Direct selling has become a way that some people have survived financially in a faltering economy.  For some people, direct selling has allowed them to keep their homes and continue earning income.  As the nation’s unemployment has risen to 9.1 percent, some unemployed people and some seniors who have lost retirement income have turned to direct sales as a way to provide for themselves and their families.  Craig Lapp from southern California was employed in the construction industry in 2007 as a truck driver, but when housing sales fell, he was released from his job.  With no other option, he started to work with his wife in her Isagenix business to bring in part-time income, a business that earns them over six figures annually now.  Now 57 years old, he shared with USA Today, “It was our ‘Plan B’ that turned into our ‘Plan A’.”

Direct Selling Is Recession-Proof

Neil Offen, president of the Direct Selling Association says of the direct sales industry, “We’re recession-resistant in the sense that more people come to us during economic hard times for supplemental income or replacement of a lost job.”  The prolonged recession has acted as a tool that direct sellers have used for recruitment purposes.  Large direct sales companies like the makeup and clothing giant, Avon, and Silpada Designs, a jewelry manufacturer, are encouraging their sales consultants to inform people that direct selling is a tool they can use to keep producing income even when the economy is performing poorly.

Companies Offer Direct Selling As An Opportunity

According to Geralyn Breig, Senior Vice President of Avon, “…our direct selling opportunity is really the No. 1 product that we have to sell.”  Elizabeth Leyba agrees.  In 2008, she had her hours cut at her job and wanted to find a way to provide additional income to make up for the lost wages.  Now 41 years old and living in Munster, Indiana, she told USA Today that she has a desire to work her Avon business full-time at some point in the future, stating that, “Even though there’s a recession, even though the economy is bad, my business has continued to grow.” Direct selling has worked well for her.

Direct Selling Continues To Grow In Popularity

In today’s article, you learned that direct selling is a way that people can overcome the sluggish economy.  People do not have to rely on a traditional job any longer.  They can choose to work for themselves in direct selling and create additional income.  Self employment through direct selling is legitimate work that people can do to earn part-time or full-time income.  According to the Direct Sellers Association, there were approximately 15 million direct sellers in 2007, and there are approximately 16.1 million in 2011. The industry is continuing to grow, even in difficult economic times.  Some people respond to economic trouble by being proactive and becoming direct sellers.

—————————-

Article by: Secaucus New Jersey News July 7 2011

Many people are looking for ways to make money from home. One popular home based business model is Direct Sales. Sometimes called party plans, direct sales companies include businesses like Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, and Ameriplan.

Direct Sales and Party Plan Companies are also called network marketing companies. They focus not only on selling products or services, but also recruiting other salespeople into the company. These type of home based businesses are best for people with outgoing personalities who enjoy hosting parties, inviting people to events, and talking to strangers. If you decide to sell products or services for one of these companies you will usually be an independent sales representative or independent contractor, NOT an employee. You most likely will be paid commissions when you sell a product, or when someone you recruit or sponsor into the business, sells a product. If you don’t make any sales, you won’t make any money.

There are usually costs associated with doing business, and one must consider these costs prior to joining the business. There may be monthly fees to pay, which may cover your company website or national marketing campaigns. There may also be costs associated with the products you sell. The independent consultant may be required to buy the products first at a wholesale rate, then resell the product to customers at retail price, thus keeping their profit. Other companies may NOT require the independent sale representative to carry the inventory, but rather the items are drop shipped directly to the consumer. Customers may be able to order products from a company website or only from the independent representative. The independent sales rep may need to pay to marketing materials, products, samples, training courses and monthly fees.

Before joining any company, find out the actual costs that are mandatory, like a required monthly fee. Then try to get an estimate of variable costs, like advertising expenses, from an independent rep already in the business. You may also want to talk to people who have “failed” or “quit” this business. They may give you a more accurate description of the costs involved. Calculate how many products you would need to sell per month in order to just break even after your expenses are paid. If this number feasible? How many hours or parties will you need to host to meet this minimum amount of sales? Will you have additional income from the sale of products from a company website or do all product sales come from in person transactions? These are all things to consider when deciding to start a home business in direct selling or party plan type companies.

Before joining any company as a sales representative, make sure to check out their credentials with the Direct Selling Association at www.dsa.org. Also make sure to read the Better Business Bureau report on their company.

About the author:
I specialize in small business internet marketing, giving small businesses a website presence. My featured marketing project is for Blue Cactus Pool Service – Phoenix Arizona. Blue Cactus Pool Service LLC provides Phoenix Pool Cleaning, Phoenix Pool Repair, and pool maintenance services in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Anthem Arizona.

Enjoy a fun filled day of shopping and networking at the Spring Stop and Shop!

Saturday, April 30 · 8:00am – 5:00pm
at the Ramada Inn on Church St., Murfreesboro, TN

Your chance to win prizes, get great shopping discounts and find local small businesses.

Booths include:

• Perfect Expressions
• Premier Jewelry
• Mia Bella Candles
• Personalized Creations
• Pure Romance
• Mobile medical Scrubs
• Personalize Me Hair Care
• Body Wraps
• Midway Diner
• Thirty-One
• Tupperware
• Avon
• Arbonne International
• Gold Canyon Candles
• Mary Kay
• I Dream of Bows
• Simply Said
• Pampered Chef
• Li bri Cosmetics
• Scentsy
• and more!

Anyone who is contemplating the opening of a small home business should consider a direct sales business. Many people earn a great income by simply selling one line of products. Some great examples of this type of business are Avon, Mary Kay, and Tupperware. However, before you choose an opportunity, you have to consider the plus and minuses of direct sales.

