Direct Selling Festival

The very first Direct Selling Festival held in Middle East last May 17th - 19th, 2008 at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, UAE - was a spectacular 2 day exhibiton and 3 day conference - one of the world's fastest growing markets. The World Leading Direct Selling and Network Marketing companies, Suppliers, Industry Experts and Top Leaders were all under one roof to unveil the infinite opportunities of the $110 Billion industry in the said region!

I bet companies I was loyal to had their respective representatives in the event so they could share their knowledge with their aspiring distributors and business builders. (I just wished I had encountered this video before the convention took place.)

Direct Selling Versus Network Marketing

Direct Selling and Network Marketing primarily involve sales.

Both direct selling and network marketing focuses on the product or service they’re offering. But I don’t totally agree with its meaning or description in Wikipedia. Perhaps because it varies depending how it is done in certain countries. For instance, like here in the Philippines when you say Direct Selling the people are familiar with Avon, Sara Lee now Fuller Life, Tupperware, Sundance etc. A dispersal of catalogues and brochures would do. There’s less talk and no further explanation needed. For a description is provided in the brochures. It is not like there’s no sales tactics involved but the strategies to get or make a sale is already spelled out in print in the brochures. Effective communication is still required for a seller to know the specific wants of his or her customers. Maintaining customers’ interest and loyalty will later turn to customer satisfaction and trust.

Direct selling goes hand in hand with direct marketing. In the sense that, direct selling becomes a marketing medium that can be used to sell anything. Product ranges from toiletries, herbal and food supplements, apparel, intimate apparel, cosmetics, fragrances and fashion jewelry, books, storage and serving products, vacuum cleaners and other home appliances, and water purifiers.

But network marketing does not engage solely on products or service it renders. The essence of which is to build a network or networks or groups of people to help the pioneer or initiator achieve his or her goals as well as help others or his team or group to achieve success on their goals too.

It does not merely focus on one’s personal success but also its team or down lines.

It encompasses another’s success. It expands to its team members. The leader who made it first must lead by example and here lies the distinction between direct selling. The leader must begin within his self to carry out and mentor his team in doing the company’s business. Aside from the training considered necessary, the leader or up line guides his subordinates or down lines in presentations, meetings, demonstrations and warm and cold calling until such time he can lead his own down lines along the way to success.

Carrying a wide range of goods is to be credited in the direct selling medium. Having the ability to carry a wide variety of goods can be sometimes mistaken as a supernatural ability. Frankly, I’m amazed by network marketers and direct sellers. I sometimes mistake their ability to carry a wide range of products as a supernatural power.

Why do I see it as a supernatural power?

Successful direct sellers and network marketers have mastered themselves. Mastering ourselves? Is that really possible? If they have achieved it and conquered their rejections, refusals, depression, humiliation, shame and ridicule they can truly be called masters for they willingly did it so.

Worth noting about direct selling is customer satisfaction. Quality of product, uniqueness and money-back guarantees are the top reasons of shopping through direct selling from talented entrepreneurs. Add to that less hassle in shopping. Imagine no more aching heels from long walks hopping at malls searching for that perfect item to buy, no need to use your car and forget where you parked it when you’re done with your shopping, farewell to wasted lengthy minutes or hours from long lines while waiting for your turn to pay for your purchased item, no more dashing to the malls during peak seasons, end your futile attempt at boutiques and shops for scouting that impeccable pair of shoes, in short eliminate the all-consuming energy draining when you shop. There is convenience in buying products through direct sellers. A direct seller deals only with one of his buyers at a time. Personalized service is the core of direct selling.

Unique, best modify the direct selling profession. It does not require educational degree, experience, financial resource or physical condition. Earn more while having to invest less is an advantage of direct sellers. With just a small initial capital, it could grow into boundless leaps. On the other hand, network marketers engage in business presentations and meetings, trainings, warm and cold calling, equipped also with a heavy business portfolio and an all ready business package (a set of products for a specific need). This requires a larger amount for a start up package. In Direct Selling and Network Marketing are not advertisement driven companies unlike its retail counterparts. Both do not invest much in advertisement. Thus, these companies direct sellers sell in fact save much which is then passed on as substantial commissions to its dealers and distributors. In some respect, this is a form of owning your own business. You become your own boss. This means you can work full-time or part-time. You get to choose and set up yourself when and how you work. This is where you set your own goals and determine how to reach them. Be rewarded by how much effort you put in your business. In networking, you build your organization by building your group through your invited prospects.

