Connie Horne, Home Business Job Fair Vendor

Elementary school teacher, Connie Horne, shares the joy of education even in her home business.

Horne of State College, Pennsylvania has been with Usborne Books/EDC Educational Services for over 11 years. The fact that she’s an elementary school teacher and former day care provider makes it more than obvious why this was her company of choice. This veteran direct sales consultant has 20 active downline members, 234 inactive and keeps them motivated with emails, phone calls, newsletters and awards.

Connie works approximately 8 hours a week on her business but like most of us – this greatly varies from week to week. “The look of joy on children’s faces when they look at Usborne Books” is this consultant’s favorite aspect of her business.

Horne was contacted by Gwen via email to attend this event, having met at a previous job fair and usually finds out about such events through word of mouth and newspapers. When asked what she’d bring had she been allowed only one, Connie replied with a very simple – products. “Advertise, Advertise, Advertise for events, keep samples of products/catalogs with you everywhere you go” says Connie.

A little more about Usborne…

Colorful, educational, fun books, puzzles, kids kits for all ages available through direct sales, homeshows, internet sales, e-shows, bookfairs, fundraisers, school and library sales are the types of products carried by Usborne consultants.

Usborne Books does not have any territory restrictions in place.

Promotional materials are available through the consultant website and are offered at great discounts and new titles monthly.

Usborne does not have any quotas in place however, you are required to have $85 in net sales within the first 12 weeks.

Consultants are not required to keep inventory.

Usborne does offer company websites, sometimes for free to new consultants through various promotions, with $50 yearly renewal fees.

Consultants are responsible for hostess credits/gifts.

Shipping and handling is 8% of the sales with an optional $5 special delivery fee and usually arrive within a week.

Usborne does offer dropshipping to party hostesses.

The commission structure is as follows:
25% for Home Shows with a minimum of $85 retail,
30% for Direct Sales with a minimum of $85 retail,
15% for Direct Sales $25 - $84,
20% for Book Fairs form $200 - $499,
17% for Book Fairs $500 and up,
17% - 25% for School & Library sales with a $25 minimum

Consultants are paid immediately – taking the commission out before they send the orders in.

Usborne also offers personal sales bonuses of 3 – 5% for sales over $300 net per month and 4% recruiting bonus on all of your personal recruits.

Usborne does not have any inactive fees.

Cash, Check, Charge, and Debit (except AMEX) are accepted forms of payments with no minimum purchase requirements.

Opportunity Structure is as follows:
Usborne offers “One Step at a Time Program” during first 12 weeks where discounts, free books, and cash can be earned. They can offer Double Free hostess books during this time to 20 hostesses, including themselves. Once an initial kit is purchased, the consultant has lifetime discounts for products. Consultants can promote to supervisor or executive supervisor and have unlimited earning potential from their downline.

Usborne also offers monthly contests awards and trips.

Usborne does have a fundraising opportunity available.

Startup kits and prices vary but are currently $29.95 or $99.95.

For training purposes, Usborne offers conventions, regionals, online training, chat rooms, FTP site, message boards, consultant web sites, CDs, books, manuals etc.

Consultants/Customers pay taxes when ordering.

Usborne offere a satisfaction guarantee, lifetime ½ price replacement policy.

Consultants can advertise online.

Please note that any of the above is subject to change and was true at the time of this writing. Please be sure to contact the vendor below with any questions, comments, concerns and/or changes.

Connie Horne
conubah@aol.com
http://www.ubah.com/C0560

Wahm-Articles.com - Submit Your Articles

There's a new article directory in town and it's catering to especially you. The work at home mom (aka wahm)!

The idea behind it is pretty simple - not only did we have a good size
library of articles available for reprint, but we knew there was a ton
of other wahms that have articles as well. We also have had a hard
time finding family specific articles for our childcare section of
MHMM Ezine. The main reason for this is because most article
directories aren't focused on moms. Well, we've fixed that!

Please feel free to submit any articles or stories you have about
family, kids, business, health, or other woman-related topics. If you
publish a newsletter, stop by and see the articles in our database.

I hope this will be a great resource for those of you with newsletters
and articles!

Wahm-Articles.com

Enjoy!

