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View Full Version : I need your input!
daniedb
09-18-2005, 11:15 AM
Hi,
I am a WAHM who started a bath and body online boutique about two years ago. Currently, I do 99% of my business through my website, and am looking to move my products into a select few high end boutiques.
What I'm trying to do is find some independent sales reps, women who would take a sample kit, company printed catalogs, price lists and order forms to boutiques in their areas and create wholesale accounts for me. I would then ship directly to the store, and the rep would get a percentage cut of the store's order. The rep would also receive a percentage (smaller than the original) of every followup order from that boutique as long as the rep is actively selling with my company.
I'm specifically targeting, as reps, WAH or SAHMs, because I see that these women tend to have a great drive to succeed and have an amazing eye for quality when theysee it, and I'm very choosy about myproducts and what kind of image my company conveys.
My question to youWAHMs is...what makes you want to join a program like this? What kind ofthings do you look for when searching for an opportunity to make extra money? Is this something that would be interesting to women who are already involved in direct sales?
I would love some honest feedback about it, as I don't have anyone else in my shoes that I can talk to about this, and you guys seem like you are successful, highly motivated and capable ladies who have great judgment. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions you can make to me about how to attract sales reps that are honest, driven and have great people skills.
DanielleEdited by: daniedb
I am a WAHM who started a bath and body online boutique about two years ago. Currently, I do 99% of my business through my website, and am looking to move my products into a select few high end boutiques.
What I'm trying to do is find some independent sales reps, women who would take a sample kit, company printed catalogs, price lists and order forms to boutiques in their areas and create wholesale accounts for me. I would then ship directly to the store, and the rep would get a percentage cut of the store's order. The rep would also receive a percentage (smaller than the original) of every followup order from that boutique as long as the rep is actively selling with my company.
I'm specifically targeting, as reps, WAH or SAHMs, because I see that these women tend to have a great drive to succeed and have an amazing eye for quality when theysee it, and I'm very choosy about myproducts and what kind of image my company conveys.
My question to youWAHMs is...what makes you want to join a program like this? What kind ofthings do you look for when searching for an opportunity to make extra money? Is this something that would be interesting to women who are already involved in direct sales?
I would love some honest feedback about it, as I don't have anyone else in my shoes that I can talk to about this, and you guys seem like you are successful, highly motivated and capable ladies who have great judgment. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions you can make to me about how to attract sales reps that are honest, driven and have great people skills.
DanielleEdited by: daniedb
agoodsaid
09-18-2005, 12:45 PM
Hi Danielle ~
I feel like I should have something grand to say here, but nothing is popping out at me.
One thing that I think you could do is go to your circle of influence
and say "Who do you know who ... would be good at taking my product to
a few upscale stores".
You really don't want just anyone representing you anyway ... begin to
come from a 'I need people' place and shift to a 'Let's see if you
qualify to do this' energy... that make sense?
And have you ever considered going to wholesale gift shows? Either as a
vendor or just as an attendee? There are often 'reps wanted' and 'lines
wanted' boards at those.
Hmmm... one other thought, you could offer an 'initial contact' bounty.
I think that people would be much more inclined to go and try what you
think might work if you offered a flat rate amount for going to the
interview ... be it cash or even a product credit.
Ooh, there's another thought ... in my experience, there's nothing so
compelling as a 'customer evangelist'. Perhaps offering some sort of
incentive program to your best customers would bear some fruit?
Hope one of these ideas sparks something good for you :)
Man I love brainstorming <grin>.
Andrea
I feel like I should have something grand to say here, but nothing is popping out at me.
One thing that I think you could do is go to your circle of influence
and say "Who do you know who ... would be good at taking my product to
a few upscale stores".
You really don't want just anyone representing you anyway ... begin to
come from a 'I need people' place and shift to a 'Let's see if you
qualify to do this' energy... that make sense?
And have you ever considered going to wholesale gift shows? Either as a
vendor or just as an attendee? There are often 'reps wanted' and 'lines
wanted' boards at those.
Hmmm... one other thought, you could offer an 'initial contact' bounty.
I think that people would be much more inclined to go and try what you
think might work if you offered a flat rate amount for going to the
interview ... be it cash or even a product credit.
Ooh, there's another thought ... in my experience, there's nothing so
compelling as a 'customer evangelist'. Perhaps offering some sort of
incentive program to your best customers would bear some fruit?
Hope one of these ideas sparks something good for you :)
Man I love brainstorming <grin>.
Andrea
OrangeSmoke20
09-18-2005, 01:12 PM
HI Danielle,
It sounds like to me that you are looking for Independent Sales agents vs an Independent Salesconsultant? Am I on the right track? Also would these ladies/gentlemen that want to be part of this have to purchase a kit or would you supply them the goods to go out and recruit retailers for you?
If you are looking for Sales Agents... you are going to be looking for someone to represent your company, approach businessesfor you, and you would be giving them a percentage based on what the order size is....I would say you should conduct interviews and select individuals who are right for you and your customers. That way you get the individuals that you feel would be best for your business.
: )
DAWN
It sounds like to me that you are looking for Independent Sales agents vs an Independent Salesconsultant? Am I on the right track? Also would these ladies/gentlemen that want to be part of this have to purchase a kit or would you supply them the goods to go out and recruit retailers for you?
If you are looking for Sales Agents... you are going to be looking for someone to represent your company, approach businessesfor you, and you would be giving them a percentage based on what the order size is....I would say you should conduct interviews and select individuals who are right for you and your customers. That way you get the individuals that you feel would be best for your business.
: )
DAWN