To recapitulate, network marketing and direct selling are geared towards making sales. But they differ in approach. Direct selling relies on franchising while network marketing uses leveraging. Leadership on the first one is subjective and with a sense of individualism, the latter is objective, holistic through a team of networks run by a driven goal-oriented leader.

Lessons and Insights from Top Super Salesmen in Direct Selling and Network Marketing

Despite the negativities that people generally connotes about network marketing as pyramid scams, how were these top salesmen conquered people’s rejection and refusal to look at the business and try the products. Read below and find out how they were able to pull it off.

1. “Bring your products wherever you go.” And of course use it so you could endorse the right product and services to your customers.

2. Continuous inviting to build your people network or properly called networking relationships.

3. Attend trainings and seminars and your belief in the company and its products and services will be reinforced.

4. Creating innovation and consistency of product quality constructs your belief in your products, service and company.

5. Seek out your mentors and uplines’ advice. Don’t just ask for a few words of advice but let them teach you the system.

6. Find a good role model. Leaders have a lot of experiences and they have been through a lot. They will provide guidance and lead you towards achieving your goals.

7. Locate a target market for your products and services. If a place is unsaturated, “it is a ripe market.”

8. “Own your own business.” They say the best way to riches is to have and own your own business. But when you say you your own business, it is not just in the sense of the money you have courageously invested in it. Accountability for your own actions towards and about your business determines the quality of your performance. For real sense of ownership is the backbone of your pre-determined actions.

9. When one has the sincerity and firmness in purpose especially such an engaging endeavor in direct selling and network marketing all else conspire to what one desires.

10. Lastly, look closely in your heart and have the commitment to do whatever it takes to become successful in your chosen field of business.

From the author, 1951 classic The Scottish Himalayan Expedition of W.H. Murray;

“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”

Good Morning!

"Good Morning, ma'am!," Avon sales reps would address you in such a warm greeting even if it is already passed six in the evening.

This always happens to me when I used to work at a private office as a data analyst with a regular 8 - 5 hours of work.

As a loyal user and distributor as a franchise dealer of Avon products even if I am not actively marketing and selling the products anymore at least once a month or once in every two months I would buy items for personal use. Stunned by their accolade of recognition, I asked them why do they always greet that way when in fact it is utterly dark outside.

Well, "Every hour of the day at Avon is morning. Mornings symbolizes the start of a new day. We want to treat every customers or clients that come our way with a fresh hello."

Vaguely true! Wow, such an understatement.

Yes, beginning the day with outright enthusiasm makes us go through the day with energy and look at it in a bright perspective. It is called "the law of attraction."

Visualizing and attracting a positive day equals to positive results. So, "the more energy you have in the business" and the more you smile while encouraging new walk-ins who can be potential customers and the more bubbly you are dealing with old and loyal customers and clients, the more sales you would accumulate for the day. Therefore, more profits incurred, you earn more money!

Lessons from A Day's Event

Saying what you mean to say, matters! Never say negative thoughts. It attracts depression and bad impression. When in a low spirit, all the more the one who hears negativities get blown by seemingly-not-going-the-way-we-want-things-to-happen.

Laugh on your mistakes. We are only humans. Infallible . . . . imperfect. Smile and sheepishly laugh like a child. Small things of imperfections are just minor wrongs that must be disregarded. Generally, the objective part of the whole event is what counts.

Always look at the bright side of things. Entertaining pre-conceived notions of rejections and resistances only result to a bad day.

Encourage and trust that the you deserve the greatest outcome of all your best efforts.

Lastly, have faith in every little thing you do!

Top Ten Truths Why Anyone Should Give Network Marketing a Try

When people hear the words network marketing, they all relate it to scam or a pyramid scheme. But why are there people who make it big in this industry? Read on and unveil the truths for yourself.

1. If you got to have more in your life, you have to be more. Yes, everyone some time in their life would feel nothing has happened in their life. You might have work. You have friends and you still have your eccentric but adorable family. Yet, you would come to a point where you will feel an indescribable emptiness. Longevity and substance counts. Enduring however long and difficult a new task or perhaps a project is develops you personally and professionally. Does it matter in what economic status you are now? There's always room for improvement. If you desire to uplift your low status now, you got to do something. The key here is to make a move, a step. Making that one first step is all it takes. It sure feels like a long race but try to remember this quote: "Perseverance is not a long race: It is many short races, one after another."

