10 Thoughts on Direct Selling

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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