If you are coming to the end of your maternity leave or possibly your children are at school full time now you might be thinking about how to earn some money without having to commit to a full time job. Don’t wait for that light bulb moment as it may never happen, great for PR purposes but not really how many mums achieve their flexible family working.
Start off by making a list of your skills, either from previous employment/training or what you have learnt from being a mum. Remember as a mum you are now the master of budgeting … well you can feed a family of four for £5 per night. You are queen of time management …. well you can get 3 children up and dressed off to school by 9am. You are a multi-tasking octopus, don’t underestimate your new found mum skills.
There are plenty of family flexible working opportunities out there which enable you to be a full time mum and earn some cash.
** Party Plan or Direct Sales –
Companies such as Wikaniko, Scentsy and Usborne Books are popular among mums. So what is it?? Party plan is a method of marketing products via hosting a social event, using the event to display and demonstrate the product or products to those gathered. Then taking orders for the products before the gathering ends. Commission is earned on sales figures.
Pros
- Low cost start up, most companies offer a range of start up packages to suit your budget
- You don’t have to have hoards of stock as products are ordered after each party
- Flexible – you will be able to fully develop a business around your family
- Most companies allow you to build up a team and hence you start to earn commission on your team sales.
- Some companies will offer training and support.
- There is a huge variety in party plan companies from books, make-up, cooking, jewellery, crafts and even shoes!
Cons
- Some companies have strict guidelines / terms and conditions
- You may not have access to your own personal website meaning you risk the possibility of your generated leads going through the main site and thus you missing out on commission. When doing research on party plan think hard about your personal circumstances. If a) you have a young family and can’t do parties during the day or b) your husband works late/commutes and your unable to do night parties. Therefore being able to direct potential customers either by advertising, social media or business cards to a website is going to be vital to you.
- Market research reps in your area. Find out how many reps there are about you don’t want to buy into an already saturated market and then struggle to sell.
- You don’t always have full control over your own PR and marketing especially with a business like Jamie at Home … all marketing has to be checked by HQ. Well it is a celebrities name!
Photo Credit www.ianH.co.uk
Do lots of research visit Recruitment Fairs and events where you can meet a wealth of party planners. If you have had loads of information and are still interested don’t rush in ask a rep if you can go to a party with them or host a party yourself, this also means you can ask your friends opinions. You need to think about the steps you will take once you have ‘partied’ out your friends and family. How easy is your product going to be to sell to Joe Public?? Look at places such as pre-schools, toddler groups if you have a child orientated product are there many in your area? Make-up and jewellery look at wedding fairs and ladies evenings. It could be possible to do make up training either in-house (part of the party plan) or at a local adult learning centre. Look at ways in which you can make yourself stand out from the crowd – your USP (unique selling point).
There are plenty of mums out there who have made careers and successful businesses from party plan / direct sales. If you do your research and are dedicated the world is your oyster.
Found this useful wondering how you can show me your appreciation? Well, there are some ways you can say thanks and support my website: ➡
Great blog Joanne on the pros and cons of party plan/network marketing. I haven’t looked back since becoming an Independent Phoenix Trader 5 years ago. My home based card business has given me the flexibility that I needed for my family but at the same time offered me the business challenge that I craved. With a growing team of 40 traders who I train and support, I also now have the opportunity to learn man management skills too. I couldn’t recommend Phoenix Trading more highly. The products sell themselves and the company ethics are fabulous.
Thank you Sarah for the comment.
If you have any hints and tips you’d like to share then please do email me a post 🙂
It’s not easy to find a balanced view of party plans (I know I struggled when I was looking at them a few years ago), so thanks for this post.
I’ve been wondering about the similar factor myself lately. Delighted to see an individual on the same wavelength! Nice article.
I think most people tend to get through a few party plan companies until they find one that sort of fits.
Research is the best policy. Check out how many other Consultants around you, what sort of competition there is, the benefits of each company. But I think for me what it boils down to is if you love the product and you have confidence in the company… once you get parties you’ll do well. If you’re not passionate about the product well it makes it an uphill struggle
Thank you for the article, very interesting.
Sharon
Great post, with strong pros & cons list. I’m in direct sales, having found it towards the end of my maternity leave with my daughter. She’s now 3 and the business is going well, and I’m working it around her and my 8 month old. Best advice I’d give is to be genuinely enthusiastic about the products and company. It shines through and you’ll enjoy it more. I blog about my work at http://ihavecards.wordpress.com
Author
I think you are right you have to be enthusiastic no good trying to peddle skincare to your mates if you aren’t feeling it. Thanks for commenting x
Find a Party has just launched a brand new website, and you can still advertise your profile for free. We do provide premium membership options starting from just 13p a day for anyone wanting additional exposure.
With nearly 4000 registered profiles we are the UK ‘s #1 website for party planners and direct selling companies – as featured on Channel 4′s Super Scrimpers!
Hi, we are searching for Wizard Jeans Ambassadors/Party Planners, if anyone is interested you can email me for more information! 🙂 laura@wizardjeans.com
Author
Wow looks fab!
I have recently started up with Scentsy and I am really enjoying it so far, I looked deeply in to the minimum requirement of sales and its very minimal, so I thought there wouldn’t be a great amount of pressure to hit targets.
With Christmas coming I thought I would give it a go as I have recently accepted voluntary Redundancy and started studying again.
I’m not planning on becoming a super star director, or anything so intense, but I am enjoying the products, the company and the Scentsy customers so far 🙂
I’m happy to share my experiences and information with anyone wanting to find out more about Scentsy, as so far so good !