Whether you currently work inside or outside your home, it never hurts to have a way to add some extra money to your family’s bottom line. In-home party planning opportunities are a logical choice because they are a tried and true method of generating additional income while allowing you to fit into your family’s schedule. The house party plan direct marketing method is effective because house parties bring together a highly targeted group of potential customers in a friendly and positive environment where they have come specifically to learn about your unique products and business opportunity (also known as a captive audience). )!
By joining forces with a home party planning company, you are effectively starting your own business and investing your time, energy, and money to succeed. But with so many home party planning companies, how do you know which one will best fit your lifestyle and the needs of your family? Before you commit to any party plan opportunity, do your research!
Read about the company on its official website and ask questions of a current company advisor. You can usually find a local consultant on a company’s official website, but if not, you can always find one by doing a Google search of the format “company name” + consultant + “wherever you live.”
Use the questions below to help you evaluate each party plan opportunity you’re considering.
1. Evaluate your own house party business:
How long has the company been in business? Seriously consider joining a company that is already well established and still expanding. When you sign up for a new house party company, you run the risk that it won’t exist in the long run.
Is the company stable and reliable? Check the company’s track record on timely payment to consultants. You are wasting your resources if you join forces with a company that is not trustworthy in the payment department,
Does the company establish its mission and vision? Make sure the company you join has similar values to yours so you can feel good about representing them.
How does the company deliver its products? Does the business ship directly to your customer, or will you need to stock inventory and deliver (or have your hostess deliver) purchases? Are products delivered quickly and efficiently? Are the customer’s shipping costs reasonable?
How strong is the company’s warranty and customer service? You want to work with a company that is there for you and your clients. Call the company to ask a few questions. Check how fully and politely they respond. Also, choose to work with a company whose policy is to provide an unconditional money-back guarantee.
How much competition does the business face in your area? In some areas, the market may be saturated for a given opportunity, while in others you could be first. Look for advertisements in newspapers and on bulletin boards of other consultants from the company you are thinking of joining. How often do you get cards or door hangers for this opportunity in your home? If you think you see too much competition, you may need to consider another opportunity.
How prepared is your potential sponsor? If you haven’t already, now is the time to find a sponsor. This person will be her upline and she needs them to be able to answer her questions and offer support. If your potential sponsor can’t help you decide whether or not to pursue your company’s opportunity, then they probably won’t be much help in the future.
TIP: Don’t choose your friend in the business as your sponsor just because you know her! Your sponsor will play a major role in your ultimate success or failure. Interview two to four potential sponsors. Assess how knowledgeable and comfortable each can respond to your questions and concerns. Just as important, test your ease level with each potential sponsor. Choose your sponsor based on a combination of her feelings about her as a person and her feelings about her ability to lead and support her downline.
Is the company a member of the Direct Selling/Sale Association? If not, keep looking!
The Direct Sellers/Silling Association can be found online.
2. Evaluate Home Party Company products:
Do the products improve life? If you are passionate about the products you sell because they have improved your life, you will find it easy and exciting to promote them to others. Find a company that has identified a consumer need or problem, and whose products provide a highly effective solution that improves the consumer’s life.
Are the products consumables? It is much easier to sell to a regular customer than it is to find a new one. Look for a company that sells high-quality, life-enhancing consumable products that your customers will buy again and again.
Are the products exclusive? Try to choose a company whose products are unique. Your customers will buy from you again and again if you are their single source for the products they need and want.
Are the products competitively priced? Decide if the company’s products are worth the selling price. Avoid companies whose products are simply equally or less effective versions of what you can buy cheaper at regular retail stores. Look for companies whose products are superior in terms of quality and effectiveness to those available elsewhere. Customers will pay more for products that work!
Do the products come with a money back guarantee? It is crucial to your long-term success that the company you represent has a full money-back guarantee. When customers know that they can return products if necessary, they not only feel more comfortable making purchases, but they are also more likely to recommend your name to their friends and family.
3. Evaluate the business opportunity of the Home Party Company:
What sales tools does the company make available? One of the jobs of the party planning company is to provide you with the sales tools to make your job easier. Look for a professional-looking official company website and affordable, high-quality business promotional materials such as brochures, catalogues, audio and video tapes, online presentations. Check your cost to buy company catalogs, forms, etc. If you want to have a website, make sure you are allowed to have one. If you are provided with a consulting website, make sure it is affordable.
What kind of training and support does the company provide? The other job of the party planning company is to provide you with the training and support to help you do your job better. Find an in-home party planning company with a step-by-step consultant’s manual and a proven system to follow. Check to see if you’ll be able to attend live training sessions and support meetings in your area, and if you’ll have a sponsor who is knowledgeable and committed to helping you build your home party business. Even seemingly small things like online ordering and payment processing capabilities make your job a lot easier in the long run.
What advertising, recruiting and sales venues will I have with this company? The more places you have to market your products and business opportunities, the greater your chances for exposure and growth. Check to see if the company provides, or at least allows, a consulting website. Check whether or not online recruitment and product advertising is allowed. If you’re restricted to offline ads and house parties, you’ll be at a distinct disadvantage compared to your colleagues who represent more liberal companies selling similar products.
What is the company’s compensation plan like? The compensation plan of the company you choose to represent should be easy to understand and explain to others. Promotions and goals must be realistically achievable and maintainable. The plan must reward effort with income and must provide motivational incentives for both newcomers and experienced consultants. Find out what percentage of the company’s consultants actually earn a level of income that you think is desirable.
Does this business file provincial or state sales tax? Most companies do this, but check to be sure. Some companies require their consultants to do so.
What is the initial cost of this company? Start-up costs should be minimal and should be primarily to cover the cost of the sales kit you purchase.
Does this company offer a “buy back” policy? Some companies offer to buy back unsold but still marketable products purchased within the previous 12 months for a percentage of their original purchase price, should you decide to go out of business.
What are the volume or monthly purchase requirements for this company? Common sense says to choose a company that requires less rather than more in this area.
What kind of incentives for hostesses and guests does this company offer? Everyone loves a deal! Free and sample products, product discounts, and giveaways make the party more satisfying for your hostess and her guests. A happy hostess is likely to recommend it to her friends and family. A happy guest is more likely to shop with you again and may decide to become a happy hostess or a new company consultant.
Does this company pay the full amount of hostess and guest incentives? Some companies charge a portion of their commission to cover a portion of hostess and guest incentive costs. Stay away from this type of company.
Does this company allow “Cash & Carry” sales? This is important to know if you want to sell your products at fairs, flea or farmers markets, festivals, and other special events.
Home party planning opportunities are a great option for working from home because they are a proven way to generate additional income while allowing you to work around your family’s schedule. Choose a credible company with high quality, unique and desirable consumable products. Choose a well-organized company that supports its consultants with sales tools, training, and an attractive compensation plan. By doing your homework before committing to a house party opportunity, you’ll make an informed decision about which party planning company best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Author: Leave Petersona