Direct Sales Helpers on the Road

Since we had such a good response from Anita's Day Out series, we've decided to make this type of thing permanent column. Anita still has several more interviews, and Kara will be attending several craft shows in the upcoming weeks as a vendor. While there, she'll be taking notes and making observations to share in this new section titled "Direct Sales Helpers on the Road".

You'll be able to visit this post to find all of our most recent trips. You'll notice a link on the left that will stay there so you can always find this section for quick and easy access.

Please note that all the following links will open in new windows.

Capturing Leads

Networking at Craft Shows

Craft Show Tables - Is Expensive Better?

Anita's Day Out - Home Business Job Fair - Lewistown, PA
Home Business Job Fair Introduction
Gwen Cleck, Home Business Job Fair Coordinator
Laurie Fischer, Home Business Job Fair Vendor
Pat Noll, Home Business Job Fair Vendor
Tina Leininger, Home Business Job Fair Vendor
Karen Huber, Home Business Job Fair Vendor
Deb Barlett, Home Business Job Fair Vendor
Carla Olberholtzer, Home Business Job Fair Vendor
Connie Horne, Home Business Job Fair Vendor

Carla Olberholtzer, Home Business Job Fair Vendor

Scrapbooking lover, Carla Oberholtzer, attends the Home Business Job Fair.

Oberholtzer of Lititz, PA has been with TopLine Creations since October of 2004. Looking for something new to the market with a ground floor opportunity for growing a home based business and the fact that she loves to scrapbook made choosing this business a simple decision.

This not being her firt event, Carla found out about this event basically the same way she usually finds out about other events, relying on email, referrals and word of mouth.

With 5 members in her downline, Oberholtzer says she keeps her team motivated with, "Monthly incentives from my [her] uplines and myself, emails and goal setting."

"Using my own products at a great discount and meeting people who also like to scrapbook", are her favorite aspects of this business, says Carla. She also spends approximately 14 hours a week on her business between, one show a week, preparing samples, orders, emails etc.

Oberholtzer also mentions that if she were only allow to bring one thing to events such as these .... she'd bring her examples.



A little more about Top Line Creations...

Top Line Creations (aka TLC) carries a wide-array of scrapbook products.

There are no requirements to hold home parties or any territory restrictions.

Consultants can obtain promotional materials by purchasing them themselves or use company TLC Cash (free money that is earned through orders) to purchase business materials or products.

Catalogs are $2.50; Flyers/Marketing Brochures are $3.00/25 (minus consultant discount)

Consultants are required to place a $25 retail order every 6 months to remain active.

TLC does not require consultants to keep inventory.

TLC does offer company websites for $9.95 a month or $99.50 for 12 months.

TLC does offer one gift and hostess credits for home parties. The consultant is responsible for extra incentives and gifts.

TLC charges a $5 handling fee and the shipping costs depends on the order amount – starting at 5%.

Packing of orders takes 3-5 days and the shipping depends on the area – usually 3 -5 days. They also do offer dropshipping.

Commissions start at 25% discount and 5% commission on recruits. Once you’ve attained 3 active recruits under you, you earn 8% on downline orders/sales (personal and group volume apply). Consultants also have the opportunity to ultimately earn a 30% discount and a free car. Potential to earn up to 12% commission on downline. Commissions are sent via checks once a month.

TLC also offers extra incentives quarterly for reaching certain sales or highest recruits.

Credit card, Checks, Money Order and Paypal are accepted forms of payment with no minimum purchases.

TLC does offer fundraising opportunities but does not offer wholesale.

TLC offers a start up kit for $49.99 plus S&H (over $100 in value) also an add-on kit opportunity for $100 plus S&H (over $200 in value). These contain a scrapping bag/tote, products and Business Elements.

TLC does also offer training.

Consultants are responsible to collect and report sales tax.

In the event of termination – TLC will purchase re-sellable stock, minus a re-stocking fee.

TLC does not have a non-compete clause in place and consultants are allowed to advertise their business online.

Please note that any of the above is subject to change and was true at the time of this writing. Please be sure to contact the coordinator below with any questions, comments, concerns and/or changes.

Carla Oberholtzer
oberholtzercarla@yahoo.com
http://www.topline-creations.com/simplescraps

Are your costs more than your profits?