When considering the plus and minuses of direct sales, the first thing you should consider is the earning potential. Truthfully, an opportunity like this is only limited by your own motivation. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Of course, another advantages is that you will get to be in complete control of your business.

Along with the above advantages, you will also find it allows you many opportunities to meet people, it has a low start up cost, and you can market your products on the Internet. Truthfully, you do not have to be an expert to be successful with your sales. It is simply about how much effort you make in improving your marketing skills.

Unfortunately, there are downsides to every business and this is no different. First and foremost, you will find you have a lot of competition and the income really is unpredictable. Whereas most of your business will be conducted online, it is a must to spend some time on increasing your knowledge about marketing. The fact is this type of business really requires a lot of time spent on it for it to even stand a chance for success.

Is this type of business right for you? After you carefully review the plus and minuses of direct sales, evaluate your feelings about each one. This type of business will require you to work on your own, keep your motivation going, and deal directly with a wide variety of types of people. It may not be for everyone, but the truth is, this type of business could help you to discover what it is like to be financially free.

Experience an Exciting Opportunity Within the Direct Sales Business At www.ProsperYourMind.com

Mary Kay and Avon got the ball rolling. They broke hallowed ground in the business world where only men had previously tread. What exactly is meant by ‘direct sales’? Why is it a strong venture possibility? Why now? This article will ‘break it down’ for you.

Direct sales means earning a percentage commission from selling directly to an end user. There is no ‘middle-person’ as when a manufacturer sells to a local merchant who then retails the goods in their store to the end user.

There are major benefits to direct sales for women:

1) Work from home: Business costs associated with your home office become tax deductions. Gas money is no longer a consideration. You can work while your children are napping. Personal satisfaction can be obtained from helping others succeed at the same time you do.

With a laptop computer, your business can be portable. Take it to the sidelines of your child’s soccer practice.

2) Scheduling: Your schedule is divined by your priorities, not dictated by someone else–huge! You can determine how many hours you want to work per week. You can work late at night, after traditional business hours or on weekends if you choose to.

3) Earning potential: The sky is the limit! It is your efforts, your creativity and your dedication that fuel your success. Presently, direct sales exceed $29 billion in the U.S. and $114 billion globally (Source: Direct Selling Association, 2010). Not small change.

4) The Internet: In addition, many, but not all, of these businesses have no inventory requirement. Online ordering expedites direct mailing.

The internet also mitigates some of the negatives that have kept women from pursuing this kind of venture in the past. Many women do not want to approach friends for anything other than pure, old fashioned socializing.

The thought of using friends for referral business in unacceptable to these women. The thought of home parties with a sales agenda is even worse.

Through various online marketing techniques, all of these drawbacks can be curtailed and even eliminated. All contact is made from home.

Communication skills, particularly the written word, are still necessary. This is not an automatic business. It is still powered by human brains, creativity and drive.

The ability to converse intelligently on the phone is needed as well. Not galling issues for adults who do these things daily.

The internet has exploded marketing businesses from home. Put the old negatives on the shelf. Do your research and find a coach who will guide you in duplicating what is tried and has proved successful.  The time has never been more ripe for women to pursue direct selling opportunities. If not now, when?

To find out more about exciting direct selling opportunities for women, hurry to http://www.maestromom.com 
To check out a mom who works from home and loves it, please also visit http://www.maestrocasa.com

Direct selling is a popular career choice for many individuals in these tough economic conditions and there is nothing more self-satisfying that being successful. In the modern age, we can’t deny the fact that these companies such as Avon, Mary Kay, Amway etc have been well accepted by the general public. Therefore, it is no surprise find both men and women signing on their application forms and have these as their main source of income. In fact, many of these individuals succeeded in buying their own cars and even homes through direct selling; but just how do they do it? Just continue reading and you will find out.

The Internet is a potpourri of information. You can easily avail tips to be successful in direct selling. Having mentioned that, I have some personal 7 useful tips to share with you in order to be successful in direct selling.

• Manage your time – Time indeed equates to money! When it comes to direct selling, every minute you waste, is a dollar lost. You will need to manage your time well between setting appointments, going for product discussions, group discussions in addition to your own personal activities.
• Set realistic goals – When you enter the direct selling industry, it is important to know what are the things that you should be accomplishing. You can write down your goals and take the necessary steps needed in order to achieve them. Do not set goals that is impossible to achieve. Divide them into short and long-term goals.
• Have a positive attitude – Success is not just about working hard. Actually success is mainly made up of having a positive attitude (at least 90%). Having a positive attitude in direct selling means not giving up easily after failures in getting sales.
• Take control- It is most vital that you take control of your own course. Never be afraid to ask if you are unsure. When there is an opening for a business opportunity, take control and move in at the right time!
• Have a work space – Whether it is in an office or from your own home, it is imperative that you feel comfortable working in your work space. It should also be a space that will motivate you to work harder.
• Finance management – In direct selling, it is important to become a professional in managing your finances. This is because often than not, your income is mainly based on sales commissions; without which you will have practically little or no income at all even.
• Be excited – This means that you have to show your prospective customers that you yourself is every bit excited in the product/service that you are trying to sell.

Direct selling involves a lot of patience and effort. However, the efforts will be well worth it as you have every chance to succeed.

Pinky is a mom with 3 school children. A Systems Engineer, an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. Her blog focuses on stay-at-home moms, dads and students who wants to work at home, build home based business or just browsing her blog with a lot of information to gain! Visit her useful blog at http://ezonlinebusiness.blogspot.com/ and website at http://www.mommyisworkingathome.com