Question for Direct Sales Moms

April - posted on 11/06/2010

Hey Krista, great question! I think there is a misconception in this industry that direct selling is easy. It takes a lot of hard work and determination and I agree with others that have posted here that you have to be truly passionate about what you do. I am a personal wellness coach as health and wellness, going green, etc. is very close to my heart. My son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and my research led me to believe that I had to make as many environmental changes as possible for his health and my family's health. So that is something that I am very passionate about. With any business, the success is going to be measured on what kind of product it is, the demand for the product and how well you are able to market the product. For example, a business that is based on a consumable product is going to provide more repeat sales and residual income v. a company that offers a luxury type product that is going to appeal to a "certain crowd" if you will. A party plan company is going to require a little more leg work as you have to keep booking parties to make money but if that is what you enjoy then don't let anything stop you from being successful. With ANY home based business I think I can safely say that we all are going to experience the roller coaster and you have to embrace the ups and downs that you are going to have. I have had months where I felt like there was nothing that could stop me and other months where I just wondered what I was doing. It all goes back to what is driving you to do what you are doing....your "WHY". If your "WHY" is strong enough then you will be successful, but it will take some time and lots of hard work. Good luck to you in your business and remember to always follow your heart and your passion!
Wishing you lots of success,
April

Kathleen - posted on 11/06/2010

HI Krista, I am not exactly sure what you mean when you say "other opps are finding you". Do you mean that you are being attracted by various other companies/opportunities? If so, while what I am saying may not gel with the age old phrase "bloom where you are planted"...the truth is, many people do not 'end up' where they started out as far as a company goes. It just might be that the company you are in is not the one for you either product wise or otherwise. Having said that, any company you work, any product you represent...will take time, persistence, patience, and building up of some momentum before you see consistent results. If you love your product, company, opp, people etc. , then as the previous posts have stated...go for it :) If you find you are not so in love with the above, perhaps you should begin considering shopping for something else that you can get excited about. We all have good days and bad days (or weeks) in any company so just evaluate where you are with your particular company, product etc and move as your heart guides you. Wishing you the best Krista.

Josephine - posted on 10/27/2010

Krista, I have been in direct sales for 23 years now.It didn't take me long.........I did home parties, so it was showing the product in the home of the customer(hostess).I also presented the products in craft shows festivals and even in business places like the banks community places anywhere there was the public.Haveing literature posted and distributed thru-out public places is a "on going progress"and following -up is "progressive"! ......"SEE THE PEOPLE" !!
Be all that you can be

Stacey - posted on 10/21/2010

I found it was about 6-8 months before people started contacting me rather than the other way around. And I still make more calls than I get... but it is building. During that time frame I had tables at craft fairs / vendor events, joined a couple of networking groups (I found mine on meetup.com), and just talked with everyone I could about my business.

I love it now when I get an email or a phone call from someone who saw me or heard about me and wants to purchase product, book a party, or join the business. It makes my day! Like the others said, you can't just leave a bunch of business cards laying around and expect hundreds of calls. You need to work your business every day and work it like a business.

Best of luck!

Denise - posted on 10/21/2010

I agree with Barbilee, having a product that is actually changing lives and you are passionate about makes a huge difference in your success. Something that is consumable and that people really need will make it less of a struggle. You have a bigger market. Caring genuinley about helping your customers makes a difference too. If it is just a sign up game to you then you will not retain your customers. Customer service is sooooo important to keeping customer and having them refer you to their friends. I have done makeup, alarm system and it just didn't work for me because I was not passionate about my product. Now that I have found a company that provides above and beyone customer service that I am proud to be a part of and I have products that I believe in and is changeing peoples lives, WoW!, What a difference it has made in my success. Happy customers make for lots of referrals.

Barbilee - posted on 10/21/2010

First, what is your product? Do you have to do home parties? What is your referral system like? Are you ensuring that people are referring you over anyone else? What makes you stand out from the other tens of thousands in your company?
When you can answer those questions you will start attracting the business as opposed to looking for it. I have been doing Isagenix for 4 years. My first couple of years I TOTALLY just went out looking for "new sign ups". I knew very little about retention, referrals or any thing that would help me work smarter. With time and training I learned a system for follow up, a system for training (actually my company had them all along I just didn't access them) but most importantly I made a decision to ATTRACT business. Now moms call me to help teach them how to feed their kids better. Now moms call me because their friends need our help. Now moms call me to help families get their lives back. It all started with referrals. EVERY person whom I shared Isagenix with was also asked the question...how many moms do you know who want better food choices for their kids?

