WAHM Forums

I am speaking at our national convention next month- and my topic is home shows.


I would love some different opionions on why you love home shows...why you hate home shows and don't want to do them, or if you are just somewhere inbetween!


Feel free to speak your mind. Feel free to PM me if you like- No names/company names will be used in my talk!smileys/smiley17.gif


Thank you in advance for your input and your honesty!





Dawn

I would have to say, if you're in Direct Sales (not a MLM) you need to LOVE Home shows. Party Plan companies are relationship businesses. We build our businesses through relationships. Whether that is with our hostesses, customers, and/or team members.


I absolutely love my home shows. That's where I make most of money and it is where I sponsor most of my consultants. I could spend thousands of dollars on advertising and not get anything in return. I can doone home show and reap the benefits immediately with instant income and future income.


Aside from the business side of it, there's a "Fun" side of it too. I enjoy meeting different people, getting to know my hostesses, and meeting potential team members. That's probably why I do Southern Living at HOME. I absolutely love going into people's home (Seeing their decorating ideas) and getting to know people.


I used to bea TV reporter and I loved meeting SO many different types of people. I feel with SLAH I still get to do that with my Home Shows.


Am I tired sometimes and don't feel like going out at night for a show? Sure! But would I rather go to work everyday and not be at home when my kids get home from school? No way.


Susan Scarborough Smith / Star Director

this is a bit off topic, but Susan, can you tell me some direct sales companies that are not MLM? Just curious, didn't think there was any direct sales companies where the "team leaders" don't make a commission off of the sales of their team.

Dawn-


Congratulations on being invited to speak at your convention!


From a consultant's standpoint, I love home parties because you have an exclusive audience that has gathered for the specific purpose of hearing about (and buying!) your products.


From a hostess' standpoint, I love home parties for the opportunity to get free stuff while entertaining my friends.


From a customer's standpoint, I love home parties because I get to talk with someone knowledgeable about the products who (if she's good) will provide me with far better ongoing customer service than your average department store. Plus, it's much more fun to shop with a bunch of friends than to battle the crowds at the mall alone!





Just curious, didn't think there was any direct sales companies where the "team leaders" don't make a commission off of the sales of their team.


Cassandra-


This is a very confusing topic, but I'll try to see if I can shed a little light without going off on a tangent... lol.


You're right in that most direct sales companies use a multi-level compensation plan. However,there actually are a few that only offer single-level compensation, such as Weekenders USA (http://www.weekenders.com/)and Melaleuca (http://www.melaleuca.com/). But I think what Susan was referring to is the difference between direct sales companies thatare categorized as having a "person-to-person" sales strategy versus those with a "party plan" sales strategy. These are commonly referred to as "Network Marketing" or "Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)" companies versus "Party Plan" companies. The marketing approaches necessary for success in these two types of companies vary drastically.


Hope that helps some!


Blessings,


Christy

Thank you Susan and Christy, you comments are exactly what I am looking for.smileys/smiley32.gif


Keep them coming everyone!

thanks Christie! I do both one on one's and parties for my biz.


I love doing home shows for the same reasons as listed above... so I'll say what I hate about doing home shows... well, this one show in particular anyway, the house was filthy, it smelled really bad(like litter box, male spraysmileys/smiley11.gif) and I could tell the guests were very uncomfortable, some of them could barely sit down, not because they had to move things off the furniture to find a seat, but because they didn't want their clothing to get stained. Seriously! I gave the shortest presentation I have ever given because everyone (except the hostess) just wanted to get it over with, one guest even had her hand cupped over her nose and mouth! Yes! It was that bad! I did make some sales that evening, but not much, and I threw in a free hand cream into the orders because it was such an awful evening and I felt bad for them.


smileys/smiley9.gifthat was my "worst party nightmare" that I had to share because Dawn asked for good and bad.smileys/smiley36.gif

LOLsmileys/smiley36.gifI might have to share that story with my team members when they say THEY have had a bad show...lol

As a consultant I like home parties because I can get my products in front of the most people in a short amount of time. That means more sales and more possible team members. The one thing I don’t like it parties not starting on time!
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I don’t like to host parties only because I don’t want my friends and family to think now what does she want us to buy, lol.

As a customer I love going to parties!!! I think they are fun and I like seeing the products before I buy.

I don't think you have to love home parties. It obviously depends on what you're selling, but there are a lot of ways to sell products... there are fairs, fundraisers, catalogs, internet, etc. You can build relationships in ways other than having a party. I have already sold things just by sending people to my website. Certainly some of our items will do better with hands on interaction, but some are so cool they stand out even in a picture.

