Should Direct Sales Consultants Build An Online Presence?
During a recent conversation with a group of women who are in various Direct Sales companies, different opinions were given on the value of establishing an online presence. The majority felt that they did not need to do this as –
1) Each company they represented had a company website, which their prospects and customers could be referred to.
2) Most Direct Sales companies place limitations and restrictions on their consultants/distributors as to what they can and cannot do with their company names, logos, etc. so that it would be a breach of company policy to establish personal websites to promote the products and services they offer. Some persons also noted that most companies already allow consultants and distributors to have a company website with their own name. Note that this is usually a duplicate of the company website that's basically a static site that's updated by the company and which each consultant/distributor cannot personalize.
Are you in Direct Sales? Can you relate to the foregoing? I definitely can and had similar views to those expressed above until just over one year ago when I was introduced to another concept: Establishing an online presence is designed to promote ME, not the Direct Sales company I represent. It is essential to establish an online presence to promote YOU. This will allow people to get to know you, who you are, what sets you apart from all the other consultants or distributors who represent XYZ company. In this was you will also be helping people to develop the Know, Like and Trust factor, which is so critical to success in business in general, but especially in doing business on the Internet.
Yvonne, I love this blog post! It is certainly a key issue that effects a lot of people. I agree that MLN distributors should have an online presence of their own. They are the business and the company they represent is a tool they use to make money within their business.
Congratulations on joining the 30 day blog challenge. Your blog looks great, look forward to your progress!
xox
1HelenRappy
Hi Yvonne,
I can certainly relate – I have been involved with direct sales companies in the past.
2What is important is to brand yourself – teach people about the industry you work in, but don’t mention the company you represent if that’s a violation of their distributor agreement. Provide articles and other information to educate people about your industry and they will come to you for advice (the know, like and trust factor you mentioned).
For example, if I’m looking for information on a health-related product, I will ask the advice of people I know who are experts in that field. I will ask them for advice on specific products regardless of whether they are promoting that type of product on their web site, etc. I trust them, so I ask for their advice.
Brand yourself and build your followers – this keeps you in control of your own business.
Steve
Thank you, Helen and Steve for visiting and your comments.
Helen: I am so excited you stopped by because I know you’re doing great things. I look forward to visiting your website and reading your posts.
Steve: I love that comment about branding yourself and build your followers. It’s still a challenge for many people in direct sales to accept this, but like anything else…education is the key.
Yvonne
3Nice Website. You should think more about RSS Feeds as a traffic source. They bring me a nice bit of traffic.
4Thanks for visiting, Sherika. I smiled as I read your comment because the topic of my blog post for today is about RSS feeds. Actually, the RSS symbol is on my blog at the bottom of each post where it says, “Share and Enjoy” but my webmaster is going to move it up to make it more visible. Thanks again and have a great day!
5We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in our neighborhood. Your blog provided us with valuable information to help us get started|.You have done a great job!
6great post as usual!
7Thanks, Mark. Love to have you visit.
8Nice Blog. Keep up the good work!
9Thank you. I’ll keep working to make it better and better with useful info. 🙂 Have a great day!
10Really cool post. I do agree with almost everything you talked about, but not quite all of it. Let’s say I agree to disagree on a few points. Good stuff though.
11I’m so glad you left your comment, and please understand that I respect your opinion and your right to disagree with points that I make in my posts. In fact, that is what makes things interesting and we can learn from each other. Thanks for visiting.
Yvonne
12Good post, thanks
13Hey, this is my first comment on ur site. I’ve been reading it for a while in my RSS reader but haven’t commented before. 🙂 Anyways, thanks for the post.
14Hi Catherine, Thanks for subscribing to my posts in your RSS reader and I’s so glad you decided to leave a comment so I can personally thank you for being one of my valued readers. I appreciate you.
Yvonne
15Wow.. what a Good post to read this helped me lot in my future project.
16Thanks, Aleta. Glad it helped.
17Yvonne
Like this vey much ! Two thumbs up for you !
18WoW! Like your site very much, i will come here again and again 🙂
19Thanks, Marion, and I’m glad you like the post.
20Yvonne
Thanks, Herschel. I appreciate your comments and you’re always welcome to come back and visit again. Have a great day!
21Great info comes from the great writer .. I hope you like my compliment .. thanks for giving me great info 🙂
22I do appreciate the compliment, Ressie, and you’re very welcome. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance to you.
23Yvonne
Excellent Article! I personally really like your post. This is a great website. I will make sure that I stop back again!.
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