Direct Sales – The Pros And Cons
Direct sales calls for selling products to customers without the benefit of having a store. The earning potential in direct sales is enormous but so are the dangers. Here are a few of the pros and con of the direct selling business.
The Pros
Direct sales have gotten a bad rap in the past. Not all of them, or even many of them, are schemes and many do sell legitimate products of very high quality. There’s something out there for everyone, from affordable products for kids to products that are on the higher end for more affluent clients.
- Direct sales give everyone a chance to be a business owner. Entrepreneurship allows everyone to realize their dream of working for themselves. How much you make is directly related to how hard you work at selling your products to others.
- Direct sales let business owners set their own hours. It’s a perfect gig for stay-at-home moms with small and school-aged children. They can work part-time or full-time, whatever their schedule allows. Moms get to spend time with their kids while still gaining a sense of purpose.
- Direct sales have low overheads. When you join a direct sales program, they’ll provide all of the tools you’ll need to get started usually for one low payment. Most can be started for $200 or less. You’d probably spend at least that much on shopping for the family. Now, you’ve started your own business which will have an unlimited return.
- Direct sales programs offer training and support for their sales consultants. It can be tough getting started, especially if you have no sales or marketing experience. The support of the company you join can mean the difference between success and failure.
- There is a lot of variety with direct sales. You can choose a product you feel comfortable with and believe in. From jewelry to home décor to makeup to kid’s toys, there’s a business to fit your interests.
The Cons
As they say, all that glitters is gold… It’s important to do thorough research before signing on the dotted line with your direct sales company.
- All direct sales programs are not on the up and up. I know I said above that most are, but let’s face it, some are not. They can definitely talk a good game but in the end, all they do is take your money. If the up-front cost is heavy and there seems to be no support to speak of, keep on moving.
- Some direct sales programs have hidden costs you didn’t count on. They do supply a starter kit for you to host parties but don’t tell you about the brochures, other products, and any marketing items that you may have to pay for out of your own pocket and are not reimbursed for.
- Each direct sales program has its own guidelines for earning commission. In an effort to earn money it is easy to lose sight of the goal and concentrate solely on money. You can convince people to buy something once and gain a big initial earning but for long term gain, you could be sunk.
- Direct marketing companies offer websites for their associates. Unfortunately, the websites are all exactly the same and they’re all tied to the main company site. The search engines won’t be able to find you individually and neither will the online traffic you need to make sales.
If you’re considering direct sales, do research the company and be aware of both sides of the coin with this business before you get started.
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