Whether you call it multi-level marketing, network marketing, or direct sales, there’s no denying one thing: people like the idea of being their own boss. Decades ago, the major products were Tupperware and Avon, but today, you can find people selling everything from leggings to healthcare products and back again. If you’ve been considering joining the MLM force, it’s important to understand tips and tricks. After all, network marketing is not a way to get rich quick. It takes personality, patience, and a willingness to do hard work.
1. Understand What Sales Means
For many people, the hardest part of the job is, well, the job. Especially in the digital age, people tend to think that direct sales just requires putting up a personalized website and letting people order through your link. The reality is that thousands of people around the world offer those same links.
You need to go above and beyond to show why you offer the best deals, the best products, and the best customer service. You’ll need to be able to interact with people, remain positive and upbeat, and spend money to make money. Keep in mind that any business that says you only need to recruit is likely a pyramid scheme and not a direct sales opportunity.
2. Know the Kind of Company You’re Working With
There are hundreds of network marketing companies that you can work with, but not all of them are created equally. First, consider the products. It’s hard to be enthusiastic about selling something that you aren’t interested in yourself. In addition to being interested in the products, you should check out the company’s history, the history of its CEO and other upper management, and their overall business practices to determine if you’re working with a business that has integrity.
It’s also a good idea to look at reviews from both other direct marketers and customers to see how people feel about the business overall. For example, these Le-Vel reviews give you a good idea of the company’s reputation with its employees and independent contractors.
3. Find Places to Network and Get Leads
When direct marketers say you need to put yourself out there, they mean it. Consider the product you sell and which types of people you will be interested in it. For example, if you decide to sell kitchen items, you probably won’t have a lot of success trying to peddle them to known bachelors and bachelorettes who prefer to eat takeout over the kitchen sink. Look into local trade shows, vendor fairs, and other networking events to see how to get a spot selling and demonstrating the products. Finding an interested audience is half the battle.
4. Treat It Like a Real Job
One great thing about multi-level marketing is that you can work it into your schedule. Unfortunately, that’s also the not-so-great thing about it. For many people, direct sales is a job that they work in between their day job, taking care of the kids, spending time with friends and family, running errands, and more. That means it’s often the last task they complete but putting network marketing on the back burner makes it difficult to make any money.
To ensure you are putting effort into the business, it is important to carve out at least a few hours a week where you focus on advertising, answering questions, product delivery, and other tasks. This will help you avoid negative reviews like these Thrive Reviews.
Regardless of which product you decide to become a direct marketer for, the key is to be genuine and show integrity. MLM gets a bad rap but the reality is that most of the negative could be pushed away just by being invested in your career and your customers. Being authentic will make you more likely to be a success.
