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

lozza1985

My loyalty scheme is a free gift for every 6 orders, doesn't have to be consecutive orders - I give out whatever I have in stock, so might be bits I've had free from creative ordering or I have recently ordered hand creams when they were in 5 for £5 as I think they make nice gifts. Things I tend to give are shower gels, body lotions, hand wash, hand cream, the room sprays (now naturals fragrance spritz). Obviously if I've ended up with other things from creative ordering ill give them out to save buying anything so sometimes it can be mascaras or other gifts that look more expensive but actually cost me nothing at all. I see what I have in that I think they'd use, but things they might not actually order them themselves. I figure it doesn't help to get them to spend more, but it does help to keep customers loyal and thank them for their repeat custom.

I,_Geek

A big thank-you to everyone who's provided more details about the territory situation.

It's good to hear they've put more realistic sales expectations on the streets. Mine should be bringing in over £1000 and £500-650 is what I'm actually getting (and a small proportion of that is not territory customers). EDIT: Oh and I'm constantly re-canvassing so I really do feel like I've got the maximum number possible, give or take a handful.

I've never known how they worked out expected sales. Customer rate is always 1 in 3 no matter what the street. But one street with supposedly 5 customers on it can have a different expected sales total to another street that also should have 5 customers. So it might be "social class" data - you know how there's C1, D1 etc... Or it could be going off the sales of a previous rep allocated them, which isn't accurate (not that I think social profiling would be accurate either!). E.g. rep A had some streets and rep B had some streets. Rep A brought in much bigger orders, maybe due to a big f+f network. So when you get both their sets of streets, rep A's old streets are apparently going to bring in more sales. That's just a theory, though. The whole idea of predicting sales is a bit useless in my opinion because you could have two identical streets in terms of house type and income, but one can be great and the other can be terrible! Plus, with "find a rep" and being a f+f rep being promoted a lot more (last 2 adverts were very much f+f reps), reps could find customers in their territory already being served on a larger scale than now.

claireylouise

Hi all!

Just want to say all these tips are really useful! Especially for someone just starting out! Wonder if you can give me some advice?

I decided to start Avon because me and my partner are saving for a house and thought it would be a great way to top up my income (I work full time) and also get to know all my neighbours.

I only started last week and was full of enthusiasm but feeling a bit disheartened today! Posted 12 books last Thursday (12th Sept) with little notes on them introducing myself and saying I would come back to collect the books and the order forms today (16th Sept). I got one order through my letterbox (I live in a block of flats). I went round tonight - one person answered and said she didn't have an Avon book (even though I know she definitely did get one cos I posted it!) one I got back looked like a dog had chewed it up! I got another book back (no order) and the other 9 didn't answer (so I left 9 notes)!

Just wondering what other people do - is it better to knock on and have a conversation (so I know if they want a book or not) or just persist and keep putting books through?

Also I haven't got enough books for the rest of the block now (as I was counting on getting them back to re-post to the next 12 flats) so do I order some more?

Sorry if these seem like stupid questions just would like some advice from people who have done the Avon for a while!

Thanks!

Claire

Pips_Mum

Hi Claire, welcome!

I do find sometimes it can be very disheartening but don't give up!!!

As you are new I am sure your sales leader (who signed you up) should be able to help you out with some more books.

Drop and run or conversation seem to both be just as effective from peoples comments on here although with conversation people can build up more of a trusting relationship as basically we are asking people to buy from and trust someone they have never seen. That said I am a chicken and always drop and run!! As they are your neighbours though it might be nicer to knock and have a little conversation with them.

In my first territory order I only had 1 Customer so its good to try and get some friends and family to fall back on to help you achieve your minimum order.

Ive been doing Avon for 2 years and still am baffled so I am sure someone more helpful will be along shortly

Pips_Mum

Oh I did find it really useful (as suggested by the lovely people on here) popping on your note a little ticky box to say if they wanted another book or not, saves you popping one through to someonewho has no intention of looking/buying

claireylouise

Thanks Pips Mum!

I dont see my ASM until Wednesday - was supposed to go and deliver the 12 books out to another 12 flats today but obviously can't do that now. Should I post the 2 books I have left and wait until I get my second batch of 20 books (C16)?

Pips_Mum

If they are miles away then no I wouldnt to be honest but if they are on your way somewhere or close by then you might as well. Not sure when your order has to be submitted but if you only left the book with them for 2-3 days then **hopefully** if they put them out again you might be able to get to another 2 houses.

Or if you are feeling brave you could go door knocking with them and see if anyones interested.

Definately check back for the other 9 though, sometimes my lot need a couple of reminders to put them out even if they want to order (hence my predicament a few posts back!)

I,_Geek

Opt-out notes - I use these as well. Two important things, though:

1. If people don't tick the note at all, keep going.

2. Put two options down: "I'm not interested and don't want any more brochures" and "I already have a rep." Both those people don't need more brochures from you at the moment, but they're very different reasons.

Trying more than once to get books back - only do this if it's not a hassle for you. I used to call back and (on a larger round) found it was taking an extra hour of work, usually for only a few orders. I now only call back once and the extra orders get phoned or emailed in. If you do repeated call-backs you're saying it's okay for people not to be ready on the day, and personally I think it encourages them to not be organised because they're thinking, "Oh it doesn't matter, she'll try again." So if you're not happy about doing that, just be strict and people will get used to how you work.

lozza1985

I'd get in touch with your asm and ask if she could drop you off some books before next Wednesday so that you can carry on canvassing your territory, she'll probably be somewhere in the nearby area before Wednesday and if she knows you don't have books - you won't get many orders - so therefore unlikely to continue, it's in her interest to help you

claireylouise

Hi Lozza!

My ASM just called round for our 2nd meeting and I told her what happened and shes just given me 20 more C15 books! She said try one more time to get my old books back but don't worry if I don't get them back (just dont post to them next time!) Feeling less dishearted now! My orders so far total £52.19 which isnt too bad! (Hoping to get more before the order cut off date!

I will defo put notes inside with the tick boxes - (Thanks I,Geek!)

Got a feeling I will be on this forum alot! You are all so lovely and helpful!

Claire