a pitch, and actually sell something while tracking every dollar. You'll also see that the best salespeople earn trust by being knowledgeable, friendly, and honest.
Start this week
- Think of the best salesperson you've ever met, at a store or a fundraiser, and write down what they did that made you trust them.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Salesmanship counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Ask your Scoutmaster when the next unit fundraiser is, so you can plan to use it for requirement 5.
- Pick a product you know well, like a bike or a game, and list five questions a customer might ask about it.
Stay safe
- When selling door to door, go with an adult or buddy, stay outside on the porch, and never go into someone's home.
- Don't share your personal contact information with customers. Let a parent handle any online sales or follow-up.
Requirements · 7
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
- Requirement 1
What salespeople do
Tips for this section: Think about salespeople you've met at stores, car lots, or online, and talk about how their jobs differ.
Example for this section: Compare three kinds of selling: a store clerk helping walk-in customers, a business-to-business rep selling supplies to schools, and an online seller who never meets buyers face to face. Explain what each salesperson does day to day.
- Requirement 1a
Explain what a salesperson is responsible for, how they serve their customers, and how selling helps drive the economy
- Requirement 1b
Explain how selling to other businesses differs from selling to consumers
- Requirement 2
Why good sales habits matter
Tips for this section: Pick something you like to buy and research it. Notice how knowing the details and following up builds trust.
- Requirement 2a
Explain why a salesperson should research the market to make sure a product or service fits what customers need
- Requirement 2b
Explain why a salesperson should know everything about the product they sell
- Requirement 2c
Explain why it helps to visit where a product is made, if possible, and learn how it's built, or for a service, learn how it benefits customers
- Requirement 2d
Explain why a salesperson should check back with customers after a sale to make sure they're satisfied and talk through any concerns
- Requirement 3
Using a product and sales territory your counselor assigns, write a sales plan and present it
Tip: Use a simple map of your assigned area and decide who to visit, when, and what you'll say.
For example: If your counselor assigns your neighborhood, your territory might be your block and two nearby streets plus a table at a community event. Plan which homes to visit with an adult and when, set a sales goal, and write a short opening line.
- Requirement 4
Give a sales presentation for a product your counselor assigns
Tip: Practice your presentation in front of family. Keep it short, friendly, and focused on what the buyer needs.
For example: Pitch a product to your counselor: greet them, ask a couple of questions about what they need, explain two or three benefits that match those needs, handle one objection honestly, and ask for the sale.
- Requirement 5
Sell something and track it. Choose 1 of 3
Tips for this section: A unit fundraiser or popcorn sale is a great chance to sell. Keep a simple chart of your costs and sales.
Example for this section: Keep a simple record: what you sold, the price, your cost, money collected, and profit. After the sale, look at which approach worked best and what you'd change next time.
- Requirement 5a
Help your unit raise money by selling merchandise or Scout event tickets, using the sales techniques you learned. Keep a cost sheet and tell your counselor how it went
- Requirement 5b
Using the sales techniques you learned, sell a service to neighbors, like lawn mowing or raking, pet sitting, dog walking, shoveling snow, or washing cars, and follow up to see if they were happy. Keep a cost sheet and tell your counselor how it went
- Requirement 5c
Earn money by selling in a retail setting, using the sales techniques you learned. Keep a cost sheet and tell your counselor how it went
- Requirement 6
Interview someone in sales. Choose 1 of 2
Tips for this section: Ask a store owner or salesperson what a typical day looks like and what makes a sale go well.
Example for this section: Interview a store owner or salesperson with a parent present. Ask how they find customers, how they handle someone who says no, and what makes a customer come back.
- Requirement 6a
Interview a salesperson and find out the following
- Requirement 6a1
Why they chose a career in sales
- Requirement 6a2
What matters most when talking with customers
- Requirement 6a3
How their product gets sold
- Requirement 6a4
Answers to questions of your own
- Requirement 6b
Interview the owner of a retail store and find out the following
- Requirement 6b1
How often sales representatives call on them
- Requirement 6b2
Which traits make a good sales representative and which habits a rep should avoid
- Requirement 6b3
What they weigh when deciding whether to open an account with a sales rep
- Requirement 6b4
Answers to at least two questions of your own
- Requirement 7
Look into career opportunities in sales and report on them, then do 7a and 7b
Tip: Look up a few sales jobs, then make a short list of strengths you already have that would help.
- Requirement 7a
Write up your qualifications and experience, including school classes that relate and merit badges you've earned
- Requirement 7b
Talk with your counselor about the education, experience, or training that would prepare you to work in sales
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A locally owned store
An owner can show you how they choose products, set prices, and train staff to help customers.
How: A parent can ask the owner for 15 minutes at a slow time of day. Bring your questions for requirement 6.
Where it can lead
- Sales representativeSells products to businesses or customers, often traveling and building long-term relationships.
- Retail store managerRuns a store, leads staff, and makes sure customers are well served; many start as clerks.
- Real estate agentHelps people buy and sell homes; requires a state license.
- Marketing specialistPlans advertising and figures out what customers want.
- Small business ownerSells their own products or services and handles everything from pricing to customer care.
Ask yourself
- What makes you trust a salesperson, and what makes you walk away?
- How did it feel the first time someone said no, and how did you handle it?
- What did you learn about listening while you were selling?
- Which strengths of yours helped most in this badge?
- Where else in your life could these skills help you, even outside of selling?
Good questions to ask a salesperson or store owner
- How do you figure out what a customer really needs?
- What do you say when someone tells you no?
- How do you keep customers coming back?
- What's the biggest mistake new salespeople make?
- How did you get started in sales?
Helpful reads
- Earning a merit badge, step by step, From picking a badge to getting the final signature: how to find a counselor, set up meetings safely, work the requirements, and keep your progress., Youth · Families · 6 min read
- Contacting counselors, experts, and organizations, Email and phone scripts, who to ask for, how to follow up, and how to say thanks, with a parent copied every time., Youth · Families · 7 min read
- Choosing your next merit badge, How to pick a badge you'll actually finish: start with what you care about, balance Eagle-required and just-for-fun badges, and make the most of camp., Youth · Families · 6 min read
For leaders & parents
- Tie this badge to a unit fundraiser so scouts get real selling practice.
- Help scouts role-play a sales pitch with a friendly adult playing the customer.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- Local business owner — Can share how they sell and serve customers.
- Local chamber of commerce — Can connect you with businesses in your town.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (opens in a new tab) — How small businesses plan, price, and sell.
- Junior Achievement USA (opens in a new tab) — Programs that teach young people about business, money, and careers.
- DECA (opens in a new tab) — A high school organization for students interested in marketing and business.
Pairs well with
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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.