As a reader of DSIN we know you are actively trying to improve on your business, and calculating costs is often something that's left out. If you aren't accurately tracking your costs, then you could be spending more money that you are making from promotions.

Fortunately, there's one easy way to keep your costs under control, and that's by estimating your promotion costs before you start.

This may sound simple enough to some, but not all of us can be a wiz at math, or know the "secret formula" to making more than you spend. The truth of the matter is, calculating costs is boring and sometimes complicated.

Which is why DirectSalesHelpers has come up with a solution to this problem:

"Number Crunching Made Easy - Direct Sales Guide to Controling Your Costs" is a brand new kit, which puts YOU in control of your costs. It will save you tons of money on promotion as well as your precious time.

If you don't have a clue, or don't even know where to start, this new kit available is perfect for you. We've taken the most popular forms of promotion, and maped out the steps you need to take to figure the estimated costs for each.

With this kit you'll be able to:

- Calculate your profits and losses
- Know the average response rates
- Immediately know which promotion is worth it
- Take the "guess work" out of promotion

The best part is, you don't need to know a whole lot of math in order to do it! Hiring an associate to do this type of work for you can be costly, so why not do it yourself?

For more information, visit:
http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com/calculating-costs.html

To your success!

By the way ... for a limited time ... Number Crunching Made Easy comes free with each purchase of The Direct Sales Success Kit ;-)

MomChats.com - Grand Re-Opening

Back by popular demand - MomChats.com Re-Opens their doors!

We'd also like to take this time to announce the newest member to our team ... Val Selby of

http://www.LittleScrapBookShop.com
Specializing in kits to get your pages done.

http://www.BusyMommaWellness.com
Your health should be top priority ... join her in discussions on how to make sure it is!

Val will be helping you in scheduling your next online event and will make sure you never miss another!

What is Mom Chats?
Mom Chats is a competely free website where mothers can get together to host online parties, chat, attend networking events, and so much more. All chats are free, and it's also free to schedule events.

Chat Schedule
Don't want to miss the next scheduled networking event? Maybe you want to see if a certain date is available for your next online party. Whatever the reason, be sure to see our current chat schedule for all events!

Schedule a Chat
Looking for a place to hold your next online event? Renting a room at MomChats.com is free. Schedule Online Parties, Networking Events, Topic Chats (aka "How To Chats"), Team Meetings, Opportunity Chats ... or whatever your event. Be sure to check out the guidelines!

Don't forget to register so you won't miss the next chat!

Importance of Calculating Costs in Direct Sales

Did you miss the chat?

Chat Transcript Now Available!

If you missed our chat on Thursday about the importance of calculating costs, don't feel left out! The transcript is now available for free at http://www.directsaleshelpers.com/chat.html


Dear Anita & Kara-

I just finished going through your newest ebook "Number Crunching Made Easy". Again, you have broken down the basics into an easy to understand guide for those of us in Direct Sales. Not only will I be able to use it in preparing for an advertising campaign, but the forms you have provided will help me determine the cost effectiveness of each method, before and after. You've really covered all the bases.

Thanks for another great product-can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Sincerely,
Lauren Haugh
Independent Consultant, #420635
Top Line Creations

Direct Sales Chat Alert

If you are a mom in direct sales, this is a chat you don't want to miss!

DirectSalesHelpers will be featured at WAHM's United for a very special chat. In this chat you'll find the importance of counting your pennies and watching what you spend on your promotions. We'll cover some important points, and of course be answering questions.

You'll also want to stick around to the end when we make a very important announcement about an upcoming product from DirectSalesHelpers.com!

Chat Topic: Importance of Calculating Costs in Direct Sales
Date: March 16th
Time: 7pm EST
Place: WAHMs United Chat Room


Need a reminder or want to be notified of future chats? Visit:
http://www.directsaleshelpers.com/chat.html

Deb Barlett, Home Business Job Fair Vendor

New to her companies, multi-tasker, Deb Bartlett represents two companies at the home business job fair.

This being Bartlett’s first event, she found out about this particular event at CraftLister.com. Deb represents both Stuff a Friend (that she’s been with for about 3 months) and The Greeting Cake Company (that she’s been with for about 5 months).

