As you know, direct selling is a very promotionally driven industry (and I mean that in every sense of the word). And unfortunately, I am seeing so many of our companies falling short in their own promotional efforts.

This is why I want to talk through some of the most obvious areas that I feel need to be addressed, and encourage you to take the necessary steps to overcome these mistakes quickly and correctly. I recently shared these ideas in a featured article for World of Direct Selling, titled “8 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Sales Promotions (and How to Fix Them).” Be sure to read the full article.

 

The Foundation

For me, the key reminders when it comes to promotions are…

• They are short-term by nature (and work best that way)
• They are a means to an end (not the end itself).

These two points should seem obvious, and yet most direct selling companies lose sight of these principles. And that typically leads to these eight mistakes I want to discuss today.

 

Four of the Mistakes

Here are the first four mistakes I mention, but all the details are in the WDS article. 

1. You’re Running Too Many Promotions.
2. Your Promotions Are Actually Weakening the Strength of Your Compensation Plan.
3. You’re Creating a Culture Dependent on Promotions.
4. Your Promotions Are Too Weak.

 

Read the entire article now at World of Direct Selling News (and be sure to subscribe to their newsletter if you haven’t already).

Are you asking these questions, too? We’re working alongside many companies in direct selling, helping them shape the answers to these questions that make the most sense for their individual situation and culture. We’d love to help you, too. Contact us now and let’s schedule some time to discuss your company and its best next steps into 2017 and beyond.

 

About Brett Duncan

Brett is a founding partner with Strategic Choice Partners, and an experienced executive specializing in marketing, communications and digital strategic consulting.

He worked for his first direct sales company two days a week while still in college packing shipments in their warehouse from 5 until midnight. He began at the entry level of the marketing department at AdvoCare, International in 2002, rising to the position of marketing manager before he left in 2007. In 2009, he joined Mannatech as Sr. Director of Global Online Solutions. He was then promoted to Vice President of Global Marketing in 2011.

Learn more about Brett on his bio page, and contact us at info@strategicchoicepartners.com if you’d like to discuss how Brett and SCP can help your company.