Great 'Party for Profit' Hunt. How to make cash from party planning

JayBeeVIE

Have to agree with ethereal yet again. Don't you put up with a full time job that you hate because you need the money - not party plan?
My 'party plan' gives me a little extra and fits in when I want it to but I do it because I actually enjoy it, love the products and want people to love and enjoy them as much as I do.

ethereal wrote: »

That's a bit harsh! I don't consider myself to be a professional "salesperson" and would actually not like to be classified with such. I love being a consultant for the company I work for because I love the products and my customers love them too. I don't do "sales talk" as the products sell themselves! So, I'm not earning a small fortune (yet) but I started it as a paid hobby. I saw it as a way of SAVING money (by getting free training and products as opposed to paying to go to college) not as a way of MAKING money. The financial prospects can be big, however, as with any new business you may start up, if you are willing to put a bit more effort into it. As for the low sales, high costs and er.... pretentious terminology..... I don't have a clue what you are going on about!

Suzannah_781

Sarahmillsy wrote: »

I'm a jewellery wholesaler and I sell to a large number of party planners who run their own independent businesses. Many of them are verysuccessful, and tend to be the ladies with good school and social networks, and who also do school fetes, craft fairs, etc.

Several of them have established themselves so well that they are often the first port of call when somebody needs a gift or has an outfit that needs accessorising.

And many of them sell jewellery along with bags, scarves or even perfume.

To be successful you just need to be motivated and prepared to put in the groundwork!

Hi, any chance I could have your contact details? i'm always on the look out for new stuff- thanks

Caroline73_2

It's not just the money or the free products, or the flexible working. I get to stay in fantastic hotels for free and go on fantastic trips.

In February I got flown to Miami, cruised down to Key West, then Mexico, cruised back up to Miami. Fab!

Passiflora_Polar_Bear

Suzannah_781 wrote: »

Hi, I am planning to start my own jewellery parties, I have got all the stuff I need but I wanted some ideas of how I can make the evening more fun for people rather than just showing them what I have to sell - any ideas?

Hi Suzannah,
Me too! I have started self employment as a jeweller in Edinburgh- just because I love making it so much. I have 2 friends who sell their jewellery at parties, everything by word of mouth. They had an open day in their kitchen one day. They have a large list of friends/colleagues, which I do not, so I am interested in joining forces with someone or just meeting for moral support. I am wondering also abut other outlets (not art galleries just yet) that a solitary artist like me might find easier.

Suzannah_781

Passiflora_Polar_Bear wrote: »

Hi Suzannah,
Me too! I have started self employment as a jeweller in Edinburgh- just because I love making it so much. I have 2 friends who sell their jewellery at parties, everything by word of mouth. They had an open day in their kitchen one day. They have a large list of friends/colleagues, which I do not, so I am interested in joining forces with someone or just meeting for moral support. I am wondering also abut other outlets (not art galleries just yet) that a solitary artist like me might find easier.

Hi, I have got an idea for you, why don't you try beauty salons and small hotels as many have display cabinets selling local crafts which tourists go mad for! I've worked in many hotels that have them, normally the hotel just asked for a small comission fee of what they sell, think its normally 10 or 20%.My brothers girlfriend runs a beauty salon and the girls love it if it's unique - If you have a website or any details you can email me I may be interested in your jewellery as most of the stuff I like to sell is handmade, can't say that I sell loads as I'm just starting out but I always say whatever I sell is making money for me and I love doing it just as a hobby.

dorrieb

Suzannah_781 wrote: »

Hi, I am planning to start my own jewellery parties, I have got all the stuff I need but I wanted some ideas of how I can make the evening more fun for people rather than just showing them what I have to sell - any ideas?

