If you’re looking to join a direct sales company it’s a good idea to interview more than one sponsor before deciding with whom to sign. There are many factors to consider. I’ve heard some interesting comments with regard to signing with a seasoned consultant.
While I fully agree that you need to mesh with whomever you agree to have as a sponsor, I’m still somewhat baffled why someone would choose to go with a new consultant versus a veteran one.
I’ve heard the argument “how can new people ever build a team if people don’t sign with them because they’re new?” I get that if your warm market wants to come along on your new journey with you you can all learn the business together from your upline. Your warm market (friends, family, acquaintances) will support you and won’t expect you to know the answers.
But why would a new person want to start actively recruiting others before she herself has had an opportunity to learn the business? And more importantly why would a potential recruit who is interested in starting a direct sales business want to have a sponsor who is also new?
Consider a hair stylist. Would you want to have your locks cut and colored by someone fresh out of beauty school or someone who has been working on hair for years? What about a doctor? Do you want an experienced doctor or a med student? Do you want your student getting the bulk of his/her education from a student teacher or from a teacher with tenure?
I contend that new direct sales consultants should focus initially on sales and on learning the ins and outs of the business. Be selfish and soak up everything there is to know about the compensation plan, the policies and procedures and become an expert on your product line. Then the recruits come as a result of your working your own business and then you’ll be well positioned to build a strong team.
When you are new and share your new business with others, it is true that sometimes others will flock to you and “want in”. By all means if recruits come to you, sign them, just be sure to disclose that you are also new and still learning the ropes. Don’t mislead people with your experience.
I actually had someone tell me that they would not sign with a Director because “she’ll be very demanding and expect you to report in your progress and attend meetings and, and, and…”. Well that is certainly a misnomer. I mean some Directors might roll that way; but surely not all. And if that style isn’t your cup of tea, that’s an area that could be discussed while you’re interviewing potential sponsors. But I definitely would not intentionally stay away from signing with a Director simply because you envision boot camp and a drill sergeant.
Lastly, if a newer consultant promises you the world if you sign with him/her, consider the offer carefully. If he/she offers you freebies such as a website, more product than comes in the starter kit or exclusive coaching, a red flag should go up. Any direct sales company should have a complete starter kit. If you truly think that you’re going to need extras right away, more so than what is included in your company kit, then perhaps it’s not the right opportunity for you.
Also, if your starter kit does appear to have everything you need to get started, why is the new consultant giving away his/her profit and time to leer you onto her team? Does this person appear desperate? Or lack sound business practices? Will you also be expected to give away freebies that come out of your own pocket to recruit people?
Lastly, if it appears that the new consultant you are considering joining with has some unique skill set that he will teach you, also look at the knowledge, skills and experience with that direct sales company. Someone can be a whiz at closing the deal or at Internet marketing, but if she doesn’t quite yet grasp the compensation or policies of the company, how beneficial really is the offer of the less experienced consultant?
Now before all the new consultants spam me with nastygrams about how I was once new too, yada yada yada, please don’t miss my main points which are:
1. If you are a new consultant, please learn your own business well before actively recruiting others, whom you are responsible to train and mentor and
2. If you are considering a direct sales opportunity and are serious about running your business like a business, then wouldn’t you want to learn from the person who has the greatest knowledge, skills and abilities with that particular company and industry?
Do your due diligence with both which company and which sponsor and you’ll be off to an exciting career in direct sales.
About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping others start and maintain a candle business. You can find Laurie at http://la.Scentsy.us or http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com
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