BYOB – Be Your Own Boss
So, you want to be your own boss but you have little or no business experience, you don’t have a product to sell and you haven’t come up with the world’s next great invention. Then maybe direct selling might be the career for you.
For over 100 years, direct selling companies have provided anyone the ability to purchase their products at wholesale prices and sell those products at retail prices for a profit. Most of these companies also allow their independent consultants to earn money by introducing and bringing in new sales reps. This strategy relies on the independent representatives to spread the word about what the company offers rather than traditional advertising. The word-of-mouth marketing approach is a very effective one for the following reasons:
- Your potential customers will appreciate the personal service
- They’ll appreciate the ability to shop from home
- And they’ll be more comfortable buying from someone they know and trust
The companies that offer these opportunities most often, provide their representatives with tools and training to help kick start their career as an independent consultant and for very little in startup costs. Being an independent consultant also offers some real perks. Being your own boss allows you the flexibility to create your own work schedule and it’s up to you how much time and effort you want to devote to the business. When you’re the boss, you don’t have to ask for a raise, you simply go out and earn one. While some may earn millions, it’s much more common for consultants to earn extra cash monthly to add to the family income or maybe use it for an extra night out during the week.
The other revenue building aspect that most direct selling companies offer is for you to build a team of people who work, in essence, for you. As an example, if you devote 10 hours a week to your business and you have a team of 10 other people devoting 10 hours a week to their businesses, you as the team leader will earn a commission from the all sales for 110 hours’ effort!
In corporate America, there’s no free lunch, free vacation, free anything. However, many direct selling companies offer rewards for performance. This could be trips to exotic locations, free cars or cash bonuses.
Today’s direct seller also has many tools and resources that weren’t available just a few years ago. Mobile credit card readers so they can increase their sales by accepting credit cards anywhere, mileage tracker software to protect their profits and identify the many deductions they’re eligible for and more then ever, the ability to use the internet to market themselves and grow their business.
Direct selling isn’t for everyone but if it’s a career choice you’re interested in there are dozens upon dozens of choices out there. Find the one that you love, work hard and make the right decisions and you’ll be successful.