Okay, this is the first PLR I'm submitting. I'm sure the format will change to make it easier to identify what is the PLR content and what is me just blabbing as time goes on.

Quick note. This is basic PLR for you to use for e-mails, mailers, content for your blog, whatever.. With all PLR there may be versions of this in use. To make Google happy, you should use this as a basis for your content and rewrite areas to fit your voice and your audience.

The original cost of this article was $9.00, let's get that upvote for this to help save my wallet! It is 5 articles with about 2700 total words.

I love @cheetah .. So take note that this may get the cheetah reply if any person that bought this didn't re-write it as they should.

PLR Starts Now

Stepping Out of Your Business Comfort Zone

Who Said You Need to Have All the Answers?

Remember in school when you were afraid the teacher would call on you for the one question you didn’t know the answer to? A question would be posed and you’d look down at your desk and frantically pray, “No, no, no, please don’t call on me. Not for this one. Please no, not me.” It can be traumatizing to some kids, if they live in fear they’ll look stupid in front of their peers.

Some adults still live with that same fear. Direct selling party plan consultants are particularly vulnerable. What if someone asks you a question for which you don't have the answer?

Here's the thing, though: Who said, or where did you read that you need to have all the answers? Even if you're a sponsor, team leader, Manager or Director, what is the worst that would happen if you uttered the words, "I’m not sure, but I will find out and get back to you?”

We’re mostly all adults in this business, at least according to our driver’s license we’re at least the age of majority in our states. Yet some consultants confuse being an independent business owner with being in sixth grade. No one is going to laugh and point and call you mean names if you don’t know the answer to something. Rather, it will likely make you look more human and approachable when others see that it’s ok if you don’t have all the answers.

Starting a new business can be scary. There is a lot to learn. But it’s not nuclear science and the good thing about direct sales, is that there are no real emergencies. Meaning it’s not life and death and there is nothing so important an immediate answer is necessary. “I don’t know but I will find out” is a very good response. It shows your willingness to learn and to provide an accurate and timely response to the customer or down-line member.

Consultants who are too afraid to take risks will not go very far in this business. Risks don’t need to be massive with extensive consequences. They could be as simple as stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a chance that you will be okay if someone asks you a question to which you do not immediately know the answer.

Interestingly, some consultants are perfectly fine telling their customers or team members that they don’t know the answer to something, but at all costs will avoid being in this situation with their peers. Some leaders who are very comfortable around most people will do everything within their power to not meet with fellow managers or directors for fear of not knowing something. That is just crazy because fellow peers don’t have any direct influence or impact on your business, so who cares if you know or don’t know something about these folks?

It sounds silly when you say it out loud, doesn’t it? I’d rather not put myself out there, talking with people because I might not know the answer to something and I don’t want to look stupid. If you are paralyzed with this feeling of not knowing an answer to something, consider what advice you might give your child if she came home and told you she wasn’t doing very well in school because she didn’t want to raise her hand to answer a question. She was too afraid she might get the answer wrong. Whatever advice you’d give your child on this subject, give it to yourself too. Then watch your business grow.

Never Show Your Desperation - Even if You Are

There is a fine line between being assertive and being aggressive, between being proactive and being obnoxious. Okay maybe not such a fine line with being obnoxious – most of us can recognize that behavior.

What some direct sales consultants have a hard time discerning is when their behavior makes them look desperate. Yet the rest of their audience can clearly see the desperation in their words or actions. Perhaps you may recognize some of these examples:

1. PMing you! This is most often found on public forums. Some unsuspecting potential recruit will post a question. Instead of merely answering the question, some hot footed desperate consultants promptly respond with “PMing you!” This stands for I am sending you a private message. Or another way to put it is “I called it first! Don’t anyone else try to recruit this person because I am the first person to announce that I’m PMing her. Mine. Mine. Mine.”

