Help me make the direct sales leap!

[we3travellers]

I have been considering joining a direct sales company as an independent consultant for quite a while now, but something is stopping me. I am a stay at home mom and would like to (okay, need to) earn a little cash. I am really an introvert by nature, although my people skills are quite good from years of working in the service industry. I just hate the fact that it is "sales" and I feel like I just can't make the push on people. My circle of family and friends to drawn upon is almost nil (locally anyways), so I'm not sure where I will get business. I really love the product, which helps a great deal. I just think that for me to continue staying home with DS, this is the answer. I tried direct sales with another company when DS was an infant, but I didn't really give it a good go. Encouragement from any disers that are in direct sales would be much appreciated!

 

[brymolmom]

Not really going to push you toward leaping...

But wanted to say that all your thoughts, IMO, sound very valid to point you NOT to do direct sales.

To make actual money direct sales can be very difficult. And, again IMO, a BIG factor on this is the statement you made about friends and family contacts in your area. The only people I know who have actually made real cash doing direct sales have HUGE circles of friends and family.

Not only that - I'm not sure if you've moved since you tried it the first time. But hitting up that same circle of contacts for another go-round might be difficult (I know that I personally don't usually go to a second product for the same sales person. I gave my obligatory $$ the first time around).

Having been to MANY of these things I think I can tell which sales people likely end up doing it for more than a year. And it is the natural extroverts and sales people who do it best. I don't know you but based on your own self-assessment, I'm not sure you'd fall into this category. I can't either - so I'm not saying anything negative at all. There is no way I could ever invite people to a party who I KNOW don't really have the money to spend on ___ (insert sales product here, candles, overpriced bags, kitchen gadgets) and watch them spend money on it just to give myself a paycheck.

So I wanted to give you kudos for being self aware. You seem to know your strengths - So maybe you could find something else that is better suited? A part-time job in a mall for a few evenings a week (since basically for direct sales you'll be gone that often anyway) OR, to make better money - try babysitting a child or two. Allows you to stay home with your child while still bringing in some decent cash.

Good luck!

 

[we3travellers]

Thank you brymolmom for your honest feedback. You have just validated all I was feeling. I obviously think something is not right or I would have done it by now. Yes, there are other ways to make a few bucks. I just need to find one that suits me!

 

[Honeymooner04]

I agree. I think very few people who do direct sales make a lot of money. I sell Grace Adele (purses, jewelry, and accessories) and I really only do it because I love the product. I make hardly any money (I would love for that not to be the case!). I would never recommend someone to joint a direct sales company to be their job as there are far more guaranteed ways to earn some extra cash. The market is just too saturated I think. Of course there are always the exceptions but I am and I don't think most people are one of them. Good luck.