Direct selling involves selling products without using retail or other methods. Direct sales reps find and follow up on leads, qualify potential customers, and use sales techniques to sell products. They may also deliver products. Direct selling companies send reps to meet people in their homes or places of business. Reps have a distinct territory and use various techniques to find new customers. Sales can take place one-on-one or through a party plan method.
Direct selling is one way a business can offer its products to the consumer without using retail or other methods. A direct sales rep is the person who actually sells the products. Its functions can vary somewhat between companies, although they typically include finding and following up on leads, qualifying potential customers, and using a number of different sales techniques to get people to buy certain products. In some cases, these representatives may also be responsible for delivering products to consumers, although this is often done via mail or shipping companies.
Many businesses that employ direct sales reps do so to the exclusion of other channels, such as retail. These companies are often known as direct selling companies due to the unique way they operate. Instead of sending products to retail stores or inviting potential customers to come to the place of business, representatives are sent to meet people in their homes or places of business. This can focus great attention on these representatives, as they may be responsible for everything from initial customer contacts to product sales and maintaining long-term customer relationships.
How a direct sales rep operates on a day-to-day basis can vary between companies, although each salesperson will often have a distinct territory. Within this geographic area, he can attempt to locate potential customers. Various techniques can be used to find new customers, including cold calling, sending calls, and customer referrals. In some cases, cables generated from the looms employed by the company may also be provided to the representative.
The actual sales can take place one at a time or through a method known as a party plan. One-on-one sales typically involve the direct sales rep making the initial contact, qualifying the lead over the phone, and then setting up an appointment. The representative can then meet the prospect wherever it is convenient to show or demonstrate the available products.
The party plan method typically involves selling to a large number of people at once. This method usually begins with the sales rep approaching a friend, acquaintance, or business contact about hosting a party. Such a social event can then be used to demonstrate available products to a large group of people, potentially generating sales or new business leads. In some cases, the direct sales representative may have items in stock for immediate sale, although orders are often placed to ship the products.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