2. Facebook status: I need a job! Please order some [Your Company] from me. True story. That is an actual status update that I have seen from more than one direct selling consultant. Ok, if you’re a consultant, don’t you already have a job? And if you’re putting out a mercy plea for orders, is that the message you really want to send about the products and company you represent?

3. Can I ask a favor? I only need xyz (sales or recruits) to qualify for a trip I’m trying to earn. Announcing that you are desperate is a sure way to determine why this plea makes one look desperate.

4. Pounce! (1) While attending a craft show, you’re attacked by one of the vendors. There is one cosmetic company that tends to have a reputation of being (ah-hem) as they call it, “assertive”. What this really means is one of the sales ladies will stealthily jump out from behind the table and slap some lotion or potion on your face promptly announcing that this will help with your wrinkles. You don’t even have an opportunity to refuse the assault because it all happens so quickly.

5. Pounce! (2) Not quite as aggressive as the physical product assault, but equally as desperate. While minding your business, perusing the vendor booths, you’re greeted with, “Hi, sign up for our drawing. Do you want to book a party? We’re hiring. Have you considered starting your own business?” This was all spewed within a 10 second time frame, without so much a breath between sentences. Not desperate, are you?

These examples seem almost too bizarre to be true, but you might be surprised. These are bona fide actual examples that have been used more than once by more than one direct seller. If they seem so obviously desperate, why are some still using these tactics? Do yourself and your business a favor and work on your confidence - you'll get a lot further than by showing off your desperation.

Help for Shy Direct Sellers

Do you think you're too shy or introverted to be successful in direct sales? Does the thought of approaching strangers to talk up your product line give you a sick feeling in your stomach? Will you avoid asking for referrals simply because it feels too uncomfortable for you? Don't automatically dismiss a profitable direct sales career just because you get a little nervous about making phone calls to strangers - most everyone experiences this kind of fear at one time or another, and just about everyone can overcome it.

First, it’s important to look at the fear of public speaking. It is absolutely the number one most common fear. Public speaking could mean speaking in front of an audience of 500 people or it could mean speaking one on one to a stranger. Three out of every four individuals suffer from speech anxiety: that's seventy five percent. Given this alarming statistic, shy direct sellers are the norm, not the exception - and if they can overcome it, so can you.

The reality is, most people on your team, including upline and downline have or have had a fear of speaking in front of people. Sure, some make it look so easy and natural. They are either faking it quite well, have become more comfortable over time, or are in the minority twenty five percent of the population who enjoy public speaking. Knowing this, there is no reason to feel inferior or intimidated if you fall in the 75%. Aren’t you feeling better already?

For some consultants, the hardest part of running a direct selling business is opening their mouth to talk with strangers. They are comfortable talking with family, friends and those they have had an opportunity to get to know. But potential customers, recruits or new team members scare the pants off of them. The more opportunity you have to speak with people you don’t know, the easier it becomes. That said - a good many people simply will never be comfortable with public speaking, no matter how much practice they get.

Honestly, if you are so paralyzed with fear that you can never force yourself to utter some words about your business to strangers, then perhaps direct sales is not for you. You don’t have to be overly chatty, but you do need to introduce your products if you want to sell them. If you are willing to give it a shot, and you really do want this to work and are willing to step out of your comfort zone, here’s a tip to get you started.

The next time you come in contact with a cashier, receptionist or waitress, take a deep breath, then say to this person, “If you know anyone who likes [candles, jewelry, cooking, etc.], could you please pass this along?” Then hand that person a business card, sample, or catalog.

That’s it. It’s that simple. You’ll realize it wasn’t so bad and that you didn’t throw up or pass out. Now try it again, and again, and again. It’ll either get easier and at some point you’ll find yourself engaging in conversations with strangers. Or, this might be as good as it gets, but you’re still sharing your business with others.

Give it a try, you just may find yourself with new customers and recruits as a result.

Should You Sign Up With a Company Because You Absolutely Love the Products?

Whether you’re considering starting a business as an independent consultant or if you already have a business but are entertaining switching to a different or additional company, read on.

