Business Building Blocks

Direct selling is a unique industry in that there are high quality products to market and sell and there is also a much larger business building opportunity available to those inspired to become entrepreneurs.  The opportunity to build a business with as little as $1500.00 in investment funds is truly remarkable.  Similar to every business within every industry, there are core functions which need to be executed and if done well, will increase the probability of your businesses viability.

 

Marketing, sales, administration, distribution and talent acquisition are the pillars of success in direct selling.  Often we view our website, product collateral and lead lists as marketing.  Sales are straight forward, as many direct sellers create revenue generating retail portals on the internet and retail their products through joint ventures with other businesses.  Administration is simply the accounting and order processes which move our product through the distribution chain.  Talent acquisition is the obvious cornerstone of course.  Enrolling like minded entrepreneurs, who clearly understand the underlying potential of the business and, who buy into the income potential of multi level marketing. 

 

New associates, through their introduction to the industry, have been asked to focus on their warm market with a stated goal of identifying 100-200 people whom they know well.  Friends, family, professional associates and service providers become their initial targets.  They are counseled to sell the opportunity first and if their prospect is disinterested, sell retail second. 

 

Controversially, I would propose in many cases it is wise to retail to your warm market or sphere of influence first, while sharing the opportunity to earn income along the way.  Your sphere of influence will recognize the benefits of your offering and witness the success of your retail business first hand, which strategically will aid you in creating your down line while at the same time nurturing your warm market.  Your short term benefit will obviously be income.  Recruiting and enrolling in the warm market has obviously been effective for many direct sellers.  The challenge for most arises after their warm market has been saturated.  Positioning your opportunity retail first will keep your warm market warm indefinitely.

 

Generate a list of potential leads. Your goal is to list over 150 names- Gather names and phone numbers plus email.  Take time to consider multiple referral source leads.  Multiple referral source leads are individuals who work each day in areas directly related to your product or offering.  For instance, if your offering provides benefit in the healthcare niche, spend your time cultivating and nurturing relationships with nurses, practitioners, pharmacists, medical sales reps and physicians.  People in the industry providing services are continually meeting new people who can benefit from your unique offering.

           

Below is an exercise to aide you in identifying your warm market.  Commit to completing this exercise prior to continuing.

 

Family                                                             Contractor

Spouses family                                                Garbage Person

Extended family                                             Landlord

Your best friends                                            Computer repair person

Spouses best friends                                       Neighbor

Your very close friend’s                                 Old colleagues

Spouses very close friends                              Current Colleagues

Veterinarian                                                    Friends from the Gym

Children’s friends and parents                        Printer

Accountant                                                     Travel Agent

Children’s coaches                                          Your Realtor

Financial planner                                             Family Doctor

Stock Broker                                                   Friend in MLM

Commodity Broker                                         Sells you clothes

Children’s teachers                                         Lawn person

Dentist                                                                        Pest control

Orthodontist                                                   Your electronic sales person

Barber                                                             Arts and crafts

Hairdresser                                                      People at the pool

Bank Teller                                                      Teammates

Someone who owes you money                     Office building

Dry Cleaner                                                     Play cards with

Gas station                                                      Your web designer

Convenience store                                           Butcher

Mechanic                                                         Grocer

Buy tires from                                                 Check out person at store

Pharmacist                                                       Local friendly police officer

College friends                                                Jeweler

High School friends                                        Florist

Childhood friends                                           Home alarm representative

Car Dealer                                                       Shoe repair

Church                                                                        Anyone currently trying to sell you anything

Scrapbooker                                                    Vendors from work

Furniture store                                                 Photographer

Pet Store                                                         Political associations

Favorite restaurant                                          Trade organizations

Bartender                                                        Golf Pro

Plumber                                                           Sporting goods store

Ski partner                                                       Climbing Partner

Waiter/Waitress/Host                                      Brother

Send cards to                                                  Sister

Club/Golf/Tennis/Spa                                     Your electrician

Your mail person                                             Your business coach

Fed Ex                                                                        Pre School Teacher

UPS                                                                 Yoga instructor

Landscaper                                                      Chiropractor               

Carpenter                                                       

Go to Movies with     

Lawyer

Insurance Agent

Auto Insurance Agent

HVAC repairman