Before You Buy Another Course: What Direct Sellers Need to Know About Picking the Right Coaching & Training Programs
Hey friend! Welcome back to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust Podcast. I’m your host, Lindsay Dellinger — high school Spanish teacher, dog mom, world traveler, direct seller, and your go-to girl for building a direct sales business the right way so you can live the life of your dreams.
Today’s post is a short but powerful “car chat” — the kind that comes straight from my heart while I’m driving to occupational therapy. And even though it’s short, it’s an important conversation… especially if you’ve ever felt tempted to buy “just one more course.”
Let’s dive in.
Listen to this episode of the podcast here:
🔍 The Truth: I Love Courses. Maybe a Little Too Much.
If you’re anything like me, you LOVE investing in yourself.
New coaching program?
A $17 ebook?
A $27 template bundle?
A shiny brand cleanse workshop?
I’m in.
I love learning. I love being coached by people I admire. I love growing both personally and professionally. And honestly? I love feeling like I’m “doing something” to move forward.
Right now, I’m enrolled in two different small-group mentorship programs — one focused on direct sales, the other on branding, email marketing, podcasting, and creating my own offers.
And I genuinely do believe in investing in education.
But…
There’s something I’ve learned the hard way — and I want to help you avoid making the same mistake.
⚠️ Before You Buy a Training, Ask Yourself This Question
“Has this person actually achieved what I want to achieve?”
And I mean specifically.
Because achieving success in:
- direct sales,
- network marketing,
- compensation-plan-based sales,
- and team building…
is NOT the same as achieving success through:
- selling your own digital products,
- offering 1:1 coaching,
- running a course business,
- or affiliate marketing outside of a company.
Yes, there are overlapping principles (sales is sales, relationships are relationships), but the business models are massively different.
❗ A very common mistake direct sellers make:
They buy business coaching from someone who has never built a successful direct sales or network marketing business.
And then they wonder why:
- the strategy doesn’t work
- the content doesn’t convert
- they feel confused instead of empowered
- they’re frustrated with the results
It’s not that the program was bad.
It’s that it wasn’t built for your business model.
🎯 Why Network Marketing Requires Specialized Training
When you’re in direct sales or network marketing, you’re selling the same product as thousands of others. That changes everything.
Your success depends on:
- standing out
- building a personal brand
- increasing visibility
- creating trust
- duplicating systems
- leading a team
- developing business partners
- working a comp plan
- leveraging company tools
Those things don’t matter (or barely matter) in a traditional online business.
So a business coach who built a million-dollar brand selling online courses may be brilliant…
but they may have zero idea how to help you succeed in your jewelry business, essential oils business, skincare business, health and wellness biz, etc.
That’s why you must choose mentors who have done what you want to do — especially when that training is directly tied to:
- growing your team
- hitting the top of your company
- duplicating systems
- being a stronger leader
- creating a social selling strategy
- long-term residual income
✨ When Outside Coaching Does Make Sense
Not all training needs to come from people in direct sales.
Sometimes you need the “outside world” to help you level up.
For example, if you’re specifically learning:
- email marketing
- podcasting
- Instagram strategy
- branding
- sales psychology
- content creation
- launching
- public speaking
You can absolutely learn those skills from people outside the industry.
But if you’re buying a comprehensive “grow your business” program, and you’re a direct seller…
Make sure they have walked your walk.
💸 The Real Reason People Regret Buying Courses
Lately I’ve had a lot of people tell me they bought a program and were disappointed with the results. But here’s the truth most people don’t want to admit:
They weren’t disappointed because the program was bad.
They were disappointed because the program was never meant for a direct seller in the first place.
They bought it because:
- it looked shiny
- it sounded exciting
- their friends were signing up
- the lifestyle of the creator was inspiring
- FOMO kicked in
But it wasn’t what they actually needed.
🧭 So… How Do You Choose the Right Training?
Here’s your checklist:
✔️ 1. Identify what you truly need help with.
Is it leadership?
Content?
Systems?
Duplication?
Confidence?
Branding?
Time management?
Recruiting?
Different goals require different coaches.
✔️ 2. Look at the creator’s background.
Have they:
- hit the top of their comp plan?
- built a large team?
- created duplication?
- built their business on social media?
- done what YOU want to do?
If not, think carefully before purchasing.
✔️ 3. Read reviews & ask questions.
A good coach is transparent about:
- their results
- who their program is for
- who it’s not for
- what their expertise is
- what their experience is
If they avoid questions? That’s a red flag.
💖 The Bottom Line
I want you to invest in mentors.
I want you to grow.
I want you to have skin in the game.
But I also want you to choose wisely.
Invest in:
- what will move your business forward
- what aligns with your goals
- what fits your business model
- what supports your path
Not just what looks pretty on the internet.
Your time and money matter.
Choose intentionally.
🌟 Want Ongoing Support?
Come join my free community:
✨ The Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust Squad on Facebook
Plus, don’t forget to grab my
Six Figure Social Selling Planner and Tracker System
right on my website:
👉http://www.lindsaydollinger.com
Use it daily, and I promise:
your business will move forward.
You’ve got this, friend. Let’s build your dream business the smart way. 💛