Customer Reviews

Build It Big: 101 Insider Secrets from Top Direct Selling Experts

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought this book was OK. The article contributors could certainly write well, so I can't be fair and still give it 3 stars. However, I was hoping to find a book between the covers of this "thing." I think if the authors, two sisters and another woman, had read the articles included in this book and used them as research for writing a book, then they could have written a wonderful book. Unfortunately, there was too much overlap on some issues and some holes on others. There certainly is no overall thesis to the book that is explained and proven by the writing.

The authors are veteran network marketers who have teamed up together to form a trade association they call "Direct Selling Women's Alliance" (DSWA dot org). The book is clearly a marketing piece they have thrown together in order to promote their organization. Apparently it has worked well because I suspect the membership in their organization has showered it with favorable book reviews on Amazon. I cannot think of any other possible explanation for its overall 5-star rating from 21 reviewers.

The network marketing industry is full of home-based entrepreneurs. The people who succeed at networking marketing can (1) sell product, (2) recruit salespeople to join THEIR sales organization, (3) lead the sales organization they build, and (4) manage THEIR sales organization. I had hoped this book would have explained this in some detail. Instead, all of this was touched upon, but not clearly. Also, there was too much inspirational fluff included.

There are four books that I think would serve the reader well if they are interested in becoming successful at direct sales:

>>Make Your Contacts Count (ISBN: 0814474020)
>>Leadership Made Easy (ISBN: 1932531599)
>>The Road Warrior's Guide to Sales Management (ISBN: 1592981992)
>>What to Do When You Become the Boss (ISBN: 1432714287)

When you work in direct sales the company you work for has outsourced its sales function. That is why you can earn what you earn. If you build a sales team to work for you, then you will be successful. It's just that simple. 4 stars!

PS. There is a Part II to this book entitled "More Build It Big" (ISBN: 9781419520037). It includes another batch of 101 articles. And it is written the same way as this book was.

I was interested to get this but really REALLY disappointed when one of the first tips was to call 100 people. No kidding. I found this to be a lot of re-hash of old ideas. Some decent tips but you really have to search for them. Bad layout, too. Not easy to read. Lots of stuff sort of thrown at you. If you are really NEW to sales, you might benefit but most of it you can get through better books or free in internet searches, your team leader, etc.

A DREAM COME TRUE! The Who's-Who of Direct Selling pitch in to provide a meaty and inspirational bible of direct selling advice for newbies and veterans alike. This most incredible resource is critical reading for anyone too far away from a national conference to get inspired or anyone ready to run to the front of the pack.

CHAPTERS
1. STARTING YOUR DIRECT-SELLING BUSINESS
10 GEMS including Les Brown's, "Treat Every Day Like Your First Day in Business"
2. BOOKING AND COACHING YOUR HOSTESS
8 GEMS including Christie Northrup's (AKA Lemon Aid Lady), "Hang Up on Your Phone Phobias"
3. THE ART OF SELLING
10 GEMS including Karen Phelps', "Keep Parties Fun for Higher Sales and More Bookings"
4. SPONSORING AND BUILDING YOUR TEAM
14 GEMS including Marcia Wieder's, "Be More Committed to Your Dream than Your Reality"
5. COACHING YOUR TEAM
10 GEMS including Carly Anderson's, "Ask Inspriring Questions"
6. DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS
11 GEMS including Richard Flint's, "Build a Business, Not an Orphanage"
7. MANAGING BUSINESS FINANCES
7 GEMS including Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen's, "The Seven Money Skills of Extremely Prosperous People"
8. INTEGRATING HOME AND BUSINESS
11 GEMS including C.J. Eisler's, "Work from Home for Your Kids' Sake"
9. BUILDING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
7 GEMS including Judy Marshall's, "Build Strong Team by Phone and Web"
10. STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
13 GEMS including Mark Victor Hansen's, "Take My 101 Goal Rush Challenge"

Let the fire in you burn brighter than ever before with this amazing collection! HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS!

This book is the best investment that I have made in a long, long time. By drawing insight from people in different companies, I felt that I was not being given a bias view of a particular company's way of doing things. You get the feeling that the people that contributed tried really hard to give you the most valuable of their experience....and succeeded. My copy is getting worn and I will not hesitate to purchase it again.

"Build it Big" is destined to become required reading for anyone considering a career in network marketing as well as everyone in the profession already.

In doing my research about which company to join, I gained valuable insights from "Build it Big." For example in the section discussing what to consider in choosing a company, I was very impressed by what would be considered "red flags."

As a blooming network marketer, I was also inspired and motivated by the stories of real life success stories. The concepts and ideas are tools to use every day in creating the business of your dreams.

I highly recommend this book as well as I give a 5 Star endorsement to the Direct Women's Selling Alliance...

Judi Finneran

This Book is wonderful. Love it!
I can't say enough about this book and what it has done for me.
If you or someone you know is in Direct Sales purchase this
book. Written by Women for Women.

I purchase this booking looking for ideas on how to run a successful party plan business but was disappointed.
I gave this product three stars because it was good encouragement. It did have some great stories in it and a few good ideas, but for me... it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Party On!
-GameLady Verlina
SimplyFun Senior Consultant

Build it Big is THE book for you if you are in direct selling. This book has so much info and teaches you everything you need to know to build your business. This book walks you through everything and is for those brand new to direct sales or those that have been consultants forever. I will recommend this book to everyone!

As a person new to network marketing, I am disappointed in this book. I expected to see many new techniques on finding new clients and recruits. They are the same methods the MLM companies have been telling you to do which do not work or make you any money. Like contacting friends, relatives, associates, neighbours. Nobody wants to be hounding the people closest to them for sales and recruits.

There is no information on how to make the most of your business, shortcuts in the business, tips on how to get your business going, etc.

It is a book based on the same methods and techniques that your MLM company might have told you to do. Who wants to approach their local cashier or someone you don't know at all for sales. That is intrusive. They don't talk about what a person can do if they don't have a lot of contacts or know a lot of people other than hitting up absolutely anybody off the street for sales.

I do not recommend this book!

If you had a fairy godmother to guide you through building, maintaining and growing a direct sales business, this book captures what she would say. It's a treasure chest of advice for beginners and the experienced alike with solid and well-written information, success (and failure) stories and action plans. As I develop my team I consider this required reading.