Would you
 

buy this?

A one or two page hotsheet that contained the following information:

3 Product Sources For One Product - wholesale or manufacturer
1 Proven Sales Spiel Including Openings, Counters and Closes - to be used door-to-door
Other Relevant Info - Tips on generating repeat sales, referals, routes/runs, etc.

Investment Required = $10

Example:

The Watch Hotsheet.

Contains 3 (or more) sources where you can buy watches directly from the manufacturer or the wholesaler.
The Sales Spiel - what to say and do once the person opens the door.
Best time of day to call, best suburbs, how to ask for a referal so it sounds like it was their idea, etc.

All up, everything you need to get a product and go out and start selling it. Just follow the instructions. No "years of in the field needed." And a good way for kids to make a few bucks too.

Would something like this - the concept of it - be something you would invest in? And WHY?

Michael Ross.

Maybe not me.....
 

but only because of the stage I am at in my 'career'

But back when I was one of those kids that always had three jobs alongside my studies....definitely!

I am a direct salesman. But one thing I regret is not learning and implementing true sales skills earlier in life (like when I was doing my newspaper deliveries when I was 14:-)

I had the ambition to earn more, to be more, as exemplified by my willingmess to work....if only I had known then where to find the skills that lead to most reward

Food for thought?

Regards
Andy

Re: Would you
 

I agree with Andy Frain. I think your market is teenagers, young adults or those looking to make some quick extra bucks, but don't know what to do, where to start, or what to say.

Everyone is looking for turnkey projects, and your idea is a great direct sales starter kit that would give people the initial confidence to try whatever your programs are.

I thought of doing something similar to your idea, i.e., offering a dry carwash kit with cleaning materials, towels and a sales plan aimed at the 12 to 20 age market. I tested it on my friends affluent teens - they weren't interested as it was easier to collect an allowance. I haven't gone further because of the fragility of the carwash liquid containers - they need to be hand delivered.

So, yes, I think there's a market and I'd invest just for the learning experience and possibility of quick bux.

Regards,
Bob

Re: Would you... with a twist...
 

> I agree with Andy Frain. I think your market
> is teenagers, young adults or those looking
> to make some quick extra bucks, but don't
> know what to do, where to start, or what to
> say.

Lets call this The "Those Looking For Extra Bucks On Top of What They Already Do" Market.

> Everyone is looking for turnkey projects,
> and your idea is a great direct sales
> starter kit that would give people the
> initial confidence to try whatever your
> programs are.

Programs, plural, YES, that's what I was thinking... a new PROVEN program every month.

So either you can subscribe for a year and get a new hotsheet every month - or - you can buy the hotsheet of your choice.

Don't like the idea of selling Watches... then buy the Dry Car Wash hotsheet (which tells you how to sell the Dry Car Wash, or the liquid you mentioned, by going door-to-door). And get fit at the same time - instead of going for a pointless walk, make money while you're walking HA! Good for back-packers too.

Don't like Watches or Car Wash stuff... then maybe you will like February's Hotsheet - The Valentine Pack.

Now the thing is... IF it was done - a hotsheet made - it would NOT be a project whose success or failure was needed or even matters... it would be more of an add-on to the door-to-door selling the hotsheet creator was already doing. If it sold, good, if it didn't, no sweat.

You could go all out and make this idea complicated... requiring the person to put together the thing they sell... but I'm more for... here's how to sell this widget (what I have found to work) and here's where to get the widget in SMALL quantities. Away you go.

> I thought of doing something similar to your
> idea, i.e., offering a dry carwash kit with
> cleaning materials, towels and a sales plan
> aimed at the 12 to 20 age market. I tested
> it on my friends affluent teens - they
> weren't interested as it was easier to
> collect an allowance. I haven't gone further
> because of the fragility of the carwash
> liquid containers - they need to be hand
> delivered.

If it's a DRY car wash, why the need for a liquid?

> So, yes, I think there's a market and I'd
> invest just for the learning experience and
> possibility of quick bux.

Cool. Of course, it would have to be EASY... like, if you're scared just read off the card to them and they will still buy, kinda easy.

Thanks for your feedback, Bob.

Michael Ross.

Re: Would you
 

I can see that it might come in useful if you had a desire to sell a few items in a parking lot stand or a few local flea markets. If I would buy it would depend on the item. If I could go to a list and pick out, say, three different items for ten bucks it would peak my interest more than a single item.

Scott S.

Re: Would you
 

> I can see that it might come in useful if
> you had a desire to sell a few items in a
> parking lot stand or a few local flea
> markets. If I would buy it would depend on
> the item. If I could go to a list and pick
> out, say, three different items for ten
> bucks it would peak my interest more than a
> single item.

So you would buy if it was a hotsheet that wasn't based on a single product being sold door-to-door, but rather, a few products which could/would be sold at the flea markets.

Interesting. I hadn't considered that angle.

Thanks for your feedback, Scott.

Michael Ross.

