What is Direct Selling?
Other names include: Consultants, Representatives, and Home Party Reps. Many companies are offering representative positions for women (and men) to sell their products which can include purses, jewelry, home goods, kitchen gadgets, food items, and eco-products. Consultants can market their products at the grocery store, local events, online, or by hosting parties at someone's home.
Skill Set:
- Go-Getter
- Outgoing
- Sociable
- Confident
- Self-Starter
- Leader
- People-Person
- Good Communicator
- Comfortable speaking in front of small groups
- Active Listener
- Ambitious
- Organized
- You will need to familiarize yourself with company policies, procedures, and standards for submitting orders.
- Basic computer skills
- Knowledge in numbers: you will be responsible for keeping track of sales, taxes, etc.
- Most companies will provide at least catalogs and brochures for you to hand out to potential customers. However, you many consider purchasing a start-up kit from the company which will likely include an array of product samples, order forms and other supplies you many need. The median cost of a start box is $70, and most companies offer them in a few different sizes and price ranges. For example, Homemade Gourmet gets you started with products, catalogs, order forms, a personalized website and start-up support for $39. There may, then, be additional costs for web hosting, more products, etc.
- Consider getting business cards made so customers can have your number ready when they need to reorder. They also come in handy when you are marketing to new customers. VistaPrint and PrintsMadeEasy (free code 'FirstOneFree') offer free designs, you just pay shipping.
- If you are throwing a home party to market your products, you will want to provide basics refreshments to your guests and, of course, have your products on display or out for testing.
- Most companies provide you with a personalized webpage. If not, you may want to consider hosting your own site or putting together a website
Consultants/Representatives typically earn a commission off the sales they have made; this commission varies by company but is typically around 25%, plus cash/prizes incentives and product rewards for meeting sales quotas.
The best way to boost your earnings is to recruit new consultants to work under you . The make up what's called your down-line,and you earn anywhere from 2-5% of what they sell.
PROS:
- Can be flexible around your schedule and family
- You decide how much time and money you would like to put into it.
- Meet great people (get to socialize with grown-ups!)
- Get to have the chance to sell something you are passionate about.
- Income is based on how much time you can put into it
- Related tasks that will take up time include: paperwork, submitting orders, recruiting, follow-ups, delivering orders, etc.
Your income will depend in large part on how much time you can put toward marketing and hosting parties. The average direct sales consultant works 5-10 hours a week and earns around $200 per month.
Make sure you are comfortable pitching products to your family, friends, co-workers, church/groups members.
TIPS:
- Ask yourself: Is this a hobby or a business? Keep your hobby separate from your business so you don't spend your earnings on your own product.
- Don't sell anything you don't believe in. Passion will lead you to success!
- Put yourself out there and get to know your customers.
- If your looking for customers for life, home shows are the way to get them!
For more information about Home Parties and Consultant Opportunities, please visit these resources:
- Direct Selling Opportunities
- Host a Party Online
- How to Succeed as a Home Party Sales Consultant
- Consultant Moms
- Home Party Planner Network
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you are welcome :)
ReplyDeleteHey!
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The DCD Team