Do you need to supplement your income? Are you interested in starting as an independent direct sales consultant but not sure where to begin?
Elora, a leading name in home fashion sales, explains how to get started as a Fashion Consultant.
How can you become a direct sales consultant without incurring excessive costs? What are the steps and tools you need to find a job as a direct sales consultant? 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 CONSULTANT ACTIVITY
Want to know how to get started in selling clothing from home? One of the first steps is to set up your own micro-business so you can work with peace of mind and in full compliance, as a self-employed entrepreneur. In France, this status allows independent sellers to remain part of the general Social Security system.
Wondering what the obligations are for direct sales consultants? 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 a direct sales consultant, take the time to make the right choices.
Choosing your type of direct sales contract
As a direct sales consultant, 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 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 sales consultant 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 any minimum order requirements.
- 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.
Keep in mind that this type of contract is a bit of 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, as fashion products are seasonal and relatively high in cost, while the buyer-reseller contract may be better 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 direct sales activity. To truly thrive, it’s best if your work fits with your life plans.
Some direct sales consultants work full-time, while others simply want additional income. It’s a great option for those who want to earn extra money alongside their main job, without disrupting their routine. Determine your weekly availability and organize your home sales sessions around your schedule.
Your schedule will be flexible, based on your availability and that of your clients. For your sessions, you might choose weekends and weekday evenings, for example.
> Also read: Direct Sales Status: Total Work Freedom
Set your sales goals
Being an independent seller is a business where you earn commissions, meaning a percentage of your sales. Your income will directly reflect your sales figures.
To stay organized, we recommend setting goals, prioritized according to your needs. These goals (which should be quantified) might include:
- A certain number of private sales sessions per week
- New clients to approach each month
- Time dedicated to Elora’s free training sessions, etc.
Having a roadmap is important for many reasons, especially when starting out. 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.
Remember, it’s important to set goals that are both specific and realistic. Find the right balance for your financial needs, so your motivation lasts! Be sure to consider factors like family life, downtime, leisure, and essential commitments both at home and outside.
Selling fashion with Elora is a wonderful adventure... With good organization, you can 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 actively supports 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 explore the dedicated extranet for consultants, visit the Elora website, or connect with other direct sales consultants who will share their expertise!
STAY AT THE FOREFRONT OF SALES TECHNIQUES WITH TRAINING
As in every field, ongoing 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 opportunities and your ability to seize professional opportunities (within the company or elsewhere).
At Elora, it’s worth repeating: training is completely free! Direct sales consultants receive strong support. All sales advisors benefit from a training program developed by experienced coaches, helping them get to know the company in depth and learn the keys to home sales as independent professionals.
This allows them to start their activity in the best possible conditions.
And finally, several e-learning modules are available at any time for those who want to further develop their skills.
These trainings cover a variety of 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 management roles. They’ll then help train new recruits and support them in growing their sales.
> Also read: Home Sales Training
