Six Reasons to Become a Distributor
Direct Selling is a unique business, and one well-suited to those with even a glimmer of entrepreneurial spirit. Flexible hours, professional development, and the satisfaction of running a small business are just a few of the benefits. It is a way to gain an understanding of doing business in the twenty-first century and be part of a sector witnessing terrific growth. The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations estimates that sales rose 7.7-percent in 2015 to $183.7 billion from $170.6 billion in 2014. Becoming a Distributor is the first step on the path to a new career.
Low Start-up Costs. Direct Selling, by its very definition, requires no building, no space to rent, no utility bills, or any of the other costs associated with traditional retail. Parent companies provide the materials and initial outlay of products required for getting started with an average cost of just over $100. Whether someone is in emerging markets, looking to expand their career options, or wanting to earn a little extra money on the side, becoming a Distributor is an easy way to get started running their own business.
Distributors set their own goals and create their own definitions of success.
Independence. Traditional work settings often prove stifling to the budding entrepreneur. Distributors set their own goals and create their own definitions of success. Most work roughly twenty hours a week, according to a National Salesforce Study done by the Direct Selling Association (DSA) in 2014. While that may not seem like much, it’s good to be the boss even of something small. Being a Distributor is a chance to hone existing skills and discover others waiting in the wings.
Flexibility. The DSA survey also found that 65-percent of Distributors chose the channel for its inherent flexibility. Distributors can work flex their work hours around the rest of their lives which means being a Distributor fits well with an existing position or can be molded around family and school. As a Distributor it is possible to gain valuable experience while still living your life.
As a Distributor it is possible to gain valuable experience while still living your life.
Leadership Development. Today, the majority of Direct Selling companies use a marketing method called Multiple Level Marketing (MLM). This peer-to-peer structure means that a Distributor is encouraged to recruit others – nearly always loyal customers – that they then manage and mentor. The Distributor fosters and guides their downline Distributors and makes sure they receive the products and materials they need in order to be successful. It is very much like running a small staff or department, but with the benefit that everyone is working toward the same goal with a product or service they believe in.
Room for Growth. Direct Selling is gaining momentum as today’s customers seek a more streamlined and personal experience. The demand for personal and efficient service and the ability to connect with others to meet a particular need is heightened in this networked age. As larger brands, such as Nike and Under Armour, move toward opening their own stores, we see this trend playing out all around us. Direct Selling Distributors gain valuable firsthand experience in this kind of work, connecting with their customers in very real and tangible ways to provide a service or product that answers a particular need.
For many people, Direct Selling presents an opportunity to put their passion to work.
Something to Believe In. The majority of Distributors get started in the channel because they love the product they use and want to share that experience with others. For many people today caught in the grind of working for someone else doing something they don’t feel inspired about, Direct Selling presents an opportunity to put their passion to work. It is a chance to educate others about a product or service that had a powerful and positive impact on their lives.
While becoming a Distributor in Direct Selling is not the only idea for moving a career forward or starting a small business, it surely should be on the list. The opportunity to be part of a passionate and supportive community that makes learning possible is an opportunity not to be missed.