Home Party Sales Careers

From LoveToKnow Jobs

If you’re looking for a flexible part time job that lets you have fun while earning the money you need, home party sales careers may be the right choice for you.

Looking for a home business idea?

About Home Party Sales Careers

Home party business opportunities are a part of the direct sales industry that involves selling products or services through informal home events instead of through a traditional retail storefront.

Contrary to popular belief, the direct sales industry is a big business. Each year, over 13 million Americans buy or sell goods from their home. In 2006, the Direct Selling Association reported that the industry generated $32.18 billion in revenue.

The number of products sold using the home party concept continues to expand. There are companies selling kitchen accessories, scented candles, home décor, makeup, scrapbooking supplies, and rubber stamps. For the truly adventurous, there are even home parties dedicated to hawking battery-powered “marital aids.”

In comparison to malls and e-commerce shops, home party events take a laid back, personalized approach to product sales. The consultant typically demonstrates several different products and gives those attending the event a chance to ask questions or use the items on their own. The event may even include light refreshments or a few home party games as icebreakers.

Direct sales representatives come from all walks of life. Some are stay at home moms in search of extra income, while others choose to become consultants for home party businesses to supplement earnings from their current full-time employment. Home parties are becoming increasingly popular among college students and retirees as well.

Choosing a Company to Represent

Running a home party business can be fun.

If you’re interested in home party sales careers, consider the following questions as you’re deciding which company you would like to represent:

What products do you currently use and enjoy? As you might expect, it’s much easier to sell items that you already love. If you’re a terrible cook who lives on takeout pizza, selling Pampered Chef products is going to be a tricky business for you.
What activities are popular in your area? The key to operating any successful business is understanding your customers. Knowing whether the people in your community are more interested in fashion or crafts is a good idea before you choose one particular home party plan.
What consultants are currently operating in your area? For example, selling Mary Kay might be considerably more difficult if there are already seven different company representatives on your street alone.
How much can you afford to invest in your business? The startup fees charged by direct sales companies can vary significantly. In addition, some require much greater inventory purchases than others.
How much support do you need? If you’re naturally outgoing and have previously worked in some sort of retail environment, you may find direct sales to be a natural fit with your talents. However, if you have no experience in this area and you’re a bit on the shy side, you’ll want to seek out a company that provides extensive training and support for new consultants.
How much will you earn from the products you sell? The commissions offered to direct sales representatives can vary. You’ll also have to pay for any associated marketing and advertising costs out of your profit.

Keeping it Legal

While becoming a direct sales consultant can be a great way to earn the money you need without the stress of a traditional office job, it’s important to make sure you’re taking care of all the necessary paperwork associated with this opportunity. Since the IRS considers direct sales representatives to be independent contractors and not employees of one particular company, you’ll be expected to pay a self-employment tax on all of your earnings. Therefore, it’s always best to consult with your tax preparer about the financial implications of becoming a direct sales consultant before investing in any business opportunity.