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There are some great ways to make money out there without being the person everyone runs away from in the grocery store. lol. If you want to work from home for someone else then you need to find someone who will hire you to do so, look in the help wanted ads. Talk to friends and family. If you want to start your own company there are a few things you need to know first. 1) What are you good at? 2) What are you weak at and can you find a partner that is strong at those skills or hire someone? 3) Are you willing to commit to it, really commit to it, most sign up to be a direct sales rep and then are not willing to do what it takes to succeed. 4) How are you regarding failure? Can you bounce back from failure and keep going Working for yourself means lots of hours and rejection. I do what I do because I love it and it doesn't feel like work. I love talking with other business women asking them questions and then coming up with creative solutions to try. I'm also a direct sales rep and have other products I bring in direct from manufacturers to help pay the bills. If you are considering a direct sales company then you need to ask: 1) Do I like the product, is it something I'd use? 2) What are the margins like? Margins is the difference between what you pay and what you sell it for, also known as mark up. You should have a profit margin of 35-50% any less any you'll lose money and have to sell a lot just to break even. 3) Do they cover the cost of the Hostess Rewards or do you have to buy them? 4) How much are supplies like catalogs? 5) What is the cost of shipping and can I pass it on to the customer? 6) What is the market for the product? Is it something I can sell to anyone or is it very market specific? 7) Is the retail pricing resonable or is it too high? Will you have to spend a lot of time convincing someone that your product is worth the price? 8) Is there risidual compensation for recruiting? 9) Is there an ordering requirment to remain a rep, how much are you expected to purchase every month or quarter? 10) Do you know anyone who uses that product or one of it's competitors? There are lots and lots of legitimate options out there, but you have to do your homework and you have to be willing to work at it in order to succeed. I don't mean 40 hours a week, but be resonable in your expectations. If you only work 10 hours a week expect to make a 10% return. if you work 40 hours a week expect a 100% return. Every business takes time to get going, once you have a client base it gets easier and then referals come and before you know it your spending more time filling orders than marketing. If you have any questions on running a business, post them here or email me at request@carennedysolutions.com Carennedy http://www.carennedysolutions.com |
Here's what I need, and I'm sure others do as well.... because the more we can educate on how it works the better. You'll notice I didn't say anything about investing.... All businesses have to have an initial investment. I was listing the marketing issues. 1. A third party review would do wonders. So if you can find one that would be perfect. I tried but found sites by individuals selling it. 2. Make your own site like others out there full of information on what they are buying into and any limitations or regulations that would be a negative surprise if found out about afterward. Other sites I came across a few moments ago were better than the offical site because they gave more information, less pressure, and no give me your information before I tell you what this is about. It wasn't the money it was having to sign up to find out what it was about. 3. Instead of what the first person on this thread wrote, write more about why you signed up and how it has changed the way you shop and how you make money. What people you share the opportunity with say or ask -- like a FAQ. Linking to the official site which has the above marketing issues is not going to help you find leads. If you check out another thread that moms on a mission posted like the 1st post on this thread I analysed the website the same way and then proceeded to research is it was a scam or not. I found a third party review and posted that it wasn't a scam and put in the link requesting that if they were interested to contact the original poster. I have not been able to do the same here YET! _________________________ |
I have a huge issue with sites that make you sign up to get any information. It isn't upfront enough for me. I want to know what the product is, or the core business - how you make money. Did go into the site and noticed a few things... 1. I needed to put my phone number in before I could get any further - means a follow up sales call. Used an old number 2. I needed to put my email address in before I could get any further - means a lot of follow up sales emails - used a spam / information overload email address 3. My name appeared in the upper left corner with names of others on the site and what time we entered. So I could tell you who else was looking and at what time. 4. from what I understand you purchase a discount card to use when you shop and receive a discount. Get your friends to sign up and you get residuals. 5. Pressure sales as I have a deadline to purchase. The company is my world plus - I would recommend googling it and finding any independent reviews before going any further. Not so much the concept I don't trust, more the marketing plan and the pressure sales. If anyone has any feedback on my world plus, please post here. |
