Copyright
© Wendy Betterini
If
you prefer to start a home business working as a representative for an
existing company, there are plenty out there to choose from. There are
things you should think about beforehand, however. Too many people make
the mistake of jumping into the first opportunity they see. Do your
homework before signing on the dotted line! Here are some things to
consider about your prospective opportunity:
Are you
passionate
about the products/services? - Be honest with yourself on this, it's
the most important question. Don't sign up with a company because
others are doing well with them, or because your neighbor says it's the
wave of the future. Can you really get excited about what you're
selling? If yes, you will have a much better shot at success.
Is
the company legitimate? - How long have they been in business? Are they
a member of the Better Business Bureau or the Direct Selling
Association? This doesn't necessarily guarantee the company is "good",
but it's a good starting place. Also do a search for the company name
along with the word "scam." Do a lot of complaints come up? Most
companies will probably have a few, but if there are many, you might
want to think twice.
Start-up Cost - How much does
it cost to
become a representative, and what is included in your start-up kit?
Most business opportunities have a start-up cost that can range from a
few dollars up to hundreds of dollars. However, you should actually
receive something for this money being spent.
Product
or Service
- Is there an actual product or service being sold to customers? If
there is no product or service, run far, far away! That is called a
pyramid scheme, and it is illegal.
Training - Do you
receive any
training and support from the company? Ask how this training is
presented. Is it online training? Telephone conference calls? One on
one mentoring? Audio files? Printed booklets? Make sure you clearly
understand what support and training materials will be provided for you.
Ongoing
Costs - Are there any ongoing costs to running your business with this
company? Some companies require that you purchase a certain amount of
products each month, or they charge monthly webhosting fees or
administrative fees.
Marketing Materials - Will you
need to
purchase your own marketing materials like brochures, catalogs, order
forms, business cards, advertising or prospecting leads? Find out if
the company offers any of these to you for free, or if they have low
cost alternatives.
Quotas - Will you have any
sales quotas you
need to meet each month or year? Any other requirements you must meet
to keep your business active?
Online or Off - Would
you prefer
to run your business mostly online, or off? Would you enjoy doing home
parties? Some companies offer the option of both, and some do not. Find
out exactly how you will need to run your business and make sure it's
something you won't mind doing.
Website - Does the
company give
you a free website, or one that you pay for? Can you sign up customers
and representatives at the website, or do you have to do it manually by
phone or fax? Some websites are given for marketing and lead generation
purposes, but you still have to sign up the prospects yourself. Others
have more automated systems set up.
Product Delivery
- Who
delivers the products your customers order? Does the company ship them
out for you, or will you have to do that?
Realistic
income -
What can you expect to earn, and how is the bulk of your income earned?
Do you need to recruit other representatives in order to earn? Or can
you sell product to earn a commission. Some companies offer both
options. Don't fall for the hyped-up ads that claim you can earn
$20,000 in a month. It may be possible, but be clear on exactly what
would be required of you to earn that much money. Will you need to
recruit a certain number of representatives per month, or sell a
certain amount of products per month? Are you willing to do that?
When
you finally choose a company to partner with, be prepared to work hard
and be committed. So many ads out there make it sound so easy -- you
just sign up and the money starts rolling in. Nothing could be further
from the truth. You will need to show up each day and do the work, just
like a job. You will need to stretch yourself outside your comfort
zones and work on improving yourself, personally and professionally.
The
good news is that YOU are responsible for your own success. There are
no limits if you truly believe in yourself and the company you
represent.
About the Author:
Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer, web designer and owner of http://www.CreativeWorkAtHome.com,
a resource center for home business owners and telecommuters. Visit
today for information on how to make your work at home experience
successful.
Source: www.isnare.com |
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