Don’t Let the Phone Frighten You
No matter what type direct sales business you’re involved with, a big part of your job is probably using the telephone. Unfortunately, lots of people have a fear of making sales calls. You might find it easy to talk to a customer when they call you. But the mere thought of having to pick up the telephone and call someone to make an appointment or try to sell them something, gets your stomach churning, dries out your mouth and empties your mind of everything you know. Does this sound familiar?
You have two choices. Let your fear of the phone beat you. (Then you might as well quit your job.) OR face your fear, pick up the phone and call someone! Let’s break the fear down into manageable steps and talk about how to banish phone fear from your life forever.
First, look at your work environment. When working in direct sales, you’re the boss. Most direct sales consultants work from home. But you still have to transform your work space into a proper working environment so that it’s more conducive to actual work. Doing so will put you in the right frame of mind to work–mentally. Some direct sales reps put on “business clothes” so they feel more like they’re working, but you don’t have to go that far, unless you want to.
Ideally, a headset with an attached microphone will let you talk with your customers while typing or writing, if you choose. And you won’t get a sore hand from holding the phone for what may be a few hours. But a regular telephone will work, too.
Have pen and paper, product information, objection handling answers, and even sample products within easy reach so you don’t have to go looking for things while you’re on the phone.
Make sure you have a bottle of water to stop your mouth drying out. There’s nothing worse when you’re trying to talk!
And now that your office is set up, there’s no longer an excuse to avoid making those calls.
So, what’s your real fear?
Possibly the fear of rejection? That’s normal because you will get rejected. But that doesn’t matter. Sales is a numbers game. Set yourself up to make a certain number of calls, or to make calls for a specific amount of time. Then don’t stop.
Every rejection makes it more likely that the next call won’t be a rejection. And rejections aren’t personal! You might have called at a bad time. Your customer might already have what you’re selling, or she may simply not be interested. There are a host of reasons for getting a rejection over the phone. None of them should make you more afraid!
don’t be afraid of objections, either. If a customer is asking questions or starting sentences with the word “but,” this is a positive sign that they’re showing interest in what you have to offer.
Explain the benefits of your product. It could make them smarter, stronger, help them cook better meals, smell better, take years off their life, save them money, etc. People want to know if what you’re selling can help make their life easier. The worst that can happen is that they say “no” to you. No big deal. Move on to the next call.
Separating your business psyche from your personal psyche is a skill that’s hard to master, but that can be learned through experience. Before you pick up the phone, determine to have confidence in yourself. You have great products and you’re calling to help your customer. She just doesn’t know it yet.
Be positive, and smile every time you dial. Draw a little smiling face and attach it to, or near, your phone. If you’re smiling, it really does come through in your voice and people will be more likely to want to speak with you.
You can overcome your fear of the telephone. Just never give up. No matter what.
Hot Tips To Attract Repeat Sales
There are two ways to look at direct sales. The first is to make a sale and then start looking for the next one. If this is what you’re currently doing in your direct sales business, then you’re missing out on a lot of potential sales that require less effort than it took to make the first sale to someone!
The second, smarter way to look at sales is to not think of it as a sale. Think of it as gaining a new customer for life. If you use this approach and the following techniques, you’ll attract more repeat business and referrals than you would have thought possible.
To explain this better, think of your local supermarket. Generally, people go to the same place to buy their food all the time. There are a few reasons they do that such as convenience, knowing the products, knowing the prices, getting to know the staff, getting the quality they want, etc. People return to the same store because they know the store and feel comfortable there.
It’s the same in any business.
In a direct sales business, you of course, want to have as many customers as possible. It’s much easier to sell to the same customers over and over than it is to keep on trying to find new ones. To build a successful business you need to do both.
Here are some great tips for turning sales into repeat customers.
• Remember birthdays and other special occasions and send an email or a card, or make a quick phone call with good wishes.
• Learn more about your customers and recommend their services to other customers if needed. For example, if you have a customer complaining of a toothache and you have another customer who is a dentist, pass that information on.
