How to Succeed as an Avon Representative

My Avon History

I sold Avon for 11 years. Avon has been around for many years. It was founded in 1886 by David McConnell. The first Avon lady, Mrs. Albee, went door to door selling Avon. Now Avon is in over 148 countries. You will hear more about Mrs. Albee later in this article. I originally had applied at my place of employment for a 2nd part-time job. I did not receive a call back so I started selling Avon. I liked it. Then I got the call for the part-time job I originally applied for. So then I had 3 jobs. I liked all 3. Eventually I was making enough money with Avon to quit my second part-time job. So I did just that.

If you want to make money with Avon, you want to use several multiple income streams, which might include Leadership, Beauty Advisor, Fund-Raising, Licensed Avon Beauty Center, or Avon parties. When I first started selling Avon, I also was hired to call the other representatives in my district to remind them of the meetings and upcoming special events. I enjoyed doing this, because I wanted to see others succeed in Avon. I was very motivated. I was paid to do this plus the profits I received from Avon. This was quite lucrative for me, since I was divorced with several children.

It is only $10 to start selling Avon. When I first started, I was apprehensive as to whether I could do it or not. I thought what do I have to loose? I throw away $10.00 in just junk stuff. It is easy to sign up, you must be 18 years or older, have a valid ID, and social security number. You can sign up online by contacting http://avon.com, go into an Avon office nearest you, or just call an Avon representative. It is just that simple. Avon campaigns are every 2 weeks. The campaigns are 1-26 per year. Note that Avon representatives can purchase their Avon at a discount.

I would tell my Avon representatives you do not need to know everything to start, but that you grow as you learn, share, and sell.

I had only been selling Avon for a short time when a church member asked me, “Can you order me the cream that comes in the pink tube?” I had no idea what she was talking about. Finally she searched through her purse and found the tube. It was Avon Skin-So-Soft Soft and Sensual hand cream. Several other church members smelled it and tried it. I received numerous orders that day. They also mentioned the hand cream felt good on their hands.

1. Stamper

You can write your contact information on your Avon book with your name and contact number or you can get a stamper inexpensively for less than $10.00. Possibly you might want to be creative and make labels. It is all up to you as to how you want to handle it. I found the stamper to be less expensive. I did not like writing my name on the book, because I felt it did not look professional. That was my personal preference.

2. Conventions

My first Avon convention was in Las Vegas. I was so excited. Several reps wanted to get together and share a room. That would help with the cost of the room. I decided against that. I decided to get my own room. I am glad I did, because a few of the reps backed out at the last minute. The temperature was 118 degrees in Las Vegas. This was the first time I had experienced such dry heat. I was there 3 days. I kept busy with all the classes that were offered. I usually would be up about 8 a.m. and return to my hotel at 11 pm at night. There were numerous classes that I could attend. There were people there from all over the country. I thought this was so fascinating.

One of the highlights of the convention was to hear Suzanne Somers talk. I thought this was just awesome. She shared that she had been an Avon representative. She shared that she was her best customer, because she would purchase far too much for herself.

Avon gave away computers and vehicles. Although I did not win one of them, I definitely hoped that I would. This convention really changed me. I saw people that were in leadership from my own state making 6 figure incomes. As one lady was announced the winner of a beautiful blazer, she ran down to the stage. To everyone’s surprise instead of hugging the announcer, she hugged the vehicle. Everyone in the audience laughed hysterically. I thought to myself, “Leadership is for me.”

3. Leadership

When I came back from the convention, I told my manager I wanted to start leadership. She would go with me the first couple of times, until I was comfortable with signing others up. Signing others up was quite simple. Basically you would complete the application and answer questions that the new representative might have. In order to become a unit leader I would need to sign up 5 people. My sales needed to be $250 every 2 weeks and my total unit sales $1,200. This was not hard to do because I basically showed my people everything that I was doing to achieve the sales that I had. They basically had to do the same.

I remember delivering Avon to a lady and she stated she wanted to go into leadership. I signed her up for Avon and she kept saying, “I want to be in leadership.” I explained to her that her sales must be at least $250 every campaign which was every 2 weeks. I showed her what she needed to do to obtain the sales average, but she apparently did not realize that it was not always an instant done deal. Work is involved. Your clientele must be built or already in place. Many cosmetologists have or sell Avon in their shops. This is a plus for them.

I would tell my people they could do the math and determine how much it was that they wanted to make. It was all up to them. They needed to determine how many customers they needed and how many hours they needed to put into Avon to achieve their goals. It was all up to them, but I was there to assist and answer any questions they might have. Once you meet and sign up your Avon representative, you can complete their application online. They can start selling Avon that very day. Avon representatives are encourage to walk, talk, and share Avon with everyone. I told my downline every and anyone that they came in contact with was a prospect to sell Avon, whether it be, at the beauty salon, bus stop, grocery store, church, dental office, or even the doctor’s office.

