For years now, I’ve noticed myself shying away from telling people my business is actually in Direct Sales.

I find myself adding it as an aside, a quick afterthought.

I find myself justifying it.

I’ve worked previously for TV Licensing and for what was then known as the Child Support Agency. I’m more than used to having to defend my income source.

Lately though, I’ve found myself getting frustrated with this reaction of excuses. You see, I actually love what I do.

I’m proud of it.

I’m proud of the life it’s allowing me to lead.

And I believe strongly it has so much to offer.

So, time to start putting my head above the parapet a little more and letting some of the facts actually be discussed.

Success within Direct Sales isn’t easy – but it is worth it, and that success takes a different shape for everyone.

I’m going to allay a few of the fears it brings now.

Myth 1 – no one can really earn in Direct Sales.

That is definitely what the figures say, I won’t dispute that. In Direct Sales companies which also have a team-building side, the figures show as many as 96% of joiners won’t make a profit. A HUGE number, I’ll be the first to admit.

But what this doesn’t take in to account is the number of people who join the company with no intention of. of ever earning.

They join simply to get the starter kit – normally a bundle of bestsellers at a discounted price – they join to place their own personal orders with a discount rather than to sell, or they join on a whim and then go no further with it.

However, in amongst these kitnappers and personal sales strategists, you will find people determined to earn. With a good plan and the right company and mentor behind them, they can and do earn as well – but not all are aiming this way from the start.

Myth 2 – it’s all about recruiting.

Team building is absolutely a part of many Direct Sales companies – but with a good one, you won’t be pressurised to. You might be supported to, you might even be incentivised to, but a decent company will never pressurise you to.

For transparency here, I love to team build. Meeting new people, getting an insight in to their goals and dreams and drivers, and supporting them to make changes absolutely fills my cup – but I have many team members who are amazing parts of the community who don’t wish to recruit, and that is fine.

I’m not paid to recruit. I don’t get paid per person who joins, and my team members lose no commission whatsoever to me because I mentor them. Head Office pay me commission based on my team’s performance. What this means is it’s in my best interest to ensure my team are fully supported. People under pressure and forced to work in a way they don’t want don’t perform. They leave.

A good mentor will help you make a plan and grow in a way that works for you, not them.

Myth 3 – get ready to spam friends and family.

Yep, that’s right. Make a list of all your friends and family. Message them over and over with every new offer and product. Nag them to join your team. Give them discounts and…

Oh wait, no.

Don’t resort to that.

Because that feels bloody yucky.

No one wants to alienate themselves by starting a new opportunity.

And a good opportunity will mean there are structures, trainings and opportunities available for you to sell without being that friend.

Digital marketing is coming in to it’s own, face to face opportunities can be huge, some companies offer products that work brilliantly to support communities (my company supports fundraising and events in schools for example to secure those bigger orders without the spamming).

You should be able to see yourself selling in a way that excites you, not grosses you out – and there are plenty of these available. (And if you simply want to sell to family and friends in a way that works for you and them, that’s cool too – it just isn’t the only way, nor does it even have to be one of the ways).

Myth 4 – the products are so much cheaper elsewhere.

This might be true of a selection of products available in a selection of locations.

But Direct Sales is about so much more than picking something up off a shelf because it’s got a discount sticker on it.

We build relationships with customers by getting to know them, by knowing our products. We know what helps, what can support them in a problem. We can spend time finding the best solution – and it is never in our interests just to fob a customer off with something that isn’t right for them for the sake of a sale. We want them to return to us, to tell friends and family about us.

And so we make sure the support is there for all of our sellers, the training, the upskilling.

We aren’t always the cheapest option. But we are often the best.

So there we are, a handful of the most common myths I hear thrown around about the industry.

Direct Sales isn’t an easy industry to make a substantial amount in. It takes time, patience, s commitment to learning and creativity.

But for many, the rewards are there to be reaped.

Do your research.

Find the reputable companies.

Find the reputable mentors.

Work out what you’d like from the opportunity, and work out if the company you are considering can offer that. Believe in the products – but also, believe in your potential. That’s one of the biggest success factors for sure.

And if there’s anything I can do to help, drop me a line. I’ll always answer what I can!