• Respect your customers and don’t take them for granted. If there’s a problem with a purchase, don’t try to ignore it. Go the extra mile and try to solve the issue to your customer’s satisfaction.
• Set up regular communication with your customers by creating a newsletter and emailing it to your customers on a regular basis. The content can include new product information, local events, humorous anecdotes, contests and tips on using your products. Offer customers the opportunity to contribute to the newsletter as well.
• Offer specials. Have a “buy two items and get something free” promotion. Or make up simple coupons and hand them out with your current catalog.
• Always ask for referrals at every demonstration and when making every sale.
• Offer current customers an incentive if they give you five referrals.
• If a lot of your customers live locally, run social functions such as a home party at your own house, or an Open House event.
• If you don’t have a website or a blog that you use to promote your business, you really need to think about getting one set up as quickly as possible. An online presence gives you a lot more credibility in this Internet age. Your customers can access information on your site any time they need to, instead of calling you or sending you an email and waiting for a reply. You need to be able to provide them with the information they need when they need it or you may risk losing them as a customer.
• Use your website to offer tips on how to use your products. This way you’re simply offering information and it’s up to the customer to make their own decision about purchasing an item.
• Have a question and answer blog, or a discussion forum as part of your site. This allows your customers to get more information without having to contact you directly. And it helps educate them on your products without creating the impression that you’re a pushy salesperson.
• Offer as many different payment methods as possible.
• Be honest and keep your promises to customers.
• Deliver on your promises 100 percent of the time.
It’s cheaper to keep a customer than to try and get a new one, so if you keep open lines of communication and interest your customers, they’ll have no reason to go elsewhere for the direct sales products you offer.
7 Creative Ways to Advertise your Direct Sales Business Locally
Growing your direct sales business locally can be a challenge if you’re afraid of approaching people. It’s hard for some of us to “cold call” and it’s even harder for us to walk up to someone and start talking about our business.
When you take the time to creatively advertise your business, though, you’ll find it’s not that hard to talk to people. You just need to have fun and not consider it working. Try these ideas and see if you don’t have more fun marketing your business this way.
1. Sample packs
Creating sample packs and giving them away is a great way to put your business out there in front of people. Include a sample of your own and ask other consultants and business owners to provide samples to include. Be sure to add your contact information on your sample so they know where to purchase the product. Include a brightly colored flyer or brochure. When you use a bright color like yellow or florescent green, your flyer will stand out and attract attention.
2. Balloons
Kids love balloons and they’re inexpensive. In the summer, kids are often outside playing. They love to go to the park and other places. Tie your business card to the string on a balloon and give the balloons to kids you meet. Ask them to the cards to their moms or dads and keep the balloons. Give these away while walking through the park, at the mall or a shopping center, or at a daycare.
3. Magnets
Put magnets on your car while you’re parked at the grocery store, mall, or work. Put a note on your car giving people permission to take a magnet. Put a balloon on the back of your car so you draw attention. Be sure people have easy access.
4. Contests
Create flyers for your contest and hand them out. Set a date for the contest and on that date draw a winner. Have people sign up for your newsletter list, send you an email, or call you so you’ll know who wants to have their name entered in the drawing.
5. Goodie bags
Create a small goodie bag and take them to your local daycare center. Include a pencil, notepad, small toy for a child, and your business card. Call the daycare center and explain what you want to do. Ask them how many children they have so you’re able to make enough for everyone.
6. Calendars
Create a business card size calendar from an online store and hand them out. People like calendars that they can place on a refrigerator or file cabinet. You might also consider a full size calendar that can be hung on the wall or a purse size calendar. Consider your options and go with what fits your budget.
7. New movers pack
Create a packet that you can give to new renters in your apartment building or home owners who are moving into your neighborhood. You can use these with homes that are for sale. As long as they don’t have a “do not solicit” sign on the door, you can place this bag on the door handle.