Why not you. Everyone can...
 

find a use for it.

> but only because of the stage I am at in my
> 'career'

Either that means you know enough and have enough experience to be able to do this by yourself - or - it has no interest for you, these days (see note below).

> But back when I was one of those kids that
> always had three jobs alongside my
> studies....definitely!

Good to help get through Uni, then? All right. Excellent point!

> I am a direct salesman. But one thing I
> regret is not learning and implementing true
> sales skills earlier in life (like when I
> was doing my newspaper deliveries when I was
> 14:-)

> I had the ambition to earn more, to be more,
> as exemplified by my willingmess to
> work....if only I had known then where to
> find the skills that lead to most reward

And while you didn't know where to find the skills then, do you HAVE the skills now? (I assume you do as you said you were a Direct Salesman - never mind me :o))

> Food for thought?

Oh yes. And I'm thinking... a hotsheet like this could be like Insurance, couldn't it?

You take out insurance on your life - in case you pass on or get sick or have an accident. How about insurance in case you lose you job or your career goes down the drain? What would you do? What is your back up - the back up you can impliment quickly to get some bucks in your pocket? Do you even have one?

I would think... even if you didn't use a hotsheet like this to go out there and make some money, it would have a good use as a back-up... the money making skill of last-resort. But why wait until the last resort to begin to learn it? Why not learn NOW, so it's a part of you for when and if you need it?

Hmmm.

Thanks for your feedback, Andy.

Michael Ross.

Re: Would you... with a twist...
 

> Program s , plural, YES, that's what I was
> thinking... a new PROVEN program every
> month.
This is a twist on the George Haylings/Ron Ruiz new business ideas/descriptions every month, except you provide the "how to" in addition to "here's a clever biz idea". I like the subscription model, as well.

> Don't like the idea of selling Watches...
> then buy the Dry Car Wash hotsheet (which
> tells you how to sell the Dry Car Wash, or
> the liquid you mentioned, by going
> door-to-door).

From about age 10 - 12, I subscribed to a "science project of the month" deal, and learned a lot by doing. If I didn't like the project, I skipped it. Same concept.

> You could go all out and make this idea
> complicated... requiring the person to put
> together the thing they sell... but I'm more
> for... here's how to sell this widget (what
> I have found to work) and here's where to
> get the widget in SMALL quantities. Away you
> go.
To me, that's the hook - turnkey, simple and doable if you walk out your door (or make a call, send an email, etc.)

> If it's a DRY car wash, why the need for a
> liquid?

The Dry part comes from not needing water - you spray on the liquid, wipe it off with one towel and polish with a second towel.

You are of course.......
 

....exactly right

I would buy this!

Simply because I am starving for ANY information about direct sales. I have, books tapes and resources galore gathered over the years

For the same reason I spend a proportion of my hard earned money on internet marketing products. I dont want to miss anything that could make what I am currently doing any easier or better

And yes the undergraduate market would lap this up. Simply because a section of them are HUNGRY enough to learn about direct sales to get themselves out of a financial situation

I'm interested to know how you get on with this. Would you keep us posted?

Glad my input helped

Regards
Andy

Got Permit?
 

What about local laws regarding soliciting? Might you run into a snag here?

> buy this?

> A one or two page hotsheet that contained
> the following information:

> 3 Product Sources For One Product -
> wholesale or manufacturer
> 1 Proven Sales Spiel Including Openings,
> Counters and Closes - to be used
> door-to-door
> Other Relevant Info - Tips on generating
> repeat sales, referals, routes/runs, etc.

> Investment Required = $10

> Example:

> The Watch Hotsheet.

> Contains 3 (or more) sources where you can
> buy watches directly from the manufacturer
> or the wholesaler.
> The Sales Spiel - what to say and do once
> the person opens the door.
> Best time of day to call, best suburbs, how
> to ask for a referal so it sounds like it
> was their idea, etc.

> All up, everything you need to get a product
> and go out and start selling it. Just follow
> the instructions. No "years of in the
> field needed." And a good way for kids
> to make a few bucks too.

> Would something like this - the concept of
> it - be something you would invest in? And
> WHY?

> Michael Ross.

Disclaimer
 

Jeff,

Thanks for adding you thoughts to this thread - BUT - you didn't say whether you would buy it and why?

> What about local laws regarding soliciting?
> Might you run into a snag here?

Local laws are easily covered by a disclaimer: "Before selling door-to-door we advise to check with your local authorities for any necessary permits and/or licenses"

Whether you get a permit, even if it's needed, is totally up to you. And if you find you do need one, depending on what type of person you are, you could very well use thelack of a permit as another reason to keep sitting on your butt.

In all reality, Jeff, no-one (the public) really cares about "hawking" permits... I doubt they even know whether permits are required or no in their area...

Does each scout have one when they come knocking to do odd jobs? Do all of those collecting for the red-cross have one? What about the school kids selling candy to raise money for this or that? Or those people soliciting sponsorship money? Or that guy pushing the mower looking for mowing work?