Just a word on Direct Sales companies - I'm not trying to sell you on one, just give you some tips when evaluating. Some are good, really good, others not so much. When looking at direct sales, consider these items: 1) Do you love the product, is it something you will use? 2) How much is it to sign up and what is included? Is it worth the investment? The kit should include more product than the sign up fee and be diverse enough that you don't have too many of the same item. 3) What are the requirements for remaining a rep? Do you have to purchase a certain amount each month or each quarter to remain a rep? 4) Training, is there any and if so where does it originate? Head office or your recruiter? 5) Are you going to receive enough help to get going? The hardest part is the start up. 6) What are the restrictions of the company? Are you only allowed to sell in certain areas? Can you enter only so many events? Can you sell online? Are you allowed to have an independent website? Is it exclusive and you can't sell anything else? 7)Do you know anyone that uses that product or a competitors product? What is the reputation of the company? Check with both the DSA and CDSA this is the Direct sales association, and the Canadian Direct Sales Association. d) How much are the supplies, catalogs etc? e) How much is the product? Is it expensive in your opinion? Is it something that that you will have to convince others to stop using what they already use to buy yours. How large is the market place. Is it something that anyone will buy or is it very specific and if it's specific is the market saturated with consultants or competition? f) What are the margins, or what is the % that you keep for each sale? It should be 35% or more, otherwise you'll be working lots for little return. g) What is the return policy of the company? Do they stand by their product with a good warrenty or leave you out in the cold? Do they have a return policy in place for the rep if they decide to leave and want to return their inventory h) What is the hostess program like? Would it entice you to host a party? Who pays for the hostess gifts and incentives - the company or does it come out of your pocket? 10) How many reps are in your area? Is the market saturated? This should be enough questions to start you off.... _________________________ |
Thought I'd post this information on analysing an opportunity. 1. Is it a business or a job? Two very different things. You will need to assess what you want, the security of a paycheque OR the flexibility of being your own boss. If you want the pay cheque, there are lots of opportunities for shared work and work from home, check first with the company you work for they may have an opportunity your not aware of. 2. If you want a business then you need to know what your passionate about. All business people are saleswomen, whether it's a service or a product they have to sell someone on their abilities and their company. If you want specific sales advice pm me and we can talk there. If your going to sell a service it has to be one you fully believe in because you are selling yourself to the marketplace. If your selling a product make sure it's one you can use and believe in. 3. If you are going to be an independant rep for a direct sales company there are some things you need to know before signing anything: a) How much to sign up? What do you receive for that fee, the product must be worth more than the fee. b) Are there any minimum targets that need to be met in order to retain your independent rep status? Are they manageable if you don't sell that amount can you afford to purchase the products for inventory or for your own use? c) What is the reputation of the company? Check with both the DSA and CDSA this is the Direct sales association, and the Canadian Direct Sales Association. d) How much are the supplies, catalogs etc? e) How much is the product? Is it expensive in your opinion? Is it something that that you will have to convince others to stop using what they already use to buy yours. How large is the market place. Is it something that anyone will buy or is it very specific and if it's specific is the market saturated with consultants or competition? f) What are the margins, or what is the % that you keep for each sale? It should be 35% or more, otherwise you'll be working lots for little return. g) What is the return policy of the company? Do they stand by their product with a good warrenty or leave you out in the cold? Do they have a return policy in place for the rep if they decide to leave and want to return their inventory h) What is the hostess program like? Would it entice you to host a party? Who pays for the hostess gifts and incentives - the company or does it come out of your pocket? There are lots more I have lots to do and need to head out to get a gift for my son, I can't find an online company that beats WAL Marts price on a Nintendo DS and delivers to Canada. Unless a WAHM business sells one????? IF so PM me. Any further questions about how to analyse a market or business let me know either here or via pm. __________________ |
Work in Progress... For the completed article go to Support for WAHMs |