Direct Selling For Dummies®

Direct Selling For Dummies is the perfect resource for anyone involved or interested in direct sales. Written by a 35?year veteran of this booming industry, this useful guide teaches you everything you need to know to achieve and maintain lasting success. You?ll learn the insider tips that only the pros know, and how to structure your business, your time, and your customer relationships to optimize sales and achieve your goals. Compare party plans, multi?level marketing, and hybrid models to see where your talents fit best, and discover the most effective ways to promote your products and get people interested. You?ll leverage social media as one of the most powerful tools in modern sales, and gain new ideas for recruiting, booking, and time management. With clear guidance and a fun, friendly style, this book gives you the strategies you need to be a direct sales success.

The direct sales industry is going strong, with more participants now than any time in the past, yet with less face?to?face engagement. Businesses are operating online, people are shopping online, and more people are recruiting through platforms like social media. If you hope to be a direct sales success, now is the time to get up to speed on what that means today. This book shows you everything you need to know, and gives you the tools you need to put your ideas into action.

• Choose the right direct sales model
• Secure bookings and manage your time
• Recruit and drive interest in the product and company
• Harness the power of social media to make sales

Direct sales can be your ticket to independence. Stop punching the clock and become your own boss ? and watch your income grow. With Direct Selling For Dummies, you?ll have the skills and information you need to be a success.

Introduction 1

Part I: Exploring the Direct Sales Industry 5

Chapter 1: Direct Sales 101 7

Chapter 2: Choosing the Right Direct Sales Company 31

Chapter 3: Working with Different Direct Selling Models 41

Part II: Building the Skills to Create a Successful Business 53

Chapter 4: Keeping a Positive Attitude 55

Chapter 5: Creating a Vision, Setting Goals, and Boosting Your Productivity 71

Chapter 6: Always Be Ready for Business 91

Part III: Putting Sales Strategies into Practice 107

Chapter 7: Building Your Business on Bookings 109

Chapter 8: Planning a Launch Party or Show 139

Chapter 9: Hosting Successful Parties 149

Chapter 10: Coaching Your Host 165

Chapter 11: Social Selling: Direct Selling on Social Media 177

Chapter 12: The Power of One]on]One Selling 209

Chapter 13: Sustaining Growth: The Fortune Is in the Follow]Up 221

Part IV: Building an Organization 237

Chapter 14: Attracting New Team Members: Recruiting and Sponsoring 239

Chapter 15: Conducting Interviews 261

Chapter 16: Sponsoring New Recruits and Leading Teams 269

Chapter 17: Group Recruiting: Holding Opportunity Events 289

Part V: Operating and Maintaining a Successful Business 299

Chapter 18: Managing Your Money Wisely 301

Chapter 19: Meeting and Communicating 309

Chapter 20: Networking to Grow Your Reach 319

Part VI: The Part of Tens 331

Chapter 21: Ten Mistakes to Avoid 333

Chapter 22: Top Ten Resources for Direct Sellers 339

Chapter 23: Ten Benefits of Direct Sales 345

Index 351

An estimated 15.9 million people are involved in direct selling in the U.S., and more than 90 million worldwide. About 80 percent of US direct sellers are women. The vast majority are independent business people – they are micro–entrepreneurs whose purpose is to sell the product and/or services of the company they voluntarily choose to represent – not employees of the company. Approximately 90 percent of all direct sellers operate their businesses part–time. Many work with more than one at a time.

Belinda Ellsworth is a veteran motivational speaker, sales trainer, and expert for the direct sales industry. With more than 30 years of experience, she has trained thousands of independent sales representatives, managers, and executives and has worked with more than 100 direct sales companies.