Why did you get started?

What makes us finally sign on the dotted line...when starting a direct sales company? The answers can be as unique as we are. We all get started for many different reason, what pushes us over the edge to actually commit?

- The product?
- The Sponsor?
- A feeling deep inside?
- The dream that was sold?
- The comp plan?
- The team?

Again, it could be one, if not all of the above. There are great companies, great products and great team leaders but there is a sad truth....many tend to sign up way to fast!

The longer I am in the direct sales industry I hear about men/women that jumped on board because of  the product or even the dream that was sold but didn't do the ONE major step...

EDUCATE THEMSELVES!!!

The direct sales industry is a dynamic way to earn extra cash, supplement your income or better yet a career option...but I am hearing story after story of those that are frustrated, burned out and down right not sure WHY they picked the company they are with.

They have been with the company for several month or even many years and are stressed out and not sure what to do, where to go, let alone who to ask. They feel STUCK! 

They got started because they fell in love with the products. Were driven by excitement without asking questions, signed on that dotted line and began doing what they needed to share those fantastic, outstanding, best of the best products!

Everything went well for the first few months...then their own excitement starts to fade as they have to work harder and harder to find customers, book parties, meet this quota and pretty soon realize this isn't what they sign up for.

So what went wrong? 

This answer can be just as unique as to the reasons for getting started... But I do believe the BIGGEST mistake is NOT taking the time to evaluate the company, sponosor, product and what is required.

I spent an entire year prior to coming across my company and products, evaluating my friends and the companies they were with, at the time. I saw first hand my close friends burn out, frustrated and feeling like failures because they couldn't succeed at their home business.

Was this their fault, yes in some way it was...why? They didn't ask the right questions, find out what was really required to make money, and in a way put themselves in the position to jump through hoops to try and make it work. They were attracted to a product line, but had NO clue what to look for  and signed up too fast, without all the facts.

What they didn't realize is their situation was a learning process for me as well. I wasn't so quick to sign on the dotted line.  I became very picky in my decision making...even though I was "green" when it came to the residual side. I still knew what our family needed and wanted out of a business. These were the top three...

1. I wanted to be home with our children
2. Make the immediate income to pay bills
3. A simple product line and something I enjoyed myself

Now that I have been around the block there are other KEY Elements to look for and ask....

1. Is the product line consumable?

2. Are you able to buy at wholesale and make a profit right away?

3. What kind of profit do you make when retailing as a NEW distributor?

4. What is required of you monthly? Quotas...autoship...etc

5. What is required to stay active and earn on your downline?

6. How do you get paid...money or more products at a discount?

These are just a few KEY aspects to look for, ask and become aware before you get started! Remember Knowledge is power and you don't want to waste time and money on a business that is not going to fully give you back what you are looking for and more!

Think about it this way...If you were new to fly fishing how successful do you think you would be on the river if you didn't  have a mentor to show you the techniques, what pole to use (much different the ice fishing), what flies to use (they change all the time), and where to fish?

How long would it take you to get frustrated, stressed out and hungry? Probably pretty fast - so why would you do this to yourself when starting a business?

I hope this gives you some thoughts to ponder, questions to ask and a NEW way to evaluate what you REALLY want. Give yourself the TIME to ask questions and evaluate completely...whether you are just beginning, looking for a new home or wanting to come back.

YOU can be successful if you give yourself the GIFT of knowledge, time and the ability to find a company that will GIVE back to you what it is you deserve!!! 

Cheryl Hill