There are so many options available if you want to be part of the direct selling industry. There is no shortage of product lines and of companies whose primary product line is similar to other companies. You certainly have your choice of which company to represent. In your decision process you should consider the company’s compensation plan, policies and procedures and whether or not the products are consumables – making it likely customers will reorder.

What about particular products? Should you sign up with a company just because you love the products? While liking the product line can help you be a more enthusiastic sales person, there's a few other things you should consider.

Clearly you should at least like the products. If you don’t have any interest in what you are selling it will show; and could present some real challenges in your business. If you don’t wear jewelry and it’s not something that interests you, how well do you think you could represent a jewelry company? Yet the question remains: do you need to be full-on, passionate about the products? Some will say emphatically, Yes!

Others will disagree that being passionate about the company’s products is a necessity for success.

Let's take a look at an example to help you understand why passion might not be the best indicator of potential business success.

Company A has a product line that you absolutely love. You want one of everything in the catalog, and have already started amassing quite a collection. After you reviewed their compensation plan you see that earning more than 25% is virtually impossible. It’s a ground floor opportunity, and while customers won’t need any refill on a regular basis, they certainly could come back to give the products as a gift. But the products are to die for - and you just love them!

Company B has some cute, unique products. You’re hardly passionate about the items, but you can think of some target markets that would benefit from the product line. This company pays their consultants almost 50% commission, in addition to extra percentages available. The primary product line is something customers would replace frequently. They’ve been in business for about six years, have a proven track record of growth in both sales and recruits. You read about them in the Direct Selling news and know they’ve won a number of awards. You showed the catalog to a couple of your friends and they like what they see. You just don’t happen to see yourself needing to fill your home with one of everything from the catalog.

Obviously, if you're in business to make money (and aren't we all?) then Company B has a whole lot more going for it than Company A. If all you're looking for is a fun way to earn a little spending money, though, by all means stick with the company whose products you're passionate about.

Not Everyone Will Be Your Fan

According to the Direct Selling Association, 15.1 million people in the U.S. are involved in direct selling. That’s a lot of people in this industry, and new people are joining party plan companies every day. More consultants means more competition for you. In fact, competitors are everywhere – on different teams, working with different companies, or even on YOUR team.

Don't sweat it though. Friendly competition can be healthy. Of course, not all competitors are friendly; some will view you as the enemy simply because you’re not in their downline or with the same company. You may even have some of your own team members or customers who don’t think you’re all that wonderful. So what?

Just accept that you can please some of the people some of the time; but you’ll never please all of the people all of the time. And when it comes right down to it, the only people you really have to please are your customers. If you are running a business of integrity, you just keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t change who you are or what you are doing simply because someone doesn’t like it. Change if you need to for continuous improvement; otherwise be true to yourself.

Unfortunately, not everyone operates with the same principles. Some people will try to sabotage your business. Some people will call you a liar. Some will try to get into an argument with you on a public forum. Some people may even do something that you could never imagine. So what? Keep on keeping on and do not let others determine the fate of your business. Don’t spend too much time worrying what others think or say about you - and never stoop to their level. Remember, those who talk badly about you only make themselves look ugly. By taking the high road, you can keep your integrity in tact.

All that said, lest you think direct sales is all cat fights and mud slinging, you will find that most people in this industry are inherently good. Like you, they're simply too busy running their own business to be all up in your business. Most are very helpful and supportive, and will freely give advice when asked. When you do run across those Negative Nellies, just walk away.

You should be aware, though, that the more involved you are in your business, the bigger the target on your back. The best way to deal with competition and those who have made it clear they are not a fan, is to politely ignore them and focus your time and attention on growing your business and delivering exceptional customer service.

As in everything you do - church, school, work, and even family gatherings - you will meet some people who like you and some who don't. Concentrate on building relationships with people with whom you have a connection, and ignore the ones who are just looking for trouble, and you'll have much more success - and a lot less stress - in every area of your life and business.

END PLR

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Thanks

@blandbob