1.
Understand the business model
It is
important that you look deeply into the business model and that you understand
that success is achieved by building your own large consumer market through
which you move products you believe in. Get to know the company's vision and
mission as well as its financial position - is it profitable? Is it expanding?
Is demand for its products growing and are they first to market?
2. Know
your upline team
It is
advisable that before committing to a network organization, you need to know
about the people who bring you in and what kind of support system they will
provide. What kind of training will you receive? Who will help you learn how to
do presentations and product demonstrations? Is there someone you can rely on
to give you tips and help you build your network? You shouldn't expect to go it
alone or to instinctively know how to do everything - the team above you should
be there to help you succeed.
3. Be a
product of the product
It's very
important to have a love for the products you're distributing. It's more than
just recognizing a trend - it's about sharing a genuine enthusiasm for the
benefits of the product. Keep in mind that if you're not honestly passionate
about the product, you'll sound like a salesperson. By believing in the
products, using them yourself and relating your experiences, it becomes less
about selling and more about sharing something you're excited about.
4. Be a
prospecting maniac
The first
60-90 days of becoming a distributor are the most important. Many people give
up during these early days because they don't see results fast enough. But it's
a matter of getting the wheels into motion. You should commit to doing, as much
as you can during this first phase - become a prospecting maniac! You can do
this by both marketing your system if you choose to use one or by traditional
ways like walking and talking, practicing the 3-foot rule, working and growing
your list, referrals, and traditional advertising. Just tell your story to
everyone who will listen! Always remember you can do bottom up sponsoring, from
product into opportunity and Top down sponsoring from the opportunity into the
product. One thing is for sure, some will be interested in the products and
others in the business."
5. Look
for leaders
When
recruiting fellow distributors, it's important to not randomly choose people,
but rather to seek out those who exhibit natural leadership qualities. When you
do find someone with winning qualities - stick with them. You will most
certainly achieved greater success by investing your time and commitment on
people you feel are natural leaders - rather than trying to coax people who
lacked the instincts to become leaders. Too often people focus on their weakest
links, rather than their strengths, go to your best people first.
6. Never
prejudge people
The biggest
mistake many people in direct selling make is pre-judging. You start by
creating lists of everyone you know - then get the products in front of them
and let them decide. If you edit your list, you edit success. Too often people
edit their prospects based on pre-judging what they think they know about other
people's lives. But you don't know. You never know. Give everyone the
opportunity and let him or her decide for themselves.
7. Be
cautious of busy work
Cleaning
your desk or scanning business cards might make you feel more organized, but
doesn't get you to your goals. It is advisable to be strategic with how you
spend your time and don't let busy work get in the way of productive work such
as meeting people, making presentations, doing product demonstrations and
following up on leads. Ask yourself, what items do I do each and every day to
(1) get customers; (2) get distributors; and (3) support others on my team to
do so and intentionally focus on those tasks.
8. Lead
by example
Always
expect people will do as much as you do - or less. When you have a team
working under you, it's up to you to set the standard of expectations. At the
end of every day, look at what you've accomplished and ask yourself if you'd be
happy if everyone on your team did as much. Not only will your efforts and
leadership inspire those who work with you, questioning your own efforts will
keep you honest.
9. Work
locally, think globally!
Rather than
'targeting' a certain region, it is more effective to focus on the strength of
your relationships and let those connections take you where they will. For
example, rather than hunting for 'cold contacts' in every new market her
company moves into, look into your existing database to see what connections
you have that can naturally lead you into a region. Let one relationship lead
you to the next. If you find you have a growing number of contacts in a certain
area, let that be your next focus.
10) Is
it right for you?
But money
isn't everything - but it is nice! One of the biggest advantages about a
career in direct selling is the flexibility. Freedom is our most precious
commodity. The ultimate goal is to be able to take off while your business
still earns income. For others, the best thing about direct selling is that
it's a career that is accessible to all - there are really no barriers to
gender, age or ethnicity - your network is what you make it.
In an age of
revamped home parties and direct sale opportunities (think natural cleaning
products, anti-aging weapons, culinary gadgets and inspired jewellery), it
makes sense to do your research and if you do decide to take the plunge, go at
it with conviction. As with much in life, what you put in is often what you get
out.
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