If you represent a direct sales company and you answered the question in the title with your product (candles, food, cooking utensils, jewelry), it was a good guess, but guess what? Your product is not what you are really selling!
I always find it amusing when potential new team members are told that the product just “sells itself.” Well, gee, then what do you need me for? YES, the product is very important – it must be high quality, it must be priced right, there must be a good guarantee, but without YOU, no products are sold, no shows are booked, no new team members are sponsored.
If you are in direct sales, your product is YOU. That’s right — if you can’t sell yourself (and I mean that in the nicest way), you won’t be able to sell your product, and you definitely won’t be able to book shows.You are the most important product you have. Bottom line — people want to schedule shows with people they like and people who are fun. Soooo, you need to be like-able and fun — and then throw in flexible, personable, and knowledgeable about your business for good measure.
No pressure, right? The good news is that you are already all of these things! If you’re having trouble getting shows scheduled or building a team, you may just be in a slump. It happens to all of us. The key is to recognize it and get back on track quickly.
Two traits of consistently successful direct sales representatives are –
1) stick-to-it-tive-ness and
2) bounce-back-ability. (I sometimes make up my own words.)
Take some time and invest it in yourself by reading a self-help book or by subscribing to a news feed or blog from another direct seller. Evaluate your image and what you convey to your customers. Work with your upline managers to develop yourself into a top-notch consultant. They’ll be thrilled you’re asking them for help, and chances are, they have a book or CD they can lend you on this very subject.
Ever think of asking for anonymous feedback from the guests at your shows or the hostess? It could be as simple as a self-addressed, postage paid postcard that contains a few simple questions. If you hand it out at your shows, ask for honest feedback, and explain that you paid the postage and that you’d appreciate it if they would follow through because it’s important to you, you’ll be surprised at how many guests will return it. Generally, most people are helpful and want to see others succeed.
Joining a direct sales business is one of the best things I’ve ever tried, and I want everyone to feel the same. I’d love to hear from you if try the postcard idea. I have used it to ask for feedback about the length and pace of my show, the tips I offered, the customer service provided, if they had fun, and whether I explained the specials and the hostess plan effectively.
