The Challenges of Direct Selling

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Category : Direct Sales Articles, Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips, Home Party Plan Tips

Those of us that are in the direct sales profession know that there are some challenges that come with the territory of developing this type of home based business. We work hard to overcome some of the hardships and the stigma that tends to come with being a direct seller. Sometimes that is not always possible, but those looking to get into this business should know that it exists and be prepared to deal with it.

One of the main challenges that exist is the fact that the direct sales industry has been hit hard in the past by past claims of huge income in a short amount of time. Most companies now prohibit the claims of huge riches and admit freely that this is an industry where you have to work hard to succeed. Can it be done? Oh yes it can. There are hundreds if not thousands of direct sales reps and MLM reps out there making full time wages and even more. They are earning money through the sale of product and through recruiting team members. So if they can do it, you can do it.

Another challenge is the stigma that being in direct sales can have with some people. You may get the “look” of disgust and the “oh, you are selling that? WHY?” Never let the turkeys get you down! You know your why and stick to it. You love your product and you made an informed decision to join that company. Never try to sell to someone that has emotionally given you the cold shoulder when you talk to them about your product. Well, unless you like annoying them, so that could be fun.

Challenge number three could be the actual growing of your business. It is a well known fact that you will have to work at your direct sales business. If you plan your work in sections of your day and stick to your plan, you can grow the business quickly. Start off with sales of products as that is where your immediate cash flow will come from. And that cash flow is a necessary thing when growing your business. It will help pay for books, ads and supplies. Along the way you can add in bringing on team members and recruiting. This will add an additional income stream that is different from your sales of your product. As you continue to grow your business, you will see your income continue to grow as well.

These are three of the biggest challenges you will see when starting your direct sales business. But if you focus on the answer of how to bridge the challenge, it does not have to be a difficult at all. Be informed and be successful.

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Copyright Chris Carroll ~ All Rights Reserved

Chris is a work at home mom that has made direct sales her business of choice and enjoys sharing information and tips with others. You can find her at her business site Direct Sales Talk . She has also partnered with Shelly Hill on a product review site for small business owners at Two Classy Chics .

Steps to Build Your Direct Sales Business Right Away

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips, Home Party Plan Tips

You just started a brand new career in direct sales. You’re pumped, excited, and ready to hit the streets with your awesome product you know everyone will want to buy. Keep that excitement and remember it. Although you may be able to get every friend and family member you have to hold a show and make lots of money in the beginning, remember this initial momentum may not last.

Here is two important steps that you should begin taking now for a great future in direct sales. You’ll need them if you want your business to stand the test of time.

Hold as many shows or parties as quickly as possible.

This is where you are going to find the strong people I will be mentioning in the next step. Don’t wait until your kit arrives to make the first of your phone calls. Get on the phone right away and book your first couple of shows.

If your kit doesn’t arrive before the first show, your recruiter should be willing to lend hers or at least a few items from her own kit. She should also be willing to go to your first one or two shows with you. This will help you to feel more at ease and will make it easier to answer any questions that may arise which you can’t answer yet.

Get your first 6 shows booked, but don’t stop there. If you’re on a roll, keep calling. You may get a lot of “no’s” at first, but you the “yes’s” will soon come so don’t give up.

Build a good foundation.

A good foundation for a successful direct sales business is one that is solidly built with great people on your team. Start looking for quality people who know and love the product as much as you do. You’ll also want them to be goal oriented, organized and driven.

Once you get 3 to 5 strong people under you, you will have the start of a strong team. These people will help lead your business to success. Don’t recruit just anyone simply for the sake of having recruits. If those people you sign up under you do not possess the characteristics described above, they will most likely quit or flounder in their own business. You’ll find this to be more of a burden than a help to your business. Once you get a start with a strong team, then you can start recruiting others who may just be looking for a hobby, a discount on the product or who just need something to pass the time with. The key is to get a handful of strong, goal oriented folks under you quick.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your direct sales business be. It takes drive, determination and motivation to build a successful direct sales business and keep it going.

Direct Sales – Tips to Attract Repeat Sales

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips

In direct sales, there are two main ways that you can make sales. Some direct sales consultants are constantly searching for the next sale and when they find it, they make the sale and begin looking for the next one. This works, but you could be making money without quite as much effort.

Rather than thinking about each sale as just a sale, think more of them as customers. If you use the proper techniques, you can turn many of your one-time sales into repeat customers. The hardest thing in direct sales is making that first sale. So why should you only seek out the hard way? Yes, you have to constantly be looking for new customers, but if you have repeat customers you won’t have to spend quite as much time in doing so.

