In this episode of the Modern Direct Seller Podcast, we’re hanging out with three of our Academy VIP members—Cindy Ortiz, Mary Sarah Hoole, and Amy Colbert—for a real, behind-the-scenes chat on balancing relationships with marketing automation. From in-person events and referrals to websites, lead magnets, and email marketing, they share what’s actually working for them right now. We talk about showing up authentically, focusing on consistency (not perfection), and building a business that feels sustainable without relying only on social media. It’s packed with ideas and encouragement you can put into action today!

Want to connect with today’s guests? You’ll find Cindy at cindyortiz.net, Amy over at amycolbertbeauty.com, and Mary Sarah at legallyscented.com. Be sure to check them out and see how they’re building their brands in their own unique ways!

Time based notes:

How to Balance Building Relationships and Automating Marketing in Direct Sales

In direct sales, there’s always a balancing act between building personal relationships and leveraging automation to keep your business running smoothly. In this conversation from the Modern Direct Seller Podcast, three Academy VIP members—Cindy Ortiz, Mary Sarah, and Amy Colbert—share their experiences and strategies for blending both sides of the business.

Why Relationships Still Matter

Even in 2025, face-to-face connections remain powerful. Amy finds her best results at in-person events where she can let customers try products on the spot. Cindy agrees, noting that nothing beats letting someone see, feel, or sample skincare firsthand. Mary Sarah leans heavily on direct communication—text, email, and word-of-mouth—to maintain connections and drive referrals. At the end of the day, relationships are still the heart of direct sales.

The Role of Digital Tools

At the same time, automation helps free up time and create consistency. Each of these sellers uses their Oh My Hi website as their digital headquarters. Mary Sarah loves how it brings all her brands under one roof, making her business simple and streamlined. Amy relies on Oh My Hi’s email marketing and customer management tools to stay connected with clients. Cindy, once hesitant, now uses her site for blogging, quizzes, and growing her email list—realizing that automation doesn’t replace relationships, it supports them.

Building an Audience That Sticks

All three agree that capturing contact info is essential. Amy adds email sign-ups to her checkout process at events. Cindy is reconnecting with past customers and inviting them to join her list. Mary Sarah uses lead magnets—like quizzes and guides—to bring new people into her community and nurture them through email. While social media helps with visibility, they’ve all seen that building an email list creates more reliable and long-term connections.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

The conversation also uncovered some powerful truths:

• Cindy has learned to let go of guilt and truly unplug when it’s family time.
• Amy wishes she had merged her personal and business presence sooner and reminds us to drop anything that isn’t bringing joy or results.
• Mary Sarah emphasizes that building a brand is about sustainability, not titles or quick wins—and that consistent follow-up is where success happens.

Final Thoughts

Direct sellers don’t need to choose between building relationships and automating marketing—it’s about blending both. Relationships are the heart, and automation is the system that keeps everything moving. By finding your rhythm, focusing on what works for you, and letting go of the rest, you can create a business that feels personal, sustainable, and scalable.

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