I have always had a negative association with party plans - it has a lot to do with my personality and the way I think (which I won't bore you with), so I was surprised to see how many people here love attending them. As I started asking around, I had friends who immediately said, "sign me up for a party" and friends who roll their eyes at me. I might be wrong, but it seems kind of regionally-based as well. Anyway, I think I'll really enjoy having parties for people who host/attend because they're excited about the company. I love our products and I enjoy playing with them, so it should be lots of fun!

=},
Christy
P.S. I'll get back to you after my first party on the 18th.

I love home parties! It is something that just recently is starting to take off in my neck of the woods here in New England.


As a consultant I love doing the parties because I can't think of a better way to get the products in front of people. I don't care how nice your catalogs are...they NEVER do the products justice. You really have to see the products in person to appreciate them. I love everything about the parties actually. I love getting some "non-mommy" time (even if I am working) and I love to teach people the importance of the company philosophy, I love to play games...I could go on. It's basically just plain FUN. Now, before I ever signed up as a consultant for a company I never, ever thought I could do it, or wanted to. I thought I wasn't the party-plan type. Boy was I wrong.


As a hostess, I love to get friends/family together at my house for a fun evening out. I just hosted my first ever party and my guests that came tell me EVERY time they see me that they had a great time and thanked me for inviting them.


As a guest, I love it for a convenient shopping trip for gifts or items I need for myself. Its fun to shop with friends, while not going anywhere, lol.


I agree though, you don't have to love parties if you are in Direct Sales. With so many of these companies there are other areas to focus on in order to bring sales in. Although, I do think that parties are the quickest, easiest and most FUN way to make money. It's not for everyone though.

As a guest, I would get bored easily at parties unless the consultant keep things upbeat and fast paced. I was also ALWAYS looking for the deals and specials and freebies so I keep that in mind when I am presenting at a party. I love being a designer for HGP and love working home parties. Gives me a break from my crazy housesmileys/smiley36.gif

Thank you all for your input...I appreciate it!smileys/smiley31.gif

Becky,
I'm in New England, too. I'm just North of Boston and I just think parties aren't quite as popular here in other parts of the country. Plenty of people still love them, though, so those are the people I have to find!

=},
Christy

I have to say that one of the many reasons I chose my company was that so many consultants were building their businesses without doing parties- I really did not want to do them.


BUT, once I found out how fun and hands on the parties were- I wanted that to be my focus!! The scary part for me is finding people and asking them to have one. Once someone says "yes" I'm having so much fun throughout the whole process! I love doing the hostess coaching...giving her samples to try and give out, letting her see the beautiful invitations, and especially letting her know that she can earn $100 gift certificate!


Once at the party, I love introducting all the products and hearingcomments as people are relaxing, soaking their feet, having facials...many women have such busy, stressful lives and it is so nice to see them relaxing and enjoying themselves.


For me, I LOVE the fact that I get a girls night out to! Otherwise, I barely ever get out of the house smileys/smiley36.gifIt's so nice to be around adults for a little while and have a few hours away from the children. I really like changing my roll from "mommy" to "professional". When I change from my everyday home clothes into my "party" clothes, I feel like a different person!

I think Christy hit the nail on the head with the difference between Party Plan Companies and MLM's. The industry started distiguishing the difference between the two 5-10 years ago.


Yes - both Party Plans and MLM'suse a multi-level compensation plan. ( Many "sales" driven companies in the corporate world do as well. Manager make a percentage of sales force, VP's make it off managers, etc. same concept)


Party Plans ( Like Southern Living at HOME discourage consultants fromcarrying inventory, online advertising, etc) We make most of our money with "Home Parties." And they are right! I tried the advertising route, the craft fairs, etc. But.. when it came down to growing my business, I do it best at a Home Party. ( But then I do sell Home Decor so it sort of makes sense!)


Thanks Christy! I've been helping out at school this week and haven't been on the boards much!


Susan Scarborough Smith / Star Director


Edited by: SusanwithSLAH

Carrie, I love what you said about it being a girls night out for you as well(I'm a "pampering specialist"like yourselfsmileys/smiley1.gif). When you look at it that way, it really can't be called work when you do a show.Even though you're not right there with your guests soaking your feet or giving yourself a facial, you're still having the time of your life getting to know "the girls" and sipping a glass of wine along with themsmileys/smiley4.gif. I even go so far as to take my shoes off and get comfortable sitting on the floor while I do my presentation. Where can you do that in Corporate America? You actually give yourself a night of relaxation while making a little bit of doe. That's very cool!