Owning your own direct sales business is a great way to earn extra money or to pay the bills each month. When you use creative ways to advertise your business, you’ll feel like working it more because it won’t be a chore or even a challenge.
Brainstorm ideas you can use and write them down so you’ll remember them later on. Then note which ones work and which ones don’t so you aren’t wasting time on the latter and you’re on your way to building a profitable direct sales business.
Steps To Direct Sales Success
Whether you’ve just started in your direct sales business or have been in direct sales for years, it’s important to take certain steps to be successful.
What influences your success? Many factors contribute to the success you have in direct sales but it ultimately comes down to you and your motivation.
The first steps to success in direct sales are choosing a business you’re passionate about. Ever talk to someone passionate about her business? The enthusiasm spills over to anyone she’s talking to. The same should be true of you and your business. When you love what you do, you’re good at it, and you will be successful.
Select your niche. Find a need to be filled or a problem to solve in your target area. Selecting your niche market means you choose a business that is not already in a saturated market. Don’t signup to be a makeup rep when there are already 25 in your area. Instead, choose to sell home decor because there are only a couple of consultants in your community.
Choose a profitable business. In direct sales you want to earn a high commission. So selecting a company that pays 50 percent is much more attractive than one that only pays 20 percent. A larger commission allows you greater flexibility when offering personal discounts and special offers. Larger commissions also offer greater profits on sales made.
Know your business. Successful business owners know their businesses and their competition’s business. Read over your welcome kit information and business materials. Attend any training sessions, online classes, or webinars the company provides. Most, if not all, direct sales companies provide training at no extra charge for their sales force. If you’re successful at selling their products, you bring them new and repeat customers, which mean larger profits and more successful products for them.
Create a business plan. A business plan is an asset for any serious business professional as it provides clear objectives, mission, company philosophy and more importantly where you see your business going and how you’ll do it. A successful business plan is a road map to your victory.
Be flexible. Flexibility is just as important in business as it is in any other aspect of life. A business that isn’t able to re-form itself to changes in circumstances, market or philosophy will soon find the need to become a new business.
Have dependable sources of cash flow. You’ve heard that most businesses fail within the first year of business. One of the reasons is not enough cash flow. Determine how much it will cost you to run your business before and after launch, along with your sales forecast and budget.
Your projected expenses should include the daily and unexpected incidental costs of doing business. After you’ve started your business you can determine a more accurate picture of your real life expenses and adjust your estimates as needed.
Stick to your budget. Create a budget and stick to it, especially during your startup. Determine how much you need to run your business, including advertising costs, website hosting, etc., and determine how you’ll fund it.
Reach your customers. How will you reach your customers? It’s no use in having a product if no one knows about it and how to buy it. What are your marketing and networking plans and how will you implement them? Use the technology that’s available to you but don’t overreach. It’s okay to start small, but have a plan for success. Remember that after you’ve reached your customer you need to keep them coming back. Creating a streamlined system that connects with your customers and keeps them returning will create a smoother business operation.
Choose your sales force. Why do you need a sales force? A sales force will help you become more profitable. The more venues you have for getting your products into the hands of customers, the more profitable you’ll be. Recruit a quality sales force that is as passionate about the business as you’re!
Implementing these simple steps will move you well on your way in your goal to build a successful direct sales business. Find your passion, create a plan for your success, and allow for flexibility in your business… and you will succeed!
10 Tips for Time Management in Direct Sales
It seems there are usually more things to do then there are hours in the day. With busy schedules and busier lives important things often get forgotten or pushed aside until it’s too late to do them. Time management is essential in all areas of life, especially if you’re running a direct sales business from your home. The ten steps below are geared to direct sales consultants but can be carried over to other careers or parts of life as well.
When you choose tasks that need to be accomplished it’s important to set priorities. The most important tasks have a greater priority over less important tasks. Set certain a amount of time for each task. To start out with, you need to determine what needs to be accomplished. So get out your PDA or pen and paper and let’s begin.
