Member Article

Direct Selling - Thinking outside the box

Paula Gorry, Business Development Manager, Stampin’ Up! UK explains why direct selling is proving popular with mums and offers some top tips to make your direct sales business a success.

Recent statistics show just 58 per cent of mums whose youngest child is between three and five go to work, compared to Europe’s 64 per cent average.[1]

Faced with soaring childcare costs, it is easy to understand why many mums feel they are being priced out of returning to work. Parents are now looking to other options, outside of the standard 9-5, to boost their income. One alternative that’s proving particularly popular is direct selling.

Direct selling can be defined as goods sold directly to consumers outside a fixed retail environment, like a shop. Therefore, as a business model it offers complete flexibility for the seller. Direct sellers are able to expand their business as much or as little as they want, helping them to balance their work with other commitments such as family life. In recent years direct selling has enjoyed formidable growth. There are currently over 400,000 direct sellers in the UK, a rise of 20,000 people since 2009.[2] Moreover, the industry generates £2bn worth of sales annually in the UK.[3]

Since direct selling is scalable (i.e. you can do as much or as little as you like) what you get out of it depends on how much you put in. Here are a few steps to make sure you’re getting the most out of your direct selling business:

Product Passion

Enthusiasm will always drive the selling process – making it much more fun to continue expanding the business, so it’s essential you’re passionate about your product. Look for something you believe in – it will make selling easier and your business more successful!

Networking is key

After selecting a product you are passionate about, the next step is to build and consolidate your network. Think about who your product will appeal to. Whether it’s family, friends, neighbours or colleagues, each of those in turn will have a family, friend or neighbour who might be interested in your product. By following this process your list will quickly grow in a short space of time.

Explore sales channels

Once you have established a firm network of contacts, look to build on it by utilising all available sales channels. Undoubtedly the social aspect of the direct selling business model is an important element of its continued growth. Whether hosting a party for friends, or greeting other mums on the school run, direct selling is a great way to meet new people. At the heart of any successful direct selling business is engagement with other people and it’s this social aspect of the industry which is cherished by many.

But don’t forget that online platforms such as Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook will help you spread the word further afield. Video formats such as YouTube enable you to build your profile and interact with your audience.

Set goals

If the direct sales format appeals to you, it is essential that you set yourself tangible working goals. The amount of money you earn through direct selling depends on how much time and effort you want to invest into your business, and if you’re aiming for a specific goal you may want to increase your hours. The beauty of direct selling is that you will see first-hand the benefits of the work you put in.

For mums seeking a balance between work aspirations and family obligations there are available options. Direct selling is a very achievable way to enhance household income while balancing family commitments. By finding a product they believe in and building a business of their own, many parents are discovering how rewarding this approach can be.

www.stampinup.co.uk

[1] Mirror, ‘Labour care boost would get 570,000 mums in jobs’, http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/labour-care-boost-would-570000-3150355, February 15 2014

[2] Your Money, ‘What’s hot in the direct selling world?’ http://www.yourmoney.com/your-money/news/2279552/whats-hot-in-the-direct-selling-world, 16 July 2013

[3] Independent, ‘Unemployed and over-50s grab financial lifeline offered by direct selling’, http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/unemployed-and-over50s-grab-financial-lifeline-offered-by-direct-selling-2314894.html, 17 July 2011

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paula Gorry .