Can You Be Successful in Direct Sales Without a Big Network? YES—Here’s How.

I hear this ALL. THE. TIME:

“Lindsay, I can’t be successful… I don’t have many friends.”
“My family won’t support me.”
“I barely know anyone. How am I supposed to grow a business?”
“Do I HAVE to have a big network to succeed in direct sales?”

And my answer every single time?

👉 A resounding YES—you can absolutely be successful, even with a tiny network.

Let’s break this down.

Warm Market vs. Cold Market (And Why It Matters)

When you hear direct sellers throw around terms like warm market or cold market, here’s what they mean:

Warm Market

These are people you actually know:

Friends
Family
Co-workers
People in your phone
Anyone whose number you have or who you’ve interacted with before

These people know YOU—not just your product.

Cold Market

Brand new people you’ve never met:

Guests inside parties
People your host adds to a group
Strangers on social
People who find you through hashtags, recommendations, or networking

Most of your growth will eventually come from your cold market.

And that’s actually a GOOD thing.

But first… let’s talk about the dreaded FRANK list.

The Famous FRANK List—And a Reality Check

When many people join direct sales, leaders teach the FRANK list:

Friends
Relatives
Acquaintances
Neighbors (or Network)
Kids’ contacts (or spouse’s contacts)
Spouse’s connections

Here’s my honest truth:

A FRANK list is a tool… NOT a guarantee.

Even if you have 500 people on your list, many will:

Ignore your posts
Not buy your products
Not host a party
Not cheer you on
Not support you at ALL

And yes—it can sting.

But there’s GOOD news…

👉 You don’t need your friends and family to grow a wildly successful business.
👉 You just need ONE person to start the momentum.
👉 Your biggest growth will come from strangers who become customers, who become fans, who become teammates.

Let’s talk about how to find them.

The Magical Power of “Dirt People”

I learned this term from another leader and I LOVE it:

Your dirt people are the ones who would buy from you even if you were selling literal dirt.

These are:

Your ride-or-dies
Your sisters
Your BFFs
Your coworkers who buy everything you sell
The people who just love YOU

You don’t need 100 of them.

You just need ONE to get started.

That one person hosts a party → brings in 10 new guests → 7 buy → 3 join your VIP group → 2 book future parties…

And just like that, your cold market begins to warm up.

This is how your customer base grows organically—even if you started with ONE person.

The Real Secret: Build Relationships First

Your cold market becomes your warm market through relationships.

And relationships grow through:

Being social on social media
Commenting on their posts
Sending genuine messages
Showing your face in stories
Going live
Hosting fun events
Giving excellent customer service

Notice I did NOT say:

Spamming your link
Cold messaging strangers
Posting “Guess what product!” games
Using stock photos
Dropping random ordering links in comments

Relationships > sales.
Always.

Where to Find New People (Even If You “Know No One”)

Here are REAL, actionable ways to expand your network:

1. Facebook Parties

Even if you’re not in a traditional “party plan” company, you can design a fun event that gets new eyes on your products.

Parties = the fastest way to expand your cold market.

Every party host = new network
Every guest = a potential customer
Every customer = a potential host
Every host = a potential teammate

This is how your warm market grows WITHOUT you having a big network.

2. Social Media (Done the Right Way)

Do:

✔️ Post consistently
✔️ Use your face
✔️ Show your brand pillars (your life, interests, personality)
✔️ Share stories
✔️ Give value
✔️ Share transformation stories
✔️ Talk like a real human

Don’t:

❌ Spam your link
❌ Post sales graphics full of text
❌ Copy/paste posts from your upline
❌ Post “PM me for info!” bait
❌ Share nothing but product photos
❌ Message people you don’t know with your link (just… no)

Attraction marketing WORKS.
Let people see YOU.

3. Send Genuine Private Messages

Not salesy.
Not pushy.
Not weird.

Just real conversations.

Examples:

“Hey! I saw your kids started school—how’s the transition going?”
“Hi girl! Thinking of you—how’s your week?”
“OMG your trip looked so fun! What part was your favorite?”

You don’t need to bring up your business in the first message.

Build the connection FIRST.

4. Events and Vendor Fairs

Even if you can’t set up a booth:

GO
Meet people
Collect business cards
Connect online
Follow new brands
Support other vendors

Networking = opportunities.

5. Networking Groups

Think:

Local women’s groups
Chamber of Commerce events
Mom groups
Alumni meetups
Fitness classes
Hobby groups

You never know who you’ll meet.

6. Your Workplace (when appropriate)

If it feels natural—and not forced—mention what you do when the time is right.

People can’t support what they don’t know exists.

7. Ask for Referrals

Straight up ask:

“Do you know anyone who loves doing their nails, or would love a fun girls’ night in? I’d love an introduction!”

You’ll be amazed how many “Oh actually, I have a friend!” responses you’ll get.

Build Strong Customer Relationships + Treat Them Like VIPs

Once someone buys from you:

✨ Follow up
✨ Give excellent customer service
✨ Remember what they ordered
✨ Let them know about launches
✨ Make them feel SEEN
✨ Create community
✨ Make your group fun

Your goal is NOT one-time buyers.
Your goal is lifelong customers.

Yes—You CAN Build a Successful Business Without a Big Network

Whether you start with:

1 friend
10 friends
Or 100 friends…

It does NOT determine your success.

What determines your success is:
💥 Your consistency
💥 Your willingness to build relationships
💥 Your confidence
💥 Your personal growth
💥 Your willingness to show up
💥 Your ability to pivot
💥 Your positive attitude
💥 Your grit

You are 100% capable of building something massive—even if you’re starting with “no one.”

Your network will grow.
Your customers will grow.
Your confidence will grow.
Your business will grow.
YOU will grow.

It all starts with one person.
It all starts with YOU.

If this blog helped you, share it!

Send it to:
➡️ Your team
➡️ Women doubting themselves
➡️ People considering joining your company
➡️ Anyone who says “But I don’t know anyone…”

And as always:
Take a screenshot, share in your stories, tag me (@lindsaydollinger), and I’ll repost you!

You’re doing amazing, friend.
Now go build those relationships, make those connections, and grow that business.

You’ve got this. 💛✨

Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust Podcast Episode 10: “I don’t have anyone to sell to!” How to Use Your Warm and Cold Markets In Direct Sales