How to Get Your Direct Sales Business Started

If you have recently started a career in direct sales, you may have several emotions running through you. It’s normal to be excited about your new business as well as a little fearful. It is also completely normal to be confused on where and how to get started. 

Each direct sales company will have a manual for their consultants. This may be included with your starter kit or found online. You will want to read it and make sure you understand your company’s policies and guidelines. Some companies do not allow online advertising, for instance. You will also want to read over the compensation plan. Understanding how you get paid will help you maximize your profits. 

As with any new business, you will need to create a business plan. There are many ways to work your direct sales business. Decide how you are going to work; for example, you can work through home parties, fundraisers, craft shows, online sales, and more. 

You will also want to set goals for your business. Goals will help define where you want your business to go. Once you know where you are going, you can create a way to get there. An example for your first month in direct sales may be to make $400. Break your monthly goal into a weekly goal of earning $100 per week.  

When you created your business plan, you decided which avenues you wanted to take in building your business. If you decided that you were going to work through traditional home parties, you need to figure out how many parties you need to book each week in order to make $100. 

All businesses need publicity, and your new direct sales business is no exception. You can choose to have an open house and invite your family, friends, neighbors , etc to sample your products, book parties, etc. 

Other options for publicity include submitting press releases to the local media; if you are working locally you can hang flyers at the grocery store and take an ad out in the local paper. If you want to take your business online you can post on message boards and buy ads on websites. 

You can also approach schools, daycares, church groups, and other organizations and offer your product as a fundraiser. You can donate a percentage of your profits to the organization. For example, if your normal commission is 25% of what you sell, offer 10% to the organization. You will keep 15%. Even though you are giving up a part of your commission, your sales will most likely be high, plus some of these people may book their own parties, become loyal customers, or even join the company as your recruit. 

RECOMMENDED:  Moms Talk Biz Guide to Direct Sales - Everything you need to get your direct sales business of the ground - build your website, get more customers, build your team and more!