There are many different types of direct sales companies who want you to join their team. Considering the different kinds of products and services these direct sales businesses have to offer, it is important to select the right one for your lifestyle, schedule and personality.

In order to begin narrowing down your direct sales business choices, ask yourself the following questions. As you answer them, you can start crossing off those on your list that don’t align with your wants and needs in a direct sales business.

1. Do you have passion for the product?

If you’re thinking of selling cat products but loathe cats, how can you enjoy it? Trying to convince someone else to believe in what you’re selling will prove to be difficult in this case. Find a company who offers items you can be enthusiastic about selling.

2. Are the items consumable?

Will your sale be one time only or can you obtain regular customers due to the need for replacements? A consumable product is more likely to have repeat customers. This in turn, can easily increase sales.

3. Is the product or service practical?

If what you’re selling is more efficient than an older, similar product, people may be more likely to purchase it. Efficiency can be very important, especially in this day and age where saving time and money has become a necessity.

4. Is a demand present?

If you are selling home insurance protection from hurricanes, then you’ll probably get more sales in Florida than you would in Nebraska. Stop and think about whether or not the product is practical in the area you’ll be soliciting sales from.

Also, take into consideration whether or not the product is something people will actually want to buy. If it is not a popular item to more than a few people, your sales will suffer. Try finding a direct sales company who offers more desirable items.

5. What competition, if any, will you have?

Consider if the area you’re offering the items in is already oversaturated with representatives.

Competition can be a good thing, but depending on what you are selling and the area you are doing so, it might be a smarter idea to choose a complimentary product for those overly represented companies versus opening another of the same.

6. Is the compensation plan enough?

If the company’s commission structure will not accommodate your monetary needs, you’re probably better off taking your business elsewhere.

7. Will the product or service conflict with your morals?

For example, if you are an extremely devout Christian and your company is selling adult romance toys, you may find that presents a problem.

8. What, if any, costs are associated with starting or maintaining your business?

Many direct sales companies do require an initial start-up fee to cover inventory, marketing material or demonstration items. If you find these costs too steep for your budget consider other options.

9. Does the company have a good reputation with its customers?

Talk with those who have bought from the company. Find out their opinion of the products, customer service, and the company in general. Search for customer reviews online. Buyers are not shy about sharing their feelings when it comes to purchasing a product they ended up hating.

10. How does the company treat their agents?

You’ll also want to find out how a company stacks up when it comes to how they take care of their representatives. One way to determine this is to chat with those who already work with them or have in the past. Keep in mind that some will be trying to very hard to recruit you, but all in all you should be able to get a sense of the true relationship between company and agents by preparing your questions ahead of time.

You don’t want to get stuck selling a product you dislike or don’t believe it. You also don’t want a business that you have to work from sun up to sun down in order for it to be successful. Take your time and be very selective when choosing which direct sales organization you’ll work for.

posted by Chris Simpson