I went to a jewlerry party recently where the maker showed you how to make different bits of jewellerry and you made a piece for your self, she also sold her own stuff there as well. it was good to see what she had and then try and copy it yourself, but kowing if it went wrongyou could always buy her stuff to

dorrieb

I have tried being a partylite consultant and while i loved the product i couldnt find enough people to sell it to as i had just moved and all my friends were in different citys meaning after the first few i wouldnt sustain it, also i like the products so much i brought cheap when i didnt need to and ended up with loads of kit to lug around that is now all sitting in my loft. good luck to those that want to do it, i am about to get made redundant so may try pamered chef next as i love to cook almost as much as i like candles and i have some of their stuff already

jan.moss

I've not read all the posts but not seen anyone else from here up to now!

To the person that said beware of being badgered by your upline, I think they must have had a run of bad experiences... if the upline is doing their 'job' properly, they should be working with their recruits to acheive what they said they wanted at the beginning. Now, if the only way in that company was to do more parties, then the upline is helping their recruit to acheive their results, so the recruit should be grateful their sponsor is keeping them on track!

However, if they just wanted an extra £200 or so a month, that is possible to be made (with our company at least) with a few parties a month, if done properly with pre-planning and organisation. However, the big money in network marketing companies is usually, if not always, thru building a team of people who also want an extra income stream and helping them to achieve their dreams - therefore you shouldn't need to do hundreds of parties however much money you want to earn! The upline has got it wrong if that is what they're trying to make you do.

Anyone looking at a company that does home parties should look at a few key facts:-

1. How long has the company been running? You don't want to put all your effort and any investment into a company that is going to go bust within a few months/years.

2. Is the product/service consumable - it takes much more time and effort to find new customers than it does to look after your current consumer base. I have customers that have been buying from me since I started 3 years ago!

3. Is the product/service in the current and future market place ie selling video cassettes might have been a good market place 10 or more years ago but not much cop now! The baby boomers are about 45 - 63 now - what sort of products will they be interested in buying? They are the biggest market and also likely to have more money per head to spend!

4. Look at the company support - who you are thinking of signing up with, what local, national and international events/trainings are available and are other distributors not connected with your upline prepared to help you.

5. Would you use the products yourself? If not, don't go there!

6. The geographical area available to you? Can you just work in a set arear or do you have the freedom to retail and/or recruit anywhere including abroad?

7. The track record of the company - are the profits going up each year?

I hope these help anyone thinking of venturing into the party plan world!

It is simple, but not easy, our business is not a get rich quick scheme, you do have to put effort into however many hours a week you get to do it but the potential rewards, are unlimited. (At least they are with Forever!)

JennyJewell

Hi all,
I'm a body shop consultant and I love it! I get to have girlie nights that I don't get in the house with a hubby and 2 boys
I love pampering ladies and I earn money at the same time My sis is in my team and she earned over £177 last night! (Her party sales were £549)!!!
I think the best advice I can give is to find a company that you are passionate about and sell products that you truly love - this in itself will sell itself :j
Hope that helps
Good luck in your ventures everyone :T
Jenny :A

JoMagdalena

I hadn't really come across party plan until I held a Jo Magdalena party for a friend 18 months ago. A few months later, I decided to give it a go (mainly because I loved the products but also because other than holding 4 parties in the first 3 months, there were no targets etc) ....and over a year on I'm converted! Jo Magdalena is still a relatively small party plan company which sells jewellery but they are growing. They also have provided great training and support to help me build a little business.

As lots of previous posts have said, party plan can be a perfect way of earning some money around kids etc (it certainly has been for me) but it really is a case of getting out what you put in. Loving the products is very important and of course the added bonus of selling jewellery is that you can be a walking advertisement and I've had a couple of party bookings following people commenting on my necklace!

Its important to build a relationship with your upline as they should be the ones providing you with lots of help, hints & tips at the beginning to help make sure your business is a success.

Make sure that your parties are fun, that way people are far more likely to book to have parties of their own. Jo Magdalena offers great incentives to hostesses which helps too!

Anyway, hope that helps anyone thinking of party plan, personally I would highly recommend it.