1. The first step is to set your priorities for the day. What are the important things you need to accomplish for the day, what can be accomplished the day after, etc.? Create a list of things that must be completed that day. The top of the list will have the most important tasks; the bottom of the list will have tasks that can be accomplished within a day or two. After you have created your list jot down how much time each task will require.
2. Prepare for the next day the night before. It’s a good idea to create your to-do list the night before so when you get up early you can focus on the tasks that need to be accomplished that day. Alternatively, you can get up an hour or so early to do this, but typically the night before works best.
3. Next, set the operating hours for your business. This means determining what hours you’ll answer emails, contact potential clients, contact your sales force, advertise and update your website, etc.
4. Take notes. Throughout the day take notes of what needs to be accomplished whether in your PDA, or on paper. When you create a list of tasks to accomplish for the next day, it will be easier with your list in hand.
5. Take the time to set up an automatic email system using Constant Contact or Outlook. An automated system will save valuable hours every day. Set autoresponders to send automatic emails of sales and specials to your contact list, receive orders, and set up shipping. Setting up autoresponders once means less time spent on these tasks later on.
6. Get and stay organized. you’ve heard there’s a place for everything and everything in its place. Make that your mantra! It’s important to be able to find what you need when you need it. Organize your office so it’s easy and efficient to find whatever you need. Losing valuable hours searching for business documents, invoices, bills or anything else will cost you valuable time and money.
7. Outsource. If you need help, hire someone to do some of your necessary tasks such as website maintenance, or mailings. It can mean hiring someone privately, using family labor, or working with another business that provides those services.
8. Delegate. It’s important delegate tasks to others in your sales force to help your team be successful. Learn what you can delegate, then let the tasks go and trust your team to accomplish them. If you find you can’t trust someone to do the job you’ve delegated to them, it’s time to consider replacing them with someone you can trust.
9. Set reminders for important dates for your business. This include sales and specials you plan to run, customer birthdays and anniversaries, and the last time a customer ordered from you.
10. Create and use thank you notes. At the end of the day create a list of thank you notes you plan to send to your customers the next day. Then, take a few minutes to fill them out and drop them in the mail the next morning. It’s an important follow-up that your customers will appreciate.
With these easy-to-manage time management tactics, you’re well on your way to becoming more time efficient in your direct sales business operations. Automating a few areas of your business early on will help considerably in the long run.
Increase Direct Sales with a Gift Registry
There are lots of things you can do to make a sale. Tell someone how useful your products are, how much they’ll be able to use them, offer a discount, or simply tell a customer how reasonably priced a product is.
But what do you do when a customer tells you that they simply don’t have the money to buy your product? This can be hard to work around. A customer can’t give you money she doesn’t have and you can’t make the sale unless she does. There’s not a lot of wiggle room. But don’t lose hope! There is a solution.
You can still make a sale and even do it in a way that doesn’t require your customer to pay a dime. In fact, she’ll ll actually be thankful to you.
How? By creating a simple gift registry for your customers!
There’s a reason department stores and bridal boutiques have been using gift registries since the beginning of time. They’re an excellent way to make a lot of sales in a small amount of time, while giving customers exactly what they want. It’s really a no-brainer. And starting a registry is so easy. You’ll see a drastic increase in your sales in no time!
The first thing that to do is create registry forms that registrants can fill out if they want to sign up for the registry. Create a form in Word or another wordprocesser that has a place for the registrant’s name, address, phone number and email, and other personal information you might need such as sizes. Leave several blank lines where the registrant can write down the items she’d like. And include several more blank links for the names and phone numbers of the registrants’s friends and family who might be interested in buying them a gift from the registry.
You may find it’s best to ask for phone numbers rather than addresses of friends and family. People may feel uncomfortable giving out friends’ addresses, but with a quick phone call, you can explain why you’re calling and offer to mail or email them a copy of the gift registry if they’re interested. This will help you avoid putting someone in an awkward position, and will ensure potential gift buyers won’t perceive your mail to be junk and throw it away.
