My 30 Day Experiment with Direct Sales
If you know me very well at all, you know that I am not someone who is influenced by get rich schemes, ideas for making money that involve me spending money or any kind of road to retirement that is based on someone else buying from me. I have been very outspoken about my feelings for the past 15 years. Read part 1 of my Direct Sales Experiment here.
I can remember back when I was young and the popular Direct Sales program was Tupperware, Avon or Amway. Through the years, direct sales opportunities have come and gone in waves. Whether you are wanting to make your riches through beauty products, cleaning supplies, desserts, candles or fitness drinks, there are direct sales opportunities everywhere.
My biggest problem with Direct Sales
I have one really big problem with direct sales. I feel like I am paying for my retirement/life on the basis of your financial choices. I hate the idea of hosting a party where you are expected to buy products so I can get bonuses and the hostess can free rewards. Why should you spend your hard money on products so I can benefit? But maybe I’m looking at this wrong.
If I sign up for direct sales with a company, it’s because I believe in the product. If I believe the product is worth buying and I have spent my money to invest in the company by purchasing as start up kit, then it must be a good product. It if is actually a good product, then you may want to spend money on the item. That translates to a basic answer…
I’m not making you spend money. I’m just offering you the product and the opportunity.
I attended a make-up party 15 years ago and made a promise that I would never attend another house party where I was expected to make a purchase. I have been very outspoken about my feelings for the past 15 years. But a few weeks ago I paid out my money and bought into the Pink Zebra company. I really believe the Pink Zebra Sprinkles are a good product. They are American Made. They smell amazing and they are not expensive.
Maybe the problem has been as much my perception as the reality.
3 Things to Ask Before You Sign Up as a Consultant
Do I believe in the product?
Do you personally think this product is worth the money? Is it changing or improving your life in a tangible way? Can you measure the results? Taste the quality? Is this product something that you would personally endorse and are willing to attach your name to it? Have you tried it yourself?
Is it a disposable product?
Most people who succeed in direct sales have a product that must be replaced or the supply replenished. If you sell a product that will last forever, then why would they ever buy from you again? You want something that is good enough that the customer will want to come back and buy when they run out.
Is the market saturated?
If everyone you know is already a consultant, then maybe you should find a different product. You have to find a product that is new enough to your area that you can attract new customers. Don’t underestimate the power of the internet. Some products sell well online. If you can establish a client base in another state then you may be able to do really well even if your community is already well saturated.
The #1 Thing to Remember about Direct Sales
Direct Sales is not for everyone.
I’m 2 weeks into my 30 day experiment, and I have not made 1 sale yet. But I have learned that I a horrible sales woman. I have a plan of attack for my next 2 weeks, so I’m not resigning yet. I am learning alot about Direct Sales and my personality with this 30 Day Experiment.
You can enter to win your own Pink Zebra Simmering Pot and Sample Sprinkles by clicking here. Giveaway ends Monday night!
Click here to view the Pink Zebra Catalog.
What about you? Have you done Direct Sales? Maybe you are in Direct Sales and absolutely love it. I’d love to hear your experience.
I have sold 31 products two separate times. The first…I was trying to make it a business. I had pretty good success but then I needed to cast a larger net and I wasn’t really comfortable doing shows for people that I didn’t know. I also had little success recruiting. I also realized that I really didn’t enjoy doing home selling parties.
The second time that I sold the product I went into it with the idea that I would help others…do it more for charity work. So, I split my earnings (which pretty much just covered my costs) with whatever charity that I wanted to support. This gave me a lot of opportunity to open up to larger groups and do more catalog sales…which I did enjoy. I liked setting up in a church or business…I just didn’t like the home party atmosphere as much. Plus, when people purchased the items…they purchased them because they liked the product and wanted to help the charity as well…a win win 🙂 I was still able to gain higher sales bonuses and achieve discounts on products that helped to compensate for donating the profit to charities. Plus, I could take the donations off on my taxes.