15.1 Million U.S. Distributors. That is according to the DSA (Direct Sales Association). Of these people there are those who absolutely thrive in this industry and then there are those who never make a dollar.

Here, I am going to offer up 4 of the most crucial Direct Sales Tips to have you hit the ground running and be profitable FAST.

Direct Sales Tips #1: THIS IS A BUSINESS and should be treated as such. – Look, I don’t care what opportunity you are involved in or what your product is. The number one objective is for you to move product. The beauty of this Industry is that you have the ability to make money from those on your team.

So, just like any business on the planet, you need to build a sales organization, MANAGE your team and teach them how to duplicate your business. Being a good leader will have a profound impact on your income.

It’s great if you are a producer, but if you can replicate your success through others your income will take a quantum leap. This is literally the difference between making $50k per year and $500k per year.

Direct Sales Tips #2: Systems & Leverage. If you owned a McDonald’s, your job would be to sell as much beef, potatoes and sugar water as possible. Who do you think would do a better job:

The person who takes the order, cooks the food, serves the customer, & cleans the restaurant? Or, is it the person who hires a manager and a full staff so the place runs like a McDonald’s that you and I know?

Obviously you know it’s the second person. If this is so obvious, why do you operate your Direct Sales business like the first person?

You need to capitalize on systems that allow you to market to, sell to and recruit new distributors while you’re doing other things. A prospect should be able to go through your entire system and either qualify themselves or disqualify themselves before you ever pick up the phone.

THIS IS RECRUITING ON AUTOPILOT!!

Direct Sales Tips #3: Leadership/Training. You and I could talk for hours about Leadership alone, but for the purposes of this discussion I’m going to relate leadership specifically to training.

You have to understand that EVERYONE who comes in to your organization is going to want your time and your knowledge. Even if that recruit is your very first recruit, YOU are the EXPERT in their eyes.

And, I’m going to tell you right now not to jump through hoops for all of your recruits and you’re going to take that advice and throw it away. I know how you feel, especially in the beginning. You feel like your entire business rises and falls with EVERY recruit that comes through your system…IT DOESN’T!

The mark of a true professional is to have automated systems set up that your recruits can go through as often as they want. Systems that cover the usual questions…what is this? How do I get started? What’s the best method? Etc, etc.

Think of yourself when you came into this industry or your particular opportunity, what questions did you have? What would have been helpful to you? Take care of all of this upfront and do it in a format that doesn’t require your time.

Something like a recorded webinar or a Camtasia presentation. Then, you can hold weekly TEAM trainings via Webinars or conference calls that cover BUSINESS related issues (Marketing, Advertising, Recruiting, Team building, etc.)

Take questions here and cover as much as possible. Schedule one-on-one time with your Top Producers to go over their specific needs. I wouldn’t normally go over an hour a week or so but this is up to you.

From these one-on-one meetings, you will get material and problems to address during your team trainings. Trust me; one person’s questions are not unique to just them.

I truly hope you understand the opportunity you have before you. If you set your opportunity up like a business and run it like the CEO, you will be rewarded like the CEO.

I can’t think of another industry in the world where a single person can come in, work smart and earn a mid six figure to seven figure incomes and still only invest less than 30 hrs/wk. Be smart about this and treat it as the opportunity to set you free and it will set you free.

I hope TODAY is the day you begin to realize your dreams. I hope RIGHT NOW is when you decide you deserve more..because you do. Today’s the day and the time is NOW…check out more insider tips, go to http://www.davegreenlee.com

If we were to rely on the advertisements we see, we just might believe that everyone in direct sales is a million dollar income earner. Not only does everyone claim they are earning millions, but they also claim they do it while the kids are napping.

This just is not reality. If you understand numbers, take a look at the statistics offered by the Direct Sales Association. Their home page is dsa.org. Click on the “about direct selling” link. You’ll see their statistical information listed there.

Looking at the amount of distributors and the amount in dollars of sales you can create averages. Keeping in mind that average commissions on sales is about 30%, you quickly realize that not everyone is a millionaire in direct sales.

If you continue looking at the statistics, you do realize that 80% of all those in direct sales put in under 30 hours per week and only 15% of that is spent on developing a team. This means that the vast majority of time is spent creating sales.

I would encourage someone who might believe that everyone in direct sales is a millionaire to visit a classified ad forum and read the ads from one year ago. Start clicking links and see how many advertisers are still in business 12 months later. I think you’ll be amazed at the amount of folks not in business. Now, if everyone were a millionaire, why would they leave the business?

So what are realistic expectations of what can be earned in direct sales? I have to speak of averages. Average commission in direct sales is 30%. I am very aware that a few companies pay more than 30% and a few companies pay less. I’m working with an average here. If you sell $500 worth of products in a month, you will earn $150. Seeing these numbers in writing can be eye opening. While millions in earnings are spoken about in advertisements, no one ever seems to give details on how to achieve this. I’m showing in black and white what the earning potential is with direct selling.

