In The Beginning...

Okay, I admit it. I have been bitten by the direct sales bug. I know I'm not alone. But really, is any body making money with these things? Or are we all a bunch of pretenders who are really just doing the "fake it 'til you make it" routine.

I don't claim to be an expert on direct sales or homebased businesses, but here is what I've figured out in almost 5 years and representing a half-dozen different companies.

If someone says you don't have to sell anything, they're wrong. We all sell -- whether it's product or opportunity, you've gotta convince someone to either buy your stuff, become a "wholesale" buyer or join your team. Product has to leave the warehouse for the business owner/investors to make money. No sell. No money - for anybody involved.

Nothing 'sells itself.' If you don't open your mouth and tell other people you're in business you get nothing. Or darn near next to nothing. Whether you do it word of mouth or all online, doesn't matter. You gotta put yourself out there.

Another thing -- guess what, it's pretty much part-time pay for part-time work. Not the other way around. I am so sick of hearing full-time pay for part-time work. Yes, you can have tremendous flexibility, but you still gotta work.

You can't sell from an empty wagon. Argh. Well, maybe you need something in your wagon (picture a child's radio flyer) but you don't need to stock an entire warehouse (or spare room) filled with thousands of dollars of products. Most products have a shelf-life or a season and the more you buy, the more you'll be dumping on Ebay or selling at a yard sale. Quit ordering to make your goals. You haven't really achieved them if you cheated to get there.

Which leads me to being honest with yourself and others. I'm not suggesting that if business sucks you answer the question "How's business?" with "It sucks." But bold-face lying is just that. LYING. If you're really working hard, then just say "I'm working hard."

The only way to fail is to quit. Um, not entirely. I mean, it's true - if you don't work at all, or if you make a minimal effort ... or if you hide behind all the other to-do's in your life and don't work your business, yes - you will probably not fair too well. But quitting doesn't necessarily equal failure. Sometimes a company or product just isn't your thing, even if other people are having tremendous success. I currently sell gourmet food mixes because, guess what? I like to eat. So do a lot of other people I know. If you run with a bunch of health nuts, it's probably not the business for you.

Lower your expectations. Gasp. Did I say that? Yes. Don't expect to make thousands of dollars your first five minutes in business. Has anyone else done it. Supposedly. Possibly. But in reality, it probably won't be you. Yes, I know -- I just need to BEELIEVE. Good luck with that. So, when someone says you've GOT to make that 1,000 order, like RIGHT now if you have any prayer of getting off on the right foot. Well, do it at your own risk - that's all I'm saying.

While I don't suggest spending gobs of money to get started, I do warn against signing up for every single FREE business you see advertised. Be prepared to make a minimal investment. Pick something and commit to it. Nothing is really free. Ever.

Did I mention, I'm not an expert. Just some observations. Ultimately, do what works for you.