~Avon Hints & Tips (Part 8) ~ Please read first post :)

Pips_Mum

Sounds random but I got a few orders the other wek by leaving a book in the ladies loo at work!!!

lozza1985

I'm trying something new with my customers to save me some time - seeing if anyone wants their brochure for longer, if they do then I won't collect it, they just contact me with their order if they want anything. Only works if you aren't bothered about getting all your books back in, which I'm not, I only use them the once then offer them to my reps or use them myself as expire brochures, so doesn't matter if I don't get them all back. A few have taken me up on it, including ones I didn't expect to - and thankfully, these are people never remember to leave their book out anyway so it'll save me a lot of hassle!

New_to_Avon

Hi,
Wonder if anyone can help me? I'm trying to find the details for the current Sales Leader commission structure, the one we are reverting to after the end of the BDB bonus but I can't find it anywhere?!

I thought I was doing really well, its order day today and I'd got myself five reps (signed fifth one on saturday), a trainee sales leader and healthy personal sales. Tonight however I got a text from my Trainee SL (after three days of ignoring my calls and texts) saying she's had some trouble at home and does't feel able to continue as a rep! So in one fell swoop I've lost a rep, a trainee SL and any chance of making my £888 in sales this campaign after what has been a hard slog to get to 5 reps (one of whom is my OH and I'm doing his round as well as mine.) I'm putting so many hours into Avon and just seem to be spending more money than I'm ever making. As I'm still not in full time work after my redundancy, I'm beginning to wonder if this is worth all the hard work and effort. I'm not normally one to give up without a fight but this is hard work for no return at all at the minute. I really enjoy doing it so am reluctant to give it up but after spending yet another weekend when all I've done is chase round after books, orders and new reps, to now have nothing to show for it again is really getting me down.

Sorry to rant on so much but I feel better now I've got that off my chest! This forum is great and I recommend it to my new reps for advice and the e brochure links. I just hope things pick up soon or else I'm going to have to call it a day financially. :-(

I,_Geek

!!!!!!_here wrote: »

Actually, you buy them at the brochure price less a discount (which depends on the order size) and sell them at the brochure price. So the discount is commission, which is then taxable.

That's what I meant by "cost price" (brochure price less discount). Reps don't always sell on at brochure price - some may be running an offer so they still make a profit but it's cheaper than displayed in the brochure, some sell at car boots and eBay and set their own prices, or do a sale sheet in with their brochures.

I meant that the word "commission" implies that earnings are paid direct from Avon to you, and it's understandable that reps can be confused about where their earnings come from if that particular word is used.

If reps were being paid commission the customer would pay Avon direct and we'd receive a % of the sales.

ruthb2008

Woohoo I'm officially a trainee sales leader!!!

But so far I'm having a bit of trouble recruiting reps. Friends and family and even facebook dont seem to be interested, so I think its going to mean face to face recruiting!

Does anyone have any tips for recruiting new reps?

I can't wait to get some people on board, as I know what I would have wanted when I signed up and what would have made it easier for me, and am looking forward to being able to give that to someone else!

Its just a case of finding that 'someone else' now lol

Ruth

lozza1985

Ok - SL:

Yes, in the beginning it will be a lot of work for little return, but if you're serious about giving it a go - don't give up yet, getting a stable team of 10 is what you need to aim for, then it gives you a little lee-way for reps leaving/missing a campaign for holiday etc. Try to keep your costs to a minimal - don't pay for advertising yet, don't travel to far to sign up reps to keep your petrol costs. keeping your rep costs to a minimal as well will help (don't go chasing round after your customers too much etc).

As for recruiting - you can knock on doors, stop people you pass by, facebook is great (it's free and helps to raise your profile, plus keep in touch with your exisitng customers/reps), deliver expired brochures & leaflets. THere's lots of different things to try, and not all of them mean you have to stop and talk to people, certainly I don't do that often as with my shifts I find it easier to deliver expired brochures (which I can rope husband into doing), use facebook etc. Different things suit different people, using a few different methods will pay off better than just using one as it will appeal to different people.

Muffin86

Hi, i would eventually like to do parties. just wondered what people have in their 'kit' im wondering if there is anything i can buy over the next few campaigns to spread the cost? or is it better to wait till im ready to ensure products are still available? xxx

lozza1985

Muffin86 wrote: »

Hi, i would eventually like to do parties. just wondered what people have in their 'kit' im wondering if there is anything i can buy over the next few campaigns to spread the cost? or is it better to wait till im ready to ensure products are still available? xxx

Ive never done a party myself, but I'd say wait a bit before you get stuff in - aside from a few products (far away, soft musk) in the main products are only available for a few months before something new comes in to replace them. You could get a few bits in, then when they're going to be discontinued you can obviously return them, but I wouldn't invest too much in a kit till you know you have interest in parties. I'd focus more on getting your regular customers for the moment, and think more about parties in a couple of campaigns time when you're happier with how everything works

PurpleJay

I got 3 orders at work today and 1 at the weekend from my best friend. Hopefully will get a couple more so I get my £78 target. Work looks as though it could be good for me, I got a couple of 'oooh an Avon book!' responses today and it seems there is no body else doing our section. Just doing the immediate office and one other for this order as I was short on time, but I am planning to do the other main offices in our section and maybe leave a book in the kitchen area from next week.

Found out my territory today, only 67 houses available in my immediate area (includes my road one off it and a cul de sac off another road off mine) but have emailed my ASR to see if she has anything a bit further a field and have given her the roads on my route to school and some other suggestions to see if any of those are free. She has told me my 67 houses should yield about 24 customers at just over £100. Not sure what this is based on. A good amount of customers but not much income per average order it seems. Asked her to clarify. Was hoping for a few more houses and happy to walk a bit. Also they don't all need to be together as I will have to do a number of drops anyway. Planning on getting about 30 - 35 books to start with. How many do you tend to work with?

Thanks.
Jane x

Mumto2

PurpleJay wrote: »

She has told me my 67 houses should yield about 24 customers at just over £100. Not sure what this is based on.

Nearly chocked on my tea when I read this!
If that's Avons expectation - I'm well below average. I have that many customers from approx. 200 houses.

I guess the £100 is based that not every customer will order from each campaign.

Good luck, sounds like your work will be a great source of orders.