TinysMom
Well-Known Member
First - for those who don't know what Welcome Wagon is...
Ok - that's enough of the backstory.
I'm trying to build my business by building my customer base. (You can also make money by having representatives that you've recruited selling too). I also want to build my "unit" of reps under me and mentor them to do their best, etc. - but first - I really need to get my own business established.
Today I connected with the Welcome Wagon rep via. telephone - he's on his way back into town and we're going to meet later this week. But I found out some of the basic details of what he does and how much he charges.
About 10 months of the year he meets with 65-70 individuals and families per month. He gives them samples and flyers and coupons, etc. from companies in the area - these are free gifts to those people. The idea behind this is that those people are more likely to do business with someone who has reached out to them first.
He not only visits families here in Del Rio - but he also visits the Air Force base. He says about 40-45% of his visits are with student pilots that are in town for a few months to a year or more for training. Some of them are women - most are men. Many are married but haven't yet brought their family with them (or whatever).
The other two months of the year he probably meets with 30-40 individuals and families.
The cost to include my packets with what he does is.....$50 per month. From what I understand - and I haven't yet talked to him - I can make this anything I want (within reason).
For that money - he not only hands out my information but I get a copy of everyone that he visited - their names, number in family, address, phone number and email. This is so I can follow up with them.
I know that to a lot of folks $50 per month is a lot. For us ... it would not be a hardship usually.
I'm trying to decide two things - one of which is - Is it worth $50 per month to get that many leads and my products/information in the hand of newcomers?
The second thing I'm trying to decide is WHAT DO I PUT IN THE PACKETS?
I'm thinking of putting in the most current TWO brochures (I can backorder) - plus some fragrance samples, a skin care card (for our skin care lines) - and possibly - and this is another area where I need advice - a couple of trial sizes as samples.
I can buy the trial sizes when they go on sale and put in a hand lotion for about .60, a chapstick for about .40 and possibly a bubble bath for .60 (or shower gel).
For families with kids - if I stock up when they're on sale - I can get kids' body paints (that are roll-on soaps) for about .60 each. I could have him give one per child for those families (trust me - I'm thinking those families would be back - even after 20 years my own kids remember when they played with these).
So here are the two questions again...
Welcome Wagon is a nationwide business that contacts new homeowners after relocation, providing them with coupons and advertisements from local businesses.
The company was founded in 1928, by Thomas Briggs in Memphis, Tennessee. At that time, Welcome Wagon "hostesses" would visit new homeowners with a gift basket containing samples, coupons, and advertising from contributing businesses. These home visits continued for over 50 years until 1998, when changing demographics meant few homeowners would be at home when representatives called.
Welcome Wagon
As many of you may know - I'm selling AVON now. For those who don't know - Avon carries cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, clothing, purses, kids items and so much more....and its sold via. "representatives" (and online with the representatives). Every two week a new brochure comes out with approximately 1500 items ~ all of which are on "sale" prices in the brochure.The company was founded in 1928, by Thomas Briggs in Memphis, Tennessee. At that time, Welcome Wagon "hostesses" would visit new homeowners with a gift basket containing samples, coupons, and advertising from contributing businesses. These home visits continued for over 50 years until 1998, when changing demographics meant few homeowners would be at home when representatives called.
Welcome Wagon
Ok - that's enough of the backstory.
I'm trying to build my business by building my customer base. (You can also make money by having representatives that you've recruited selling too). I also want to build my "unit" of reps under me and mentor them to do their best, etc. - but first - I really need to get my own business established.
Today I connected with the Welcome Wagon rep via. telephone - he's on his way back into town and we're going to meet later this week. But I found out some of the basic details of what he does and how much he charges.
About 10 months of the year he meets with 65-70 individuals and families per month. He gives them samples and flyers and coupons, etc. from companies in the area - these are free gifts to those people. The idea behind this is that those people are more likely to do business with someone who has reached out to them first.
He not only visits families here in Del Rio - but he also visits the Air Force base. He says about 40-45% of his visits are with student pilots that are in town for a few months to a year or more for training. Some of them are women - most are men. Many are married but haven't yet brought their family with them (or whatever).
The other two months of the year he probably meets with 30-40 individuals and families.
The cost to include my packets with what he does is.....$50 per month. From what I understand - and I haven't yet talked to him - I can make this anything I want (within reason).
For that money - he not only hands out my information but I get a copy of everyone that he visited - their names, number in family, address, phone number and email. This is so I can follow up with them.
I know that to a lot of folks $50 per month is a lot. For us ... it would not be a hardship usually.
I'm trying to decide two things - one of which is - Is it worth $50 per month to get that many leads and my products/information in the hand of newcomers?
The second thing I'm trying to decide is WHAT DO I PUT IN THE PACKETS?
I'm thinking of putting in the most current TWO brochures (I can backorder) - plus some fragrance samples, a skin care card (for our skin care lines) - and possibly - and this is another area where I need advice - a couple of trial sizes as samples.
I can buy the trial sizes when they go on sale and put in a hand lotion for about .60, a chapstick for about .40 and possibly a bubble bath for .60 (or shower gel).
For families with kids - if I stock up when they're on sale - I can get kids' body paints (that are roll-on soaps) for about .60 each. I could have him give one per child for those families (trust me - I'm thinking those families would be back - even after 20 years my own kids remember when they played with these).
So here are the two questions again...
- Would you recommend that I use Welcome Wagon? (Why or Why Not)?
- Would you recommend trial sizes in the packets - or is that a waste of money? (The samples would have a sticker with my name and contact information on them)