2. Settling for what is good enough is the enemy of the great. What's wrong with just being good enough? Actually, there's nothing wrong with just being good enough. But once you settle in what is only good, you will stop striving in doing what is better. Therefore, you would become content on what you are now and what you have, making you stagnant. Stuck forever in a situation or circumstance that you would not necessarily want to be in for the rest of your life. You stop dreaming. You become satisfied of what is only at hand. You stop pursuing your dream life - of what you really wanted to be when you were a kid. Instead of trying out new things, getting out of your comfort zone and unleashing your highest potential you do not come out of your shell. Try to think what this line of song is trying to tell you, "There's a hero if you look inside your heart." Definitely, you can be your own hero. We were all created in the image and likeness of God. God is great. We all have the potential to be great. So, you have the potential to be great. Have a self-introspection "and you'll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you."

3. Invest on having a good attitude this will become your number one most important weapon. Surely, there are many obstacles that you will go through once you pursue your dreams and goals in life. But doing things in a joyous atmosphere, possessing an optimistic and positive outlook in living life will make things easier for you and everything will turn and flow the way you want it. "A good attitude is contagious."

4. If you concentrate on your dreams and work on your goals, there is self-actualization. So, "what you focus on becomes your reality." What do you see in a dirty window? Exactly, the dirt in the window. If you have been presented a business opportunity and you are skeptical about it, you only see the "dirt" or the downside of it. But if you have seen the good side of it, you would focus on the advantages and what is good about the business. Then, you are inspired to get to the top just like the achievers of your chosen networking company or even exceed your up line's monthly earnings. You might even get passed your top leader. Aspire and believe! Act on your dreams now. Get amazed by your own unlimited potential.

5. Problems are unavoidable. We encounter circumstances along our way which are beyond our control. There are things in life and changes which are bound to happen. Well, "you cannot change what happens but you can only change your reaction to it." Instead, embrace changes and a new you certainly grows. Bring it on!

6. As the famous adage goes, "there is always a way." Now, it is our job to find that way. Make your goal the core of your being. Do not get preoccupied by interferences and distractions. Find a way to solve your problem and not focus on the problem itself. When you have a problem, try to write it down. Or better yet shout your problem on a vast space. Let it echo. The point is if you keep on talking about your problem, you don't get anything done. But if you do something about it, it starts to dissolve. After venting, think, sit, plan and act. Then, declare "I can, I can, I can, and I will!" Surely, it will pass like the past problems you have dealt before.

7. Your income will become the average of your five closest friends' incomes. From Jeff Olson's "The Slight Edge Philosophy." "Did you know that your income will tend to be the average of your ten best friends' incomes? (If having more income is a goal of yours, either get new friends or raise the income of the friends you have now!) If you want to raise the quality of your life, hang out with people who have been there and done that. If you want to be a success in business, hang around successful business people. Do you know why birds of a feather flock together? Because they're all going in the same direction. They share a common vision. If you're after a goal-any goal-go find the people who have achieved that goal, or who are well along the path to attaining that goal, and be with them, hang out with them, camp on their doorstep. It's called the Law of Association. It's a Law because it always works." Protect your attitude by believing in a Higher Power. Always only be around positive people. Help someone everyday. "It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life . . . we can never help another without helping ourselves." Stay away from the news! Why? It sensationalizes negativities in life. It generates pessimism instead of positivity. At least, achieve one of your goals everyday. Read self-improvement books. Listen to empowering motivational self-help speeches on leadership seminars.

8. If you desire transformation in your life, first you must change. Get ready with your metamorphosis.

9. A little sacrifice now won't hurt you. If your goal is to change your family's future forever, begin now. It is never too late. A move or a step will accrue in time. In the end, you will be surprised that you got to the top of the mountain all by yourself.

10. Know thy purpose. Search the reason deep in yourself. Everything begins with a purpose. And when you know the purpose of your life, you will have a sense of direction.

In knowing your purpose in life, it would not seem tiresome. Those who have tried network marketing especially its top elite and leaders that started out as 'small,' ordinary and average type of people would attest to this: When you know the purpose and reason why you joined a networking company, your life evolves. You will have a tremendous sense of self-fulfillment with all your accomplishments in life. For, it is only when you have found your purpose in life that it starts to have meaning. When you offer and do everything in life for the glory of God, all falls into place.

Amber W. is an associate member of U-GotCash, Inc. and http://www.financeportalsolutions.com/

It was about two years ago when she learned that she can earn money at the comfort of her own home. Her courage and perseverance helped her succeed in the field of internet marketing and multi-level marketing.

Visit http://www.u-gotcash.com/site/donpaul to learn more about making money at home.