Direct sales allow you to be your own boss as an independent consultant for a company. Usually you are a representative of the company's products, and you are authorized to sell the products earning a commission on the sales. The company allows you to use their name and usually provides marketing materials and training. Some examples of direct sales companies are Avon and Mary Kay. They use consultants or representatives to bring their products to their customers. The scrapbooking industry also has direct sales opportunities. Direct sales in scrapbooking could be your chance to turn your hobby into a business.
Direct sales in scrapbooking can make a good second income, and even give you the opportunity to purchase your own scrapbooking supplies at a substantial discount. If you want to work full time as a consultant, you can even develop a career in scrapbooking. Remember that being in business for yourself means your income may fluctuate. Before giving up your job, you need to research the direct sales opportunities carefully, and develop a strong client base before you rely solely on commissions for your income.
As you research scrapbooking direct sales companies, check each company's policies and compare them. Some will not allow you to represent their products along with another company's products. Others have high start-up costs or require you to purchase substantial inventory. You may find a company with a very low initial cost, but you also want to know how much inventory you are required to purchase on an ongoing basis to stay an active consultant.
Direct sales in scrapbooking companies vary on commission. You want to determine what your wholesale cost is for product compared to the retail sales price. This determines your product markup. Some companies only provide a 20% commission, and some go as high as 50%. You will often see higher percentages when you buy more inventory at one time. For example, a wholesale order of $100 may only provide you with $120 retail product, but with a $500 wholesale order you receive $750 of product at retail value. There usually are incentives to order more inventory with each order placement, like free promotional or marketing materials.
As an independent scrapbooking consultant, you will need to market your business. Most direct sales companies will provide you with training, catalogs and marketing materials. Decide how you will promote your business. Some possibilities are holding home scrapbooking parties, teaching classes or running an internet store. Find out if your business method conflicts with any of the sales policies for the company before you sign with them. For example, many direct sales companies don't allow active consultants to sell their products on eBay.
Making money while you are scrapbooking may sound like a dream come true. It can certainly be an excellent source of income, but remember it is still a business, and running a business takes time. You may not have time to scrapbook while your business is first getting started. Consider all the direct sales in scrapbooking opportunities. Creative Memories, Close to My Heart and Stampin? Up are a few of the larger scrapbooking direct sales companies. With some research online you can choose the direct sales in scrapbooking company that is right for you and your goals.
Hard Money Direct Lender
Yet times are changing. Even though direct mail continues to have a stable growth rate, how you use direct mail may depend on whom your target market is.
A recent study showed that while almost 90 percent of the senior population does their decision-making research offline, nearly 40 percent of Gen Xers do research online and purchase offline.
As more people turn to the Internet for research, using your website in more creative ways will ultimately help you create more sales.
1. Use postcards to announce website promotions. The purpose of a postcard is to capture attention fast, and motivate the reader to take action. Asking your reader to go to a website for a special promotion will motivate them to hang onto the postcard, and visit your website the next time they are online. You can offer anything from a percentage off of a first online purchase, to special products found only online.
2. Offer website exclusives in your letters. The next time you print a letter to send to a prospect or client, give them a reason to head to your website. Offer a free report, or give them a special link to view something that they can't find in your store or office. Make sure it has value, and will help them in their personal or professional life.
3. Ask people in your direct mail to sign up for your online newsletter. When you have a clients mailing information, it costs you money every time you send a promotion. But when you have an email address, you can market to that client again and again using various email strategies. Having an email address is an important business strategy in today's marketplace; and its also one you need to handle wisely.
When you are printing your postcards or letter to send to your clients and prospects, include a special note that asks them to visit your website and sign up for your online newsletter. There are a variety of ways to do this. The best way is to give them something of value for signing up: a discount coupon, a free gift, or a complementary report. Make sure it has perceived value to your customer, and its something they will be motivated to sign up for. Once you have an email address, you have the ability to send emails to that customer on a regular basis.
Remember, direct mail is still an important part of any campaign. But creating special offers within your direct mail will allow your prospects and customers to visit your website, and have contact with you in more than one way. And grow your sales to new levels.
Both Christine Perry & Lori Osterberg are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lori Osterberg has sinced written about articles on various topics from Internet Marketing, Small Business and Ideas for Scrapbooking. Lori Osterberg has been an online entrepreneur since 1994. She is the webmaster of www.JetPakUSA.com which provides recycling services for ink jet cartridges. Sign up for their free newsletter for tips and coupons at. Lori Osterberg's top article generates over 12100 views. Bookmark Lori Osterberg to your Favourites.
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