Gee, I hope I'm posting this to the right area...

Yesterday I met a Mary Kay rep who was telling me how fast her business was growing. As we talked, she said that she was having so much trouble getting organized and keeping up with the paper work, emails to her team etc.

That got me thinking. There are thousands of independent reps for all kinds of companies like Mary Kay, Tupperware, Avon, etc. Perhaps a niche wold be to offer services to them?

Just an idea. What do you think?

Bye for now, Barbara

Hi Barbara, I think that any niche you can imagine is a possibility, including Mary Kay I recall at least one other discussion on the boards about marketing to and working with MK consultants, but I can't find it now...

In any case, I think if you can identify a need in that industry and successfully market to them you can make a healthy business out of it.

What kinds of services do you envision providing to consultants and sales reps from these companies? Brainstorming which of their problems YOU can solve is the first step to developing your marketing approach.

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Definitely that is a niche to take a good look at - many independent reps need help!

I used to be a MK consultant years ago - inventory was always an issue. So was preparing for taxes. Following up with clients and making appointments with them is time consuming.

And, if you get "in" with a successful MK rep, she will likely pass your name along to the other successful MK reps.

Great idea!

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

I think this is a wonderful idea.

1) My suggestion would be to contact a MK rep (or similar) and ask if they would spend a few minutes with you responding to some questions. As Tess mentioned, the questions would revolve about solving problems for the reps. "What MK tasks would you like to hand off to someone else?" "What are some tasks which keep you from doing your MK job?"

2) Or you could create a survey and promote to MK consultants or similar on forums or social media sites and groups such as LinkedIn. Ask if they would take your 5-question survey. I am a firm believer that more than 5 or max 10 questions and you will have lost their interest.

Think about giving something back for this information such as a small business tip sheet or a small business social media tips sheet.

3) Come up with a referral plan. So if you can reach MK or Amway or Avon reps, offer to take a X percent off their next bill if they refer you to someone. (I'm not one for giving free time away because I personally think that cheapens the industry.)

4) Finally, come up with a value package if you can for these reps. So for XXX per month, you will follow up on 20 calls, send emails to XX, keep inventory supplied properly, send out samples...whatever it is that reps do. I'm thinking that a value package of would sell better than an hourly price.

Good Luck! I think you have a good idea. It might even become a lucrative niche that you could market yourself exclusively as 'The Independent Rep's VA'.


Janine

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Hi Barbara,

I agree that it could be a very good niche and one that I have been working on myself. I too was a MK rep and at the sales meetings I attended, it was often suggested that reps looking to become directors should hire someone to help them a few hours a week. And being a director takes a lot of extra work, not only do they have to take care of their own sales, they also help their team members build their businesses. Most directors also have weekly sales meetings with their team and could use help getting their materials and awards together prior to each meeting.

The funny thing is, I think that most reps and directors are using local help and are not familiar with the world of Virtual Assistance.

I agree with all the posts so far, break in and go for it!

To your success,
Christine Bearse
Essentially Virtual

Gee, thanks everyone for the great responses!

I'm not particularly interested in supporting Independent Reps myself and just offered it here as a suggestion to other newbie VAs who are still looking for that niche.

You all have given such wonderful tips, especially you Janine! And Tess, you are absolutely right on the problem solving basis for a marketing plan.

Thanks everyone for the great feedback, Barbara