As Jobs Continue To Be Scarce, Direct Sales Flourishes

At a time when employment seems to be the unsecured option, some people have decided to take their income into their own hands. In business and, more specifically, in direct sales.

The direct sales industry has gotten a bad rap in the past and, it's true, sales isn't for everyone. For those that have the drive to sell, whether it is Mary Kay make up or the pink tools from Tomboy Tools, business can be very good. Just take a look at all of the press successful men and women in the industry have received.

Of course these successes don't come without a few warnings. Before you leap into the first opportunity you find, there are some things you should consider.

Sales is a talent. While it is one that can be learned, it will not result in an overnight success. If you don't like the idea of selling products to others in the first place, forcing yourself to do so in the name of working from home will only make you feel worse. You have to want it.

Part-time or full-time, it will require hard work either way. That is just the simple truth. Even the most natural of salesmen and the most successful of representatives had to work hard to build their business to where it is today. Furthermore, they must continue to do so if they want it to keep growing.

The statistics aren't always on your side. According to the Direct Selling Association (DSA), the number of direct sellers within the US went up .1 million (from 15 to 15.1 million) while the number of actual retail sales went down over $1 billion (from $30.80 to $29.60 billion) in 2008. Simply put, the competition is becoming more fierce while the amount of money that people are willing to spend is declining. However, this is still an industry that happens to be in the billions of dollars with sales.

Once you've considered what might be working against you, there are some things that make this an attractive opportunity to consider. For instance, not many businesses will offer you part-time availablility with a [reasonably] flexible schedule. Nor are they affordable enough to even consider. Yet, in the world of direct sales, there are opportunities out there that can be launched with as little as $10 to $100 and you are free to choose your own work schedule.

The choice to become a representative with a company is a personal one. It is also a choice that you have to make after giving it some thought. Not all opportunities are alike. Some are much more flexible than others and each one will offer a different commission scale. Not only should you like the product or the company you want to sign up with, but you should also be aware of how much money could potentially be made with it. From how much the product costs to how much commission will be made on each sale, you need to consider each option before you move forward. If you're not sure where to start, try typing the name of the company and 'review' into your favorite search engine. The results that come up will give you a good idea of what others think of the company. While every company is bound to receive a little negative press, a large number of negative reviews can be a red flag.

Lastly, consider looking into one of the many opportunities that are DSA approved. The Direct Selling Association can help protect you through their Code of Ethics, something that must be followed by all of the companies that join. This includes the buy back of inventory for up to a year after it was purchased and for no less than 90% of what you paid. While you might still incur a loss if you feel the need to stop selling, it will help you recoup a portion of your investment.