Should You Start a Direct Sales Blog?

by Traci Anderson | More from this Blogger

21 Feb 2007 12:09 AM

I love blogging. In fact, I am addicted to it. I actually learned how to blog a little over a year ago and was hooked the moment I wrote my first post.

As I was learning how to blog, I was also leading an direct sales organization of over three-hundred consultants. I spent much of my time dreaming of ways that I could use a blog to communicate with my downline teams, customers, potential recruits and hostesses. Unfortunately, my company had a policy which restricted any form of online advertising so I wasn't able to put my ideas into action.

Thankfully, I was able to turn my passion into my business by authoring five personal blogs and contributing daily to my Families.com blog. Even though I am no longer involved in direct sales, my blogging experience has me more convinced than ever that it is a phenomenal way to enhance a direct sales business. Here are a few ways that you can use a free blog to grow your direct sales business;

Team Communication: Do you have a long-distance downline team? Would you like to communicate with your active team members without sending multiple e-mails and pestering inactive members? Try a blog. Your active members can get a feed of the information sent directly to their in-box. Even better, anything you share with current consultants will be saved and dated for new team members to read at their leisure so you will not need to continually repeat yourself.

You can also use a blog to send out a quick "hoo-ray" to a top seller or someone who had a phenomenal party. You can add a section with important links you want your team members to have (like your e-mail address, the company website, motivational articles and more). In terms of maintaining constant contact with a large team, you can't beat a blog!

Hostess Coaching: Blogs are a wonderful tool for hostess coaching too. You can quickly and easily add links to the hostess specials, sales and other important information your hostess should know prior to her party. Do you have open dates that you want to book? Offer a special prize for hostesses that fill those dates for you and post your calendar right on your blog site for potential hostesses to view.

Customer Communication: Use a blog to post monthly sales and customer specials. You can post photos of newly launched products and add customer testimonials too. Do you sell candles or home décor items? Post a photo of a centerpiece you created. Do you sell jewelry? Post a picture of a customer wearing some of the items at her wedding or special event. Do you sell skincare items? Post a photo of a group of women soaking their feet at a Girls Night Out.

Recruiting: While you may want to add some links to your blog about the commission structure and other company incentives, you probably will not need to devote a great deal of attention on your blog to recruiting new team members. Your blog will speak volumes about your professionalism and ability to lead and train your team. If you invite a potential team member to view your blog, they will see the links to training resources, customer specials and team building tools you use. Chances are, if you create a great blog, you will be recruiting your customers, visitors and hostesses without even trying!

If you are considering starting a direct sales blog, take a moment to read these related articles that will help you get started.

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Learn more about Traci Anderson

Traci is a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) from beautiful Big Sky Country (Montana). She spends most of her time trying to keep up with two extremely energetic (but hysterical) Irish twins.

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rents25 (105) 21 Feb 2007 07:47 AM

Tracy...

Thanks for your ideas! How is it we go about starting our own blog? I really don't know much about it. I'll review your sites above.

I think it would go a long way towards building team unity, fellowship, strengthening the cause and keeping people plugged in. Fantastic idea! Again, thanks!

Traci Anderson (970) 21 Feb 2007 08:16 AM

Personally - I believe the best way to start is to use blogger.com. I've tried the other formats and blogger seems to be the most user friendly for a new blogger. I know many bloggers that start using blogger.com but then move into formats like Wordpress and Typepad for various reasons. Frankly, I don't know if you would even need to try more challenging formats for a simple Direct Sales Blog.

Thanks for your kind words! Always appreciated!