Whether you currently work in or out of your home, it never hurts to have a way to add some extra money to your family's bottom line. Home party plan opportunities are a logical choice because they are a tried-and-true method for generating an extra income, while allowing you to work around your family's schedule. The home party plan method of direct marketing is effective because home parties bring a highly targeted group of potential customers together in a pleasant, positive environment where they have come specifically to learn about your unique products and business opportunity (also referred to as a captive audience)!

In joining forces with a home party plan company, you are effectively starting your own business, and will be investing your time, energy and money in order to become successful. But with so many home party plan companies out there, how do you know which one will best suit your lifestyle and the needs of your family? Before committing to any party plan opportunity, do your research!

Read about the company on its official website, and ask questions of a current company consultant. You can usually find a local consultant on a company's official website, but if not, you can always find one by doing a Google search in the format "company name" +consultant +"wherever you live" [eg. Norewx +Consultant +Saint John]

Use the questions below to help you evaluate each party plan opportunity you are considering.

1. Evaluate the Home Party Company Itself

How long has the company been in business? Seriously consider joining a company that is already well established and still expanding. When you sign up with a new home party company, you are taking a risk that it won't be around for the long term.

Is the company stable and reliable?  Check the company's track record for timeliness of payment to consultants. You are wasting your resources if you join forces with a company that is unreliable in the payment department,
Does the company state its mission and vision? Make sure that the company you join holds values similar to your own so that you can feel good about representing it.

How does the company deliver its products? Does the company ship directly to your customer, or will you have to stock inventory and deliver (or ask your hostess to deliver) purchases? Are products delivered quickly and efficiently? Are the customer shipping charges reasonable?

How strong is the company's guarantee and customer service? You want to work with a company who is there for you and your customers. Call the company to ask some questions. Check to see how thoroughly and courteously they respond. Also, choose to work with a company whose policy is to provide an unconditional money back guarantee.

How much competition does the company face in your area? In some areas, the market may be saturated for a given opportunity, while in others you could be the first. Check for newspaper and bulletin board ads for other consultants from the company you're thinking about joining. How often do you get cards or door hangers for this opportunity at your home? If you think you see too much competition, you may need to consider another opportunity.

How prepared is your potential sponsor? If you haven't already done so, now is the time to find a sponsor. This person will be your upline, and you need her to be able to answer your questions and offer support. If your potential sponsor can't help you decide whether or not to choose her company's opportunity, then she probably isn't going to be much help down the road.

TIP: Don't just choose your friend in the business as your sponsor because you happen to know her! Your sponsor will play a major part in your ultimate success or failure. Interview two to four potential sponsors. Evaluate how knowledgeably and comfortably each is able answer your questions and concerns. Just as importantly, evaluate your level of ease with each potential sponsor. Choose your sponsor based upon a combination of your feelings about her as a person, and your feelings about her ability to lead and support her downline.

Is the company a member of the Direct Sellers/Selling Association? Canada  U.S. If not, keep searching! 
 

2. Evaluate the Home Party Company's Products

Are the products life-enhancing? If you are passionate about the products you sell because they have enhanced your life, then you will find it easy and exciting to promote them to others. Find a company who has identified a consumer need or problem, and whose products provide a highly effective and life-enhancing solution for the consumer. 
Are the products consumable? It's much easier to sell to a repeat customer than it is to find a new one. Look for a company that sells high-quality, life-enhancing consumable products that your customers will buy over and over again.

Are the products exclusive? Try to choose a company whose products are unique. Your customers will buy from you again and again if you are their only source for the products they need and want.

Are the products competitively priced? Decide it the company's products are worth the asking price. Avoid companies whose products are merely equally or less effective versions of what you can buy more cheaply in regular retail outlets. Look for companies whose products are superior in terms of quality and effectiveness to what is available elsewhere. Customers will pay more for products that work!

Do the products come with a money back guarantee? It is crucial to your long term success that the company you represent has a full money back guarantee. When customers know they can return products if necessary, they not only feel more comfortable in making purchases, but they are mush more likely to refer your name to their friends and family!
 

3. Evaluate the Home Party Company's Business Opportunity

What sales tools does the company make available? One job of the party plan company is to provide you with the sales tools to make your job easier. Look for a professional-looking official company website and high-quality and affordable business promotion materials, such as pamphlets, catalogues, audio and video tapes, online presentations. Check your cost to purchase company catalogues, forms, etc. If you want to have a website, make sure you are allowed to have one. If a consultant website is provided to you, check to make sure it's affordable.

What kind of training and support does the company provide? The other job of the party plan company is to provide you with the training and support to help you do your job better. Look for a home party plan company with a step-by-step consultant's manual and a proven system to follow. Check to see if you'll be able to attend live training sessions and support meetings in your area, and whether you'll you have a sponsor who is knowledgeable and committed to helping you build your home party business? Even seemingly small things like online ordering and payment processing capability make your job a lot easier in the long run.

What advertising, recruiting and selling venues will I have with this company? The more venues you have in which to market your products and business opportunity, the greater your possibilities for exposure and growth. Check to see if the company provides, or at least allows, a consultant website. Check to see whether or not online product and recruitment advertising is allowed. If you are restricted to offline ads and in-home parties, you will be at a distinct disadvantage to your colleagues who represent more liberal companies who sell similar products.

What is the company's compensation plan like? The compensation plan of the company you  decide to represent should be simple for you to understand and explain to others. Promotions and targets should be realistically achievable and maintainable. The plan should reward effort with income, and should provide motivating incentives for both beginners and seasoned consultants. Find out what percentage of consultants with the company actually earn a level of income that you deem desirable.

Does this company submit provincial or state sales tax? Most companies do this, but check to be sure. Some companies require their consultants to do it.

What is the start-up cost for this company? Start-up costs should be minimal and should be mainly to cover the cost of the sales kit you buy.

Does this company offer a "buy-back" policy? Some companies offer to buy back unsold but still marketable products purchased within the 12 months prior for a percentage of your original purchase price, should you decide to quit the business.

What are the volume or monthly purchasing requirements for this company? Common sense says to choose a company who requires less rather than more in this area.

What type of hostess and guest incentives does this company provide? Everyone loves a deal! Free and sample products, product discounts and gifts make the party more satisfying for your hostess and her guests. A happy hostess is likely to recommend you to her friends and family. A happy guest is more likely to shop with you again, and may decide to become a happy hostess or a new company consultant!

Does this company pay the entire amount for hostess and guest incentives? Some companies charge back a part of your commission to cover a part of hostess and guest incentive costs. Stay away from this type of company.

Does this company allow "Cash & Carry" sales? This is important to know if you want to sell your products at fairs, flea or farmers' markets, festivals and other special events.
 
Home party plan opportunities are an excellent work-from-home choice because they are a proven way to generating an extra income, while allowing you to work around your family's schedule. Choose a credible company with unique, high-quality, desirable consumable products. Choose a well-organized company that supports its consultants with sales tools, training and an attractive compensation plan. If you do your homework before committing to a home party opportunity, you will make an informed choice about which party plan company best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Author:  Deja Peterson, www.norwex-healthy-cleaning.com.

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Copyright © 2007 Deja Peterson.