Online
parties are hot right now. People who are comfortable with online
chats and at ease with online payment options like PayPal make
great online party guests.
With
fantastic online party resources like the free chat rooms provided
at Internet Based Moms and the support of groups like The Party
Network and Mommy's Helper Online -Online Party Resources it is
easier than ever to throw an online party and invite all of your
online friends to participate and buy.
I
wonder though if many online hostesses and demonstrators are forgetting
a wonderful offline option to boost their total party sales. Remember
the good old 'Catalog Show'? Why not pair the Online Party with
the offline Catalog Show and help your hostess connect with offline
friends and family for orders?
I
know that demonstrators are cautious about the additional expenses
of catalogs and postage. The beauty of online parties is that
they do not have to send out paper supplies and can simply use
their ecommerce websites.
The
thing to consider is that we still have a large population of
people out there who do not use the web regularly and may never
attend an online party. So why not ask your online hostess if
they would like to receive a catalog and order forms for the purpose
of gathering offline orders in advance of their online party?
If she is not interested in offering it locally, that's ok, but
if she is, you're on!!
Depending
on the payment plan that your direct sales company uses, it may
involve an extra step for you and your hostess to get all of the
payments together in one place. If payment needs to come to the
demonstrator for submission, be sure to make arrangements for
an online payment format or include a postage paid pre-addressed
envelope with your catalog and advise the hostess to collect the
money and send a money order ASAP so that you can close out the
show. (Never accept a check from an out of town hostess, even
if you think know them well! It's a headache that will stress
out a friendship!)
Imagine
just $100 in extra offline sales added to each of your online
shows. Would the profit on that be worth the catolog and postage
costs? I think so! You may also find that this is a great way
to increase hostess involvement and boost the number of show bookings!
Article
by:
Kelly McCausey is the host of Work at Home Moms Internet Talk
Radio, the original Internet Radio show for Internet Based Moms.
www.wahmtalkradio.com
