Four Keys to Evaluating a Direct Selling Business
Posted in Watkins Business by Eldon on December 16th, 2006 A “direct selling opportunity” is one where you earn money, typically working from home, selling a particular company’s products. Your income is from profits on products you sell - there is no salary or hourly pay. You may or may not have the option to sponsor others and receive commissions on their sales as well as your own. Some direct selling companies (such as Avon) have an optional network marketing plan that distributors can participate in by meeting certain qualifications.
Direct selling can be very profitable, and many men and women have made substantial money in this industry. The cost of getting involved is usually low, and within reach of most anyone. Following are four key things to consider when evaluating a direct selling opportunity.
- Try the company’s products before you get involved. Do you like them? Do they work or perform as advertised? Are they a good value for the retail price? You really need to feel good about your products and use them yourself, to be successful in building a business around them.
- Does the business excite you? There are direct sales opportunities in many areas of interest. Some of these include cooking, health, beauty, and home decorating. If you want to succeed in selling a given product line, you must feel excited about the products and look forward to presenting them to others. Never choose a product solely because it is popular or because “everyone uses it”.
- Does the company offer online selling options? More and more people prefer shopping online these days. This trend is expected to grow. The company should offer an online catalog where representatives and customers can place orders. Ideally, the company can provide a personalized web site with online catalog for representatives that want one.
- Look at the training you are offered. This is particularly important if you join “long distance”, without a local sponsor or ties to a local group of people in the same sales organization that you join. Your potential sponsor in the business should be very involved and easy to contact with questions whenever you need help.
Starting your own direct selling business can give you a substantial part-time income if you want it, and financial independence if you REALLY want it. Be careful to choose your opportunity wisely - don’t let anyone pressure you. This is an important decision. Making the right decision can literally change your life and financial fortunes.
About the Author:
Eldon Beard is a Watkins Manager with Associates All Across the USA and Canada
