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View Full Version : Candle Party/Consultant Questions
tictac12585
01-21-2010, 11:28 PM
I have a candle company and have done the affiliate thing but I have never tried holding candle parties or having candle consultants. I basically just direct sell my products through my website. I don't want to go the wholesale route but I have the resources to expand, and would like to expand. I have some really cool, unique pillar candle you just can't get with these other guys, so I would like to fill that void;-)
I've have looked into popular programs and some of them just offer discounts on products to the party thrower. I would perfer to just keep things simple and payout an tiered commission structure going from maybe 15-25% I feel that the simple the program the BETTER:o
Any thoughts? Anything I should avoid, or should try before launching this?
THANKS!
I've have looked into popular programs and some of them just offer discounts on products to the party thrower. I would perfer to just keep things simple and payout an tiered commission structure going from maybe 15-25% I feel that the simple the program the BETTER:o
Any thoughts? Anything I should avoid, or should try before launching this?
THANKS!
razzle-dazzle
01-22-2010, 05:13 AM
You could offer the hostess a free candle for having the party.. I would keep the benefits simple. I would start out with 10% and either keep it there, or if you like when they reach a certain level sold, You could go to 15% and so on.. They are already getting a free candle just for having the party, so then you can keep your percentages lower, Not giving up to much of your profit.. Best of Luck!! :)
Wax Menagerie
01-22-2010, 07:04 AM
Since you're working your own candles that you made, you have the option to give whatever you want. You could have an increasing percentage for party sales. Say 10% for sales up to $200, 15% for sales $201-$500, 20% for sales $501+. Offer a free thank you gift or half-off item for every party booked from your party or if someone signs up from the party to be an affiliate helping you to sell. And you could even make your own customized thank you gifts for every guest who shows up, say maybe 2-3 wax tarts in a little gift bag or those mesh bags with a drawstring that they have in the wedding aisles at craft stores (can't think of what they're called).
Good luck with your candle business, I've looked at the products and am sure they'll be a big success. I'm sure you've already looked at sites like etsy to sell your stuff as well as craft shows, so parties are another great way to get the name out there and make money.
Good luck with your candle business, I've looked at the products and am sure they'll be a big success. I'm sure you've already looked at sites like etsy to sell your stuff as well as craft shows, so parties are another great way to get the name out there and make money.
CandleClaire
01-22-2010, 07:45 AM
Congrats on expanding your successful candle business!!
I see that reading your post a second time maybe you already have customers who would like to host a party and you would like to give them a cut of the profits for doing so? It seems like that could work! You could glean info on hostess coaching from other candle companies hostess packets and consultants?
Would it help to have those of us in home party businesses giving tips on hostess coaching?
On the side of having consultants booking and selling for you: A couple of thoughts......
Do you have consultants in mind? People who have expressed an interest in selling your products and who have experience, drive and motivation to sell them? If you already
have a couple of hot shots on board, that would be a different story than if you did not.
The percentage of productive demonstrators you will sign up will vary greatly.and their drive to sell your product will also vary. A visual often used is that you can seperate your demos into a deck of cards.....and only 4 are aces, 12 are face cards, and the rest are 2-10s. It can take a lot of work to sort and train.
Will you be able to provide your consultants with sample product, marketing materials, specials to offer, and incentives?
As a seller and sponsor in direct candle sales, I can say that the enticement of 15-25 percent on each $20 item (guessing price range) sold one by one at a home party is a tough one. I rely on my company's commission structure of 25-36 percent PLUS extensive bonus incentive programs (and budget) to keep myself and my downline motivated. Plus they provide me with updated materials and customer specials each month that I can offer my hostesses. Without this it just wouldnt be worth it.
I hope this helps and all the best of luck to you on your adventure! Keep us posted!!!!
I see that reading your post a second time maybe you already have customers who would like to host a party and you would like to give them a cut of the profits for doing so? It seems like that could work! You could glean info on hostess coaching from other candle companies hostess packets and consultants?
Would it help to have those of us in home party businesses giving tips on hostess coaching?
On the side of having consultants booking and selling for you: A couple of thoughts......
Do you have consultants in mind? People who have expressed an interest in selling your products and who have experience, drive and motivation to sell them? If you already
have a couple of hot shots on board, that would be a different story than if you did not.
The percentage of productive demonstrators you will sign up will vary greatly.and their drive to sell your product will also vary. A visual often used is that you can seperate your demos into a deck of cards.....and only 4 are aces, 12 are face cards, and the rest are 2-10s. It can take a lot of work to sort and train.
Will you be able to provide your consultants with sample product, marketing materials, specials to offer, and incentives?
