Selling Usborne Books?

billsavings

ButterPie wrote: »

Mini IQ was very new though - Usborne are in their 30th year.

Mini I Q to my knowlege had been trading for approx 9 years so its hardly new.:D

Is it true the job is not for everybody because you need to associate regularly with people who are similar to your intended customers, or you will not understand their needs/preferences ?

ButterPie_2

billsavings wrote: »

Mini I Q to my knowlege had been trading for approx 9 years so its hardly new.:D

Is it true the job is not for everybody because you need to associate regularly with people who are similar to your intended customers, or you will not understand their needs/preferences ?

Maybe it had never really made it up here - I just know I remember Usborne from my own childhood, and I don't remember Mini IQ

I would say the job isn't for everybody, but not for the reason you gave. (I have sold everywhere, from home parties on very run down council estates to book days at exclusive private schools) The reason it is not for everybody is that you do need to be willing to put some work in when you start off - I get some people joining who seem to expect to be given bookings on a plate, or when they go to a booking they stand in front of the books, scowling, or chatting on their mobiles, slagging off the parents at a soft play stall (I have seen people do this!)
As long as you have some basic customer service skill, and realise that you will sometimes get a bad event, but dust yourself down and get on with it, you will be ok. Your team leader and division will give you all the help and training that you need, and there is the possibility there to make a proper living. In months when I have wanted to (I'm concentrating on other stuff at the moment, setting up a new business with my husband) I have made the same as I was doing at a full time salaried job.

I don't drive, but I will say that I found that, once I was getting to the upper end of Team Leader, I did feel that a car would have been very useful - lugging a wheely suitcase of books about on buses quickly wears thin!

I'm hoping to throw myself back into Usborne a bit more once this new business is going well, but it does tick over nicely when I have had to take breaks.

Caroline73_2

Mini IQ were completely different. They bought their books in from a variety of publishers, Usborne are a branch of Usborne Publishing which are nearly 40 years old.

Usborne will see what the market needs (in relation to current fashions, teaching styles and the curriculum) and publish books according to their research, Mini IQ would only have been able to supply what other publishers sold to them.

Usbornes profits have also continued to have year on year profits through out recent times, according to the MD.

OldGreyFox

Caroline73 wrote: »

Mini IQ were completely different. They bought their books in from a variety of publishers, Usborne are a branch of Usborne Publishing which are nearly 40 years old.

Usborne will see what the market needs (in relation to current fashions, teaching styles and the curriculum) and publish books according to their research, Mini IQ would only have been able to supply what other publishers sold to them.

Usbornes profits have also continued to have year on year profits through out recent times, according to the MD.

Thats all very well but its still a competitive market as suggested.:D

Looneylee

Hello absolutelynomoney!

I have been working for Usborne Books for 5.5 years and absolutely love it. I have seen a lot of people come and go in that time, and know how much hard work needs to be put in to earn a decent wage. You can earn some nice pocket money if you want by doing the odd bit here and there, or if you invest the time and have real passion for the product, you can build it into a successful business.

A love of books is a good start for you and you will end up with lots of lovely books for your baby.... if nothing else

It's totally flexible as there are no targets, so you can fit it in as and when you like. As has been said, your mentor will help get you started, giving you ideas on places to sell, and helping you build your business.

Good luck if you decide to give it a go!

absolutelynomoney

Thanks for everyone's comments and advice!

LooneyLee - I've PM'ed you

For the others who seem to be involved in selling and everything at the moment - I really do think I can do it, as I love love love books and think Usborne books are pretty much the best (the ones I have bought so far for my baby and the ones I loved as a child ... I'm sure there are thousands more I've not seen!). My main concern is would I be able to take along my 10 month old little boy when I'm selling?!

I'm imagining that at parent and toddler groups it would be fine because he would be happy to play and take part in the group, but what about other places? As I'm not 100% sure how it all works, am I being completely unrealisitic by thinking I could bring him along to most things?!

Lesley_Kenton

I have 6 kids, and have been doing Usborne since my daughter was 3 months old. The little ones regularly come to playgroups, baby clinics etc with me.
Schools are a bit more difficult, but I would concentrate on starting small and making contacts, ready for when you are able to go into schools.

Good Luck with it x