Direct selling is marketing and selling products to consumers directly.  There is no retail location or website location where customers can place orders and pickup the products.  Sales are made through one-on-one interactions between the seller and the customer.  This is done through demonstrations, private parties (in homes or place of business), and other private arrangements.

This model was widely used in the past before the age of the Internet where salesmen roam the country visiting residents in their homes and businesses to pitch their products and drum up sales.

It is still a good business model for certain type of businesses.

Examples of the Direct Sales Business Model
 

Safe Manufacturer:  This company will generate revenues using roaming salesmen to target and pitch their products to banks, jewelry stores, small businesses that collect and hold cash overnight, etc.  Offer quick product delivery (overnight shipment, 2-day, 7-day, etc.).  Offer setup service for a small fee.  Offer loss or missing key recovery.

Home Security Systems:  Generate revenues by using roaming salesmen to target and pitch to residents.  Offer quick delivery and setup of the security systems.  Provide monitoring of the system to ensure that it is functioning 24/7.

Home/Office Cleaning Service:  This company will generate revenues by using roaming salesmen to target residents and businesses to pitch their service to them.  Offer flexible delivery of service that is most convenient to the customer (such as after hours cleaning, weekend cleaning,etc.). 

Landscaping Service:  Generate revenues by using roamign salesmen to target and pitch the service to residents and businesses.  Offer on-demand service and flexible delivery of service (such as after hours, weekends, holidays, etc.).