Most people shop in the same place (whether it be grocery store, bed and bath products, or even clothes) to fulfill their needs. You find yourself returning to the same stores because you know the prices, quality, and staff. So why not take advantage of human nature?

In order to be successful in direct sales you need to have both repeat customers as well as new ones. It is the same with any kind of business. Typically you make the most money from repeat customers because they come to know the products and quality.

Tips to turn Sales into customers

1. Make sure you get contact info for each sale. Then on birthdays or holidays you can send an email or card. This will make your customers feel as though you care about them and they will be more likely to do business with you again.

2. Be knowledgeable about your products and company. If you are able to answer any questions asked of you, immediately people will see you as an authority in your field. You want to stay ahead of your competition. When a new product is coming out, learn all about it as soon as possible.

3. Customer service is extremely important. If your customer service skills are lacking it will show in your business. If a problem occurs you have to rectify it immediately. Otherwise those customers will find someone else offering the same products. Even if a customer only purchases a small number of items, treat them as though they are big spenders. Word of mouth can make or break your business.

4. Refer customers to other customers. If you have a customer looking for a good hair stylist and you have another customer who happens to be a hair stylist, refer them.

5. Create a newsletter to stay in regular communication with your customers. Make the newsletter informative and a value to them. When a new product is coming out, let everyone know about it. Finding a good newsletter service is essential to maintaining good customer services. One that I have found to be very affordable and direct sales friendly is MyNewsletterBuilder.com
(Enter DebBixler in the comment box if you join and tell them I said you get one month free!)

There are many ways to turn a sale into a repeat customer. The biggest is the quality of your customer service and customer care. Special deals are a great way to keep people coming back for more and customer service is what makes them think of you instead of another consultant. Make them feel important, and they will return again and again. Customer service skills will make or break your business. Learn how to wow your customers and increase sales as well at: Create A Cash Flow Show

Article by Deb Bixler. All Rights Reserved

The Best Sales Tips You Will Find

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Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips

I saw this article the other day and knew that it would benefit you and your business greatly as well.

The Best Sales Tips You Will Find
This is a list of 10 sales tips that can use in any business in order to get more customers and close the sale faster. There is no business until it has made its first sale, and each sale after that. Therefore, you need to give yourself a big arsenal of sales tools to get yourself to where you want to be. Read on to find out all 10 tips.

1. Build relationships with your customers. You have to have long-term customers in order to grow. If you sell to a person only one time, it is very expensive to find a new customer.

2. Get the customer to accept things from you, like your business cards, brochures, free gifts, even price quotes. This act of accepting gets them into a “YES” mind frame.

3. Make sure that your business card contains a call to action on the back of it. There are way too many useless business cards floating around out there. Make sure you use both sides to create something that the customer won’t throw in the trash as soon as they get home.

4. Learn to shut your mouth and let the customer talk. People that are really talkative can end up talking their own customer out of the sale, because they shared TOO MUCH information about the product.

5. Don’t try and be a clown in order to keep the customer’s attention. Sure, you need to make the customer feel comfortable, but you don’t need to tell a bunch of corny jokes and make the situation even worse.

6. Focus on what the customer wants, not what you want. If the customer wants your most inexpensive product, then sell it to him. Don’t sell anything to anyone that they don’t want.

7. If you don’t believe in what you are selling, you won’t be able to convince your customers that they should believe you either.

8. You have to give before you can get. You need to earn your customer’s business by first offering different things that will benefit them. You might have to lose a little money on the first sale in order to close a large, profitable sale.

9. Don’t patronize your prospect. If you treat your customer like they are stupid, you won’t sell them a thing. Allow them plenty of time to ask questions, but don’t baby them.

10. Develop a killer guarantee. Use your guarantee as a marketing tool to lower the prospect’s skepticism about going through with the purchase.

Joshua Black is the developer of the Underdog Sales Bible. This report gives you 37 different methods for ETHICALLY closing the sale without tricks, gimmicks, or pitches of any kind. You can find out more and download the sales bible at: Closing The Sale.com

Article Source: Ezine Articles/ Expert Joshua Black

Spring Sales

Category : Direct Sales Work at Home Business Tips

Spring is an wonderful time to get your calendar out and get those parties going. With Mothers Day, Graduations and then the summer right around the corner, why wait?

What fabulous things are you offering your customer and hostess?

Don’t forget this is also wedding season! Look for ways to incorporate a wedding theme and a gift registery into your presentations. There are a lot of brides-to-be looking for your product! If you do craft shows and the like, look for wedding shows to set up your product. They are pricier than a traditional show venue, but the leads will be highly focused and fresh.

Don’t let spring get away from you! Think fresh and focus your business where you want it to grow.