Tell your customers and prospects about your gift registry and keep plenty of forms on hand for people to sign up. Hand out forms at home parties, create a form on your website, and encourage everyone you know to tell their friends and family that they’ve registered with you.
One of the best things about creating a gift registry is that you’re helping someone who otherwise couldn’t get your products to get what she wants, and you’ve added new prospects to your list of leads.
The next time you run a heavy mail campaign or promotion, you’ll have the names and addresses of people who’ve bought your product before and who will likely be interested in buying again. And you’ll be offering terrific customer service which will increase your value in the eyes of your customers. It’s a win-win situation for everyone concerned!
10 Ways to Market your Direct Sales Business Online
Marketing your direct sales business is the only way it will grow. But there are so many different ways you can market your business both online and offline that it’s a cinch to do–and without a lot of expense or time. The best thing to do is find what works for you and stick with it.
Here are just a few of the many ways you can market your direct sales business on the Internet.
1. Parties
Online parties are a great way to showcase your products and talk about all the opportunities you have to offer. These parties are held in a chatroom and you can use a microphone or your keyboard.
2. Banners and buttons
Some Websites offer banner and button advertising. This is a great way for you to advertise your business to people that may not otherwise see your website. These types of ads are pictures and are linked to your site. So you have the ability to say what you want and link to whatever page you choose.
3. Solo ads
Solo ads are text ads that are sent to a large number of people at one time. Most of these ads are sent to Yahoo, MSN, or Google groups. Some businesses also offer this type of service using their email lists. The number of people who will receive your ads can range from 50 to thousands.
4. Signature line
A signature line is what is below the name you type at the end of the email or forum post. you’ll want to make sure you use your link and a 5-7 word sentence that will make a person reading it want to see what you have to offer. If you offer a free sample product include that in your signature line and tell them what to do to get that product.
5. Forums
Forums are message boards that are interactive. People post questions, things they’ve read, and other things to forums. This is a great way to network, share your business with others, and use your signature line.
6. Special reports
Special reports are a great way to give something away while advertising your business at the same time. No matter what type of direct sales business you run, you can create a special report that will help your target market and show them why they should use your products.
7. Ebooks
Ebooks are another way to place your direct sales business in front of others. No matter what type of products you offer, an ebook can help. Show them how to use your products in ways they may never have thought. Show your readers why your products are better than your competition. You can also show your readers how to do things with your products. Be creative and come up with anything and everything so your book is full of great and valuable content.
8. Teleseminars
Telseminars are a great way to teach others about a certain thing. When you use teleseminars to grow your direct sales business you will be able to show your attendees that you offer the best and that you are here to help them in every way possible. You can use these to show people why they should join your business or you can show them how to take care of your products so they will last for a long time.
9. Videos
Create videos that show your target market certain things about your products. Then upload these to YouTube and share them with others. Include it in your signature line and in your ads. People like to watch things on video so this is a great tool to use to increase your business online.
10. Social Media
Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are valuable tools to use when you are growing your direct sales business. Social networking is easy to do, but often times it’s not done correctly. You need to interact with others and help them by offering tips and suggestions. don’t only post links to your site and ads for your business.
Marketing your business online is a great way to expand into cities and states that you might not every be able to reason otherwise. The Internet is full of opportunities. All you have to do is search, ask around, and look at what others are doing and learn from them.
Techniques to Increase Your Sales
There’s nothing more important, no matter what product you’re selling, than making that sale! Nothing could be more obvious. But what’s not always as obvious is how to get those sales.
Maybe you’ve already tried all the old-school techniques such as cold calling and handing out catalogs to anyone you see. Or maybe you just want to try something different and a little more creative, so you can increase your chances even more of making a sale.
Direct salespeople are constantly looking for new ways to increase their sales. Here are some unique ways to stay at the forefront of your customer’s minds and start watching your sales explode.
