Exploring the Meaning of Direct Selling from Salespersons’ Perspectives

Penulis

  • Ari Usman Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37278/artcomm.v9i1.1509

Kata Kunci:

Direct Selling, Salesperson, Phenomenology, Meaning, Communication

Abstrak

In the digital era, where most marketing activities have shifted online, some individuals still engage in direct selling as a primary occupation. This study aims to explore the meaning of direct selling from the perspective of a salesperson. Using a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and literature review. The informant in this study is Dimas, a salesperson who actively works in direct selling. The findings reveal several emergent meanings. First, direct selling is perceived as a promising source of income. Second, it offers flexibility in managing working time. Third, it serves as a practical space for applying communication skills. Fourth, it is seen as a profession full of challenges. Finally, direct selling is often underestimated or viewed negatively by society. In conclusion, direct selling is not merely a sales activity but a meaningful profession shaped by both opportunities and challenges. It provides economic benefits, personal growth, and flexibility, while also requiring resilience in dealing with social perceptions and work-related difficulties.

Referensi

A. Ridwan, “Persentase Usaha E-Commerce di 38 Provinsi Indonesia pada 2024,” katadata.co.id. Accessed: Mar. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://databoks.katadata.co.id/teknologi-telekomunikasi/statistik/6976c9f623899/persentase-usaha-e-commerce-di-38-provinsi-indonesia-pada-2024

D. Alessandrina, “FMCG E-Commerce 2025 Tumbuh, Nilai Transaksi Tembus Rp 128 T!,” marketeers.com. Accessed: Mar. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.marketeers.com/fmcg-e-commerce-2025-tumbuh-nilai-transaksi-tembus-rp-128-t/

S. A. Bayuputra, D. Mulyana, and M. Suherman, “Personal Selling to Reach Consumers (Case Study at PT. Teknologi Mudah Terhubung),” Eduvest-Journal Univers. Stud., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 2807–2825, 2025.

V. Ersa, M. Raf, and S. Kartika, “Pengaruh Direct Selling terhadap minat beli pada produk PT Surya Sentosa Primatama-Daihatsu Jambi,” vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 19–30, 2021.

M. Behera, “Economic Growth through Direct Selling : A Global Comparison w ith India ’ s Insights,” vol. 10, no. 10, pp. 81–98, 2025.

A. Schutz, The Phenomenology of the Social World. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 1967.

Cochran and R. A. L., Sara; Coughlan, Anne T.; Crittenden, William F.; Ferrell, Linda K.; Ferrell, O.C.; Luce, W. Alan; Peterson, Direct Selling: A Global and Social Business Model. New York: Business Expert Press, 2021.

M. Klein and M. Rouziou, “Journal of Marketing Trends-Trends and Challenges in Direct Selling,” J. Mark. Trends, vol. 9, no. 1, p. 57, 2024.

B. Ellsworth, Direct Selling For Dummies, 2nd ed. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2022.

Distri, “Direct Selling Adalah Strategi Yang Efektif, Intip Jenis Dan Manfaat!,” distri.id. Accessed: Mar. 26, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.distri.id/direct-selling-adalah-strategi-yang-efektif-intip-jenis-dan-manfaat/

I. Hussain, “Direct Selling: A Comprehensive Review,” ISAR J. Econ. Bus. Manag., vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 16–18, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://isarpublisher.com/journal/isarjebm

R. Seow, “Direct selling a controversial business model: recent development and future research agenda,” J. Technol. Manag. Bus., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 99–115, 2022.

O. Uzochukwu, “Direct selling strategies and customers loyalty in the Nigerian deposit money banks,” Int. J. Business, Econ. Manag., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 116–129, 2021.

N. Draskovic and M. Haric, “Challenges of direct selling in a digital world: The case of Avon in Croatia,” J. Manag. Cases, vol. 23, no. 1, p. 52, 2021.

