Home Business In Direct Sales

Direct sales/MLM is perhaps the most popular form of home business. Depending on the company you work with, you may get instant name recognition, sales tools and more. But that doesn't mean it will be easy.

You have to know how to recognize scams, saturated markets and opportunities. You have to be able to approach people freely and tell them about your business.

On the fun side, many For many, the easiest way to start a home business is to join a direct sales or MLM opportunity. The hardest part, however, can be choosing the right opportunity.
There are many factors to consider. To make sales simpler, I sugget choosing a company first by what you already enjoy doing. This will allow you to be truly enthusiastic about your business. Think about your hobbies and interests, then find an opportunity that matches.

However, this is far from the only consideration. There are all too many programs out there that border on illegal. You want to watch out for companies that require you to make a purchase every month, as this is a sign of a pyramid scheme. They can make it sound good, but if the business gets closed down by the FTC, you have lost your business. Check out the FTC website's article on what to watch out for. Forced buying is a big one.

Once you are satisfied that the program is legal and ethical, the next step is to decide who has reasonable compensation for your efforts. Look both at what you will be earning and what you will get for building a downline. Think about how much you will really have to sell in order to make a living.

Now it's time to take a look around. How's the competition in your area? In some areas, the market may be saturated for a given opportunity, while in others you could be the first. Check local bulletin boards for flyers from other reps as well as classified ads and so forth. How often do you get cards or door hangers for this opportunity at your home? If you think you see too much competition, you may need to consider another opportunity.

If you haven't already, now is the time to find a sponsor. This person will be your upline, and you want them to be very supportive of you and have answers to your questions. If they can't help you decide whether or not to join the opportunity, they aren't going to be there for you when you need help.

Also take a look at the company's customer service. If they don't respond to your questions, how will they treat customers or you when you call with a problem with an order? You want the company to be there for you too.

Finally, if you are interested in selling online, find out what the restrictions are on having your own website and marketing online. Some opportunities let you advertise online, but only to a blind website which does not mention their name. Other direct sales opportunities do not allow any sort of online advertising. If you want to have a website, make sure you are allowed to have one. The ideal is to be allowed to design your own website, so you have a better chance of getting search engine traffic. The option to sell on eBay could also be a consideration.