Direct Sales and Social Media Trends- Conversation versus Presentation!
By Jill Pfefer
After spending 4 days in Los Angeles at the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA) conference it was evident that there are new trends in the home party plan industry. In fact, direct selling in general has changed. People are looking for a conversation rather than a presentation.
I believe a lot of this has to do with technology and the new era of social media. People are spending a great deal of time on their computers and smart phones and are not conversing as much in person. Therefore it seems that when people communicate with technology they feel that they have to get straight to the point and offer their product as soon as possible before losing their audience. WRONG! So many times I see on Facebook , Twitter or 3rd party sites the deal of the month or why their product is the greatest product on earth. WRONG!
Social media is not “sales” media. Social media is about having a conversation and easing into a relationship with someone. This could be compared to dating. People who are too forward about their intentions are usually a turn off. Most people like to become friends before commiting to a serious relationship. The same is true when selling a product. Customers prefer to buy from people they like and trust. Engaging in a conversation is the best way to build upon a relationship and trust.
The trend today is about inviting people to learn about a topic or a product instead of convincing them to buy it. That’s why writing blogs, posting links and joining in the conversation are great ways to build your network. Wouldn’t you rather selling to an informed customer who really wants to buy your product rather than a customer who felt pressured to buy it?
What are some of your suggestions to starting a conversation and building relationships?
Tags: Business Development, Direct Sales, direct sales tips, direct selling, DSWA, Facebook, home based business, home-party, Networking, social media, social networking, Twitter
December 11th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
I like what I just read about the way direct sales are changing. my big reason for not doing it was because I felt even though my friends who are about my age in their 50′s were successful, I found that I felt like I was putting pressure on people. and I know they didn’t feel it, but I did, and I’ve to change that mindset of how I feel about selling, so that I can get through the sales part of, order it and then give it to them with smile and let them know I gave them a discount, I believe in discounts, even if you don’t charge sales tax or pay for shipping yourself. I get really teed when I attend parties and it takes the person forever to figure out how much it is with the tax and so forth, you’re already making a good amount on the sale, why try to get every penny you can, just loose a little bit yourself, you are still making good money. I like the looks of the Sydney Andrews jewelry, it has a new look, it isn’t sterling I can sick of that lol, and it’s original looking, which I like. Sydney Andrews is new, it is not even in my state, which impresses me, and the forthright and likeable person that is in charge of the company had a video that was sweet and to the point, she didn’t look too young nor too old, and it appealed to me, she seemed real. I certainly don’t know how to get potential clients from having a party, that is my problem. sometimes people need to have a party just to catch up with friends and relatives and if there have been bad feelings in the past, an invitation is the perfect time to go to your friends house and just get reaquainted, and making sure there is no pressure to buy something, after the look at this catalog from sydney andrews, they will find something, if not for work, or church, then a piece for everyday. unless you present this in a party form, many women I know who are single, never seem to buy jewelry for themselves. Thanks for listening