Direct selling is an ancient form of commerce that has evolved throughout the years. Modern direct selling uses a combination of innovative technologies and tried and true methods—and the industry is booming. The economic paradigm shift from organizational work to gig economy has been exacerbated by social media and the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to technology and the success of the gig economy, the time has never been better to jump into direct selling! We’ll explain the current landscape of direct sales and share what it takes to be a successful modern direct seller.
What are Direct Sales Like in 2024?
Much of the confusion about direct sales stems from a misunderstanding of direct selling. about the industry has been very insistent for years. We are committed to fighting this disinformation so that you have a clear understanding of direct selling.
Detractors of direct sales claim that the entire industry is nothing more than an illegal pyramid scheme. This is provably false, and we believe that transparency and honesty are the best way to combat disinformation. Legitimacy is often proven by the test of time, and the industry is committed to the highest ethical standards.
What are the Three Types of Direct Selling?
Single-Level Direct Sales
Single-level direct sales are exactly what they sound like. This is a one-to-one transaction where a salesperson makes a commission by selling a product or service to a consumer. Not only is this a legal form of commerce, but it’s also completely mundane.
Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Direct-to-consumer, or D2C, sales involve a single-level transaction that takes place on the Internet. This purchase could occur on a website, landing page, or social media platform. For example, someone who runs an Etsy shop is participating in D2C sales.
Multi-Level Marketing
Finally, Multi-level marketing (MLM) represents a legitimate form of direct selling wherein sales representatives engage in product sales and recruit individuals within their network to generate additional income or incentives.
Modern Direct Selling
Spotting red flags in direct-selling companies will spare you a lot of grief. However, that’s not the only thing to take into consideration! What are some signs that a company is following the ethical code set by the Direct Selling Association?
- They focus on the customer.
Regardless of the method of direct sales, be it MLM, single-level, or D2C, a reputable direct seller should focus on the customer, like any good business.
A trustworthy, ethical company will streamline the process of getting a product or service into its customers’ hands. This will also save the customer money! Modern direct selling should benefit both the costumer and the direct seller.
- They focus on the product.
This point seems contradictory to the first, but it is not. A good direct-selling company will provide a quality product that they actually believe in. Your fellow distributors or recruiters should be focused on selling a product that they swear by.
- They do not charge a membership fee.
Any company that charges you to become a distributor is not a company that you should trust. Ethical direct sales companies only ask you to buy the product stock that you plan to distribute.
- They abide by the regional laws and policies for direct selling.
The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations has a stringent ethical code worldwide. This text is easily available and well worth a read if you are considering a career in direct sales.
The Modern Direct Seller
If you have been misled about direct sales, you might expect the industry’s entrepreneurs to be cold, calculating, and manipulative. This could not be further from the truth! We can think of many examples of direct sellers who prove this stereotype wrong.
The industry is incredibly accessible because of its low start-up costs and lack of overhead. In our technological age, it’s easier than ever to begin! Anyone has the potential to become a modern direct seller. You likely already have all the tools you’ll need to get started.
How to Become a Direct Seller
If you are ready to jump ship from a career working for organizations and corporations, we highly encourage you to consider direct sales! Modern direct selling is an accessible way to find independence and autonomy in your work. Anyone can do it.
Of course, not everyone will succeed in direct sales. Technology makes entrepreneurship easier than ever, but some sellers won’t put in the work required. Success in this industry is very dependent on the work you put into it.
Think of a direct-selling business as a garden. If you properly prepare the soil, nurture your seedlings, and protect the ecosystem, your garden will grow and thrive. If you neglect your garden by failing to water and care for it, you won’t have a harvest.
The same is true for entrepreneurship. Seeds don’t sprout and vines don’t flower immediately, and neither does a business succeed without hard work. You have the potential within you; will you nurture it?
Unleash your potential. Find out if you have what it takes!