When I first started out in direct sales, I made so many mistakes! And I still have a lot to learn. But one thing I am glad that I learned is that direct sales is NOT for everyone.
Often times when you get into a company in direct sales, your upline will teach you that you should present the opportunity to EVERYONE and will train you on how to overcome any objection. but my thing is, some objections simply can’t be overcome. Not for everyone, at least. Some people are so intent on overcoming objections that all they are really doing is beating a dead horse and annoying the person that they are talking to.
The thing that made me sit down and write this was a post I started in a group for direct sellers. I was trying to generate a dialogue about the do’s and don’ts of promoting and running your business. The question was essentially “what is one piece of advice that you would offer to your fellow direct seller?” One thing that several people commented on was forcing your business on people. In this thread, they were mainly referring to trying to get other consultants who buy something from you to join your business. However, it is much bigger than that.
Some of us in direct sales can be like pit bulls. We grab hold of someone, dig our teeth in, and don’t let go. We are determined that this particular person WILL join my team and i am not giving upuntil they do. Even if they have been told no 9 times in 9 different ways. Sometimes that is just part of their personality. Other times it is because they were taught that someone has to say no 10 times before you should let it go. Whatever the case may be, I think that what it boils down to is their insistence on overcoming objections and their unwillingness or inability to LISTEN.
Even if you feel like you have a product that would benefit anyone, the BUSINESS is not something that everyone can do. Some people truly have zero interest in running a business. They are content with whatever they do for a living. They are anti-sales (and , as much as you may not want to admit it, direct sales is SALES — it’s in the name, people!). They may think that direct sales is not a legitimate way to make money, even if they buy the products. most of the time, when you push them on it, they will tell you exactly why they don’t want to get into direct sales. Your job is to LISTEN.
For some of these cases, the person may actually be interested, but may not feel confident in whether or not direct sales is something that they can do. you can address that by telling them what it entails. They may have misconceptions about what direct sales is. You can address that as well. They may be concerned about whether or not they could acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make it in direct sales. Again, you can address that. However, we have to realize that sometimes no means no and there is nothing you can do to change that.
I gave up a long time ago on trying to convince people to join. Ok, if I know the person very well and I can see that they have the potential and i know them well enough to know that sometimes they need convincing to see their potential, that is one thing. I might stick on them. But for 99.9% of people, if they say no, I let it be. If it’s a maybe, I follow up now and then or simply add them to a group I made for people who are interested in Plexus’s products and opportunity. That way, they will see when i post things in there. I don’t have to feel as though i am badgering them, yet they are still seeing what I want them to see. But chasing after people is a thing of the past for me. i don’t have the energy for that. Instead, I focus on the people who have the interest already kindled in them and just need me to fan the fire.
Direct sales is not for everyone. Instead of trying (and failing) to force people into direct sales, focus on those who are actively trying to find a way in. Remember, if you have to chase someone down to join, you’re going to have to chase them down to work as well. Ummm…no thanks.
