Well, I haven't posted in a while. I guess I will become another stat for Direct Marketing. I gave it a real try but the response rate of new customers was painfully excruciating. I sent out flyers to let people know I would be sending brochures. I sent out invites to my website and then flyers and more brochures. I cold called some houses that I sent flyers to to let them know I would be sending brochures. I gave all kinds of contact info to let people know how to order. But the response rate was low...low....low. I guess I can't continue to beat this dead horse. Oh, well at least I got that out of my system. My husband is very excited I finally came to my senses. I have always told him the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Ha - I think I will take my own advice now. Whew- I'm freeeeee.
I really had to figure this thing out. Does Direct Marketing work - I mean - Can a regular person make a real living at it? Maybe $35,000 or $45,000. The answer is No. I believe you have to have a huge existing network of really close friends and family to even start. Then they all have to believe in the product as much as you do so they either buy allot twice a month and you make the commission or even better they join under you and buy allot, I mean tons of stuff. It's all a dream. I guess I didn't believe huge corporations could stay in business without true integrity but they are selling the dream. P.S Does the CEO of Avon wear an Avon pearl necklace in all the photo opps. That's one thing that I've noticed for the last year or so, every photo you see her in she wears a pearl necklace. I haven't noticed Avon selling pearls?!
I think I will have to start blogging about something else soon. I'll be back here to let you know what I've been up to. Hope I didn't piss anyone off. That is not my intention. I am just a little saddened of this true realization. It is a relief that I am not obsessed with Avon anymore. Although I know my brain will find a new obsession soon enough. I can't stop it!! Maybe I should take up wine tasting. HA! I'm rambling, gotta go.
Thanks for tuning in. I will be back.
8 comments:
I just started selling AVON a few campaigns back and I've been trying alot of the same things you are. I've got a handful of customers but would really like more. I think if I had more time I would be able to do more, but working full time does not alot of opportunities to market my AVON biz. I've told myself I'm giving it a year, if it doesn't work then I'll determine if I stay or go.
Good Luck to you! I think it can work for some people. You do have to work very hard at it and I think there are a lot of marketing dollars each new rep has to put into it. I know there are meetings for consultants to go to to keep the momentum up. I was invited to the meetings this time around but never attended. I just thought, we are not re-inventing the wheel here. I don't think there are any brainstorming sessions that I could have gone to that would have solved the problem of lack of customers as quickly as I would have hoped. That's why I decided to just go out and get a regular job instead. I will recieve a pay cheque without having to go out and find my own customers. Avon is alot of work for the average rep and I found the pay worked out to be less than minimum wage. I have to agree with Birdie Jinkowski's Blog - Adventures of an Avon Lady. She was an Avon Rep for years and said she never made more than minimum wage. I'm trying to take giant steps forward and I can't spend anymore time spinning wheels!
i am currently selling avon myself. it is extremely hard... i only thought of it as something to do as i am now a stay at home mum and it gives us something to do. we have a few regular customers and the potential is there to get more but it is avon that is letting me down! everytime i make my order they are always short of something or a product comes damaged and i am sick of explaining to my customers and being sorry all the time. usually they are waiting on their order as presents for others etc and i can understand how dissapointing it must be for them let alone for me! just makes me extremely upset and not want to sell avon. when i call to tell them my problem they are rude and not quite helpful. think i might join another marketing scheme but i dont want to let my existing customers down. i guess they will find another rep somewhere.. i dunno. my personal opinion... avon products are great but their service is just crap. still.. good luck to those who are doing well and carry on through with it all! =)
December 20, 2009 4:19 PM
I'm sorry that it hasn't worked for you. I've been an Avon rep for 7 months. I'm a 45-year old male and I've hit President's Club. To date, I've had $15,500+ in sales in those 7 months.
I think it's true that it helps to have a network of friends to get you going. That's why you should have been asked to create a list of 30 friends/coworkers when you first joined. It initially seemed like a very intrusive exercise, but I found out later that it was a crucial step. I also have a day job and it's been easy to sell to coworkers.
For me, hosting monthly Avon parties was absolutely crucial to success. My parties first brought in $400 in sales. Then $600. Then $1000. I just had a $2000+ campaign right before Christmas.
Am I making enough to do Avon full time? No. Might I some day? Possibly. For me, the success that I'm seeing makes it worth me to continue. I'm hoping to create a series of workshops for Reps to teach them how I throw a party and how I use online tools to help streamline my business.
If you need an Avon Man, I'd be happy to help you. Even though we live miles apart, I have many tools to give you personal attention.
Stay Beautiful,
Nick
Keep on, keepin' on.
Good for you guys.
Thanks, Kim. Since my last post, I achieved Honors Society. It was alot of hard work to reach that in 10 months, but now I'm really proud of that.
I just got back from the Avon National Convention in Las Vegas. It was 3 great days of learning, inspiration and networking. Highly recommended to anyone who plans on doing more with their business.
I'm pretty good with my downline now, but this convention proved that you really need to have contact, contact, contact with your downline as well as your customers. If your upline didn't assist you, press them for help. That's why they're there.
Good advice. I think it has alot to do with your upline. Hopefully they have a proven track record of success.
Congrats OMGAvon in achieving your goals - so far. I think that what's it about. Baby steps and goals.
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