Getting Started in the Direct Sales Industry
by Judy Turner
I remember when I went to my first home party several years ago. Watching the
rep demonstrate her products really impressed me and all I could think to myself was
"I could never stand up in front of people and do that". Years later I did take the
leap! I joined a company that had products that I used and believed in.
I would like to share some tips with you to get started. This is not an article
about how to book parties and recruit. Those are tips that you should naturally
pick up as you go through your training and network with others in your business.
What I do hope to show you is how to choose the right company and overcome any
initial reservations you have about going into business for yourself.
First, do you have a company in mind? While it is important to join a company
that pays a decent commission you want to make sure that you are passionate about
the products. Think about what you enjoy and go from there. For me I chose a
home party plan that offered home decor because decorating my home is something
that I have always enjoyed. I also went to many home parties and enjoyed the
decorating tips and presentations.
Think about what you enjoy and most likely you will find a direct sales company
in that niche. You will find direct sales companies that offer anything from
home decor to gourmet food to jewelry and so much more. Check out the many work
at home sites that are geared toward women and you will find several. Just go
to google and type in "wahm" in the google search box and you will find listings
of several great work at home sites with information on a variety of companies.
Once you have decided on your niche then it is time to decide on a company. If
you were to chose home decor like I did you will most likely find several
companies that specialize in that niche so how do you choose? There are many
advantages to being one of the first reps with a new company but on the other
hand you might feel more comfortable joining an established company. If you want
to join an establlished company visit
Direct Selling Association and
check to see if the company that you are thinking about is listed with the
direct selling association.
Did you find a company that you are interested in joining? Go ahead and ask for
information but let the potential sponsor know that you are looking at different
companies. Be sure to inquire about what fees will be involved to join. We
have all heard that if anyone asks you for money up front then it must be a scam right?
While there are scams out there that you need to be aware of, you also need to
realize that in direct sales you are working for yourself and there will be
costs involved in running your own business. These costs could include the
initial cost of your kit, product catalogs, sales supplies, etc. Some companies
may offer a better commission but the cost of supplies may be higher.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even if you do find a company that you are
interested in you want to make sure that you can work with your potential sponsor.
Just like when you shopped around different companies it is also acceptable to
talk to different reps within one company and find someone that you can work with.
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