en as a longtime direct seller myself, I am constantly learning and listening and growing by purchasing learning tools or getting business books at the library. Schedule a time each week for learning and then practice or try the things that you hear and read. Direct Sales is not rocket science but there is always something more to learn about yourself and your business. And you never know when one little nugget of wisdom from someone might mean the turning point in your business. Talk with your sponsor about what she's read but start your own personal library as well.

5. Use technology. I can

Direct Sales is work for those who want it to be more than just a hobby and moms have a full and busy life already. So how does a new (or seasoned) direct seller work smarter and not harder to be successful? Let's talk about some easy and inexpensive ways to work smart and be successful.

1. Use your company tools. I know... this sounds like a no brainer but I have heard countless stories of women who jump into a direct sales business and are convinced that they can do it better on their own and ignore the systems and tools that their company has put into place. All GOOD direct sales companies have fabulous training, promotional materials and a system for how to use them already in place. Follow their simple steps consistently and you will see results. Use your company-sponsored materials and save an incredible amount of time not having to create your own flyers, business cards, etc. They might be a tad more expensive, but well worth it in professional look and ease.

2. Use your upline. She WANTS to work with you and will probably have some great tried and true ideas to share. Most of the time her success is dependent on your success so let her know your goals and dreams for your business. Share your ideas with her and get her feedback. Ask lots of questions and most of all... do what she says. Much of direct sales and network marketing is duplication so if you have a successful upline, just do what she does... and you won't know what she does unless you ask her! Even if your upline is only a few days newer to the business than you, contact her and 3way in with her sponsor or the company directly.

3. Use a schedule. Do something that's income producing on your business every single day....even if it's only 15 minutes a day. Set a schedule for your "office hours" so that hubby and the kids know that if it's 7:00pm Mom's going to be on the phone or at the computer. Use those 15 minutes to work on things that actually bring you money- not checking your email or im-ing your best friend. Call a potential hostess or customer, place a pay-per-click ad for your business, call and invite your friends to an open house, etc. Do those things that have the potential to put money in your pocket as a result of doing them.

4. Use learning. There are people in the world who have made millions in direct sales and now are sharing their knowledge and expertise with the masses. Even as a longtime direct seller myself, I am constantly learning and listening and growing by purchasing learning tools or getting business books at the library. Schedule a time each week for learning and then practice or try the things that you hear and read. Direct Sales is not rocket science but there is always something more to learn about yourself and your business. And you never know when one little nugget of wisdom from someone might mean the turning point in your business. Talk with your sponsor about what she's read but start your own personal library as well.

5. Use technology. I cann

have fabulous training, promotional materials and a system for how to use them already in place. Follow their simple steps consistently and you will see results. Use your company-sponsored materials and save an incredible amount of time not having to create your own flyers, business cards, etc. They might be a tad more expensive, but well worth it in professional look and ease.

2. Use your upline. She WANTS to work with you and will probably have some great tried and true ideas to share. Most of the time her success is dependent on your success so let her know your goals and dreams for your business. Share your ideas with her and get her feedback. Ask lots of questions and most of all... do what she says. Much of direct sales and network marketing is duplication so if you have a successful upline, just do what she does... and you won't know what she does unless you ask her! Even if your upline is only a few days newer to the business than you, contact her and 3way in with her sponsor or the company directly.

3. Use a schedule. Do something that's income producing on your business every single day....even if it's only 15 minutes a day. Set a schedule for your "office hours" so that hubby and the kids know that if it's 7:00pm Mom's going to be on the phone or at the computer. Use those 15 minutes to work on things that actually bring you money- not checking your email or im-ing your best friend. Call a potential hostess or customer, place a pay-per-click ad for your business, call and invite your friends to an open house, etc. Do those things that have the potential to put money in your pocket as a result of doing them.

4. Use learning. There are people in the world who have made millions in direct sales and now are sharing their knowledge and expertise with the masses. Even as a longtime direct seller myself, I am constantly learning and listening and growing by purchasing learning tools or getting business books at the library. Schedule a time each week for learning and then practice or try the things that you hear and read. Direct Sales is not rocket science but there is always something more to learn about yourself and your business. And you never know when one little nugget of wisdom from someone might mean the turning point in your business. Talk with your sponsor about what she's read but start your own personal library as well.

5. Use technology. I can

siness. Share your ideas with her and get her feedback. Ask lots of questions and most of all... do what she says. Much of direct sales and network marketing is duplication so if you have a successful upline, just do what she does... and you won't know what she does unless you ask her! Even if your upline is only a few days newer to the business than you, contact her and 3way in with her sponsor or the company directly.

3. Use a schedule. Do something that's income producing on your business every single day....even if it's only 15 minutes a day. Set a schedule for your "office hours" so that hubby and the kids know that if it's 7:00pm Mom's going to be on the phone or at the computer. Use those 15 minutes to work on things that actually bring you money- not checking your email or im-ing your best friend. Call a potential hostess or customer, place a pay-per-click ad for your business, call and invite your friends to an open house, etc. Do those things that have the potential to put money in your pocket as a result of doing them.

4. Use learning. There are people in the world who have made millions in direct sales and now are sharing their knowledge and expertise with the masses. Even as a longtime direct seller myself, I am constantly learning and listening and growing by purchasing learning tools or getting business books at the library. Schedule a time each week for learning and then practice or try the things that you hear and read. Direct Sales is not rocket science but there is always something more to learn about yourself and your business. And you never know when one little nugget of wisdom from someone might mean the turning point in your business. Talk with your sponsor about what she's read but start your own personal library as well.

5. Use technology. I can

bby and the kids know that if it's 7:00pm Mom's going to be on the phone or at the computer. Use those 15 minutes to work on things that actually bring you money- not checking your email or im-ing your best friend. Call a potential hostess or customer, place a pay-per-click ad for your business, call and invite your friends to an open house, etc. Do those things that have the potential to put money in your pocket as a result of doing them.

4. Use learning. There are people in the world who have made millions in direct sales and now are sharing their knowledge and expertise with the masses. Even as a longtime direct seller myself, I am constantly learning and listening and growing by purchasing learning tools or getting business books at the library. Schedule a time each week for learning and then practice or try the things that you hear and read. Direct Sales is not rocket science but there is always something more to learn about yourself and your business. And you never know when one little nugget of wisdom from someone might mean the turning point in your business. Talk with your sponsor about what she's read but start your own personal library as well.

5. Use technology. I can

en as a longtime direct seller myself, I am constantly learning and listening and growing by purchasing learning tools or getting business books at the library. Schedule a time each week for learning and then practice or try the things that you hear and read. Direct Sales is not rocket science but there is always something more to learn about yourself and your business. And you never know when one little nugget of wisdom from someone might mean the turning point in your business. Talk with your sponsor about what she's read but start your own personal library as well.

5. Use technology. I cannot stress enough the fabulous time savers I have found through technology. The use of an auto-responder alone has increased my capabilities ten fold. Not techno savvy? Invest in a good virtual assistant and have her use the technology for you. Can't afford the tools or a VA? Search the Internet for the tremendous free tools that are available to start with - but just remember, you get what you pay for. Free tools are fine to help you see the benefits of using the systems but as soon as you can, upgrade to a system that will work the best rather than just the cheapest. You'll be glad you did.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of working smarter in your business, but it's a start. Use the start of the day today to get a smart start in your Direct Sales business.