WAHM Forums

I have always been interested in NWM
because of the idea of financial freedom.

I am also drawn to party plan companies
generally because of the products. But I
am not thrilled with the idea of having to be
a party queen to make a good income.

I am wondering about the level of success
in a party plan vs. NWM. It seems easier to
start a party plan biz because it's more
product oriented (immediate sales).

But NWM seems to have the potential
for a higher income.

Does anyone have any thoughts, experience
or stories to share?

Has anyone tried both business models and
preferred one over the other?

Thanks for any comments or insight! : )
-Gabrielle

I made the mistake of getting involved in a NWM company. I didn't know the difference at the time. I was trying to sell the product, I love the products but everyone around me kept saying you don't sell the product you sell the opportunity, the product is LAST. That rubbed me wrong. Every time we had a meeting or conference call it was all about "recruit, recruit, recruit" never talked about the products, never talked about customer service, never talked about anything but what I could for THEM.

I got out FAST! With Tupperware I have the best of both worlds, I can sell a product of unmatched quality AND share the awesome business opportunity. Edited by: LeighM

NWM can use the party plan avenue to present their products/concept, and party plan, to a certain extent, IS NWM. They kind of go hand in hand. Both are vehicles to drive product sales, business & opportunities. It's how a company teaches their concepts that can be very different.

I know with @rbonne, we are considered more as NWM, but we definitely include the party plan recipe into our presentations. Some companies (as described by Leigh above) can give NWM a bad wrap with the pushiness (sp?) they instill; but it is not a NWM requirement.

So though they are not one & the same sales teachings, they inherit a lot from each other. And with the right company (insert your own definition of "right" - it wears many hats), you have the best of both concepts!

Make any sense?....LOL http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gifEdited by: thatspagirl

SeneGence is NWM/DS, you get the best of both worlds!

Thanks for the replies so far.
Yes, I do believe many party plans can be considered nwm as well.
I'm not too sure where the line is drawn. I don't know if there is any
"official" definition of what separates the two models?


then you can throw the termDS (direct sales) into the mix..hehe.

Direct Sales is pretty much the "umbrella" that covers the sales methods of: NWM, MLM, party plan, etc. Our business exists because we are in "direct sales" of something: a product, idea, plan, etc. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

I think things have changed so much and there are so many ways to sell that we are no longer confined to the "party" method. A lot of people seem to assume that if you are a product driven company (for lack of better term) you must be out there doing home parties.

We are able to get more creative in our selling outlets now. I still believe home parties are the most profitable, but there are other options.

If you have a really strong product line and you can earn commissions through building a team it is the best of both worlds.

Since we're on the subject, I just rec'd this new DSA website from an upline. Hope it's OK to post it here: http://directselling411.com/ DSA has put this together for anyone looking at DS (which we are all part of in one way or another)as a viable business.

Hey Gina, thanks for that link!
http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

You're welcome Gabrielle!

Network marketing is how you share the products and business with others - word of mouth, networking.
Party plan simply means you can earn money by having parties.

Multilevel marketing means that the more you achieve, the more you rise up in the company.

All of these can be done well, with integrity. All of them have been done poorly, too.

Do your homework and research companies that fit with your views.

^^^ Excellent points!
I believe that if you can find a combo of both with profitability with selling and recruiting, that is a winner.

Hi Gabrielle


A company that has a strong retail program where you can earn immediate income AND a good multilevel plan that pays on depth and volume is a win win! You can have the best of both worlds and for me personally its one of the main criteria that I look for in a company! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif
Also, you know you have a great product and agreat opportunity when you can retail to "non-mlmers" atretail cost and they dont run the other way.http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gifIf you can build a huge customer base with those who have no interest in building a business you have great products to market!.





Debhttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley16.gif

Gabrielle,


I agree with you that if you have a great product it should come first. Build your customer base and then the opportunity is much more appealing to someone whom has already enjoying the products.


I personally am very proud to promote my products. They are extremely nice and their preformance is incredible. So I talk about my products 1st and foremost. My customers love that I am not pushing my opportunity at them. I do however let them know that if they would like to just purchase the products they already love at wholesale price, then they might take alook at my website and learn how. I have lots of people in my downline that strickly have signed up so that they can receive their personal products at wholesale. So it is a win win for them and me.
I personally don't like pushy sales people and I try not to be one either. But for the ones that do want to become more involved in the business aspects I am here to teach them.