An official Usborne Books thread....

absolutelynomoney

Hi Jen15 - I have just filled in my form and am about to fax it off ... !!!

It is scary to do and I have umm'ed and ahh'ed over setting up with Usborne for the past couple of weeks since I heard about it, but I am confident that the product is good, I have read as much as I can about it and spoken to people who do it/have done it and, ultimately, the final factor I felt is that if I fail at it (I hope not though!) I will have spent around £40 (not a huge loss in the long run) and will have lots of books that I would probably buy anyway at some point.

I am hoping though that it all goes well!

If you do end up joining, come back on here and we can share the trials and experiences of starting up - and hopefully we can help each other!

jen15_2

Absolutelynomoney - thanks, I will keep you posted. Not quite ready to sign up yet but probably will when I've had a few more days to work it through in my head.

What is your plan? Are you going to go at it all guns blazing, or slow and steady?

Lesley_Kenton

Jen I started slow and steady, and my business has really blossomed. In my personal opinion that is the way to get a firm grounding for your business. However there are the others that fly from the begining. I suppose it takes all kinds.

Good Luck x

absolutelynomoney

I'm going to start with a party for some friends, show the catalogue around and also approach some mother and baby/toddler groups.

Part of the reason for going slow to begin with is that I have a baby so I can't do as much, but that suits me because I'm hoping I'll get a good solid start up and by the time he's a bit older and I have more time so can do more and build from there. What are your plans?

I faxed through my form earlier - I'm so excited ... And apprehensive!

Looneylee

jen15 wrote: »

Thanks all for your replies. I am inclined to do as you say, Lesley, and sign up and do my own party and take it from there. Sounds like there's nothing to lose really.

I like to go into things with my eyes open though, so am still trying to work out what I need to do to build a worthwhile level of income over time. Can someone please explain how the various levels work too - team leader, exec club etc?

Looneylee - how much would I need to do to earn £100 to £200 pm initially? Obviously I would like to grow it beyond this in time, but I think that would be a reasonable starting point.

Do I need to sign up under someone local to me, or do geaographics not matter?

My situation is that I work part time in a career where my earnings are very erratic and to be honest I have got a bit bored of it (even though sometimes it can be quite lucrative). My friends all know what I do and I am a bit loathed to 'lose face' or be seen to be failing at this when everyone finds out I am suddenly selling children's book. Does that sound vain?

Anyhow, thanks for all your help guys - really appreciate it!

Hi Jen,

It's actually 6% mentor bonus you will earn from any recruits, but if you get to Team Leader, you will earn another 5%..... so a potential 11% from your direct recruits This will increase your earnings no end!

The average party sales this time of year is around £130 (this amount is provided from head office). Say you did 1 party a week (over a 4 week period) you would earn around £124. 7 parties would earn you around £218. Obviously this can vary up and down... But at the same time, I enjoy it, so it doesn't feel too much like work. Drink tea, eat nibbles and chat about something you are passionate about

I too am in Exec and have been for pretty much all of my 5.5 years with Usborne. It really does help your business along nicely, so it is something to aim for. With a team all over the country, I am able to pass out leads all over.

For Team Leader you need 4 active team members, plus £1500 team sales. Obviously the more you grown your team, the easier this is to do. Plus there are extra bonuses if your each £3k :T I would say that it doesn't matter too much where you are to your team leader, as personally I have lots of successful people all round the country.

Shout if you have any other questions.

absolutelynomoney

Looneylee - that average party spend, is it based on a certain number of people? Just wondered roughly what the average party number is. I remember reading somewhere that 6 people was an ok amount to have?

Lesley_Kenton

There are no hard and fast rules about numbers at parties. A lot of hosts get pre orders before the party I have done parties with only 4 guests and still taken £350 and then other parties with 10 guests have only taken £150. The most important thing at parties is to secure 2 future bookings so the host gets more free books and you get a continued business. I am sure your mentor will go through all that with you.

katskorner

I am thinking of joining but I need to be more sure of the structure of the marketing plan. It looks like if I don't do 6 x £100 orders in the first six weeks then I won't get my starter pack for £38 but I will have to pay full price for it? I have worked in network marketing before so I know how the team element works but I left that business as I am unable to work evenings. I have a young child at home and two at early primary school so my main focus is them. Any advice is welcome.

Lesley_Kenton

If you place 1 x £100 order in 12 weeks you get your kit for £38, if you do 6 x £100 order in 6 weeks you get your £38 refunded.
If you do your first £100 order in 3 weeks you recieve an additional £35 worth of products.
Hope this males sense.

Lesley x

katskorner

Thanks Lesley, that makes sense. It isn't at all clear from the info I have been given! The main worry I have now is whether I would realistically need to work in the evening to make it work (my own planning aside as I can do that). If so, then I know I do not have the time available. Thanks.