Mrs. Bartlett joined these companies because the product and company were something different to her local area and both very easy businesses to run. She’s also enjoying the low or no start up fees and the fact that she can run both businesses her way.

Being new to these businesses she does not yet have a downline with either business and works them about 8 hours a week on each business. When asked if she could only bring one thing to an event such as this Deb replied that she’d bring her products because they will sell themselves. “Ask everyone you know and always talk about your business,” shares Barlett.

A little more about Stuff a Friend…

Stuff a Friend carries un-stuffed animals and dolls, similar to the popular mall store and many other new products are being added frequently. Kids stuff the kits themselves.

SAF does not have any territory restrictions nor any requirements to hold home parties.

Representatives can purchase promotional materials via the company website, use their own resources or even make their own.

SAF does not have any quotas for representatives to meet.

There is no requirement to keep inventory however, it certainly helps to have a few animals on hand to show prospecting customers.

SAF does offer company websites which are give to each representative for free.

Representatives will be responsible for any hostess credits/gifts that the representative would set up. SAF parties are not like a traditional home party so there usually is nothing like this.

SAF shipping and handling prices start at $5.00 and then vary depending on order sizes. Delivery time of 2 weeks is a good time frame to advise customer but can be less.

Stuff a Friend does offer dropshipping.

Commissions are distributed via paypal for orders placed through representatives websites. Representatives sell at retail and purchase at wholesale (approximately 30% off) so they’re paid immediately for all offline sales.

Paypal, credit cards, checks and cash are accepted methods of payment with no minimum purchases.

Stuff a Friend does have a unique fundraising opportunity as they’re able to be held online and for an ongoing basis.

There are no start up fees for SAF and the starter kits pricing varies as there is a lot of different kits to choose from.

SAF does not offer a lot of hands on training but does offer advice, tips, tricks etc to help you run your business and has an active message board for representatives.

Representatives are responsible for their own taxes for all offline orders. Online orders are taken care of by SAF.

Representatives may advertise online.

Please note that any of the above is subject to change and was true at the time of this writing. Please be sure to contact the coordinator below with any questions, comments, concerns and/or changes.

Deb Barlett
Independent Representative #742
servicemom@stuffafriend.com
http://www.stuffafriend.com/shop.php?servicemom

A little more about The Greeting Cake Company…

The Greeting Cake Company offers cakes that come with a personalized greeting on the top, brownies, “cup cakes” (coffee mug cakes) plus many new items are being added frequently.

GCC does not have any territory restrictions or any requirements to hold home parties.

Distributors can order promotional materials through the home office, use their own resources or make them themselves.

GCC does require that distributors make at least one order each quarter. This order can even be as small as one cake to remain active.

There is no requirement to keep inventory however, it does help.

GCC does offer company sponsored websites for $7 a month.

Shipping and handling costs vary on size and destination. They usually ship orders within 3 business days.

GCC does offer dropshipping.

Commissions are paid via check for all orders made online. Distributors are paid immediately for offline orders as customers pay at retail price and distributors purchased at wholesale cost.

Paypal, credit cards, checks and cash are accepted methods of payment with no minimum purchases.

GCC does offer both fundraising and wholesale opportunities.

GCC’s start up kits start at $15 for paperwork only.

Distributors are responsible for all taxes.

Greeting Cake Distributors are permitted to advertise online.

Deb Barlett
Independent Distributor #05091228
http://www.greetingcakeco.com/dbartlett/

Karen Huber, Home Business Job Fair Vendor

Cozy and fashionable, Karen Huber of Weekenders also attends the home business job fair.

Huber, who has been with her direct sales company for two years, proudly displayed her apparel via both her display table and on herself. Really enjoying the clothing line was one of her biggest decision makers in joining this company. Living nearby, Karen found about this particular event and usually finds out through the coordinator of this event.

Ms. Huber currently does not have a downline but is actively working on building. Seeing the new fashions each season is one of her favorite aspects of her business and she only works a few hours a week at the moment. If there was only one item she could bring to an event such as these, Huber says she’d bring her catalogs.

When asked to share any comments concerning events such as this one, without delay, Huber says, “These types of events are great for networking!”



A little more about Weekenders…

Clothing, skin products and nutrition products make up the majority of the Weekenders line.

