WAHM Forums

Has ANYONE here ever done this?

I am SERIOUSLY considering it. I hate making phone calls. I don't mind mailing out the "preview" information. I don't mind the actualy face to face time. I just hate the phone calls.

Soo...I was thinking of hiring a student to make my follow-up up/appointment setting phone calls (For booking fundraisers) while I spend my time in actual appointment times.

I thought this might be a better way to get done what I need to get done.

Opnions...?

Hi Janette!
For what it's worth I vote a big YES and assistants can also add a little more professionalism to your business...sometimes she or he can represent you better than you do yourself.....you would be surprised! I have found that people respond to a business in a more positive manner when they think someone needs an assistant....

Sincerely,
Denise
HomePartyPostcards.com

Oh wow! I feel better now. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley17.gif I have been reading the book Secrets of the Six Figure Women. I want to BE her. I know what needs to be done to get there. It's just that ONE little area I am bad about.

I figured if I mailed out 20-30 packets per week and she made the calls, that would get me an appointment and my business would...um well, be a business.

I think it's a fabulous idea!
Amanda

I think this is a great idea!

What do you think you would pay for something such as this?? Would the assistant be trained? you know to answer questions and such...or would they merely be setting up appointments...even so I would think they would need a bit of training?!?

Just curious...

Hello!

They for sure need training....everything from company info and product, how you'd like them to represent you on the phone to how you would like your office organized! Pay depends on how much experience they have...if they have never done it before I would pay a college kid $9 an hour I think would be fair... If they need to drive places I would pay for mileage as well....since gas is so ridiculous I think would only be fair....do you think that's enough..?? I am not totally sure!

Good luck everybody and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,
Denise
HomePartyPostcards.com

And there are income tax obligations (unless you are paying someone "under the table"). Just be careful stepping in the "employer" arena. Make sure you have a written & signed agreement before venturing there. Just my 2 cents.......

I would definately need to train them. That what they are prepared for different answers and won't be caught off guard.

I'm debating between finding a Virtual Assistant/Telecommuter or finding a local college student. I could also contact the local welfareoffice to see about hiring someone. I am VERY anal (can I say that here) and want the person to come off very professionally.

I worked at a Director for a time at an adult literacy center and we had student workers. I'm amazed that people graduating from school do not know how to answer phone or even come to work on time. I don't want to deal with that. But I can work on a simple "training manual" over the holidays and be ready to hire the first part of January.

And yes, I would definately pay them right. I have a business license in my town. So I am considered "legit". So I may need to outsource the accounting as well.

I was thinking about paying them $8 per hour PLUS 1% commission on any fundraisers I get that was due to an appointment they set up. Sure, I'd lose a little. But I'd gain SO much more. Afterall, what calls have I made? http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

I have a personal assistant and it is wonderful....It's my 21 yr old daughter

She does all of those office and organizing tasks which I hate. Such as: Entering Shows, Replacement/Exchanges, Making Hostess and Sponsoring Packets, Cleaning and Organizing my jewelry, Doing research for training material, Tracking profit and loss, sending out e-mail blast with promotions (once I approve them).

Basically anything that is considered maintenance work inmy business.

She also handles some of my downline questions through e-mail. Typically they want to talk to me if they call.

She does not talk to Hostesses, guests, or prospects....that's the reason I hired her, so that I have more time to do that.

This allows me to be on the phone with prospects and to be in front of people the maximum amount of time. In this business that is all that counts!

You'll love it!

You might want to call your local community college. There are many programs out there for girls needing internship hours. You can typically pay minimum wage because they get credi hours for working.

What a great idea. I'm going to look into finding someone after I get myself more organized.

Sheryl - It's nice that you have a daughter old enough to do those tasks for you. My daughter is 6. She can give a product demo with no trouble at all. If I'm talking to someone and my daughter is with me, she will cut in and start talking about the product. I need to get her on video sometime.

I don't think she is ready for phone calls yet...lol.

I also have an assistant! It has made a BIG difference.

She doesn't do any of my hostess, distributor, or customer calls. That is still important. I had found that my customers didn't like that so much...

So, she helps fill orders, does my gift options, office cleaning, etc.

She is a High School Girl and can double up to help with kids if I have to leave my house before my husband gets home.

I only use her a few hours a week (1-2 days a week) - and it is working out great.

I would really caution against hiring someone to do the phone calls. This is a relationship business, they want to talk to you! But having someone do the other stuff so you can see/talk to/meet people is brilliant. I know you had said you don't like making the phone calls but I think you'll find it's a much better use of your time.