Level Up With A Direct Sales Accountability Partner

If you’re in the direct sales business, you know that means always staying on your toes. If you want to succeed, you need to be able to hit targets, increase revenue, learn everything about the product or service you're selling, build a team, and just keep growing.

But most people in direct sales know that always staying productive and committed to ticking off goals is not easy. So, why not get a direct sales accountability partner to help you achieve your big goals?

As the name suggests, a direct sales accountability partner is someone who helps hold you accountable and grow your direct sales business by ensuring you are following up on leads, chasing prospective opportunities, and staying on potential clients’ tails. It is also someone who helps the agent gain discipline and develop a routine. Like a good partner, your accountability buddy will be invested in your business growth and your bigger goals, so they’ll be a great source of motivation, advice, and support. They can also help you hire and train a strong sales team.

What to look for in a direct sales accountability partner

Establishing discipline

Consistency is key to success in any field of hard work, for which you need to be committed, loyal, and disciplined to establish a routine. So an accountability partner can be a great help in making sure you are scheduling your days and ticking off all the boxes you need to on a consistent basis.

Managing people and time

People skills are a big requirement for success in the direct sales business. If you struggle or don't always feel the best at building connections and forming helpful networks, your accountability partner can help you overcome challenges by providing some tips and tricks to get rid of the reluctance and setting the tasks into two or three micro commitments for you to fulfill.

At the same time, a successful sales agent needs to be mindful of their personal time and resources and spend it as efficiently as possible – accountability partners can help with this too!

Maintaining focus

When there are a lot of things going on in life and you realize you have a long to-do list to get through without falling short somewhere, it's easy to let distractions creep in and lose control of your work. Having to stay accountable to check in your work will keep you focused, motivated, accountable, and on track to achieve your ultimate goal.

Providing honest feedback and new perspectives

If your accountability partner is in the direct sales business, they can help provide you with some honest feedback on your work goals and how you approach them. If they also feel you're not pushing yourself enough, they'll challenge you to keep doing better and improving your processes.

Types of accountability partners in the direct sales business

Coach for direct sales agents

A direct sales coach is someone who teaches and trains the agent on all the nitty-gritty of the profession based on their own experience and expertise in the field. They could be a teacher, a guide, or just someone who likes to share ideas and advice with those new in the business or those wanting to learn more through in-person or online sessions.

Colleague in the direct sales business

This accountability partner is a successful fellow agent who displays commitment, discipline, and other traits you may want to emulate on the field. If they're a dear friend and not a direct competitor, then they may be happy to help you with your work in return for some advice, encouragement, and accountability for their own success.

Where to find direct sales accountability partners

Sales agents' networks

Most direct sales agents are part of or aware of a network, community, or organization that fits their vibe--be it a group for product sales agents, for businesses, or even a network for agents of particular demographics. Find one and interact with people to see who can be your accountability partner.

Online forums

If you decide you’re more comfortable communicating online than in person, join groups on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit for advice, critique, tips, ideas, and support from other users. Just be sure to not fall deep into the rabbit hole of debating strategies!

Join a class for personal growth

People skills, lead generation, and income enhancement are all important traits of a sales agent, and there are also classes available for them by experts. Join a class to not just develop these skills but also meet other like-minded people who can go on to be your partner in success.

Accountability apps

All the rage in productivity these days, accountability apps like Beeminder and Stickk help you meet your writing goals or face a financial penalty.

Tips for working with direct sales accountability partners

Set an agenda

Agree on proper deadlines for submitting progress. This also involves setting proper goals--so why not try SMART goals? An example of this would be, instead of just promising your accountability buddy you'll sell paper bundles this week, say you'll sell 100 paper bundles in seven days by spending an hour on phone calls to potential clients every day. The agenda-setting also includes scheduling the time and frequency of your catchups with your partner, so you're both on the same page!

Work together and exchange notes

If your accountability partner is actively in the sales business and not a direct competitor or different company, try to schedule a work session together each week. Do some exercises together each week like calling people or going on mock house visits so you can see each other's processes, give feedback, and learn new ideas.

Iterate the relationship

Set clear expectations about what kind of motivation, accountability partnership, and feedback you're looking for, whether the coaching process is helping you, and how you can continue to work together.

Also give them regular feedback on areas such as how they’re keeping you accountable as a partner or sharing their opinions, whether their advice is working for you, and even if you think the partnership is not the right fit.

Final Thoughts

Looking to improve your business or your business skills? Getting accountability could be your best bet! Here are some more articles to help you start the journey right.

• How to Find an Accountability Partner
• Productivity Coaches - Who Needs Them, and How to Find the Right One for You
• The Best Books About Procrastination to Read Right Now