I will tell you, I have done every type of DS... tupperware, candles, kids books and games, adult toys...you name it, i did it. It wasn't until I was so absolutely passionate about what I was doing (Isagenix and changing families lives) that people were attracted to me. When I did Tupperware there was NEVER anyone breaking down my door to buy a fridge smart...it just didn't change their lives. Adult toys...a bit more enthusiasm, but still, if I did not get my name out there, if I did not do every trade show, if I did not host a party or 3 every weekend, i was paid nothing. Now with my referral system, and a consumable product, monthly orders come to me (actually they are automatically processed through my website...i don't have to do anything) And after a few days, weeks or months on my products, their friends and families want it too...all referrals.
Ask for what you want Krista. Trust me, it is the only way to get it. Barbilee @ www.SolutionsForMyFamily.com

Denise - posted on 10/20/2010

Hi Krista, I just went on Google and typed in "Networking Groups in "your town name" and got quite a big list. Then I just looked through the descriptions and found a few the fit what I was looking for and contacted the group leader and asked if they were taking on new members. It has been a great way for me to meet other business minded people. Yes Kathy, I am not saying not to do vendor shows. I am just saying don't do it if it will cost alot of money. I never heard of them being free but then I don't do vendor shows so you would know better than me. I guess it also depends on the type of business you are with, whether vendor shows would work.

Kathy - posted on 10/20/2010

Networking groups are good, but so are Vendor shows! Especially this time of year - there are lots of them with very minimal - or no - fees. Have a drawing for a free product to get names.

Krista - posted on 10/19/2010

Denise, where is a good place to fin solid networking groups in the community? Thank you for your input and advice too!

Denise - posted on 10/19/2010

Hey Jaime, Instead of doing vendor shows which can be expensive have you ever considered joining networking groups in your area. This is a fantastic way to promote your business and find networking partners who can refer people to you. They are usually free or maybe $5 a meeting plus the cost of your lunch. I have found this to be a fantastic way to meet and network with other business minded people, get ideas on building your business and just to mingle with other home business owners. You always have an opportunity to give a 30 second commercial about your business. It is a great way to add people to your contact list.

Jaime - posted on 10/19/2010

Thanks for this post! I have been a consultant for Jewel Kade for about year - before we went national - and haven't found a way to get "my foot in the door". You would think with a great ground floor opportunity and amazing product, people would be knocking down my door. For those of you who do vendor shows, etc., do you think they pay off getting the word out? Some of them seem really expensive and I am just hesitant to pay the money. I agree that I have to find a way out of my comfort zone because there are women doing amazing things with JK and I would like to be right there with them!

Denise - posted on 10/18/2010

Hey Krista, Everyone is giving you good advice. You need to step out of your comfort zone. Get yourself out there. It takes time. It will not happen over night. Be consistant in what you are doing and little steps will bring big rewards if you keep at it. Have posture and believe it will happen for you and it will. To your success, Denise

Krista - posted on 10/15/2010

Thanks, Kelly! I appreciate your comments and input!

Kelly - posted on 10/15/2010

I am a Scentsy Consultant and have been for 11 months. The key to turning things around is to get outside your circle of friends/ family and to get your name out there in any way you can. I have just reached that turn around in the last few weeks! I try to do as many home parties and vendor events as I can and I leave catalogs/business cards anywhere I can as well! Thankfully I sell a product that is well known and tends to sell itself, but I have just recently hit that place where the business is now coming to me instead of the other way around.

Victoria - posted on 10/14/2010

First, to have a successful busines you will always be looking to expand your circle of influence and create opportunities. However, depending on how consistent you work your business and how effective you are at reaching your target market, you should start to see repeat customers and hostesses with your first new catalog. With outstanding customer service and customer care you will build a referral network that more than pays for itself and your time spent servicing. In my opinion, if you reach a point where more opportunities are finding you than you are creating, then you have begun a decline slope in your business. APPLE did not sit back and enjoy the fact that their computers were begining to drastically increase in sales - they worked harder to give more and service more and provide fresh, innovative, products, and services. Be consistently persistant, be consistently focused on new hosts and building your team and your income will increase even when your work day remains the same.
Abundant Blessings,
Victoria

Kathy - posted on 10/14/2010

IMO it really depends on you and the product. I truly believe most people have a misconception about DS. They think they will earn money by doing just a few parties a week - that's the 'sell' to get you to join. However, the backwork, the calling, f/u C/S, training, etc, involves many more hours. If you're willing to do all that AND put yourself out there, it can happen quickly. My advice Listen and Read about DS as much as possible - Belinda Ellsworth, Karen PHelps, Traci Bild - FOLLOW their advice. If you REALLY want to make it happen, you will. You've GOT to work the business. (What's your product? I sold Usborne for a long time and am thisclose to switiching to Thirty-One Products)