Direct sales is a tool-driven business. Kinda.
It’s actually a people-driven business. The tools just help the people share the message consistently and confidently.
As you can imagine, much of my career working on the corporate side for direct sales companies has been spent focused on all kinds of tools. Magazines, mail-outs, emails, websites, social media, video, flyers, etc. I’ve done ‘em all.
Sure, I’ve launched some really bad tools. But I’ve also watched some great tools get so misused and misunderstood that they never get the credit they deserve.
If you’re a direct seller, you need to read this article I recently posted at Jen Fong’s blog, titled “6 Reasons Your Online Tools Don’t Work (and How to Fix Them)”. I go into great detail as to the reasons I typically see a distributor failing at using their tools. The great news is you can easily fix it.
Read the post now, and subscribe to Jen’s blog while you’re at it. It’s one of the best for direct sellers.
Seems I came across some great tips specifically for network marketers this week, and since that’s exactly what so many of you are, consider this an extra special collection of the good stuff. Obviously, if you’re not a network marketer, you’ll still probably enjoy most of these links.
Funny thing about network marketing: while many get involved to help gain some kind of freedom and gain some time and space in their lives, it can be a real time-suck at the beginning. Which is to be expected, right? The vast majority of direct sellers are fitting in their direct sales business “on the side” and “in their spare time” now so they can reach that goal of life on their terms.
So although the ends most certainly justifies the means, it doesn’t make things any easier. Your calendar was already booked solid before you started your network marketing business; how in the world are you going to find time to make it happen now?
I’ve finally seen the light on the power and privilege of guest posting over the past month, and it’s been a nice perk getting to write on some really good blogs here lately. I wanted to share a couple of my latest guest posts for you in case you missed it:
Janette Stoll (@janettestoll) has some surefire tips on using article marketing to build traffic and business.
So what could Jimmy Carter know about running a direct sales company? A lot, actually. Could your attitude use a little Jimmy?
Because another banner or pop-up window won’t do the trick.
Dave Sattler of Scentsy talks about what it means to have a democratized brand. His summary of what corporate and independent direct sellers should do is excellent.
Jen Fong, social media expert for the direct sales industry, thinks your social media efforts are doomed to fail. Check your social media strategy against these guidelines by Jen Fong.
Karen Orem, Direct Sales and Coaching Content Expert, offers up an interesting fear of social media: is all this connectedness really driving us apart?