And the local authorities have better things to do than rush around the streets trying to find someone knocking on doors trying to sell something. Maybe, if it was a sever problem, then the authorities would establish a "body" just for that purpose. But because door-to-door is hardly done (no one wants to do it, they would rather be underwear wearing kitchen table millionaires), the chances are good you could do it without getting a permit, even if you needed one.

I'm not saying you should do it without the proper paper-work. Just that it could be done.

As with all things in life... it's YOUR CHOICE to comply with the rules.

Now, would YOU buy a hotsheet like this?

Michael Ross.

Re: Disclaimer
 

Michael,

I'm just looking at all the angles on this. I realize most people wouldn't be harassed by police for doing this. I've done door to door sales myself and had no problems.

I just might buy a sheet like that to keep for a rainy day. The price is right. I think the only thing that might hold me back is buying it from an unknown source. Credibility is important even on a low priced item.

Incidentally, where I live there are signs as you enter the town that say No Soliciting, but I'm sure not many people even notice them.

Regards,

Jeff

> Jeff,

> Thanks for adding you thoughts to this
> thread - BUT - you didn't say whether you
> would buy it and why?

> Local laws are easily covered by a
> disclaimer: "Before selling
> door-to-door we advise to check with your
> local authorities for any necessary permits
> and/or licenses"

> Whether you get a permit, even if it's
> needed, is totally up to you. And if you
> find you do need one, depending on what type
> of person you are, you could very well use
> thelack of a permit as another reason to
> keep sitting on your butt.

> In all reality, Jeff, no-one (the public)
> really cares about "hawking"
> permits... I doubt they even know whether
> permits are required or no in their area...

> Does each scout have one when they come
> knocking to do odd jobs? Do all of those
> collecting for the red-cross have one? What
> about the school kids selling candy to raise
> money for this or that? Or those people
> soliciting sponsorship money? Or that guy
> pushing the mower looking for mowing work?

> And the local authorities have better things
> to do than rush around the streets trying to
> find someone knocking on doors trying to
> sell something. Maybe, if it was a sever
> problem, then the authorities would
> establish a "body" just for that
> purpose. But because door-to-door is hardly
> done (no one wants to do it, they would
> rather be underwear wearing kitchen table
> millionaires), the chances are good you
> could do it without getting a permit, even
> if you needed one.

> I'm not saying you should do it without the
> proper paper-work. Just that it could be
> done.

> As with all things in life... it's YOUR
> CHOICE to comply with the rules.

> Now, would YOU buy a hotsheet like this?

> Michael Ross.

Re: Disclaimer
 

Jeff:

> I'm just looking at all the angles on this.

Always good to look at the different angels.

> I just might buy a sheet like that to keep
> for a rainy day. The price is right. I think
> the only thing that might hold me back is
> buying it from an unknown source.
> Credibility is important even on a low
> priced item.

Yes. And as long as credible and proven figures and results are used in the copy - providing answers to questions you may have about the particular hotsheet - I see no real problem.

And, of course, the product would have to be available to you...

There are products in the US I'd love to work with. Unfortunately, by the time I factor in my landed costs the price is already right on the retail price - or higher. But if I was the only "known" source then who is to say it is high or not.

> Incidentally, where I live there are signs
> as you enter the town that say No
> Soliciting, but I'm sure not many people
> even notice them.

They'd notice them about as much as speed limit signs. HA!

Thanks for your feedback.

I'm working on the first one as I write. "Might" even make it available for free to test the waters for DO-ability.

Michael Ross.

Re: Disclaimer
 

Michael,

You bring up a good point, which I was about to ask anyway. While you are based in Australia, much of your audience (such as myself) are U.S.-based, others in the UK, etc. Doesn't this present somewhat of a problem, at least for some products, since your sources (or, at least, the economically practical ones) will most likely be down your way, as well? Or, am I making a wrong assumption?

Chris

Re: Would you
 

> buy this?

Assuming it was for a product I had some interest
in, yeah, I'd buy it.

This sounds like a great idea, and you're getting
some great feedback from other posters. In fact,
as has been been pointed out, the primary market
for this type of product may be teens and those
of college-age looking for ways to make (extra?)
cash. That said, perhaps you should find a forum
that targets that market and ask THEM if they
would buy this type of product.

Chris

The WORKaround...
 

Chris:

If something is economically viable from my P.O.V., then it certainly is from the POV of those in the US.

Our currency is worth about half as much as yours. Meaning, items from the US cost as twice as much.

If something is viable down here... even if it is from down here, it will cost you half as much and thus it will be very viable.

The WORK around to this is to do what Fuller, from Fuller Brush fame did when he started... make the product yourself at night and go out and sell them the next day.

I'm experimenting with two product types for the same market at the moment - one a make yourself and the other supplied.

Once testing is complete, the idea will be presented.

Michael Ross.