You can also earn money in direct sales through sponsoring others. The average commission on this is 10%. Again, this is only an average. Let’s say you find 10 people to join you and be part of your team. Now let’s say each of these 10 people sell $500 each month. This is a total of $5000 in sales per month. If you earn 10%, you will earn $500. Now $500 per month is nothing to sneeze at, however it’s $6000 per year, hardly the millions we read about in the advertisement.

Let’s add our two examples together. With sales of $500 per month, you will be earning about $150 per month. With team sales of $5000, you’ll be earning about $500 per month. At $650 per month, you’ll have a yearly income of $7800. This is wonderful, but again, not the millions you read about in the ad.

While these ads look nice in writing, once you start looking at real numbers, you quickly realize that very few earn millions in direct sales.

About the author:
Audrey Okaneko has been in business since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com

There are lots of women (and a few men, too) making lots of money in direct sales, specifically home party sales. Not only that, they are being recognized for their leadership, earning trips, meeting lifelong friends and having a great time. There are hundreds of direct sales companies selling everything from wine and gourmet food to home dcor and candles to bed linens and romance items.

According to the Direct Sales Association, U.S. sales through direct selling totaled $32.18 billion in 2006, up from $26.7 billion just five years earlier, with more than 74 percent of the American public having purchased goods or services through direct selling (www.dsa.org).

There are two ways to make money in most home party companies – selling and sponsoring. Each company has its individual career plan, with different levels of leadership and compensation. So whether someone is looking for a full-time work at home career, a chance to get out of the house a few nights a week, build a sales team, or just earn a few extra bucks, a serious look should be given to a career in home parties.

Here are some good questions to ask of the company and/or the consultant under whom you will sign:

• How long has the company been in business – before and after the home party plan?
• How many consultants are in your area? Are there territories?
• What is the full commission plan, including levels of leadership?
• What is the company’s business plan/goal?
• Are there required meetings or conference calls?
• How much are business supplies?
• What makes their products special?
• What is the true potential for re-orders?
• Who pays sales tax and is there a charge for credit card orders?
• Cost to start – what is included? Most companies will have the new consultant purchase a “starter kit” that should provide all necessary supplies for several parties.
• Earned discounts (if any)?
• What additional incentives are offered for sales and recruiting? Trips, cash, products, business supplies?
• Average sales or average sales at a party (if applicable)?
• How much money does the average consultant makes (and/or how may parties they do)?
• What kind of training and support can one expect to receive?
• What is the upline’s experience?
• Can products be sold on line?
• Does the company provide a Web site with shopping cart? Is there an additional fee?
• Is there a home office that can provide support?
• Are there advertising restrictions?

In addition, the potential consultant should ask herself a few questions when selecting a company:

• Am I passionate about the products?
• Can I afford the starter kit right now?
• Do I see a future with this company – one where I am having fun and making money?
• Will I be proud to represent these products?

A carrer in home party sales can be very fulfilling and very profitable especially if one can make a good match when it comes to selecting a company.

There seems to be an enduring myth that would paint direct selling as an outdated method of buying and selling products. On the contrary, nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, direct selling has increased dramatically in the past decade and if gas prices continue to rise, which is pretty much a given, direct selling could very well be the trend that will continue for decades to come.

Studies on the Booming Sales Market

The facts are startling. A Direct Sales Association (DSA) study showed that direct sales figures have increase an amazing 79% in the past decade. The study looked at statistics from 1995 to 2006 and sales from direct marketing increased over that time period from $17.9 billion to $32.18 billion. Those sorts of figures should raise some eyebrows…and prompt an increasing number of potential direct sellers to take notice. Especially, during an economic downturn that has made conventional 9-5 jobs increasingly difficult to find.

Whether you are looking for a full time income or just a little extra spending money, there are hundreds of direct selling companies to choose from and dozens of methods to employ in order to reach potential customers. It depends on your preference and personality. You can do a person-to-person demonstration, parties, websites… are all ways of the greatest things about direct selling. Regardless of your personality type, you can find a style of marketing that makes you comfortable…and potentially can make you a significant amount of income.

Products & Personality

Another attractive aspect of direct marketing that proves beneficial is choosing the right product for your personality type. Make money while doing something you truly enjoy (DSA). The hours are flexible and this is perfect for someone with other obligations. For example, someone with young children.

Direct selling is not going away any time soon. In fact, any industry that experiences an almost 80% increase over a ten-year period is likely to continue to be a force to be reckoned with for a long time to come.

Sales & Marketing for the New Era

The biggest change for direct sellers come with the use of technology. Marketers who embrace the Internet and learn how to connect with their buyers are becoming the leaders in sales.

Get FREE “8 Simple Steps to Internet Marketing” at http://SimpleStepSolutions.com.  Reduce your learning curve for free and make money faster.

Copyright 2010 Jeanette Fisher Author Jeanette Fisher loves helping her friends learn how to create an Internet marketing presence.

