Are you experiencing monotony in a corporate environment? Do you aspire to achieve financial independence and competitiveness? Yes, like me, you are too at the right place. This article speaks about the importance of entrepreneurship, the challenges to run a direct selling business and the top 3 trends impacting the future of direct selling in India. Let’s get back to the basics. Traditionally, the direct selling industry relied on creating personal customer relationships. Moreover, with millennials digitally mobile, the demand for new and independent career possibilities has increased.
On the bright side, renowned direct selling brands provide flexible opportunities for aspiring direct sellers and entrepreneurs to take charge of their careers. For example, QNET, a globally recognised direct selling brand, empowers people to start a business and face challenges with commitment and desire. Regardless, registering with QNET can help you, like it helped me, in starting a direct selling business and enjoy the perks of entrepreneurship and financial independence!
Types of E Commerce & Marketing Plans in Direct Selling
Career growth as an IT professional is temporary. For example, although I had several responsibilities and relied on a monthly salary, my creativity to explore new opportunities were limited. Success in starting a direct selling business depends on several factors. Traditionally, people felt comfortable with personal interactions as they involved a human touch. People can physically experience the product and make the best decision. However, with technology, accessibility and convenience are vital. People living a fast-paced lifestyle do not have the time to go to a physical store and look at available options. The leverage of an online presence in direct selling can work wonders. Here is where the power of e-commerce comes into the picture!
E Commerce is an accessible online platform that offers the necessary options and product details for customers from the comfort of their homes. Moreover, in today’s world, customers do not seek personal attention to make a purchase decision. Besides, from a business perspective, multi level marketing companies can use E Commerce as a platform to empower their direct sellers to repeat sales and tools to help them grow in a competitive market.
According to Mike Jones, the best-selling author of “Direct Selling Vs E-Commerce Revisited”, successful multi-level marketing brands will be those who can leverage the benefit of educating new customers with the help of E Commerce platforms.
Let us now shift to the types of E Commerce.
Business-to-Business
The business to business E Commerce model specialises in the trade of products or services between two enterprises/businesses/brands. The marketing channels of a business to business E Commerce strategy involves wholesalers who directly deal with small-scale retailers.
Business-to-Consumer
Next comes the Business to Consumer E Commerce model. Here the transaction is between the manufacturers and end consumers using retail aspects of E Commerce. Meaning, via a business to consumer E Commerce model, consumers can access products or services digitally and make independent purchase decisions. For example, the QNET eStore is an E Commerce portal that showcase product across diverse variants. Besides, people, based on the requirement, can browse through filters and access different options. Some examples of business to consumer models in India are brands like Flipkart, Amazon and Myntra.
Consumer-to-Consumer
A consumer to consumer E Commerce business model is between two end consumers. For example, at QNET, people have the advantage of experiencing the product first-hand. This helps them understand product features and decide on a target audience. As a result, customers can purchase QNET products and eventually sell them directly to end consumers and start a direct selling business.
Consumer-to-Business
This is quite the reverse of a consumer to consumer business model. Here, the consumer has a patented product or a service and is willing to sell it to a business. The consumer to business model empowers consumers to promote entrepreneurship and sell their products to a brand or a business. Ever heard of people offering stock images or brand logo designs? Yes, that is the perfect example of a consumer to business E Commerce model.
Future of Direct Selling in India
Now, considering the impact of entrepreneurship and the benefit of starting a direct selling business, the future of direct selling in India looks promising. A recent Economic Times news article showcases that the direct selling industry is set to employ around 18 million people by 2025. Also, with an annual growth rate of 4.8%, the direct selling sector is set to reach a revenue of about Rs.15,930 Crore by 2021.
Let us now look at some of the trends and challenges in starting a direct selling business.
Globalisation and Personalised Customer Experiences
Success in starting a direct selling business depends on several factors. The impact of globalisation plays a vital role in entrepreneurship growth. Product messages cannot be delivered in a massive context. Meaning, customer expect product experiences that are customised and personalised. With the rise in conscious consumerism, the focus should be more on customer experiences than brand credibility. The growth of a direct selling brand happens over time. However, if a brand is losing customers, it dents awareness on a macro scale. Therefore, the shift from globalisation to personalised experiences in direct selling is necessary.
The Generation Perspective in Staring a Direct Selling Business
Technology and customer behaviour has dictated direct selling success. For example, the surge in millennials looking for independent career opportunities has increased. The need for a physical office is no longer relevant. Besides, the impact of automation, financial independence and entrepreneurship has allowed direct selling brands to offer empowering employment options. Therefore, joining a multi level marketing company has low financial risk and provides resources such as training, an e-commerce website, standard business guidelines and flexible compensation structures.
Customer Behaviour
There is a clear difference between direct selling operations in the past and now in the current generation. Besides, customers are more aware and conscious regarding product ingredients and specifications. In a market that is constantly changing, the challenge is to adapt and fulfil customer expectations. In a multi level marketing business, the customers play an active role in a buying experience. Moreover, with people spending most of the time on the internet and with their smartphones, direct selling businesses must provide an accessible and automated approach for maximum impact!
To conclude, considering the benefits of entrepreneurship, financial management and starting a direct selling business, registering with QNET India is your one-stop destination. Hurry!
Also READ – Top 5 Direct Selling Trends
