How to Be a Successful Direct Sales Consultant: 4 Proven Steps

A schedule is the road map by which salespeople travel.

Aspiring entrepreneurs, each year, across the U.S sign on to become sales professionals for direct-to-consumer firms like World Ventures or Amway. Most hope to build viable business via the sales of such products, only to realize the inherent difficulty associated with any sales-based enterprise past the " Friends & Family" stage. Folks realize it is easier to sell to people you know, and a whole different animal when marketing your products to strangers.

Now, before you go giving up, assuming that "No one makes but in this, but the guys at the top", get this, In 2017, 18.6 million people were involved in direct selling in the United States, which is the world's largest direct selling market.

Their participation varies from those who join direct selling companies as discount buyers to those who pursue building a business on a part-time as well as full-time basis. The U.S direct sales market stands at a healthy $34.9 billion Annually with Wellness being the largest category at 33.8% of the overall market. Millennials make up the largest single participant age grouping. So you see, somebody is making money.

Just like in any other type of business, success in direct sales requires several components working together in your favor. Regardless of what you may have heard on the sales floor of firms, you may have worked for, No one is born a salesperson, any more than one is born a doctor Sales is a profession.

To be successful in any profession one must learn not only the basic techniques but also how to apply those techniques. Success in sales makes use of all the abilities one is born with, plus all those acquired through education and experience.

Below are 4 steps that when taken will help improve your chances of being successful at direct sales.

Know your stuff

This is one of the most overrated steps. I have met a scary amount of sales folks who couldn't tell you any specific details about their products. Not when being asked by an industry person.

These are the kind of guys who B.S their way through all their sales presentation. Thing is, most folks can tell if you do not know what you are talking about. Do yourself a favor and consume as much information as you can about your product, and the overall sector you are in. It helps to test the products too if you can.

Effective Time management

You know what they say: "Time is money", so if you want to make money as a sales professional, you will have to learn how to manage your time well. A schedule is the road map by which salespeople travel. It takes the frustration out of the day. It assures that the necessary things get.

Startup Capital

Money makes the world go round. As much as we hate to admit it, it takes money to make money. You are not going to start out making enough sales to cover all your business and personal expenses, no matter how hard you work. Not in the beginning at least. It is important to try to put together some kind of capital structure to help you navigate the first 2 to 3 years of business.

You do not have to have a whole bunch of cash in the bank. That is not what I am talking about here, but you need to plan your finances in a way that allows you to learn the business without the added stress of not having cash.

Know Who your ideal customer is

Believe it or not, I find this to be the most important aspect of sales. I often see folks who want to sell to any, and everyone. Although it would be nice if all products had such mass appeal, the truth is most offerings only meet the needs, wants and budgets of a niche group of prospects. Knowing who, specifically your ideal customer is will help you streamline your marketing efforts.