We’ve compiled the top questions from each session and provided deeper answers to what leaders in our industry are asking.
The DSCS 2025 (Direct Selling Channel Summit) marked an important moment for the industry, showcasing a shift in how direct selling organizations are evolving. No longer confined to simple product transactions, today’s leaders are building thriving communities, empowering representatives to develop personal brands, and fostering deep, multidimensional relationships with consumers.
At DSCS 2025, attendees raised critical questions that reflect the direct selling challenges and opportunities of this evolving landscape. From social media strategies and AI integration to compliance and affiliate marketing, industry experts provided actionable insights. In this post, we explore the top DSCS 2025 questions and offer our perspective with some deeper insights.
Social Media & Digital Marketing
Q: What is the best social media platform for corporate and distributors to gain engagement?
A: The ideal platform depends entirely on your target audience. Facebook continues to excel at community-building and group-focused interactions. Instagram and TikTok dominate short-form video engagement, particularly for lifestyle and product demonstrations. LinkedIn is increasingly valuable for professional networking and B2B relationship building. The most successful companies are developing platform-specific strategies rather than trying to use the same approach everywhere.
Q: What social media platform is seeing the most growth in 2025?
A: TikTok and Instagram Reels continue to lead in engagement growth across demographics, particularly for discoverable content. Interestingly, LinkedIn is expanding rapidly in the direct selling space as more professionals focus on personal branding and thought leadership. We’re seeing representatives build substantial businesses by positioning themselves as industry experts on this platform.
Q: How do you teach distributors to engage effectively on social media?
A: The key is meeting them where they are. Successful companies provide structured content ideas and examples tailored to different comfort levels. They emphasize authentic storytelling over product pitches and focus on building 1:1 connections rather than broadcasting. Regular training that shows real-world examples of effective engagement has proven more valuable than theoretical guidelines.
Sales Leadership & Motivation
Q: How do you find new sales leaders and motivate them effectively?
A: Look beyond traditional metrics. Tomorrow’s leaders often emerge from your most engaged community members, not necessarily your current top sellers. Effective companies offer clear, attainable incentives and implement personalized mentorship programs that develop leadership skills incrementally. Recognition that aligns with personal values motivates more effectively than one-size-fits-all approaches.
Q: How do you re-engage “retired” reps or get semi-active ones to continue a legacy?
A: Highlight what’s changed since they stepped away, showcasing new opportunities, tools, and systems designed to address past challenges. Share success stories of others who have returned and discovered new paths to success. Most importantly, emphasize flexibility—showing them how they can engage in a way that fits their current lifestyle rather than reverting to old routines. Implement retargeting campaigns to re-nurture their interest, offering small wins that provide quick results and renewed motivation.
AI & Automation
Q: How can AI help with onboarding new distributors from Day 1 to Day 90?
A: AI excels at personalization and just-in-time support. Leading companies use AI to create customized onboarding journeys based on distributors’ goals, learning preferences, and availability. These systems deliver automated training sequences, track progress with data-driven insights, and identify potential challenges before they lead to dropout. The most sophisticated platforms adapt content delivery based on engagement patterns and performance metrics.
Additionally, AI-powered chatbots on social media and websites can streamline onboarding by answering common questions, directing new distributors to the right training materials, and providing real-time support. These chatbots can also nudge users toward their next steps, ensuring they stay engaged and on track throughout their first 90 days.
Q: Do you think AI will replace customer service, or will human interaction remain essential?
A: AI agents will enhance efficiency by handling routine inquiries and administrative tasks, but human connection remains absolutely essential for relationship-building and addressing complex customer needs. The most successful model emerging is a hybrid approach where AI handles the repetitive while freeing human representatives to focus on meaningful interactions that build loyalty and emotional connection.
Q: How can small businesses leverage AI without big budgets?
A: The democratization of AI tools has been remarkable. Small businesses can now access affordable solutions for lead generation, content creation, customer insights, and automated follow-up. Several panelists highlighted subscription-based tools that deliver enterprise-level capabilities at accessible price points. The key is starting with one high-impact area rather than trying to implement AI across the entire business at once.
Affiliate & Influencer Marketing
Q: How do you engage affiliates and influencers while staying compliant?
A: Clear guidelines and proactive communication are essential. Successful companies provide detailed content templates, approval processes, and regular check-ins to ensure brand alignment. Many have implemented compliance technology that can review affiliate content before it goes live. Training that explains the “why” behind compliance requirements, not just the rules, has proven particularly effective.
Q: Has the affiliate model proven effective for direct sales?
A: Overwhelmingly yes. Companies report significantly increased reach and diversified revenue streams when integrating affiliate programs alongside traditional direct selling methods. The key to success has been creating clear differentiation between distributor and affiliate roles while ensuring both groups feel valued. Companies that master this balance enjoy the passionate advocacy of direct selling combined with the extended reach of affiliate marketing.
Compliance, Legal, & Operations
Q: If AI chatbots make health or income claims, what are the company’s liabilities?
A: Companies remain fully responsible for ensuring all AI-powered communications follow compliance guidelines. Regulatory bodies have made it clear that automated content receives the same scrutiny as human-generated content. Leading companies are implementing safeguards including pre-approved response libraries, regular audits, and human oversight of AI learning models to prevent problematic claims.
Q: How do you handle problematic posts from 4+ years ago?
A: A proactive approach is best. Many companies are conducting periodic content audits and archiving or removing outdated material, particularly from representatives no longer affiliated with the organization. Clear policies about content lifespan and regular training about evolving compliance standards help prevent future issues while addressing legacy content systematically.
Q: How can companies balance e-commerce flows with compliance in direct sales?
A: Automation has been transformative in this area. Leading companies have implemented systems that automatically review product descriptions, promotional materials, and social content for compliance issues. Transparent processes that clearly delineate permissible claims and provide compliant alternatives have proven effective. The most successful companies build compliance into the foundation of their e-commerce infrastructure rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Industry Trends & Future Insights
Q: With TikTok Marketplace gaining traction, how will it impact direct sales?
A: Early adopters report it’s becoming a significant channel for product discovery and impulse purchases, particularly among younger demographics. Success depends on authentic content strategies specifically designed for TikTok’s unique environment; traditional promotional approaches typically underperform. Companies that empower representatives to create genuine, behind-the-scenes content that fits platform norms are seeing the strongest results.
Q: What’s the realistic timeline for direct sales to adopt AI effectively?
A: The adoption curve has accelerated dramatically. Most companies are already implementing AI in some capacity, particularly for customer service, content creation, and training. The question has shifted from whether direct selling will embrace these technologies to how thoroughly and strategically companies will integrate them. Those that approach AI as a core capability rather than an add-on feature are establishing significant competitive advantages.
Embracing the Future While Honoring Tradition
As DSCS 2025 concluded, a powerful message emerged: the future belongs to organizations that embrace technological innovation while preserving the human connections that have always defined direct selling.
The most successful companies are equipping their representatives with cutting-edge tools, fostering authentic engagement, and creating flexible opportunities that fit diverse lifestyles. They’re leveraging data and automation to drive efficiency while ensuring relationships remain at the heart of their business.
In this new ecosystem, where traditional boundaries are disappearing, NexLaunch empowers businesses to adapt, innovate, and thrive, helping them reimagine what direct selling can be while staying true to what makes it meaningful.