4. Power of three

The power of three was something that was emphasized greatly. Avon representatives were encouraged to share Avon with at least 3 people daily. You can also multiply this. There is great emphasis on selling, sharing, and showing. When you find something about Avon that you like, share it, and show it to others. I would tell my downline, when they found something that worked with selling Avon do that over and over again. For example, I shared with one of my downline that I had purchased the Avon pedometer. I wore it to work, because I was on my feet a lot and I was curious how many miles I was walking while at work. I sold many of those, because people would see it, ask about it, and then tell me, “I want one of those.” I had no idea, I would get that great a response from just wearing it.

5. Tailgaiting

Often I would encourage my downline to go tailgating with me. Tailgating is setting up shop in a parking lot and giving away free Avon creams or lip balms. You also give your Avon cards away like it was water. Surprisingly, I would obtain new recruits this way. You can go door to door selling Avon. It is important that you do this with others in your downline. It is not mandatory. Many people prefer giving Avon parties at their homes or to do internet advertising. There are numerous ways to prospect for customers.

6. Avon online forums

There are Avon online forums that are there to help you. You can post questions and concerns or just read some of the other Avon representative’s posts. You can read how they handled certain Avon problems or concern. Once you become an Avon representative, you have many avenues available to you. These are just a few of the forums listed below.

Avon [email protected]
Avons-Leadership-group
AvonMentor

7. Bulk Mailing

I also did bulk mailing through the main postal office. This is something you might want to consider once becoming an Avon representative. You must obtain a permit. You must mail at least 111 Avon brochures or more. You have the option of purchasing your own envelopes with the mailings. Or you can just send the Avon brochure without an envelope, just as long as you use regular cellophane tape on the side of the book. The postmasters were very good to work with. They were very helpful. You might want to consider sharing this with your downline so that they can help with the cost of the mailings. If it is divided between your downline, the cost would be minimal. The books are weighed when you mail them. The down side to this is that some customers will get your books and order from other Avon reps, but usually if you provide good customer service, they will order from you.

8. PCAvon

When I first started Avon, I used this software called PCavon. I just loved this. I did not have to write out receipts. I could print my customer receipts, send my order online, and include a note regarding Avon specials. I loved having all these features at my finger tips. Since that time Avon has grown and now Avon representatives have a choice of sending their orders in online directly from the Avon site.

9. Avon Website

Avon also will provide you with an Avon website, if you like. There is a lot of functionality with this site. You can advertise your specials, send information to your downline, and much more. The great thing about your website is your customers can order from it and have their orders sent directly to their home or request you to deliver it to them. As an Avon representative you can send your orders in online directly from your site also. The great thing about having your website is that people from all over the internet can order from you. Your relatives from all over the state can order from you and have their order sent directly to them.

10. President’s Club

Once you sale at least $10,000 within a year you are President Club status. Your commission becomes higher. You are given you own toll-free number that you can call Avon if you have a problem or concerned. You also earn a Mrs. Albee doll.

11. Beauty Advisor

As a Beauty Consultant you will be trained to help your customers choose the best facial care and makeup. You can have Avon parties and/or do one-on-one consultations.

12. Fund-Raising

Many Avon representatives basically just do Fund-Raising. I have talked to some representatives that make anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 on a Fund-Raiser.

13. Licensed Avon Beauty Center

There are those Avon representatives that prefer to have their own Licensed Avon Beauty Center in a Shopping Mall. The good thing about this is customers can go to the Beauty Center for items they may need immediately. There is no wait to have it ordered and delivered.

14. Meetings

While in leadership I did encourage my people to attend the Avon meetings. The meetings were awesome, captivating, motivational, encouraging, and uplifting. There would be cash raffles, Avon giveaways, and great talks.

15. Organization

Besides being self-sufficient, you must be organized. You should have a system in place. Call customers before the product arrives, set up delivery times, and always call them before traveling to deliver their product. This will save a lot of time and headache.

16. Shortages

Unfortunately their could be shortages on items ordered. This is one of the downsides. Keep in mind Avon is sold in over 148 different countries, so it is possible to run out of items before it reaches you. I noticed for some reason it seem to happen more with the new representatives including myself when I first started. So you must not let this discourage you. Keep contact act with your customers and explain the situation. Most customers are very understanding about this.

17. Expenses

There are numerous expenses that you can claim when filing your income tax return including gas mileage, office supplies, Avon parties, postal expenses, a new computer, and numerous other things.

Always remember this is your business. Remember to have fun, build relationships, and make money.

Source: Personal Experience

Avon Company


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