Upsell to Current Customers
If you’re selling face-to-face, always suggest products to them that you think might be useful or that are related to the product they’re buying from you. If you have a website, make sure you upsell there, too. Once a customer has completed her order, have a list of related products for her to look over and see if there’s anything else she may be interested in buying.
Pay for Referrals
There’s no better advertising than word of mouth. So getting your customers to refer you to their friends is very important to your business. To give your customers even more incentive to give you a referral (other than your great personality, wonderful products and award-winning customer service), bribe them. Give them something in return for telling others about you.
Offer a free product to every customer who refers four new customers to you. you’ll get three sales in exchange for one free product. Can’t beat a deal like that!
Cross Promote
Get together with a few other businesses in your area and create an advertising bundle. You can then each hand them out to your customers and reach a huge number of people. This lets you advertise for each other free and reach a much broader customer base.
Include Coupons in Outgoing Orders
When a customer places an order and it comes time to deliver it to her, look her order over and create a coupon for related items that you include with her order.
Also make sure you include a catalogue with the order. Not only will customers be much more likely to buy the product you’ve included a coupon for, but they could also order other items from the catalogue. One sale may have just turned into two, which could turn into many, many more.
Upsell with Services
Another way to sell with an order is to upsell when you deliver it. Whether it’s a service such as rush delivery on the next order or an upgrade on the next purchase, include a service that customers can use, and charge for it. Not only will you be giving your customers something they’ll appreciate and use, but you’ll be making yet another sale.
Sell Gift Certificates
People love giving gift certificates and they love receiving them. Gift certificates are perfect for that person you just don’t know what to buy for. And they’re wonderful to receive because the recipient gets to pick whatever she wants.
If you have a website, be sure to include gift certificates somewhere among your other products. And likewise, be sure to include a way for customers to redeem their gift certificates, online, too.
Freebies, Freebies, Freebies!
Always include freebies for your customers when you deliver an orders. Whether it’s a fridge magnet, a keychain, pen, or samples of your product, always give your customers something just for ordering from you.
Do make sure that anything you give away includes your name, website, and logo on it. This not only makes your customers appreciative and want to order from you again, but it also makes it easier for them to do so.
With these simple techniques, you’ll soon see your profits soar and begin getting not only more return clients, but lots of new ones, too!
10 Tips to Help Direct Sales Consultants Boost Holiday Sales
The holidays are the perfect time for direct sales business owners to increase their sales. With the right tools, direct sales consultants can not only increase sales, but bring in new customers as well. Here are some tips to help you benefit from this potential boost in your holiday sales.
1. Advertise
Place newspaper, radio, and online ads to let your customers know what type sales you’ll be having during the holidays. Another way to advertise is to create a flyer or sales paper with all of your sale items listed. Make sure the items advertised are available, and change them up a bit every week to keep your customers interested.
2. Coupons
With today’s economy looking dim, offering coupons for various items is a great way to boost your sales. And with coupons, you can limit how many of each item can be purchased, so you’re potentially increasing full price sales as well. For instance, limit two candles at your special price per customer. A customer who wants additional candles can buy additional items at the regular price. And there’s a good chance they’ll bring friends and family to buy from you as well, if you offer additional coupons for their friends to use.
3. Cut Prices in Half
Cut prices down to half for a certain time each week. On Saturdays and Sundays, for instance, offer half price items that are only available during specific hours. Customers will flood your business in anticipation of getting an item that they may have had their eye on for some time, but couldn’t afford to buy for regular price.
4. Free Shipping
Ship items free no matter how much the customer purchase is. Set a date range for this special and advertise it widely. You can also offer free returns if the customer isn’t satisfied.
5. Offer Different Ways to Pay
Many companies will only accept MasterCard, Discover and Visa, but you can bring in new customers and boost your sales by taking payment by PayPal or even checks. PayPal, especially, is a safe, easy way to get paid for purchases made online or via the telephone.
