Think selling candles, kitchenware, spices and purses is women’s work?  Think again! Certainly women make up the brunt of direct sellers but it’s definitely not gender exclusive.  Many men in direct sales are earning a decent supplemental (or more) income.

Men, hear me out.  Before you stop reading, proclaiming, “I’m not peddling any sissy girlie stuff”, consider why it’s such a viable option for those with higher testosterone levels.

1. It Fits Into Your Schedule

You’re already putting in 40+ hours at the office or on the site. You work hard to support your family. Leaving one full time job to go work a second part time job is one of the last things you want to do; but you do what you gotta do, right?  With direct sales you work the business when it’s convenient to you.  If your regular gig keeps you on the road commuting to and from work or in between appointments, that’s an opportune time to work in phone calls and make contacts.  Instead of playing Mafia Wars at night, just do a little Internet Marketing and let your online community know what you’re offering.  Doesn’t that sound better than 14+ hour days working a second job?

2. Let’s Face It, Men Aren’t Natural Gift Givers

Birthday, Anniversary, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Sweetest Day (3rd Sat. in October, BTW) – you pick.  Many men dread the idea of having to pick out something special for their lady. Most Direct Sales product offerings will make excellent gifts for women. As much as we women would love it if the men in our lives were as great of gift givers as we are, genetics simply doesn’t allow that to be the case a majority of the time.

Men are more comfortable buying a gift for wife, girlfriend, mom or sister from another man. Guys, wouldn’t you rather say to your buddy or coworker, “Hey Bob, I’m in the doghouse with Sandy. Can you hook me with a gift to get me off the hot seat?”  Rather than wander around aimlessly trying to find something in a store?  That will likely fuel the fire anyway instead of make things better. Male direct sellers can fill in the gap.

Also, there’s no law prohibiting men from enjoying facial cleansers, gadgets, nutritional supplements or candles. Many men do, just some are in the closet about it. Another man endorsing that their office, den, house or apartment can smell great or that they have a kitchen utensil that can make Sunday Taco night even more delicious – and it’s nothing to be ashamed of, can be another great selling point to the untapped customer base.

3. And Then There Are The Ladies

Would it really be so bad if you were referred to as the Wax Man or the Purse Guy? There are plenty of women out there who like all the products that direct sales has to offer. The women you come in contact with every day will be an easy sell.  Consider all the women you encounter each day – if not at work, think of your wife, sister, girlfriend, mom and then all of their friends.  There is no shortage of potential customers. When women encounter a male direct sales representative, she’ll be thinking, “There’s something to be said if he’s getting behind this company. I better check out what he has.”

Contrary to the fact that women in direct sales are the majority, if you put two people in a room, both with samples of some direct sales company to hand out, one a man and one a woman, it’s almost guaranteed that the man will get more attention.  Your male gender is one thing that sets you apart from a plethora of other independent sales consultants. Further, many of the current male distributors have a proven track record of success.  Generally speaking, y’all tend to have thicker skin than we do and plow through the inevitable sales rejection easier.

Men, if you’ve never seriously considered working with a direct sales company, I highly encourage you to give the industry a look. It’ll provide you the freedom to continue to work your regular job or to give you something to do if you’re retired or unemployed. Your direct sales income can fund private schooling, uninsured medical expenses, home improvement, college tuition, wedding expenses, your boat and aging parent(s) that may be staring you in the face.

For more information about becoming a direct seller, you may research many different opportunities at the Direct Selling Association.

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