Direct sales are sales that a business owner or employee makes directly to the end consumer instead of selling to distributors or stores. They may buy products from a company, or they may create and produce the products themselves before selling to consumers. Direct sales also typically take place outside of an average retail environment. They most commonly take place online, at a seller's home, in a public space or in a workplace. Many small businesses use this practice because it removes the requirement for a mediator between sellers and consumers.

Sellers may increase their income by using direct sales depending on the time and effort each seller dedicates to the business. Sellers often write their own paychecks and may even increase their earnings when they dedicate more effort to sales. This means people may use profits as supplemental income, vacation funds or a full-time salary. Successful sellers often increase their income by creating clear goals and setting objectives that help them achieve those goals.

Direct sales typically allow sellers to create their own schedules and business hours. This often allows them to prioritize other responsibilities first. Sellers who work full-time jobs, study in college or care for children often benefit from this scheduling flexibility. This also means that most sellers may work at their own pace and adjust their goals or objectives in case of unexpected events.

Direct sales also typically allow sellers to enjoy a sense of autonomy by acting as their own boss. They often set their own rules, goals, sales objectives and customer service standards. Sellers may also choose when they want to work, take a vacation, volunteer, attend community events or spend time with family without answering to a manager.

Sellers may easily work from home using direct sales. This typically saves time and money because they don't commute to and from a specific workplace. This also means that sellers may not follow a specific dress code unless they set one themselves for public events and personally meeting clients. Working from home also often allows sellers to manage household chores and run errands on their own schedule.

Direct sales often give sellers and small businesses opportunities to build stronger customer relationships than other types of businesses. Sellers may engage in more personal interactions with customers and build both customer relationships and friendships. Personal engagement may help a seller understand the customer's needs and adjust or modify products to meet those needs. It may also build customer loyalty.

Sellers who interact directly with customers may use other business strategies in combination with direct selling techniques. For example, sellers may coordinate marketing and sales efforts by using the same language and tone with customers that advertisements use for their products. They may also use sales interactions and feedback to understand the efficiency of marketing campaigns, then create or alter advertisements based on feedback.

Direct sales typically possess more control over prices because these companies don't require wholesalers and retailers or store spaces. This reduces the cost of entry into the market, operational fees and staffing, so sellers may reduce their prices on goods. Sellers may also verify competitor prices easier and ensure that their customers pay the best and lowest prices.

Direct selling often helps business owners and sellers develop their sales, customer service and marketing skills because they interact directly with customers. This provides many situations in which new and developing sellers can practice their skills. Some sellers may even apply these skills to other aspects of their lives. Here's a list of possible skills you may develop while using direct sales techniques:

• • Leadership
• • Organization
• • Patience
• • Interpersonal
• • Communication
• • Empathy
• • Presentation
• • Listening
• • Financial management
• • Time management
• • Project management
• • Negotiation

Customer satisfaction can affect who and how customers visit businesses that use direct sales. Customers typically prefer sales associates who pay attention to them and show genuine interest in their questions or concerns. Since direct sales involve personally speaking with customers, these techniques may help sellers attract and retain more customers or increase their customer satisfaction rate. A high satisfaction rate may also include customers posting good reviews for products and the company online and recommending the company to others through word-of-mouth.