Direct sales involve selling products directly to potential customers, and that includes friends, relatives and acquaintances.
Direct selling is popular in India, especially with Health, Beauty and Wellness products.
Several brands such as Amway, Herbalife, Modicare, Hindustan Lever, Forever Living, Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware make substantial sales through direct selling in India.
Direct Selling vs Direct Marketing
So, is direct selling the same as direct marketing?
Well, not really!
Here’s the basic difference between the two.
In direct selling, individuals reach out to consumers directly to sell products. However, when it comes to direct marketing, a company markets its products directly to the consumer.
So, a foreign company (in the nutrition/wellness space) might see an opportunity in India and decide to enter. When it devises its strategy, direct marketing could be one part of its overall marketing strategy.
A lot of businesses that sell business-2-business (B2B) products/services use direct selling to target and sell to their end customers.
“Interest for health products among Indian consumers is very high, though awareness is low. Health products need a customised and personalised channel of distribution that trained distributors of any direct selling company can provide,” a spokesperson for Hindustan Lever Network (HLL’s direct selling arm).
Advantages of Direct Selling
The great thing about direct sales work from home is that you can build your business at your own pace, you can never get fired and you can decide how much time you want to invest and control more of your earnings.
The other great thing is that many of these companies (such as Avon, Tupperware) have excellent reputations and so it is not a hard sell. These are well established companies that people know and respect and want their products.
Direct sales is an excellent opportunity for the stay at home mom and students because you can make your own hours and work from home around other commitments and responsibilities.
Direct sales opportunities are a great way for making money from home and cosmetics is just one of them. Actually there are lots of quality health care/vitamin and weight loss product companies that you can work from home with by selling their products.
Most of these opportunities usually have a Start Up Cost, and once you’re part of their program you make money through commissions on the sales that you make.
Legitimate Opportunities in Direct Sales
Visit the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) website. This website features a list of several companies looking for people to do direct sales of their products from home.
Browse the list of companies that offer the types of products you would like to sell from home; choose products that you feel passionate about, and preferably products that you already use.
Check the prices for the company’s starter kit and training materials for getting started in direct sales.
You may search for more opportunities on job sites such as Naukri, CareerBuilder or Monster.
In general, avoid opportunities that require you to pay a fee just to sell the product.
How to Be successful In Direct Sales Business
Whether it’s your first direct sales business or you’ve been down this road before, everyone could use a few tips to make their business successful. Here are useful tips from a direct sales business owner that will go a long way in creating a profitable business.
- Know the Products and it helps if you love them too.
- It’s important to build a business network, build friendships and other contacts beyond just potential customers.
- Create a website for your business to have Online Presence
- Take your business seriously and treat it like a real one (website, business cards, products, presentation)
- Honesty is Key, don’t be shady or pushy in order to make sales or gain team members. When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and move on.
- Accept rejection and keep working hard at your business.
- Set goals (realistic) and constantly work towards achieving them.
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