In a report to the FTC, the Direct Sales Association (DSA) reported that “there are 7.2 million direct sellers nationwide and the industry has a very high attrition rate due to the temporary and part-time nature of 90% of our sales force.”

In fact, the direct sales industry is recruiting, on the average, over 70,000 new people per week. Additionally, 6% of U.S. households currently, have an active direct seller living there. 14% of U.S. households have a person who has been a direct seller at one time living in that household.

Sadly, the average attrition rate for Direct Sales companies is approximately 40%, meaning just under half of the people you recruit will stay on for a year – at most.

Most network marketing business owners who have managed to make an effective go of their first year in business find that their second year – and subsequent years – are much more fulfilling, and less problematic. The reason? With a learning curve behind them, consultants are now better able to handle not only product questions, but recruiting, training and the typical sales cycle “ups and downs” as well.

So how do you navigate the rough waters of the start-up year in order to come out ahead in year two?

First, don’t panic. Realize that you’re in business to make money, and that building a business takes time. Most recruits that stick with a company for a year, find that success comes much more easily in subsequent years so keep that result in mind. Commit yourself to staying “active” for a year.

Second, commit to working your business like a business. Hobbies are an occasional activity – something you might participate in a few times per month. In order to be successful in direct sales, you should insist on doing something related to your business every day of the week. It might be customer calls, or hostess coaching, or labeling your catalogs, but every day SOMETHING should be done to improve your business position. Take the weekends and holidays off, but make sure that you’re “operational” during regular business days.

Third, mark your time. Touching your business every work day shouldn’t take the entire work day. On the contrary, you should expect to spend no more than an hour each day that you’re not making presentations. On presentation days, I strongly encourage you to focus on the presentation and not have a lot of other business activities to deal with. You’ll be working hard enough doing your demo, you don’t need your mind distracted with creating hostess packets, promotional, flyers or other items related to your business.

When trying to figure out where you want to take your business financially, it is important to look at your metrics – your average sales per customer, lifetime value of a customer, and average show sales are a good place to start. Start keeping track of this data so you can periodically review it to see what needs improvement.

Next, consider catering to your target market. Target marketing is the process of focusing on a select and specific group of people you are advertising to. And it has everything to do with the product you are selling. For example, if you are marketing infant products, it would be very unwise to market to the elderly. While it’s possible there may be a few clients in that group (like grandparents), your best bet is to focus on new moms – a group that is likely to need infant products! Get to know the people that need your products. They are your target market and that is where you need to focus your marketing energy.

Remember to read and educate yourself by investing time into study. Learn the tricks of the trade. Make friends and associates with reputable trainers and others in your industry. Mastermind with others who have already done what you want to accomplish. It may mean a monetary investment, but you are trading it for valuable experience to shorten your learning curve. Don’t go hog wild, and set a training budget – and stick with it. There’s nothing worse than a new recruit spending all their earnings on the latest training program only to quit because they ran out of money. There will always be training opportunities – and don’t let anyone fool you into thinking otherwise. There

are also plenty of good books at your local library that won’t cost you a dime to read. Don’t make excuses. Learn more to earn more.

Lastly, apply what you have learned. Knowing and doing are not the same. At the end of a year, you will see a dramatic difference in your life, your mindset and your business. Start now to overcome the hurdles of the first year start-up blues. You’ll be amazed at the results.

After nearly 10 years in Direct Sales, Lisa Young stopped listening to her up-line and started seeking professional sales and marketing wisdom from the far corners of big business. Today Lisa offers ready-to-use insights, tips and inspiration to others in the Home Party Plan community looking to run their business like a business and achieve success. Lisa’s free monthly newsletter “PartyOn!” features articles from a business perspective designed to help MLM reps reach their booking, sales and recruiting goals. You can sign up for the newsletter at http://www.HomePartySolution.com

For over a century businesses have been successful when the are based on a MLM format. Multi-level marketing succeeds because people love to social and direct sales is all about socializing. The structure of a MLM business is not only based on your personal sales volume, but on the sales volume of your team as well. You may think that the structure is based on pyramid schemes, however, legit direct sales companies are monitored closely by the Direct Sales Association to make sure the abide by federal law. More often than not legit MLM companies are often the ones that turn in people trying to run a scam because it can give a bad name to other similar types of businesses.

The typical multi-level marketing business operates by paying you for your sales volume and those of your team members. Normally you are paid by a percentage of your downline’s sales as well as your own. This commission can run a few levels deep, depending on the company. This means that you aren’t only paid based on the sales volume of those your recruit, but also the people they recruit. Based on this type of MLM format, you can potentially earn a very lucrative passive income each month just from your team’s sales!

Not only do you earn money based on the sales of your downline, you also can earn a pretty substantial income by your sales alone. Generally the commission base with a direct sales company is a lot more than your typical sales job. Normally, it also increases as you build your team and get higher up the ladder. Most MLM companies offer a generous commission on your personal sales as well. These two factors make the MLM format one of the easiest ways to own, operate, and be successful with a home business. You could be earning the income of your dreams in a very short period of time.