Comments on: More thoughts on direct selling and party plans http://businessplusbaby.com/2009/07/14/more-on-direct-selling-and-party-plans/ Starting a business as mum to a baby or toddler Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:33:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Barbara von Ow Hulme http://businessplusbaby.com/2009/07/14/more-on-direct-selling-and-party-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-2714 Barbara von Ow Hulme Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:10:04 +0000 http://helenlindop.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-2714 I completely agree with you Helen. I think people who start a direct sales business often hope for easy or quick money and when they are not super succssful or experience a few knock backs they give up. And like you say success requires the same qualities as a traditional business: hard work, dedication and determination to succeed. And as well as being passionate about the product you sell, bear in mind that people often buy YOU before they buy into your services or products especially in direct sales where transactions take place face to face and trust is very important. I found the key to success was threefold: 1. Never give up no matter how many setbacks you get, 2. Become a 'people person'. This means become genuinely interested in people and learn to listen so that you can recognise people's needs and offer the relevant products and 3. Never stop learning and improving your skills (selling, marketing, product knowledge, presentation skills, new trends, etc) Will happily link you up to my blog and look forward to reading more. :) Barbara (http://www.barbaravonow.com) I completely agree with you Helen. I think people who start a direct sales business often hope for easy or quick money and when they are not super succssful or experience a few knock backs they give up. And like you say success requires the same qualities as a traditional business: hard work, dedication and determination to succeed.

And as well as being passionate about the product you sell, bear in mind that people often buy YOU before they buy into your services or products especially in direct sales where transactions take place face to face and trust is very important. I found the key to success was threefold: 1. Never give up no matter how many setbacks you get, 2. Become a ‘people person’. This means become genuinely interested in people and learn to listen so that you can recognise people’s needs and offer the relevant products and 3. Never stop learning and improving your skills (selling, marketing, product knowledge, presentation skills, new trends, etc)

Will happily link you up to my blog and look forward to reading more. :)

Barbara (http://www.barbaravonow.com)

]]> By: Helen http://businessplusbaby.com/2009/07/14/more-on-direct-selling-and-party-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Helen Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:56:17 +0000 http://helenlindop.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-42 Thanks for your comments, Kate! I'd like to take a look at your blog - is it up and running? Thanks for your comments, Kate! I’d like to take a look at your blog – is it up and running?

]]> By: Katie Godfrey http://businessplusbaby.com/2009/07/14/more-on-direct-selling-and-party-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Katie Godfrey Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:39:58 +0000 http://helenlindop.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-41 Yet another informative piece, Helen! And I appreciate your kind comments - it would almost BE worth paying for ;-) If I could just add my two penn'orth to anyone thinking about taking the plunge - yes, selling skills are definitely a major advantage, especially for those of us doing this as a career. That said, they can be learnt. More important - and addressed by Helen in an earlier piece - is a genuine enthusiasm for your product and THAT is what can often be lacking in those who don't do as well as they'd hoped in Direct Selling. With enthusiasm will come a knowledge of your product - I'm fairly sure I could recommend one of Usborne's 1500+ titles to anyone. Also never underestimate the power of listening to, and being genuinely interested in, your customer. And, in my case, her sticky-fingered children... Now perhaps I should go and spend some time on my own blog instead of hijacking Helen's! Yet another informative piece, Helen! And I appreciate your kind comments – it would almost BE worth paying for ;-)

If I could just add my two penn’orth to anyone thinking about taking the plunge – yes, selling skills are definitely a major advantage, especially for those of us doing this as a career. That said, they can be learnt. More important – and addressed by Helen in an earlier piece – is a genuine enthusiasm for your product and THAT is what can often be lacking in those who don’t do as well as they’d hoped in Direct Selling. With enthusiasm will come a knowledge of your product – I’m fairly sure I could recommend one of Usborne’s 1500+ titles to anyone. Also never underestimate the power of listening to, and being genuinely interested in, your customer. And, in my case, her sticky-fingered children…

Now perhaps I should go and spend some time on my own blog instead of hijacking Helen’s!

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