After the incredible response from last week’s blog, I thought it might be a fun to dive a little deeper into the world of Direct Sales. So here we are…
You are officially in full freak-out mode.
Now it’s the morning after, the euphoric party haze is gone and you’re riddled with fear and regret, and you’re forgetting everything you liked about that woman and her products. It was all a massive lapse in judgement and there’s no way you are going to throw away your dignity and reputation to become one of those girls selling stuff to her friends. No ma’am, not you!
But wait, what if you could do a little life with those fun women, earn some extra “shoe cash” and have a good time? What if there’s something to this direct sales world? What if you actually like it? Whoa. Mind blown, I know.
Here’s the thing: I promise no one will dislike you because of your new venture if you do it right, and it may just be one of the best things you ever do — if you give it a real shot. But you’ll never know until you actually decide to do it.
I had been part of the direct sales world for almost 10 years when I left a few months ago to follow God’s calling to write. When I initially joined the world of direct sales, I did it to help my grown daughter. I had absolutely no aspirations of building a business or even using the products; there was no way on God’s green earth I was ever going to truly be a part of that Direct Sales world. And I certainly never dreamed I would become a million-dollar producer. Never.
But you know what they say . . . never say never.
Next thing I knew, I was more excited than a kid in a candy store over the products and running ninety to nothing building a direct sales business. I was sold on the opportunity and in love with the products. Less than 100 days after I joined I even earned a car, like a real one, with tires, seats, steering wheel and all. I felt powerful and accomplished and was proud of myself for what I was able to do in this new arena.
I loved every bit of my time in Direct Sales and have no regrets at all; I think everyone should give it a try, even if only for a season. In the weeks ahead I am going to share some of the lessons I learned along the way — the good, the bad and the ugly — but let’s start at the beginning. You’re in, now what? I get this question all the time and I always answer with these three next steps.
1. Make a real decision to do it. Until you commit to actively doing the business, it cannot work. You can’t join and “see what happens” because NOTHING will happen. No really, nothing. Businesses, big or small, are built intentionally and on purpose, even if it’s only for a few hours a week. Block out time in your week for your new venture and make a conscious decision to give it 6-12 months before assessing whether to stick with it. (A few weeks is not enough time to know). Get your big girl panties on and say “I’m in!”
2. Make a guest list and pick a launch date. Oh come on, stop rolling your eyes over the list, I’m serious. Let me walk you through this. Remember, always pretend you are a retailer, opening up a fabulous shoe store. (This is my favorite analogy. What’s not to like about a shoe store?) Your direct sales business is no different.
You would make a list of all of your friends and people you know around town, you would have a grand opening (even if it’s a little one) and you would CELEBRATE your new business.
If you aren’t excited about it, why would anyone else be? Get excited, make lists.
Make lists of people you think would really love the products and a list of people you would genuinely like to work with. Do not prejudge too much, remember, it’s your STORE.
Your list, by the way, is a work in progress. You can keep building your list as you come in contact with people or you think of new names to add.
3. Decide how much profit you want to make in the next two weeks. Then, after that, decide on a larger time frame, and start breaking it down weekly, slowly increasing your profit goal. This is one of the biggest mistakes new people make: they don’t set a personal goal for themselves so they don’t know when to celebrate or push a little harder. Celebrating often is super important. We need wins.
In order to set your goal you need to understand how you make money. As I discussed in 12 Things You Must Know Before Choosing Your Company, most companies have more than one way. It may be selling the product, bonuses on signing new customers or percentages and bonuses on adding new people to your team. Every company is different, but you need to have it all in front of you so you can understand.
Let’s pretend the amount you want to bring home in the next two weeks in $200. Review your company’s plan and have a discussion with your recruiter. Ask her what activity is needed to make that happen — such as how much product you need to sell or how many customers you need to add to have a profit of $200, not total sales, but a profit.
Most people are blindly flailing when they enter direct sales and they become frustrated. No need; this really is a “numbers game.” When you understand what the numbers are and the activity required, it takes away the uncertainty.
So that’s it, three very quick little tips.
But you’re thinking Hold up sistah, I have questions about this.
Not to worry, young grasshopper, together we are going to dive deeper into these three steps! Join me this coming Tuesday, April 17th, on Facebook Live at 8pm CST. Just head to my page: Dawn Barton, Joyologist. Make sure you like and follow to the page to see the event come up.
Trust me, it’s easier than you think and more fun than you ever dreamed! Take a chance on yourself and do it.
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