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Ten of the Most Popular Direct Sales Companies

Direct sales companies have been around for years.  Historically, a direct sales associate was expected to demonstrate their products at home parties.  What are the most popular direct sales companies today?  The following list gives companies to consider if you are curious about starting a direct sales business at home.

1.  Tupperware was created in 1945.  A year later Tupperware was born as a direct sales company.  They are credited with pioneering the party plan currently used in direct marketing.  There are approximately 1.9 million consultants in almost 100 countries.

2.  Avon began as the California Perfume Company in 1886.  By 1928 the company had changed its name to Avon.  Today, Avon is one of the best known direct sales companies in the world.  There are 4.9 million representatives selling products in 143 countries.

3.  Mary Kay Ash founded the Mary Kay Inc. in 1963, hoping to give women an opportunity to change their lives for the better.  There are approximately 1.6 million associates vying for the many company incentives.

4.  Discovery Toys Inc. has been developing and selling quality educational toys since 1978.  Their belief is that a child’s work is play.  Discovery Toys uses the party plan method and is currently available only in the United States and Canada.

5.  Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc. celebrates 50 years in 2008.  There are currently over 100,000 associates.  They use party plan and face-to-face meetings to market their products.

6.  Pampered Chef, one of the more recent additions to direct sales companies, was started in 1980.  There are currently over 60,000 Pampered Chef consultants around the world.  They use the party plan, or ìKitchen Showsî to market their products.

7.  Arbonne International uses person-to-person marketing rather than the party plan.  A relatively new company, Arbonne International was started in 1980.  They offer quality skin care products around the world.

8.  Usborne Books, which was started by Peter Usborne in 1973, offers quality children’s books to customers.  They use both the party plan and person-to-person marketing strategies.

9.  Creative Memories has been selling scrapbooking books and supplies since 1987.  They use the party plan marketing strategy and have ìtens of thousandsî of consultants around the world.

10.  Melaleuca, Inc. began selling ìgreenî products long before they were so popular.  Founded in 1985, the company sells personal, skin, and home care products containing tea tree oil.  They use person-to-person marketing and have consultants all over the world.  They are said to be the ìfastest growingî direct sales company in the United States.

These ten direct sales companies are but a few of the many companies to choose from. Do some research on any direct sales company that you might consider joining.  Know ahead of time what their compensation plan is, what type of marketing strategy they use, whether or not you can use online marketing, and if their corporate goals are compatible with yours.  After you have checked each company out thoroughly, you will be able to make an educated decision about which is the right one for you.

Check Online Sales Rules with Direct Sales Companies

Direct sales companies abound.  Look around and you’re likely to see someone advertising how you can lose weight or make money from home.  The opportunities all sound good, but how do you decide which one to buy into?  Determining the rules of any direct sales company, especially when it comes to selling online, is critical if you would like to make use of the internet to do your business.

It wasn’t that long ago that direct sales companies only had a website that explained their opportunity and how you could join their team.  That has changed dramatically within the last ten years.  Not all direct sales companies have the same rules when it comes to selling online.  In fact, some may not allow their associates to sell online at all.

Most direct sales transactions are completed person-to-person, face-to-face during a party or demonstration.  Some people don’t want to wait for a party to get what they want, however, and will often turn to the internet.  If the parent company has a website, the prospective customer will likely find what they want.  However, if they want to develop a relationship with the company, they may also choose to find a consultant.

How do you know what a direct sales company’s online sales rules are?  Of course, the easiest way to find out is to ask, but not all companies may be forthcoming with their information.  You may have to ask for additional information by signing up on their website, but be prepared to be approached and encouraged to ìsign on the dotted lineî.

If at all possible, refrain from joining any direct sales company until you’ve had ample time to thoroughly read over their materials.  Know ahead of time what their compensation plan is, how they help you succeed in a business, and also what online marketing you will be able to do.  What do you do if they won’t give you this information?  Thank them for the opportunity, but tell them you’re not interested and you’d rather not be contacted again.

If the company will allow you to have an internet presence, don’t settle for using just the website that they provide.  You can create a separate website, with your own domain, which will link to the main company page.  Having a personal website gives you much more freedom in meeting your prospects’ needs, as well as those of your team members.

Remember, if you’re looking into a direct sales company, don’t be afraid to ask questions - particularly about their rules for running your business online.  If you don’t get the response you would like, consider a different company.  You want to find one that will support your interests and success as much as their own.