What Is Direct Sales And Network Marketing?

If you are like many people when you think of direct sales, cosmetic and jewelry companies come to mind. While these are good examples of direct sales offerings, there is so much more to it than that. There are numerous direct sales companies and they offer you the opportunity to sell everything from books to wine.

Direct sales is an easy way for men and women who excel at selling, and/or enjoy meeting and talking to people to start their own home business. Startup costs vary, but are generally relatively low. Many direct sales companies provide their consultants or distributors with marketing, ordering, and record keeping materials at low costs.

Meetings, seminars and training are often offered to provide consultants with support and guidance. With some companies your sponsor, the person who brings you in to the company may be your sole source of training and support. If the company offers training, your sponsor may offer addition support above and beyond what the company provides.

Some direct sales companies offer incentive programs. These can range from income bonuses, in which you get a percentage of the sales of anyone you recruit, to car allowances and company paid vacations. Incentives are earned based on your recruiting and/or sales results.

With the wide variety of products offered through direct sales, there is a good probability that you will be able to find something that you enjoy selling. For women who love fashion and beauty, there are companies that offer clothing, cosmetics, and jewelry. Men and women who love cooking might enjoy working with a company selling gourmet foods. Health enthusiasts can find a number of companies that sell fitness and nutritional products. Greeting cards, toys, home decor, kitchen ware, and telecommunications services are just a few more of the many offerings from direct sales companies.

Direct sales lends itself to numerous methods of marketing and selling. Some companies focus on home parties to sell their products, while others make it easy for consultants to sell products online or through public venues such as fairs or markets. Every company has their own policies and rules regard this, so it's a very good idea to find out if there are any restrictions on how and where you can sell before you sign up with a company.

Direct sales companies can be easily located by searching online. Before joining, you may want to check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if the company has a large number of complaints against them. You can also find out if the company is a member of the Direct Selling Association, a trade association that requires its members to adhere to a strict code of ethics. (links for these are below)

Another thing to keep in mind before signing up with a direct sales company is whether there is a good market for their products in your area. Products that are in demand but difficult to find locally are your best choice. That's not to say that you should steer clear of any product that you would have competition in selling, though. As long as the market is not saturated, creative and persistent marketing can help you succeed.

Direct sales is a popular choice for men and women who want a home business that they can get started with quickly and easily. In most cases, direct sellers can sell when and where they want. They enjoy great income potential from their own sales and those of the people they recruit. These benefits make direct sales a favorite opportunity of those who want to make a living from home.

When you are involved in direct sales, keeping in touch with your customers is an excellent way to ensure that they will book parties with you and purchase your products on an ongoing basis. The Internet provides those who run direct sales businesses very simple and convenient ways to stay in touch with their client base. So just what are some ways that you can use the technology of the Internet to keep in touch with your customers?

Blogs

You can start a blog to keep in touch with your customers. A blog is basically an online journal and a great place to inform people of your business. With your blog, you can include informative articles relating to whatever product you maybe selling, keep your customers informed of product specials that both your company and you personally are offering and allow them to make comments about your posts should they have any questions. Blogger.com is a popular place for many to start blogs.

Forums

You could start your own online forum to communicate with your customers. It is really quite simple to start your own message board. You can start different forums to deal with customer questions on specific products, customer complaint issues, product specials and even a forum where you can chat with your customers about any topic.

Yahoo Discussion Group

Starting an email discussion group like the ones available through yahoo is yet another way that you can keep in touch with your customers. You can make your group available for discussion or use it to release a monthly or even weekly newsletter to inform your customers about your business.

Mailing List

Starting a mailing list is yet another way that you can use the Internet to keep your customers informed about the goings on of your business. Just make sure that before you start sending out information about your business to your mailing list that you pay close attention to what would be considered spamming. Your best bet is to use a mailing list sevice provider.

These are just some of the great ideas for using technology to keep your customers informed about your business. Utilizing the convenience offered by these tools is a smart way to build up your business.

Direct sales companies are a dime a dozen, with more new companies starting up every year. Unfortunately, many of these companies don't remain in business long for whatever reason and their consultants are left high and dry when they close their doors.

The following are some of the oldest direct sales companies. They have all been in business for more than 50 years and have a proven track record. Not only to they keep abreast of what today's consumers want, they also provide consultants with strong support.

Mary Kay Ash founded the Mary Kay Inc. in 1963, hoping to give women an opportunity to change their lives for the better. The skin care and beauty products are marketed with party plan and person to person selling, they appeal mostly to women as does the business.

Tupperware was created in 1945 by Earl Tupper. A year later Tupperware was born as a direct sales company. They are credited with pioneering the party plan currently used in direct sales. The products appeal mostly to women but it's a business option for men and women in nearly 100 countries.

Avon began as the California Perfume Company in 1886. By 1928 the company had changed its name to Avon. Today, Avon is one of the best known direct sales companies in the world with representatives selling products in 143 countries. Products and the business appeal mainly to women which are marketed by person to person selling.

Watkins was founded by JR Watkins in 1868. He is credited with pioneering the direct sales industry with door to door sales model. Today Watkins natural products are marketed by both men and women with party plan, person to person selling, at public venues and online.

The best place I've found to learn more about and become successful in your direct sales business is the Direct Selling Women's Alliance. The training materials available are incredible.

I have been a member of the Direct Selling Women's Alliance for several years and remain excited about all the benefits I receive that help me grow my business. I've gained new skills, strengthened my commitment to the profession and feel a part of an international family of like-minded individuals.

The DSWA's 400+ member website is rich with success resources, tips, articles and over 250 archived tele-classes on topics related to growing a direct selling business. Are you curious already? Check out the benefits of a DSWA membership now.

I have some really great news for you! As a part of the DSWA's May Membership Madness Campaign the DSWA Founders, my friends Nicki, Jane and Grace, are asking me to pass on a very special offer to you.

Join the DSWA for a month's trial for only one dollar using my unique membership link below! I'm excited about this offer because I know being a DSWA member will have a positive impact on you and your business.

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A different concept... Kim Klaver's Network Marketing central is still in it's growing stages. I've found it interesting to say the least!



And check out this one....

Recruit with Words Copy writing course for Direct sellers, Network Marketers or MultiLevel Marketers.