Eight Signs It’s Time To Quit Your Direct Sales Business

At the beginning of my coaching career I was also an “in the trenches” direct sales consultant. When I looked at other trainers in the industry, I couldn’t understand why someone would quit their lucrative direct sales career that they endorsed so highly, to focus on coaching and training.

Now that I’m older and a bit wiser (I hope), I can speak from experience as both a direct sales leader and a coach. One of the things I like to tell potential recruits is that “anyone can do this business, but not everyone will, nor should they.”

Being in business for yourself requires fortitude, stamina, and a willingness to take a few risks – among other things. In any entrepreneurial endeavor, there comes a point when you need to decide if you’re going to press on or move on to other things.  I’ve worked with many clients who’ve faced this dilemma. Some chose to press on successfully, while others knew it was time to bow out and pursue other options for their life and/or business. If you’re feeling the itch and can’t make up your mind, here are eight signs it may be time for you to get out of direct sales:

Three Core Needs Of Every Consultant

Direct sales consultants come in a variety of shapes and size, creeds and colors, but there are three core needs that every direct seller needs when it comes to their leaders. In fact, these needs are so vital that if you don’t understand and meet these needs for your consultants, it’s very likely that they won’t stick around, or worse, they’ll be that thorn in your side for years to come. A strong leader focuses in on meeting these needs for their team members, which, in turn, causes a deep, lasting bond between consultants and leaders alike. If you’re struggling with loyalty and consistency on your team, consider how you are meeting these three core needs of every direct sales consultant:

Crickets on Your Call?

Guest Post by Melissa Dery

As a team leader, you know the value of having regular calls with your team: keeping them informed about promotions, inspiring them to take action with contests, and celebrating their achievements.  Even if –ESPECIALLY IF — your team is spread across the country, a regular conference call is a powerful tool to create community and support your team.

But I’ve heard of team leaders who have more crickets than team members on the other end of the line during those calls.  If that sounds familiar, I’m glad you’re here.  I’ve got a simple fix for you. 

Together Everyone Accomplishes More!

Guest Post:  Melissa Dery

Gratitude Is Always In Season

Guest post by Melissa Dery

The holiday season is upon us, and while this is the time of the year when people tend to acknowledge their customers more than any other, gratitude and appreciation can — and should — be expressed all year long.

The problem facing many business owners is that while they often feel appreciation, the work involved with actually letting people know takes time away from an already over-loaded schedule.  Finding just the right card, deciding what to write inside, addressing, stamping, (heck, some days even FINDING a stamp), sending it – the frustration involved with not being able to keep up prevents too many people from even getting started.  It’s easy to get discouraged and start beating up on yourself just thinking about the process.

What fun is that? 

Telling people that we value and appreciate them should feel good – to everyone involved.  The good news is there are a few systems that can make it easier.

My personal favorite, and the one I personally recommend is SendOutCards (I am an independent distributor).  This online system allows you to create personal cards, with pictures and even to your own handwriting font.   When you press “send” a real greeting card is printed, addressed, stamped and sent by “snail mail” to your recipient, from the company headquarters.   You never have to leave your office or lick a stamp!

Cards can be scheduled to go out on specific dates, a batch of cards can be sent to a group (for example: your Team or your Hostesses). You can even choose to include gifts such as books, gift cards, or brownies!

Best of all, if this still feels like too much time, a steep learning curve or you are not confident on the computer, your Virtual Assistant can create and schedule these cards to go out for you. That makes following up and staying in touch even easier!

Being able to follow through and actually share those encouraging words with others is a very powerful tool. Create a follow-up plan that includes showing your gratitude to your customers and team members. Not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.

About The Author

Melissa H. Dery is The Golden Rule Virtual Assistant (VA) providing Virtual Business Management to Direct Sales leaders.  A former direct sales consultant, Melissa also grew up in a direct selling family.  She knows first hand about the “behind the scenes” work required to help your business grow and prosper.

When Melissa combined more than 20 years of experience as an administrative professional with her desire support those in direct sales and The Golden Rule VA was born.  Her mission and her “rule” are the same: to treat your business as if it were her very own, with respect, creativity and professionalism.

Melissa is married to her best friend and lives in New Hampshire with her two boys.  She has a Bachelor Degree in Business Management and a “Ducktoratte” Degree from Disney University.  She loves coffee, running, and – most of all – camping with her family.

Your Direct Sales Business Doesn’t Require A Super Cape!

“I never did anything alone. Whatever was accomplished in this country was accomplished collectively.” ~Golda Meir

Do you ever feel badly about not being able to do it all? I think that as women we have grown up believing that we not only can we “do it all”, but that we must. However, when it comes to your business that doesn’t need to be the case.

Recognizing that you need to delegate a part of your business is not a sign of failure or weakness. Nobody’s gonna come revoke your Wonder Woman costume – quite the opposite. Realizing that you can’t (and shouldn’t) do it all is a sign of leadership and true strength! But you already know this, remember? Let me explain.

If it wasn’t for the help of your hostesses, customers or recruits you wouldn’t have a business at all would you? You had to ask them to help your business in one way or another, either by hosting a party, buying your product or being a part of your team. You couldn’t do all those things by yourself, could you? Well… maybe you could… but you wouldn’t have much of a business if you did, would you?

Delegation is the same sort of thing. There are other parts of your business where you cannot and should not try to “do it all.” Just like any other business, you do not excel at every part of your direct selling business. It’s ok to let go of some of the tasks in your business: it will free you up to give more time and attention to the places where you shine. Can you, for example, delegate birthday cards so you pick up an extra hour every month for booking parties, meeting prospects and selling product? Who does your hostess packets? Are you an awesome blogger with no time to get your articles queued up for readers?

Don’t beat yourself up that you can’t do it all… nobody can! One of the best parts of being a woman, is we have lots of friends to help us out! All you have to do is ask. Even Super Heroes (and She-roes) have sidekicks!

About the Author

Melissa H. Dery is The Golden Rule Virtual Assistant (VA) providing Virtual Business Management to Direct Sales leaders. A former direct sales consultant, Melissa also grew up in a direct selling family. She knows firsthand about the “behind the scenes” work required to help your business grow and prosper.

When Melissa combined more than 20 years of experience as an administrative professional with her desire support those in direct sales and The Golden Rule VA was born. Her mission and her “rule” are the same: to treat your business as if it were her very own, with respect, creativity and professionalism.

Melissa is married to her best friend and lives in New Hampshire with her two boys. She has a Bachelor Degree in Business Management and a “Ducktoratte” Degree from Disney University. She loves coffee, running, and most of all, camping with her family.