I LOVE home parties. I wish my friends had more of them so I could go! I always get an idea from the consultant on a different way to use their product that I wouldn't have thought of on my own! And the proper way to use it. I also love to see other reps do a show to get ideas for my own business. Whether it be a game idea, or that I really am a fun rep at my shows because she is rather boring. LOL smileys/smiley36.gif That has happened many times. smileys/smiley2.gif


You New England Girls, I am from New England too! NH/VT border, where are you Becky? I'm yet to go to a BYB party. smileys/smiley2.gif


I try to support the DS business as best I can. I LOVE what home parties have to offer people. One on one shopping consultant. To pay the most attention to you, I love the friendships that are made, and also the all girls party without hubby saying "do you really need that?" I just tell him I bought it after that fact. LOL


Good Luck Dawn! I'm sure you will do great!


Jody

Home parties are great, and actually the heart of most direct sales companies.


As Becky said, people buy more at parties because it's more of an impulse, I got to have that, where in a catalog, it's not as neat and can be passed by.


Plus, guests are your best sales people! Ever do a party where someone says "We have that and x,y and z". That is now your hot seller that night.


Plus, I can make the most money in the shortest amount of time. And I love people!


debbie

Hi Jodi! I'm in central NH, on Lake Winnipesaukee...not that far from you.


If you ever want to have a party, I don't mind travelingsmileys/smiley2.gif.

Now that I'min this business; I wish more of my friends would have parties too! I'm a full-time college student w/ wacky hours. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to set my own hours. If I want to be putting in orders a 2amI can do that. I just have to set some 'normal hours' so other people can reach me smileys/smiley4.gifAlso my boyfriend is a server at a country club so he works many nights and weekends- and now I can too! I can control how much money I make, if I need more for a trip or something I make my self work harder. Not depend on a store to 'give' me more hours. That's my 2 cents and congratulations!!

I'm in Central NH to Becky! I just did a party last weekend in Moultonboro. Pm me if you'd like to chat....Jody to!

"I even go so far as to take my shoes off and get comfortable sitting on the floor while I do my presentation."


I love that!! I might have to try that at my next party :)

I used to hate home parties. Especially since my SIL had a new one every month and it felt more like an obligation to go and make a purchase than having a fun time.


Now that I am in the biz, I feel a lot different in that as a coordinator I try to make the parties as non-pushy as possible and more fun to attend.


Another great thing is that this company has also started clubs...no more home parties, just women getting together and having fun with no demos or sales pitches.

I am new to the WAHM group, and so far I have gleaned a lot! I do home parties, but rather than pamper, we hammer! I love the look on a woman's face as she handles a power tool for the first time, or learns a new skill. Wow. Talk about empowerment! I think the attitude towards home parties does vary by region. In the mid-west, it is a time for gathering and the women take advantage of that, especially if they are in a farming community. Maybe I'm wrong, but that seems to be my experience. Everyone has such great ideas! smileys/smiley20.gif

Before becoming involved with Megan's Pantry, I had never even been to a home party...I had "heard" they were just a place to bug your friends and make them buy something...lol


3 years later, I am now one of the top salespeople and recruters for my company and LOVE home parties.


I love helping my fellow woman have a night out! We eat, try new recipes and share great cooking tips. But most of all, we have fun. I treat every woman with lots of respect because I realize that THIS IS HER NIGHT OUT! She choose to come here, so i want her to have fun.


I also get to go out and have fun. I have 3 toddlers at home, so a night out once or twice a week is exactly what I need. I'll have a glass of wine, relax, meet new people.


I have made some new friends from parties I have gone to.


Sure...there are some nights I would rather stay home and curl up with a good book, but I would MUCH rahter go out 4 - 8 times a month than have to go to work EVERYDAY.


My craziest party...The host told me she was expecting 8 guests, when I showed up there were 20 and jello shots being passed around...I thought I was late, but she told me, NOPE, these are just my crazy friends. It was loud and there was no way I was getting this crowd to listen to me...so I grab a few jello shots and started passing around my samples of food, like I was a cocktail waitress...2 hours later i walked out with almost $800 in sales.


So you never know...the key is be flexible, have fun and enjoy!

Thank you all again for your input...smileys/smiley32.gif