Question

Topic: Other

Does Anyone Know How I Can Go About......

Posted by Anonymous on 3/11/2009 at 5:18 PM ET 125 Points
My firm is cutting down to four day work weeks. To make some extra cash I was contemplating selling specialty items. I have a pretty decent lead list I could go ahead and tap for work (cups, pens, magnets, coasters, notepads, etc) and I'm not looking to make it a full time career, just a little cash to come in to replace what i'm going to be losing. Some months may be dry, some heavier than others as far as cash flow. I know I will have to become some sort of company and do billing and taxes and all that, but I am more curious as to how one gets started on an individual track on specialty item sales. Meaning I know there is no company that will hire me to work one day a week (yes, i know it will be more dedication that that, work with me here) and I know that there are people individually who work from home but i can't ask them because why would they tell me seeing as i'd be a direct competitor. I know I would somehow have to have manufacturers send me catalogs to sell from, and work with and when i order I'd have to have some sort of ID or number to reference i'm a company instead in order to get samples and net numbers opposed to gross numbers.....etc.....
Can someone shed light on how this works?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by michael on 3/11/2009 at 5:31 PM Member
    You're making it harder than it really is. If you know the promo market you can find someone good who will give you a supply of catalogs and samples. 10% commission isn't too hard to get. Sole Proprietor. No biggie.

    But there are way too many people in this market....unless you're doing high end stuff.

    If you've got lots of sales experience, e-mail me. I'll have some other ideas for you.

    Michael
  • Posted on 3/11/2009 at 5:38 PM Author
    My current employer would be a client, they're the ones that came up with the idea if I were doing it they'd buy from me. I also have a pretty decent list of friends and family that all own business....i've been in marketing/advertising for a few years and i know their needs and the reps around Mississippi are like hair stylists, flaky. I don't need a full salary, i'm talking about a little extra cash. Let's not bash me for exploring the idea folks, lets offer solutions or suggestions. I wouldn't be considering it if I haven't explored the pros and cons....that isn't my question posted. So if anyone has any ADVICE I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm not worried at the moment about competitors or my list, i'm wondering how to get into the business side of doing this?
  • Posted by telemoxie on 3/11/2009 at 7:33 PM Accepted
    It is a bit more difficult than you think to be a part-time salesperson. For example, you want to work each Friday. Suppose you lead, and it's a hot lead, and the prospect wants you to come out next Tuesday. Uruguay, how about next Friday? But that is not good for them. And so you say, how about the following Friday? What impression does is give of your firm?

    Generally speaking, you should not have trouble making time to follow up with genuinely hot prospects. For example, you can call them at lunch, or take them to launch, especially if you have the support of your current employer.

    I strongly agree that a very good time to start a new business is when you have a current paycheck, and I also strongly agree that the best way to start a new business is part-time.

    I would suggest that you consider hiring a part-time lead generation person, who can work from home part-time five days per week, so that you can focus your energies on the hottest prospects.

    You'll probably want to start on your own, but when things began to take off, I believe you'll be better off adding an inexperienced lead generator and cutting back your hours at your current job.

    I agree that you can easily find existing companies who already have relationships with specialty at manufacturers, and a commission only arrangement with such a firm is probably a better place to start.

    Down the road, if this starts to work for you, and if you're interested in considering the idea of a part-time marketing representative, please send me an e-mail. Before my accident, I had filled such a role for about 10 years, and would be more than happy to give you some helpful advice on the types of relationships which I feel work well and the types of relationships which I feel do not work well.

    Good luck to you.
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