Direct Selling Women's Alliance

What Is Direct Selling?
	The Direct Selling Women's Alliance feels that the profession has had some confusion as to what and who we really are. Some who participate in network marketing look at party plan methodology of selling products as a slow growth proposition. Some participants that are in party plan, see network marketing as a scheme and do not understand the business model.

Our goal is to bring together the distributors that participate in network marketing, party plan, and person-to-person sales towards "One Vision…One Purpose." Direct Selling is the house that holds all three methods of marketing. Together we will achieve more and build a stronger, more powerful profession with greater understanding.

The Direct Selling Profession

Party Plan

Shared emphasis on product SALES and team building.

Products sold primarily through in-home shows.

Distributor consumption is a small percentage of the company's sales.

Company does provide hostess program.

Sales force comprised primarily of women.

Commissions paid on limited levels.

Person-To-Person

Emphasis on product SALES/SERVICES.

Products/services sold primarily through one-on-one sharing.

Distributor consumption is a small percentage of the company's sales.

Company does not provide hostess program.

Sales force comprised of both men and women.

Commissions paid on few levels, if any.

Network Marketing

Emphasis on TEAM BUILDING.

Products/Services sold primarily through one-on-one sharing.

Distributor consumption is a large percentage of the company's sales.

Company does not provide hostess program.

Sales force comprised of both men and women.

Commissions paid on multiple levels.

What is Direct Selling?

Direct selling can best be described as the marketing of products and services directly to consumers in a face to face manner, generally in their homes or the homes of others, at their workplace or other places away from permanent retail locations. Direct sales typically occur through explanation or personal demonstration by an independent direct salesperson. These salespeople are commonly referred to as direct sellers.

The strength of direct selling lies in its tradition of independence, service to consumers, and commitment to entrepreneurial growth in the free enterprise system. Direct selling provides accessible business opportunities to people looking for alternative sources of income, and whose entry is generally not restricted by gender, age, education, or previous experience. It should be noted that around the world a substantial majority of direct sellers are women, and most work in their direct selling businesses on a part-time basis. A very small percentage of direct sellers are employees of the companies whose products they represent.

Independent direct sellers are those individuals engaged on their own behalf, or on behalf of a direct selling company, selling products and services through personal sales contacts, and are commonly referred to in some jurisdictions as independent contractors. Essentially, this means that the company whose products they distribute do not employ these independent salespeople with each individual operating their own business. These independent direct sellers have an opportunity to earn profits from their business, and also accept the responsibility for the risks associated with operating a business.

The products sold by direct sellers are as diverse as the people themselves and include: cosmetics and skin care products; laundry and personal care items; nutritional products; telecommunication and technology oriented products; vacuum cleaners and home appliances; household specialties; household cleaning products; food and nutrition products; toys, books and educational products; and clothing, jewelry and fashion accessories; just to mention a few.

Generally, these products are sold in the context of group presentations (Party Plan), or on a person-to-person basis. In a Party Plan approach, the direct salesperson demonstrates products to a group of guests, invited by a host in whose home or other location the direct selling demonstration takes place. By contrast, other direct sellers will often explain and demonstrate the products they offer to consumers in the comfort of the consumers' homes, at a time, which is convenient for them.

Direct selling provides important benefits to individuals who desire an opportunity to earn an income and build a business of their own; to consumers who want to enjoy the alternative from busy, hustle and bustle shopping centers, to intimate personalized service.

It offers an alternative to traditional employment for those who desire a flexible income earning opportunity to supplement their household income, or whose responsibilities or circumstances do not allow for regular part-time or full time employment.

In many cases, direct selling opportunities develop into a fulfilling career for those who achieve success and choose to pursue their independent direct selling business on a full time basis.

The cost for an individual to start an independent direct selling business is typically very low. Usually, a modestly priced sales kit is all that is required for one to get started, and there is little or no required inventory or other cash commitments to begin. This stands in sharp contrast to franchise and other business investment opportunities, which may require substantial expenditures and expose the investor to a significant risk of loss.

Consumers benefit from direct selling because of the convenience and service it provides, including personal demonstration and explanation of products, home delivery, and generous satisfaction guarantees.

Moreover, direct selling provides a channel of distribution for companies with innovative or distinctive products not readily available in traditional retail stores or those products that require more explanation than they would receive on a store shelf. Direct selling enhances the retail distribution infrastructure of the economy, and provides consumers with a convenient source of quality products and excellent service.

An important component of the Direct Selling profession is network marketing. It is also referred to as multilevel marketing, structure marketing or multilevel direct selling, and has proven over many years to be a highly successful and effective method of compensating direct sellers for the marketing and distribution of products and services directly to consumers.

What sets the direct selling profession apart from other types of selling, is the special relationship aspect of party plan, network marketing and one-on-one sales. Relationships are the foundation which has made this business model a success.

More about DSWA

	Who we are

	Meet The Founders

	The Story of DSWA

	A Note From The Founders

	Board of Advisors

	Advisory Council

The DSWA's View

Direct Selling
is the sale of a consumer product or service, person-to-person, away from a fixed retail location. These products and services are marketed to customers by independent salespeople. Depending on the company, the salespeople may be called distributors, representatives, consultants or various other titles. Products are sold primarily through in-home product demonstrations, parties and one-on-one selling.

Your Rights As An Independent Distributor

As an independent contractor with your chosen company you have the right to engage in business-building activities such as participating in local
networking clubs, attending Chamber of Commerce meetings and joining
professional associations such as the Direct Selling Women's Alliance.

The DSWA supports your right to seek out information and resources that will
help you grow your business and encourage you to join our international group of like-minded men and women who share a common vision of success through direct selling.

A Powerful
Economic Force

"With over 15.2 million direct sellers in the United States and more than 57 Million worldwide, direct selling is a dynamic, vibrant, rapidly expanding channel of distribution that will soon take its place as the method of choice for moving goods and services directly to consumers in a way that is both convenient and cost effective."

Nicki Keohohou, President of DSWA