G. Kotler, Philip; Armstrong, Principles of Marketing, 18th ed. London: Pearson Education, 2021.

K. L. Kotler, Philip; Keller, Marketing Management, 16th ed. London: Pearson Education, 2022.

J. Brown, L. S.; Harrison, The art of personal selling: Consulting and solution-based approaches in direct marketing, 7th ed. Hampton, New Jersey: Business Expert Press, 2023.

D. R. Miller, “Self-discipline and autonomy: Psychological profiles of successful independent direct sellers,” J. Appl. Bus. Res., vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 115–130, 2022.

S. F. Zahra, Yunita; Handoyo, “A comprehensive overview of Generation Z in the workplace: Insights from a scoping review,” SA J. Ind. Psychol., vol. 51, no. a2263, 2025, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v51i0.2263

M. Travers, “5 Reasons Why ‘Gen Z’ Is Struggling In The Workplace—By A Psychologist,” forbes.com. Accessed: Apr. 22, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2024/12/26/5-reasons-why-gen-z-is-struggling-in-the-workplace-by-a-psychologist/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

J. W. Creswell, Penelitian Kualitatif & Desain Riset, Memilih di antara Lima Pendekatan. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2015.

Sugiyono, Metode Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Alfabeta, 2018.

E. Kuswarno, Fenomenologi: Konsepsi, Pedoman, dan Contoh Penelitiannya. Bandung: Widya Padjadjaran, 2009.

M. K. Paulsen, “Appearance of experience as form and process,” Integr. Psychol. Behav. Sci., vol. 54, no. 4, pp. 861–879, 2020.

S. W. Sarwono, Pengantar Psikologi Umum. Jakarta: Rajawali Pers, 2019.

R. D. Amirovna, Mardiyeva Shahnoza; Oltinova, “The Importance of Motive and Motivation in Achieving A Person’s Goal,” Ethiop. Int. J. Multidiscip. Res., vol. 12, no. 11, p. 359, 2025.

D. Erawati and N. Afifah, “Fenomena Joget THR 2025 : Eksplorasi Budaya Populer dan Respon Keagamaan melalui Lensa Alfred Schutz,” J. Pendidik. Sej. dan Sosiol., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 53–67, 2025.

L. Dogbla et al., “Occupational risk factors by sectors: an observational study of 20,000 workers,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 20, no. 4, p. 3632, 2023.

Salesconcepts, “Successful Salespeople Adapt to Different Types of Customers,” salesconcepts.com. Accessed: Mar. 27, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.salesconcepts.com/successful-salespeople-adapt-to-different-types-of-customers

N. Muhamad, “Perusahaan Penyedia Layanan Internet di Indonesia Terus Bertambah sampai 2024,” katadata.co.id. Accessed: Mar. 15, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://databoks.katadata.co.id/teknologi-telekomunikasi/statistik/68b14d06b343c/perusahaan-penyedia-layanan-internet-di-indonesia-terus-bertambah-sampai-2024

S. Hamdani, “Impelementasi Metode Fenomenologi Dalam Penelitian Pendidikan Islam,” vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 35–53, 2024.

J. L. Johnston, Mark W.; Marshall, Greg W.; Ogilvie, Sales Force Management: Leadership, Innovation, Technology. New York: Routledge, 2025.

Oneindonesia, “Gaji Sales Biasa Aja? Salah! Ini Potensi Gaji Nyatanya,” oneindonesia.id. Accessed: Mar. 15, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://oneindonesia.id/gaji-sales-biasa-aja-salah-ini-potensi-gaji-nyatanya/

A. Kamalia, “ANALISIS KESESUAIAN PERATURAN PERUSAHAAN PT . MEGA CAPITAL SEKURITAS BERDASARKAN,” J. Pengemb. Ketenagakerjaan, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 101–106, 2024.

