Building Your Direct Sales Consultant Business - Five Steps to Get You Started

So you're a direct sales consultant, now what? How do you build your business? Before anything, read your Consultant's Handbook or your company's equivalent. Twice. Pay close attention to the rules of marketing and promotion. Some companies are lenient and allow consultants free reign over their marketing campaigns. Other companies are very strict with how or even if you can use the company name to advertise. This is vital information and while you should have been made fully aware of the terms before joining the company, you need to abide by these rules.

Now that you've brushed up on your rules, let's get started.

1. Create an email signature for your email account(s). Include your name, phone number (optional, but recommended) and your referral link to your page of the company's website. Check the option to add your signature to all outgoing messages. Now you will be building your business with every email.

2. Decide why. Why are you starting this journey? Do you want to create some fun money for your family? Do you want to pay off debt? Do you want to be able to donate money to ministries or charities? Are you needing to build your business into one that supports your family? WRITE THIS DOWN. Hang it next to your computer, on your refrigerator and/or your bathroom mirror. When you know your why, your resolve is stronger. It is your mission.

3. Set some To Do Goals. Start small. Set goals like tell five people about the company and your new venture, order business cards, or order samples. A good goal is something that is achievable, but makes you work a little. In the beginning it is especially important to set goals that are easily achievable, don't set yourself up to be discouraged before you even get off the ground. As you get comfortable with your new business and the product, set bigger goals. Building your business will grow more familiar with time.

4. Write an email to your friends and family. Tell them about your new business opportunity, your goals. Tell them your story. They may already know it, but it is good practice. At the end, tell them a little about the products or the company and tell them to let you know if they want to hear more about it. Leave your referral link and say a friendly good-bye.

Hint- Do not continue to send emails to your friends and family if they do not respond. Sending one or two is fine, but more than that can be considered spam and is not acceptable. In fact, it is illegal. Ask them if they want to know about sales, specials or other news and add them to an email list IF they say yes.

5. Choose your focus and look at yourself. Decide if you are going to build your business with the traditional direct sales methods or the online methods. Once you decide which is better suited for you, you need to look at yourself again to determine your strengths and weaknesses. There are many types of marketing, you want to spend your time on the ones that fit you best. There is always time to try something different. Start with something that you are good at.

Write your interests, training and natural talents you might have. Do you like to write? Talk to people? Are you naturally outgoing? Have you taken any classes related to public relations, marketing or business?

There is still much to do after these five steps. The goal is to build a firm foundation with your mission and work forward toward your goals. Doing a little something everyday will help you build your business at a pace that inspires, not depletes.