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Dear Daniel,
You need to travel in the "right" circles. Hiring independent
sales representatives is an excellent way to do some 'no cost' marketing, even
if the rep's don't make any sales! And, paying them on commission is an added
bonus to your coffers! There are many home-based business opportunity websites
that you could advertise with -- PowerHomebiz.com and Home-Based Working Moms
where I have been working with for over three years, so of course, I believe
they're the best ones out there!
Do some serious planning before hiring reps. They need to have guidance and
assistance. I hire a few independent rep's in my business, and I provide them
with a training manual that describes some ideas of how they can effectively
do their job, how they can communicate with people and what it takes to be
successful. I also offer my rep's hands-on training by way of instant
messenger chats for the first month that they are on the job. This allows them
to pop up and ask me questions anytime they see me online -- which sure eases
their concerns as they are learning a new business.
Also, make sure you understand exactly what you want, and that you are
willing to go the extra steps to set your rep's up for success and not for
failure. Know that they are going to want to be paid in a timely fashion, as
most of the home-based working moms I work with definitely need the money.
Take the time and energy to know what type of person you need to hire -- what
is the demographic target audience of your product? That will get you started
in knowing what to look for with your reps. I also make sure I send leads to
my reps, so that they have the chance to make sales without too much effort.
Give your reps encouragement by way of words or bonus opportunities. And, as
my husband reminds me (usually when I'm running out of the house in my sweats)
that I am an extension and a public figure of him....make sure you treat your
reps as such, because with them, you could do very well, but without them, you
would probably be nothing.
Best of luck to you,
About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide:
Tammy Harrison is a successful
home-based working mom for over five years. She holds a degree from Mizzou in
Consumer Economics. Her business focuses on Marketing and Creativity for
Small Businesses as well as numerous other small
businesses. For more information, you may contact her at http://www.jdharrison.com
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the
author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the Guide's response as
legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers are intended to be
general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given by qualified
professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific geographical areas or
circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.
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