There are no territory restrictions for coordinators to comply with.

Weekenders does not require coordinators to hold home parties.

Coordinators can acquire promotional materials through the company and are as follows:

Clothing packs range from $300 to $600.
Sales aids, postcards etc. are available for around $2 to $15.

Weekenders does have a sales quota in effect that coordinators are to make $100 in orders in three months and there is no requirement to keep inventory.

This company does offer company websites and they cost $30 a quarter.

Fashion coordinators are responsible for hostess credits/gifts.

Shipping and handling costs $10.95 per order and they’re delivered usually within a few days.


For In-home sales…
Coordinators demonstrate Fashions in customer’s home and takes orders. The coordinator then orders from Weekenders and receives a 25 – 40% retail discount on in-home fashion line merchandise. Coordinator delivers products to the customer.

For Website sales…
Coordinator refers customers to Life-Products web site. Customers order their own products on the internet. Weekenders collect the money from the customer and credits the Coordinator back 25% (web income). All orders are shipped directly to the customer.

Jewelry, vacations, awards from the president and seasonal incentive awards of company products are some additional bonuses offered by Weekenders.

There are no inactive fees, however, if you loose your 40% discount status, you have to sign up all over and work up to the 40% again.

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, checks and cash are accepted payment methods with no minimum on purchases.

The opportunity structure is named as follows:
Independent Coordinator, Team Leader, Sales Manager, Senior Sales Manager, Executive Sales Manager, Senior Executive Sales Manager, National Sales Manager

Weekenders does offer a fundraising opportunity but does not offer a wholesale opportunity.

Start up kits range from $300 to $600 and include different types of clothing, brochures, postcards and swatches.

Weekenders does offer training.

This company does offer a Buy Back Policy within a time limit and has a Return Policy for customers to return within ten days.

Weekenders can not advertise online.

Please note that any of the above is subject to change and was true at the time of this writing. Please be sure to contact the coordinator below with any questions, comments, concerns and/or changes.

Karen Huber
Weekenders
libraria@verizon.net OR librariall@yahoo.com
http://www.weekendersusa.com

Are you having Online Parties?

We've had quite a few subscribers asking for more information about online parties. Since we're here for you ... answering the questions you have ... giving solutions for your problems. We need your feedback!

Are you still having online parties?

Locating Local Craft Shows

It's that time of year again! Christmas is over and the weather is starting to get warm, which means craft shows are starting to be scheduled. Are you ready to start looking for events?

We all know how profitable a craft show can be. Offline events are perfect for getting the word out about your business and making new contacts. What could be better than hundreds of shoppers walking right up to you and saying hello?

The most difficult part of a craft show is actually locating them before all the tables are booked. If you have never attended an event before, be prepared to spend several shows stuffed in the very back at a last minute table. Many of us start out like this, but as soon as you get on "the lists", your table location WILL be better.

The following idea for locating events is brand new, and given to us by a "neighbor" at our last craft show. While chatting with her, she pulls out a book and asked if we had this. It was titled "Iowa Calendar of Events", and was FULL of events for all over the state. Granted there were many events that do not accept vendors (theater dates, car shows, etc), but the list of shows that did accept vendors was amazing. All events were listed by date, complete with location and contact information. Perfect!

While this information might have been great for us being in Iowa, you might ask what good does it do for the rest of you in different states. I'll tell you - this booklet was free from our travel information website. All we had to do is go online and request a free copy. Iowa has a very limited amount of sights to see, yet we still have a travel website. This to me says other states have the same kind of information on website or with local offices.

There's a few ways to find out if your state has information like this:

- Check your state website
Often times the travel and event information will be right on your government website.

- Search online
Use terms like "travel" or "tourism" with your state to see if there's a specific website.

- Local offices
If all else fails, contact your state government offices to see if anything in print is offered.

Even in a small state like Iowa, we were able to find a list that will keep us booked every month for the entire craft fair season. Once you have your information, the easy part is contacting those on the list. Easy!

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Anita DeFrank & Kara Kelso, authors of Direct Sales Success, specialize in coaching direct sales representatives to reach their goal of becoming successful in their field. If you need additional help with booking and attending offline events, visit: http://www.directsaleshelpers.com/offline-events.html