6. Donate to Community Groups
Donate some of your products to charity groups or sponsor events in your community. The more time you spend supporting your community, the more likely the community will support your business because they’ll know who you are and learn to trust you. And Christmas is the best time of year to make a charitable donation to help others in need.
7. Themes
Create a holiday theme for your business. Decorate your website for the holidays. Gear your online shop toward the holidays and less toward the products.. This will let customers see that you’re not just about selling merchandise but that you’re a “real” person, too.
8. Buy Two Get One Free
In addition to offering low prices, offer products where the customer can buy two, and in return, get another one free. For instance, if you offer two shirts for $10 each, a customer can get one free when she buys two. A customer who doesn’t want to benefit from the sale has to pay the regular price of $15.
9. Limited Time Offer
Offer a limited a time offer. For instance, offer a free makeup with any purchase during the next 24 hours. Customers will flood you with orders because they know that the offer will be gone if they wait. Let special sales run for one week only and watch your sales boom as well.
10. Offer Varying Discounts
Determine a discount based on the dollar amount customers spend. For instance, offer 10 percent off on an order of $50 or more, 15 percent off on an order of $75 or more, 20 percent off on an order of $100 or more, etc. This will encourage larger purchases in order to get the most savings.
There are many ways to boost the holiday sales for your direct sales business. Hopefully, you’ve discovered a few that will help you increase your sales and grow your business!
Finding the Right Direct Sales Company
If you perform a simple search in any Internet search engine, or even read the classifieds in your local paper, you’ll quickly see just how many direct sales companies are looking for representatives every day. While this certainly means there’s great opportunity in direct sales, it also means that these companies are competing against each other to get you to sell their product.
As such, every direct sales company offers something different to their representatives and it’s important for you to fully research the different companies so you find the one that’s truly right for you. Here are some things to look for when trying to find the right direct sales company to meet your needs and personality.
Good Compensation Plan
This will probably be the first thing you’ll look at when trying to find the right direct sales company. The compensation plan is what will determine how much money you earn in exchange for selling the company’s products. In other words, this is your commission.
Begin your research by finding the company that will give you the most money for each product you sell. Then look at the other qualities of that company. In addition to what the company will pay you for selling their product, what they will give you for signing up new recruits? And what percentage will you earn from your team members’ sales? The best companies do offer percentages on each sale that a team member under you makes. That increases your profit considerably and is a valid reason to choose one company over another.
Quality Products
The next thing you need to look at that is just as important as the company’s compensation plan is the products they sell. Closely examine the products, use them, and get to know them. Are they quality products? Do you believe in them enough to sell them yourself? Can you see yourself telling a customer why she should use those products? These are all very important questions.
If you don’t believe that a product will work or if you don’t like the quality, you will never be able to sell it. Customers can tell whether or not you’re suggesting something that you believe in and that will really be helpful to them, or if you’re just trying to make a quick sale. And they’ll run from the latter!
Company Support
Even though you’ll be working for yourself, you’ll still need a lot of help and support from people who have been doing the exact same thing as you–for a longer time. A good direct sales company offer a lot of support, advice, and encouragement, especially in the beginning when everything is new.
Talk to representatives from the companies you’re interested in and find out what kind of support and training they offer, and how much help you can expect in the future. Also ask about the kind of support that would be expected of you in the future. If things work out, you could be the one offering support to others so it’s nice to know what may be expected of you down the road.
Online Selling
More and more customers are finding ways to shop at home for the things they need. And many won’t even consider shopping with you if you don’t offer a convenient way for them to order your product online. A good direct sales company will have an online system in place where customers can place an order, have it delivered in a timely manner, and where you will still receive commission on the sale. This is convenient for your customer, but it’s also great for you. The customer does most of the work and you still earn the same profit.
Finding the right direct sales company isn’t difficult, but it does require some time and research. It’s well worth the effort, however, when you know you’ve signed up with a company you like and can trust to help you build a profitable business working from home.
