Many business owners prefer to have total control over their product, so they utilize direct sales strategies to make sure they understand their customers’ wants and needs.
However, indirect sales, or the selling of products through an affiliate, referral program, or reseller, can hold its own benefits as well to boost any business.
Learn how these two methods of selling can benefit your company, so you know which path you want to take.
Indirect Sales for Those Lacking Direct Sales Strategies
If you’re a startup, small business, or a company with limited funding, then indirect sales may be an excellent option for you.
Why?
Because rather than having to hire staff to sell your product, put expenses in sales presentations, or having to manage a storefront, you can rely upon resellers or affiliates to get your product out there.
Indirect selling is a great option for business owners striving to make money and get into the market more cost-effectively. This would include online marketers and MLM companies where you can generate sales totally online without any face-to-face contact.
With indirect selling, you’ll need to have a framework in place before you can get started.
Here are some questions you’ll need to consider before going this route:
- How will you track sales?
- What will the commission structure be?
- How will the training be conducted?
- Who will run your affiliate or reseller program?
- How will you ensure individuals are representing your brand correctly?
- When and how will you make payments to resellers?
Related Content: How to Start a Direct Sales Business or Party Plan Company
Direct Sales Strategies for the Go-Getters
Business owners who want more control and who prefer to be more involved in the sales process should go with direct selling strategies.
Direct sales similar to the party plan business model may be time-consuming or costly, especially if you have a brick and mortar storefront. Instead, consider doing a direct mailing, or invest in email marketing, and run a website of your own. With these marketing strategies, you can control how your brand is presented, and you won’t have to worry about resellers not representing your brand correctly.
The benefits of direct sales are that you have control over how your product is presented to your customers. For business owners where brand awareness and a company mission are the highest goals, then direct sales are typically the wisest decision to go with. It doesn’t really matter which avenue a business owner chooses for selling so long as they have a basic awareness of their target market.
Conclusion
After all, direct sales mean nothing if you are pushing your products on the wrong demographic, and indirect sales go nowhere if you don’t choose an area/product market that works well with your goals.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you do your research, so you truly understand the best demographic for your market, and either sales strategy will work just fine to help your business thrive.
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