Category: Jobs and Employment
Hey people,
I'm trying to decide if it would be practical for me to get into direct sales in order to become more financially stable. I've made an inquiry to a sighted friend who's been doing it for many years and is extremely successful, but I wanted to get a blind person's perspective as well. Are there any obstacles for which I should prepare myself or any tips that will help me to succeed? I would appreciate any insight on this.
Thanks,
Becky
Hi, what kind of direct sales are you interested in. Most of the time, this involves lots of phone and traveling. Could you travel to deliver orders, fill out forms explain products with little or no sighted assistance? I had a blind friend try her hand at being a Mary Kay consultant. First, she did not have the assertiveness to make lots of sales. The point of a consultant is to look at a person and tell them what would look good. She could not do this, and it may have hurt her sales. Avon does not run as much of a pyramid scheme, though all the reps I've met still drive to deliver orders. Besides, would you have reliable transportation to pick up orders, be it cosmetics or otherwise? I've found that even sighted people often have a difficult time making ends meet in direct sales. my best friend attempted to be a Home Interiors saleswoman to little avail. I was probably one of her most loyal customers. Could you host a party, as many direct sales happen at these events? Do you have an oversaturated market of direct sales in your area? While it sounds like a good way to make money, even my Avon rep has a second job. Generally, I would not recommend this line of work as a major source of income for anyone, let alone a blind person. While most direct sales companies have websites, there is still a lot of work that might be difficult for a blind person to perform. Just my oppinion though.
Well, I'm doing a work at home job that is direct selling. it's not mary k or avon or anything like that. I wouldn't discourage you though because i'm giving it a shot myself. I say go for it.
my job is direct sales working for a company alled carico international we deal with home applyance products like water filters and air purifiers and such. My job requires me to go to people's houses but because of my area its very easy to go to my appoiments and than god for gps. Just make sure that you have all your material ready and that you learn the presentation from head to tow. I wish you good luck and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Thanks everyone.
Well, assertiveness will definitely not be a problem, as anyone who knows me well could tel you. lol. I don't, though, have a feasible way to store or transport inventory at the moment, but I know of some jobs I could get involved in that would not require inventory but are strictly online. I'll definitely be looking into it further once I get some other things sorted out, and I'll let you all know how it turns out. I'm sure others could benefit as well.
Namaste,
Becky
Hi Becky,
Talk to your friend that you said was extremely successful. Apparently, they've figured it out and can give you some good tips. Always think of the way you can do something rather than the obstacles that may stand in your way and go for it!
One thing you might want to look into that's completely free to join, is an internet sales company called Tmi wireless. They carry cel phones and plans with all your major carriers, as well as packages with other companies such as Dish network, and you make a sale whenever someone buys and activates equipment through them.
If you're creative with ad writing and know of some sites to advertize on that will attract people to your site that they give you when you sign up, you can make a decent amount of income from them. If you want to learn more, you can check out:
http://www.tmiwireless.com/affiliate/?aid=43270
Hey, I will only say this about sales. It takes a special kind of person for the job. Also if you have to pay money to join there company then I would not do that as there are a lot of scams. Good luck to you.
With Tmi Wireless, you don't have to pay anything, and they also offer a lot of free and discounted phones with free shipping. One of the neat things you can do also, which they incourage people to do, is if you wanted to purchase new service through them, you can do that after signing up with them and when you activate your phone through the carrier you sign up with, and get payed $50 for example if you purchased a cel phone through them and get that activated.
I am currently an Independent Consultant for Scentsy Wickless Candles, a direct sales and party plan company. The only reason I do it is because I am so completely in love with the product. I honestly believe that my blindness has really hampered my success. The number 1 difficulty is transportation. Also, being able to read people's expressions, or catch someone's eye to start a conversation without being completely awkward would make the networking aspect much easier. I have developed a customer base though and usually make about $100 per month.
Oh yeah, here's my shameless plug. Scentsy candles are the safest candles in the world since they don't use flames. They heat wax in decorative warmers using low wattage lightbulbs. The wax only heats to 99 degress. You can visit my website shellyondich.scentsy.us for more info or send me a pm here with your email address and I'll send you a text version of the catalogue with additional descriptions.