How to Build a Direct Sales Team
As a direct seller, we all know there are two ways to make money: sales and building a team. So, after a bit of time selling, learning everything about your brand, and building your client base, the natural progression is to start building a direct sales team.
Let me put a disclaimer on that: you do NOT have to know everything to be a leader! You just cannot be afraid to make mistakes. You’ll never be perfect at something the first time you try it, and that’s OK (and normal).
All new leaders make mistakes.
Let’s normalize that mindset, shall we?
I see way too many talented direct sellers back down from leadership roles because they’re afraid they don’t have what it takes. I’ll let you in on a secret. Your mindset determines your success. So be bold, go after it, and don’t expect to be perfect. You’re going to be a different leader on day 1 than you are on day 983. You will grow into it and learn more than you ever thought you could. You’ve got this!
Once you decide to embrace that beautiful confidence and take the plunge into building a strong direct sales team, here are the five things every leader needs to do to have a successful team.
So, do you want to learn how to build a direct sales team that consistently grows and produces? Follow the tips below and experience true growth for your team!
Be a Lifelong Learner
To be a good leader, you need to be a lifelong learner. You need to be coachable and admit when you don’t know something.
In life, just as in business, nothing ever stays the same. The only way to get better is constant improvement and constant change.
Think about one of the biggest companies out there—Facebook. How many times have you logged in to see a different homepage? We’ve seen Facebook change about a million and one times since we’ve been on the platform, right?
New party formats will emerge, and new ways to sell things will go viral.
Another good learning tip is to lean on those who came before you. Look at your business role models who have done exactly what you want to do. Sit at their feet, and learn.
Many direct sellers feel like they are in competition with other direct sellers and that their leaders, upline, or teammates are their competition. If you think that way, this business will never work for you.
You need to have an abundance mindset and realize there’s enough success to go around. So why not learn from those who are the most successful? It’s not a competition.
With this real-life learning, you also have to embrace learning tools! Think podcasts, books, courses, and even mastermind groups for real-time interaction with others chasing big, bold goals like you.
My one tip here, though, is that learning doesn’t replace activity. You must put what you learn into action. You need to be a doer. Learn and implement. Then, once you master something, move on to learning the next thing.
Set a Strong Pace
As a leader, you can’t be shy about your success, and you need to push to succeed. Nothing in the direct sales business is magic. It’s all hard work, systems, and strategies.
I hear from leaders who say their team isn’t doing anything. So, I ask them what pace they’re setting as a leader. I ask if their team sees what they’re doing every day. If your team can’t see the pace, can’t see what you’re doing to succeed, they don’t know what to strive for!
Too often, we see talking about our successes as bragging or boastful. But as a leader and coach, your wins and strategies inspire your team to do more and be more. They need to see that what you’re doing is working and that they can do it, too. The proof is in the pudding. Do not minimize your accomplishments, and be transparent with your team!
Are your team members going to beat you? Yep. If you’re doing it right, yes, some of them will. You will inspire them to go for it, and they’ll succeed! This part can be a little hard for some to handle.
Many think that as a leader, you have to be at the top of everything all the time. But this is not true. If you inspire your team to go big, and they do, you’re succeeding!
Be Quick to Praise and Slow to Criticize.
This means acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of your team members, no matter how small, and providing constructive feedback in a private and respectful manner. It’s about creating a culture of positivity and support within your team.
I’ll be honest. This one is hard for me! I’m a perfectionist. I like things to be “correct.” I don’t understand why people don’t just copy/paste and do what I do. As a leader, it can be hard for me to accept that others work at a pace that isn’t mine or that others do something different. And that’s OK!
You need to praise the little wins. You need to accept that not everyone is in the business for the same reason, and everyone will have different goals. Know what your team members are working towards and praise their successes, however small they are!
When it comes to criticism, keep that out of the public eye. As a leader, your role is to ensure everyone follows your brand’s rules and represents the business well. But save critiques for one-on-one calls, not the weekly group call. Also, before you criticize, ask questions to understand the situation. Maybe they didn’t know, or how you read something wasn’t how they meant it.
Give grace and give praise. That’s what it comes down to!
Hold Yourself and Others Accountable
Other people will not hold you accountable. You need to do it yourself.
Other people can love you, support you, and want to be there for you. But they’re not going to hold you accountable for your big goals. So you need to do it, and you need to be that person for your team.
Some leaders think it’s harsh to hold their team accountable. I disagree. There’s no one else in their life that’s going to do this for them. It’s not pushy or harsh to help people achieve their goals.
When one of your team members says, “This is my goal,” and you ask them what they’re doing to reach it, you need to help them stay accountable for what they say they are doing.
If you don’t do it, who will? In this business, we’re all on our own little islands, and we need to work together to help each other. You are helping your team reach their goals and stay on track for success.
So keep yourself accountable and find an accountability buddy. Let it be your upline, or if they don’t do it, go above your upline. If that doesn’t work, find a sister in your business or someone in a business similar to yours at an equivalent level.
I have tried a bunch of accountability partners. It’s OK if it doesn’t work out. You may have to work through a few before something sticks. Don’t give up. Just keep looking, and make sure you’re that accountability buddy for your team.
Develop New Leaders
Here is where we grow, friends. My favorite part of being a leader is building up new leaders. Your ultimate goal should be to build a team of leaders! It shouldn’t be all on you to lead a strong direct sales team of hundreds or thousands. That’s not sustainable.
Nothing is more refreshing than working together, collaborating, and pushing one another in a team of leaders. Once you start spreading the leadership responsibility, you can achieve more and reach bigger goals together! More heads are better than one.
Don’t be Afraid to Grow
Alright, friends. I know you’ve got it in you to be that big, bold leader you’ve always imagined. Don’t be afraid to learn, lead by example, remain accountable, and don’t be afraid of growth. You’ve got this!
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About the Author: Steve Nauta
