Direct Selling

Have you been thinking about starting your own home-based business? If so, you're not alone. If you've been wondering what the most common home based business is, it's direct selling - that is working as a sales representative or distributor for a large company and selling their products directly to consumers. This is a very attractive business opportunity for many people, but especially from women who want a business that they can run from home and still take care of their families.

According to the Direct Selling Association, Direct Selling is: "Direct Selling is the sale of a consumer product or service, person-to-person, away from a fixed retail location. These products and services are marketed to customers by independent salespeople. Depending on the company, the salespeople may be called distributors, representatives, consultants or various other titles. Products are sold primarily through in-home product demonstrations, parties and one-on-one selling."

When asked why they started their own business as a direct seller, these were the most common reasons given by women between the ages of 25 and 50:

*The freedom to work your own hours
*Inexpensive Start-up Costs
*On-going training and mentoring
*Unlimited earning potential
*Benefits that include health care, dental care and educational assistance
*Opportunity to meet new people, never boring, excellent working conditions

What types of products are available?
*Cosmetics and skincare products
*Educational products including toys, books and games
*Fashion clothing, fashion accessories and lingerie
*Food, cooking and nutritional products
*Home appliances
*Home décor products
*Household cleaning products
*Jewelry
*Laundry and personal care items
*Office and Industrial cleaning products
*And many others that haven't made this list

According to the Direct Selling Women's Alliance, direct selling is the fastest growing home-based business industry, with an estimated 43 million direct selling distributors all around the world, who represent more than 400 direct selling companies that have an annual combined revenue of more than $26 billion dollars!

How does Direct Selling Work?

Products are usually sold face to face and usually directly to the end consumer either in their home or place of business (if you're selling products for businesses.) Most of the time the distributor provides an in-home or onsite demonstration of the products being offered.

If you work for a dire

Home Party Plan Basics - What to do in the first two weeks of starting your new business to guarantee success

If you're just getting started with your home party plan business, there are a few tips you can learn from successful party plan consultants who have been where you are now.

Here are some of their best tips that will help you build your business quickly, get bookings and starting making money right away:

%u2022 As soon as you get your consultant kit, set aside at least thirty minutes to go through it completely and thoroughly. You'll want to separate it into different categories - those that help you run and build your business and the products and supplies you'll use during parties. In your office, create business file folders and organize your business building tools. You'll want to get and use an organizer or calendar (if one doesn't come in your kit.) Get everything organized right away so that you always know where to find the tools and supplies you need. Pack your product line into a suitcase or other suitable container so that you have it ready to go for parties.

%u2022 Go through your product catalog and begin familiarizing yourself with your complete product line. One supervisor suggests that you make flash cards and paste pictures on the front and product information on the back - because it's a familiar technique - you probably used flash cards for learning math when you were in school - it will help you to memorize your entire product line more quickly.

%u2022 Most companies will supply you with a business manual or business building instruction book. Here's a great tip offered by some of the most successful consultants in several different home party plan companies - read through the manual twice. The first time, read it from cover to cover without stopping - just to get an overview of what's inside it. The second time, get two different-colored highlighting pens and read through it slowly. Highlight every paragraph that gives you information that is important for building your business with one color. With the other, highlight any information that you have questions about. When you've finished, write out all your questions and email it to your sponsor or Upline Manager.

%u2022 Create your business plan. Every successful business has one. A business plan is not a static, written-in-stone document that is filed away and forgotten after being completed. Think of it as a living, breathing tour guide that leads you - and your new party plan company - to the road of success. A business plan doesn't have to be 20 pages long - it can be a simple, one-page document. It lists your mission, your vision of what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve your goals. Use the business building information that you highlighted in your business manual and your own thoughts about your business. Successful business owners - from the top Fortune 500 companies down to homebased businesses run from a kitchen table say they review their business plan quarterly, to keep it up to date and make sure that they're staying on track. Decide now how many hours you're going to spend working on your business, what your hours of operation are going to be, and what your goals are. This will make it easier for you to stick to it and stay motivated.

%u2022 Be your own hostess for your first party. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for your business. Because it's a perfect opportunity for you to let people know about your new business, invite everyone you know. You could even create a fun theme for your party - and have a "Mystery Hostess" party, or an open house or "Blast Off" or "launch" party. Get creative and have fun with it. Hold your party within the first two weeks of becoming a consultant - this will get the momentum going, you'll be able to book another party or two from it and you'll gain confidence quickly.

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