How to Become a Direct Sales Agent (Detailed Guide)

Do you want to create a career path as a direct sales agent? If yes, keep reading. In this post, we will tell you all you need to know about not just becoming a direct sales agent, but being a successful one.

Pin image of direct sales agent

There are many opportunities open to a direct sales agent and this has made the career to be one of the fastest-growing careers in the world. Direct sales jobs often range from selling insurance plans, beauty and jewelry products, kitchenware, household items and a wide range of other products.

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But, first who is a direct sales agent and how can you become one?

Let’s find out!

Who Is A Direct Sales Agent?

These are independent sales agents that help a company to distribute its products and services. This is often done through the sales agent’s network, that is, they relate directly with the customer.

So, talking about building your network – you could start with friends and family. However, your marketing strategies and other creativities would determine how successful your business will eventually become.

Direct sales agents are paid commissions after closing sales. As a direct sales agent, you are free to create and manage your working hours (making it flexible). You could also create an online platform for making sales or decide to employ the one-on-one selling technique.

Other duties and responsibilities that might be required of a direct sales agent include but are not limited to the following;

  • Meet daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly sales quotas
  • Organize sales shows where the company’s products and services can be presented to the consumer
  • Do product display to the customer
  • Create sales proposals for potential customers
  • Get in touch with leads and book an appointment where the company’s products can be presented

How To Become A Direct Sales Agent

If you want to become a direct sales agent, one of the things to find out is the right academic qualification needed. It was discovered that most of the direct sales agents have Bachelor’s Degrees or Associate Degrees. Surprisingly, even those with High School Diplomas and Master’s Degrees were also on the list of direct sales agents. This shows that anybody can actually be a direct sales agent irrespective of academic qualifications.

Therefore, the following are direct sales agent majors;

  • Business Administration
  • Marketing
  • Psychology
  • Management Sciences
  • Accounting
  • Financial Studies
  • English Language
  • Public Relations

Also, if you have previous experience as a customer service executive, sales associate, or even a cashier – you’ll have an edge utilizing these skills as a direct sales agent.

Other things that will help you succeed include;

  • Persistence
  • Know where to find your target market
  • Tailor your products and services for your target market
  • Make appointments and plan proper follow-up on potential clients
  • Be resolute and never quit hurriedly.

What To Consider Before Becoming A Direct Sales Agent

There is no limit to how much you can achieve as a direct sales agent. However, the following factors when properly executed will make you stand out as a success in your sales career.

Product Identification:

There are several products and services offered by direct sales companies from which you could begin your journey. These products cut across health and fitness, home and kitchen wares, beauty and fashion, and many other categories.

So, it is advisable to go for products you have previously used, enjoy using, or are familiar with. Therefore, once you have a strong conviction about a product – it becomes easier to convince potential customers of the product.

Research About The Company:

After identifying the product or service to sell, the next thing is now to pick a company that sells these products. You can visit the company’s website to get more insight into the product. Also, you could visit other direct sales agents for first-hand information on what is going on in the company.

With the right products/services, and the right company – your success is guaranteed as a direct sales agent.

It is important to read everything available about the company. This information can be knowing how long the company has been in business, the number of distributors on board, their average earnings, and the rate at which direct sales agents leave the business.

Besides, you must go through the company’s product booklet, the financial record of the business, the company’s procedures and policies, and any form of agreement (if there is any).

Besides, it is important also to check with the local Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Protection Agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – this will help you have firsthand information about what people are saying about the business

Cost Implications:

This is one of the important factors to consider as an intending direct sales agent. The cost of signing-up should not be too high (around $100 is the average) and it will include some products, sales kits with company information, and some other training materials.

Beware of companies that request huge sign-up fees or big inventories

Read Through The Compensation Package:

This is also important because you are in direct selling to earn some bucks. So, you should choose a company with a robust compensation plan. However, the compensation rate differs from one company to another – so, you might have to compare and contrast. Check out the compensation rates of these Direct Sales Companies.

Expected Average Salary Of A Direct Sales Agent

The expected average yearly salary of a direct sales agent in the United States of America is $48,000 ($4,000 monthly) – this stipend could also be called commission where you could earn up to $24,000 monthly. It is also important to know that these salaries differ from one industry to another.

So, businesses under finance, manufacturing, and insurance offer the highest payout of between $54,001 – $68,000. However, the hospitality industry offers the least payment of about $34,082

Skills Needed By A Direct Sales Agent

Photo of a direct sales agent pitching to potential customer

The following are some of the important skills that will make a direct sales agent achieve great success. Check out the skills below;

  • Customer service
  • Sales process
  • Communication skills
  • Underwriting guidelines
  • Knowledge of CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
  • Networking skills
  • Charisma and good negotiation skills
  • Good memory for the retention of important information
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • A strong consultative skill
  • Effective track record of meeting targets

Check out other direct selling skills needed by a direct sales agent.

Direct Sales Agent Trading Tools

The following are the most common tools needed daily by direct sales agents. Check them out;

  • Samples of products
  • Business cards
  • Sales merchandise like notepads, pens, and other important supplies

Duties Of A Direct Sales Agent

As a direct sales agent, you directly represent the business which you work for. So, the following are some of the duties that will be required from a sales agent;

  • Meet sales targets and goals
  • Create sales proposals and write sales reports
  • Organize and attend trade shows
  • Ability to answer questions from potential customers

Also, check out the 3 types of direct selling techniques.

Top Employers Of Direct Sales Agent

The following are the top 5 employers of direct sales agents with the highest payout, check them out;

CompanyExpected Annual Income ($)
Scentsy63,169
Kirby 61,766
Anthem 60,097
Avon Products60,024
Progressive58,099

Also, check out the  Top 10 direct sales companies.

Frequently Asked Questions On Direct Sales Agent

  1. Is Direct Sales Agent A Good Job?

Yes, it is, though it comes with pressure as your earning or commission is based on how many sales you make. But if you are creative and good at what you do – rest assured that you will record great success

  1. What Are The Qualities Of A Direct Sales Agent?

A direct sales agent must have a strong belief in the product, vision, goals of what you want to achieve, good presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.

  1. What Does A Direct Sales Agent Do?

So, the job of a direct sales agent includes but is not limited to the following;

  • Make appointments with potential customers
  • Follow-up on sales leads
  • Answer questions and manage transactions
  • Close up on sales and deals
  1. Is Direct Selling A Pyramid Scheme?

No, it’s not. According to the Direct Selling Association, MLMs (multi-level marketing; a form of direct selling) are not pyramid schemes because they have over 300 members that have been carefully screened.

  1. Is Direct Sales A Good Career?

Yes, it is a good career to build because it gives you the privilege of creating your working hours (either full-time or part-time) – and that makes you an entrepreneur

Final Thoughts

There you have it, everything that is needed to be known as a direct sales agent – from what it stands for, to the factors to consider before becoming a direct sales agent, to knowing how to become one, the skills, expected salary, trading tools, and the top employers of direct sales agents.

Hope you got value? If you have additional questions, feel free to ask in the comment section. 

Also, check out these direct sales companies free to join  and these new direct sales companies to start up with.

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