Direct Sales: How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

If you have joined the ranks or are considering joining a Direct Sales company you need to know how to step out of your comfort zone to make connections and get customers and interest in your business. This is the toughest assignment for most new Direct Sale consultants. Many consultants do not have experience in sales and just need some direction on where to start and how to step up and make those connections. Here are six effective ways to step out of your comfort zone and start growing your business:

1. Ask a close friend to listen to you share about your business. Role play having them play devil's advocate a bit so you can get practice talking to people.

2. Make a list of 100 people that you know and make an effort to contact them by phone or e-mail to share with them about your business. If 100 sounds like too many, sit and really think through who you know, even if you don't know the name of the lady who sits behind you in church every Sunday, put her on your list. You'll be surprised how many people you know!

3. Make a plan to talk to two people you do not know every day about your business. Preferably these people should be in person. This will really help you get out of your comfort zone. Start with people who are not intimidating, such as a friendly waitress at a favorite restaurant, leave her a card with her tip or a check out lady at a quiet gift shop. Even if they say no or act uninterested you will have sharpened a great skill.

4. Expect to hear the word no more than yes. The majority of people are going to be hesitant and not interested, it's just the way it is. But if you present yourself professionally and remember kindness goes a long way you will be sure to eventually peak interest and grow your business.

5. Carry Business cards, samples, catalogs etc. with you everywhere. Anything that would entice someone to be interested in what you have to offer them.

6. Plan an open house to showcase your products and over-invite people to be sure you have a good turn out. Make your open house casual and serve good food and drinks. Have people fill out cards for door prizes which can also be used to collect some good contact information for future interest.

If you start slowly working on even one of these steps to build confidence in yourself you are making a big step in building your business. Remember it will only take one or two people to say yes to really motivated you to succeed. You are almost guaranteed success when you are consistent and persistent.