Income & Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Not only does direct selling provide many exciting career opportunities within a corporate environment, direct selling has also enjoyed exponential growth globally through offering low-cost micro business and flexible income generating opportunities to millions of people.
The cost for an individual to become an entrepreneur by starting a direct selling business as a Direct Seller is typically very low. Usually, a modestly priced sales kit is all that is required for a Direct Seller to get started, and there is little or no required inventory or other cash commitments.
Direct Selling opportunities are open to men and women across all age groups and there are no required levels of education, experience, financial resources or physical condition. People from all backgrounds have succeeded in direct selling.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Millions of people in South Africa and abroad find that direct selling fits their unique lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a part-time opportunity to earn supplementary income or if you think direct selling might be a good career choice for you, finding the right opportunity is important. Here’s a quick guide to getting started:
Identify a company and product range that appeals to you.
Many direct sellers are customers of the company prior to joining the company as a direct seller, so deciding on a company and product range is then easier as you would already be familiar with them. If you are new to direct selling, a good place to start is the Member Directory to view the member companies of the DSA and click on the link to their websites almost certainly a company selling a line of products that’s just right for you. All DSA member companies have pledged to abide by and uphold the DSA’s Code of Conduct which is designed to protect both consumers and direct sellers who sell the company’s products. If the company you are considering is not a member of the DSA, be more vigilant with your review of the company.
Take your time deciding.
There’s no rush to get started – a great opportunity will not disappear overnight. So, relax and make sure your decision is the right one. Don’t think short-term, think long-term. Be sure you make your decision based on your personal goals and objectives, and what you want to achieve. If you know anyone who works, or has worked, as a direct seller for the company, talk to them about his or her experiences, especially if they have similar goals and objectives to yours as it will make for a better comparison.
Ask questions…
About the company, its leadership, the products or services, start-up fees (usually the cost of a sales kit and a small administrative fee), realistic costs of doing business, average earnings of direct sellers, return policies, and anything else you’re concerned about. Be sure to ask as many questions as you need to get a good feel for the company, its products and its policies and procedures. If the person recruiting you can’t answer all of your questions, then call the company directly.
Get copies of all company literature.
Then read through it all! Be sure to be aware of all requirements before signing on the dotted line.
Consult with others who have had experiences with the company and its products.
Verify the products or services are actually being sold to consumers.
Investigate and verify all information.
Do not assume that ‘official looking’ documents are accurate or complete or even produced by the company, as opposed to the person trying to recruit you. If anything seems questionable, then contact the company directly to check it out.
Contact the DSA at E-mail address admin@dsasa.co.za to check if the company is a member of the DSA.
Have fun!
Direct selling is a source of income, personal satisfaction, personal growth and perhaps most importantly – it can be great fun!