By Jen Tullos
My first job was in directs sales. I did not know then a fraction of what I know now. It can be hard work for an introvert like myself. I have seen plenty of other people in my life who are in direct sales, and I have to choose between applauding them (knowing how hard it can be to boldly sell) and shying away from them at parties.
But seriously, directs sales jobs can be a viable work from home option. The first step to getting a into this line of work is to find a product that interests you. If you find a product that interests you, you will have an easier time selling that product. You cannot underestimate how much of your excitement for a product will transfer to the buyer (in turn most buyers can also sense false excitement and will not buy from you because they cannot trust you).
Where to Start Your Search for Direct Sales Jobs
If you are already buying the product and you have a representative that you have been buying from see if you can pepper them with questions about selling for the company.
Real life experience is the best way to get the real deal on direct sales companies. You might even get insights into how profitable the sales are in your local area. I found this lesson out the hard way! My area was over saturated with other sales reps and shipping made it way too hard to be profitable.
Not all experiences will be the same as your representative, so make sure that you get a good cross-section of opinions and experiences.
Most companies have their own website, any modern reputable company will have some form of contact to get a hold of them directly. So if the representative that you are talking to doesn’t have the answer to a very specific question that you have, do not be shy about contacting the company, it is the nature of the business after all.
If you have limited interactions with fellow representatives and you do not know if the website is representing the opportunity with the most typical results (not every direct sales representative is making a six figure income, driving around in a pink Mary Kay convertible, or have you jetting off to one of the companies events). There is going to be a small link at the bottom of their web page or a small asterisk that says that results are not typical. Search for forums of active direct sales representatives and see what the typical results really are!
Three Questions You Should Ask About Direct Sales Jobs
Now that you have found the product that you want to represent and sell and you have found the company that will provide you the product, it is time to ask the three big questions before becoming a direct sales representative.
- What is the start up cost? Most direct sales companies start you with a sales kit that is $100 or less. This is the average, not a rule of thumb! There are certainly companies out there that have a higher costing start up kit, it does not automatically rule them out as a scam.
- What is the company’s policy on unsold inventory? If the company requires that you purchase a small amount of inventory, what are there terms for returns if you are unable to sell the inventory or you leave the business?
- And compensation, which is really what it all comes down to, money! Will your compensation be coming from sales and/or services? The answer to that question should be yes! Don’t trust a company that has your sole source of income coming from recruiting more sellers!
For more information on direct sales jobs I recommend going to the DSA (Direct Selling Association) website. There you will find a list of direct sales companies plus tips and warning to help you decide which company to represent.
Jen is a work at home agent in her own right. She has been finding various ways to work at home since she was 19, admittedly some have been more successful than others! She has run the gamut of work at home jobs: direct sales, internet research, and a call center agent to name a few!
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