Do you need to supplement your income? Are you interested in starting an independent direct 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 to become an independent direct seller without incurring excessive costs? What are the steps and tools you need to find a job as a direct seller? How should you prepare? How can you become a great home sales consultant?
How do you build your network? Why is continuous training essential? Discover everything you need to know.
1/ DEFINE YOUR HOME SALES CONSULTANT ACTIVITY
Want to know how to get started in selling clothing from home? One of the first steps is to create your own micro-business so you can work with peace of mind and in full compliance as a self-employed entrepreneur. Note that in France, thanks to this status, independent sellers remain affiliated with the general Social Security system.
Wondering what the obligations are for direct sellers? And how to declare your home sales income? Unlike employees, self-employed entrepreneurs 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 your type of direct sales contract
As a direct seller, you can choose between two types of contracts: agent direct seller and buyer-reseller direct seller.
- The agent direct seller
As an agent direct seller, you become a brand ambassador. With Elora, you take orders directly during a private session 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 become a direct seller without investment.
Elora offers you a starter kit. That means you’re given a chance and lent a collection to ensure your first private fashion presentations at home... without any minimum order requirements.
- The buyer-reseller direct seller
The buyer-reseller direct seller 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 bit of a gamble, since 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 relatively high-priced, while the buyer-reseller contract may be more suitable for 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 direct sales activity. To truly thrive, it’s best if your work fits with your life plans.
Some direct 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 schedule will be flexible, depending on your availability and that of your clients. For your sessions, you might prefer weekends and weekday evenings, for example.
> Also read: Direct Seller Status: Total Work Freedom
Set your sales goals
The independent sales profession 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 prospect 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’ll also be:
- Challenged daily and in your interactions with other personal shoppers on the team
- More organized in managing your resources
- Able to track 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 also need to consider factors like family life, relaxation and leisure time, and essential obligations both at home and outside.
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 supporting your business success.
At 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 consultant extranet, visit the Elora website, or reach out to other direct sellers who will share their expertise!
STAY AT THE FOREFRONT OF SALES TECHNIQUES WITH TRAINING
As in every field, regular training is essential to:
- Expand your knowledge and network
- Gain new skills, get to know your product and service range better
- Become more effective, learn how to build client loyalty
- Increase your growth prospects and your ability to seize professional opportunities (within the company or elsewhere).
At Elora, it’s worth repeating: training is completely free! Direct sellers benefit from strong support. All sales consultants enjoy a training program developed by experienced coaches, allowing them to get to know the company in depth and learn the keys to home sales as independents.
This way, they can start their activity in the best possible conditions.
And finally, several e-learning modules are available at any time for those who want to deepen their knowledge.
These trainings can cover various topics such as time management, preparing a product presentation session, management, and more. Over the years, Elora’s independent consultants can take on more responsibility by moving into team manager roles. They will then help train new recruits and support them in growing their sales.
> Also read: Home Sales Training
