Do you need to supplement your income? Are you interested in starting an independent home sales activity but don’t know where to begin?
Elora, a leading name in home fashion sales, explains how to get started as a Fashion Consultant.
How can you become an independent home seller without incurring excessive costs? What are the steps and tools needed to find a job as an independent home seller? How should you prepare? How can you become a great home sales advisor?
How do you build your network? Why is ongoing training essential? Discover everything you need to know.
1/ DEFINE YOUR HOME SALES ADVISOR ACTIVITY
Want to know how to get started in selling clothes at home? One of the first steps is to set up your own small business so you can work with peace of mind and within the law, as a self-employed entrepreneur. Note that in France, thanks to this status, the independent seller remains affiliated with the general Social Security system.
Wondering what the obligations are for independent home sellers? And how to declare your home sales income? Unlike employees, the self-employed declare their income to URSSAF, in order to pay social contributions and taxes. This declaration is done online, simply and quickly... and everything else follows automatically!
Before you embark on this adventure and start your home sales activity as an independent seller, take the time to make the right choices.
Choosing the type of independent home sales contract
As an independent home seller, you can choose between two types of contracts: agent and buyer-reseller.
- The agent contract
As an agent, you become a brand ambassador. With Elora, you take orders directly during a private gathering and make your sales to your clients. The company takes care of everything else (or almost!). In other words, you don’t need to build up any stock, and you can start without investment.
Elora provides you with a starter kit. This means you’re given a chance and lent a collection to ensure your first private fashion presentations at home... without being required to place a minimum order.
- The buyer-reseller contract
The buyer-reseller purchases products directly from the company to build her own stock. She then resells them at her own pace and in her own way.
Be aware that this type of contract is a gamble, as the initial investment is significant, and you can’t be sure of your future clients’ expectations and reactions. You need to have enough income to buy a diverse range of products and full confidence in your own sales skills.
So, weigh the pros and cons to choose the status and contract that suit you best. The agent contract is ideal for ready-to-wear, since fashion products are seasonal and fairly costly, while the buyer-reseller contract may be more suited to selling beauty products, makeup, or accessories.
Decide how much time you want to dedicate to your activity
Depending on your lifestyle and needs, decide how much time you want to dedicate to your independent home sales activity. To truly thrive, it’s best if your work fits with your life plans.
Some independent sellers work full-time, while others simply want to earn extra income. It’s a great option for those who want to have another job alongside their main employment, to earn money without disrupting their routine. Determine your weekly availability and organize your home sales around your schedule.
Your timetable will be flexible, depending on your availability and that of your clients. For your gatherings, you might prefer weekends and weekday evenings, for example.
> Also read: Independent Home Seller Status: Complete Freedom at Work
Set yourself sales goals
The independent seller’s job is a business paid by commission, meaning a percentage of the sales you make. Your income level will directly depend on your turnover.
To stay organized, we recommend setting goals, which you can prioritize according to your needs. These goals (which should be quantified) might include:
- A certain number of private sales per week
- Clients to approach each month
- Time dedicated to Elora’s free training sessions, etc.
Having a roadmap is important for many reasons, especially to get off to a good start. By doing so, you will also be:
- Challenged daily and in your interactions with other personal shoppers on the team
- More organized in managing your resources
- Able to assess your progress across the board.
Be careful to set goals that are both specific and realistic. It’s up to you to find the right balance, based on your financial needs, so your motivation lasts over time! You’ll need to consider factors such as your family life, relaxation and leisure time, and essential commitments both outside and at home, etc.
Selling fashion with Elora is a wonderful adventure... If you organize yourself well, you’ll be able to make the most of it, on every level.
Take the time to get to know the brand, its values, and its products
Many companies are looking for independent profiles to join their sales teams. However, it’s essential to offer your services to a brand that aligns with your values and is committed to helping you succeed in your business.
With Elora, there’s zero investment! We provide free training and introduce you to the brand and its product line. We offer you a starter kit, and you’ll be supported and guided by your mentor. You can also browse the dedicated extranet for advisors, visit the Elora website, or reach out to other independent sellers who will share their expertise!
STAY AT THE FOREFRONT OF SALES TECHNIQUES THROUGH TRAINING
As in every field, regular training is essential to:
- Expand your knowledge and network
- Gain skills, better understand your range of products and services
- Become more effective, know how to build client loyalty
- Increase your prospects for advancement and your ability to seize career opportunities (within the company or elsewhere).
At Elora, let’s emphasize again, training is completely free! Independent sellers receive strong support. All sales advisors benefit from a training program developed by experienced coaches, allowing them to get to know the company in depth, and to learn the keys to home sales as an independent.
This way, they can start their activity in the best possible conditions.
And finally, several e-learning training modules are available at any time for those who want to deepen their knowledge.
These training sessions can cover various topics such as organizing your work time, preparing a product presentation meeting, management, and more. Over the years, Elora’s independent advisors can take on more responsibility by moving into team management. They will then help train new recruits and support them in growing their sales.
> Also read: Training in Home Sales