As a seller and sponsor in direct candle sales, I can say that the enticement of 15-25 percent on each $20 item (guessing price range) sold one by one at a home party is a tough one. I rely on my company's commission structure of 25-36 percent PLUS extensive bonus incentive programs (and budget) to keep myself and my downline motivated. Plus they provide me with updated materials and customer specials each month that I can offer my hostesses. Without this it just wouldnt be worth it.
I hope this helps and all the best of luck to you on your adventure! Keep us posted!!!!
skcandles
01-22-2010, 10:27 AM
I really have no advice to offer, but depending on what sort of plan you come up with, you may want to consult a lawyer and have some sort of contract that is signed between you and any consultants you sign or however you set it up
tictac12585
01-22-2010, 01:48 PM
Congrats on expanding your successful candle business!!
I see that reading your post a second time maybe you already have customers who would like to host a party and you would like to give them a cut of the profits for doing so? It seems like that could work! You could glean info on hostess coaching from other candle companies hostess packets and consultants?
Would it help to have those of us in home party businesses giving tips on hostess coaching?
On the side of having consultants booking and selling for you: A couple of thoughts......
Do you have consultants in mind? People who have expressed an interest in selling your products and who have experience, drive and motivation to sell them? If you already
have a couple of hot shots on board, that would be a different story than if you did not.
The percentage of productive demonstrators you will sign up will vary greatly.and their drive to sell your product will also vary. A visual often used is that you can seperate your demos into a deck of cards.....and only 4 are aces, 12 are face cards, and the rest are 2-10s. It can take a lot of work to sort and train.
Will you be able to provide your consultants with sample product, marketing materials, specials to offer, and incentives?
As a seller and sponsor in direct candle sales, I can say that the enticement of 15-25 percent on each $20 item (guessing price range) sold one by one at a home party is a tough one. I rely on my company's commission structure of 25-36 percent PLUS extensive bonus incentive programs (and budget) to keep myself and my downline motivated. Plus they provide me with updated materials and customer specials each month that I can offer my hostesses. Without this it just wouldnt be worth it.
I hope this helps and all the best of luck to you on your adventure! Keep us posted!!!!
All of you have provided great feedback so far. So thank you very much! I do have a few conustlants in mind, but just a few so far. I really like your analogy of a deck of cards:-) I do have much to think about and even more to do.
I plan on making availiable to consultants any marketing materials like brochures, catalogues, a homepage and business cards and sample kits that they might need.
One important thing I notice is that I might have to raise the prices just to accomidate holding this part of the business. I set all my prices right now with a 25% COS in mind. I would like to set a generous payout structure, but along wih paying out a competetive commission I would likely have to raise my prices.
I see that reading your post a second time maybe you already have customers who would like to host a party and you would like to give them a cut of the profits for doing so? It seems like that could work! You could glean info on hostess coaching from other candle companies hostess packets and consultants?
Would it help to have those of us in home party businesses giving tips on hostess coaching?
On the side of having consultants booking and selling for you: A couple of thoughts......
Do you have consultants in mind? People who have expressed an interest in selling your products and who have experience, drive and motivation to sell them? If you already
have a couple of hot shots on board, that would be a different story than if you did not.
The percentage of productive demonstrators you will sign up will vary greatly.and their drive to sell your product will also vary. A visual often used is that you can seperate your demos into a deck of cards.....and only 4 are aces, 12 are face cards, and the rest are 2-10s. It can take a lot of work to sort and train.
Will you be able to provide your consultants with sample product, marketing materials, specials to offer, and incentives?
As a seller and sponsor in direct candle sales, I can say that the enticement of 15-25 percent on each $20 item (guessing price range) sold one by one at a home party is a tough one. I rely on my company's commission structure of 25-36 percent PLUS extensive bonus incentive programs (and budget) to keep myself and my downline motivated. Plus they provide me with updated materials and customer specials each month that I can offer my hostesses. Without this it just wouldnt be worth it.
I hope this helps and all the best of luck to you on your adventure! Keep us posted!!!!
All of you have provided great feedback so far. So thank you very much! I do have a few conustlants in mind, but just a few so far. I really like your analogy of a deck of cards:-) I do have much to think about and even more to do.
I plan on making availiable to consultants any marketing materials like brochures, catalogues, a homepage and business cards and sample kits that they might need.
One important thing I notice is that I might have to raise the prices just to accomidate holding this part of the business. I set all my prices right now with a 25% COS in mind. I would like to set a generous payout structure, but along wih paying out a competetive commission I would likely have to raise my prices.