M. R. M. Salem, “Designing future-ready workplaces: how Gen Z’s preferred work type influence retention intention; mediating role of perceived autonomy in Malaysian SMEs,” Futur. Bus. J., vol. 11, no. 1, p. 211, 2025.

S. Schooley, “What Is Flextime and Why Should You Offer It?,” business.com. Accessed: Mar. 26, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.business.com/articles/advantages-of-flextime/

N. Haryono and T. Haryono, “PENERAPAN PRINSIP KOMUNIKASI BISNIS PADA AKTIFITAS PERSONAL SELLING SEBAGAI STRATEGI KOMUNIKASI PEMASARAN PEDAGANG PASAR GEDE KOTA SURAKARTA,” J. Komun. dan Kaji. Media, vol. 8, no. 2, 2024.

BPS, “Pengangguran Terbuka Menurut Pendidikan Tertinggi yang Ditamatkan,” bps.go.id. Accessed: Mar. 20, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.bps.go.id/id/statistics-table/2/Njc0IzI=/pengangguran-terbuka-menurut-pendidikan-tertinggi-yang-ditamatkan.html

M. B. Pamungkas, “Lebih dari 1 Juta Sarjana Menganggur, Pemerintah Ungkap Sebabnya,” kompas.com. Accessed: Mar. 15, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2025/07/15/21112941/lebih-dari-1-juta-sarjana-menganggur-pemerintah-ungkap-sebabnya#

E. Novita, “Kuliah Sambil Kerja: Bikin Kamu Makin Pede & Punya Value Lebih,” uai.ac.id. Accessed: Mar. 10, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://uai.ac.id/kuliah-sambil-kerja-bikin-kamu-makin-pede-dan-punya-value-lebih/

C. M. Futrell, Fundamentals of Selling, 13th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013.

M. A. Tanner, J. F.; Raymond, Principles of Marketing. Boston: Flat World Knowledge, 2016.

F. Bettger, How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2009.

E. C. Amin, Mohammad Sakif; Arndt, Aaron D.; Tanner, “Impact of stereotype threat on sales anxiety,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 154, 2023.

K. Banarto, Rahasia Sukses Bisnis Modern. Yogyakarta: Deepublish, 2022.

F. Zulfikar, “6 Pekerjaan Paling Populer dan Menjanjikan untuk Gen Z, Ada Incaranmu?,” detik.com. Accessed: Mar. 10, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.detik.com/edu/detikpedia/d-8243931/6-pekerjaan-paling-populer-dan-menjanjikan-untuk-gen-z-ada-incaranmu

S. N. Ab Hamid, N. Rosli, R. Abdul Hamid, and C. A. Che Wel, “The influence of job characteristics toward intention to pursue sales career mediated by feelings,” Front. Psychol., vol. 13, no. November, pp. 1–10, 2022, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.953645.

S. Pore, “Why Does Gen Z Avoid Sales as a Career? Let’s Talk About It!,” crescentia.co.in. Accessed: Mar. 10, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://crescentia.co.in/why-does-gen-z-avoid-sales-as-a-career-lets-talk-about-it/#:~:text=Every conversation is different%2C and,for women with family commitments.

D. W. Alfiansyah, “HRD: Rerata Gen Z Menghindari Profesi Sales, Dinilai Tidak Sesuai Ekspektasi,” radarbojonegoro.jawapos.com. Accessed: Mar. 26, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://radarbojonegoro.jawapos.com/ekonomi/716381073/hrd-rerata-gen-z-menghindari-profesi-sales-dinilai-tidak-sesuai-ekspektasi

##submission.downloads##

Diterbitkan

2026-04-30

Cara Mengutip

Usman, A. (2026). Exploring the Meaning of Direct Selling from Salespersons’ Perspectives. ArtComm : Jurnal Komunikasi Dan Desain, 9(1), 110–126. https://doi.org/10.37278/artcomm.v9i1.1509

Terbitan

Bagian

Articles

Artikel paling banyak dibaca berdasarkan penulis yang sama