In today’s post, I’d like to share my Avon Getting Started Checklist.
I am a former Avon rep, but I still hold the company in high regard and enjoy helping people. What you will find in this article are step-by-step instructions on what you need to do to get started right, so you don’t need to start over .
Avon Getting Started Checklist
# 1: Sign Up and Order Your Kit
I’m assuming you’ve already joined Avon. You’ve found a sponsor and purchased the $25, $50 or $100 kit. If so, congratulations. Your first step is complete. Once you order your starter kit from Avon, you should receive it in the mail within three to five business days.
# 2: Set Up Your Free E-Commerce Website
Once you’ve purchased your starter kit, which creates your Avon account, you need to set up your e-commerce website and back office. You can go to www.youravon.com to do so. Once you get on the page, on the right side of the page you will see a link that says:
- First Time in YourAvon.com?
- Welcome New Representative
- Set Up Your Account Now
Click on the Set Up Your New Account and type in the account number that Avon gave you when you ordered your kit. You will need to create a password.
Once you’ve finished doing that, go ahead and login and click on the WEB OFFICE tab. After you click on that tab you will see a bunch of pink squares. The top left square will say Edit My Online Store.
Click on that tab and follow the directions. Be sure to upload a photo and your contact information. You can customize your store any way that you’d like.
# 3: Determine Your Mailing Schedule
Avon has a new campaign every two-weeks. Depending on where you live in the United States, your campaign will end on a different date than other people. If you login to your back office and click on your profile tab, and then the account information tab, you will see your mail plan.
The word SEE CALENDAR is a link. If you click on it, you can see your campaign schedule, which outlines when your personal orders are due. Be sure to print off this page for future reference.
# 4: Connect on Facebook
Reach out to your sponsor or someone in your upline support team and ask them for access to your team’s Facebook group. This is a great way to connect with other Avon reps, ask questions, learn the ropes, and be part of a supportive community. The members in these groups have lots of experience in the business and can offer you insights and direction, as well as encouragement.
Be sure to send a friend request to your sponsor and upline. In addition, make sure you go and “like” the Avon corporate fan page.
Create an Avon Facebook business page and invite all your current Facebook friends to “Like” your page. (follow all the guidelines listed in the social media section of your Youravon.com account). ~ loveyourselfbeautyonline.com
# 5: Order Your Business Cards & Marketing Materials
You need a business card. You can order business cards right in the back office through one of the partner stores, Town & Country. When you login to the back office, click on the MY COMMUNITY tab, which is on the far-right side of the page. After you do that, click on AVON ADVANTAGE. From there you can visit Town & Country to order your marketing materials, such as buttons, shirts, business cards, etc.
Everyone needs a business card or a calling card.
You need a business card for the sole reason that it provides an easy way for other people to get in touch with you and telling them to “Google it” is not professional. Business cards are still a huge marketing tool, regardless how much technology is around us.
You probably hear about how fast marketing changes, and yes, it’s very fast. However, sometimes it’s important to understand the difference between how marketing changes and how marketing evolves. There is a difference. ~ SpadeDesignLab
# 6: Write Down Your Goals & Why
Your next objective is to write down your why and business goals. Do NOT skip this step. Take some time and think about WHY you started an Avon business. Is it to make extra money, have more time, make new friends, or something else? Be as specific as possible and write it down. Ultimately, you want a WHY that makes you cry. This is what will move you to action and keep you hanging in there during the tough times.
# 7: Develop a Simple Daily Mode of Operations
To succeed in the business, you need a daily game-plan. You can’t wing it and expect to succeed with Avon. You need a specific list of three to five things you can do each day to move your business forward. Here is an example daily mode of operations.
- Connect with three friends on Facebook to share the products or business.
- Hand out three catalogs per day while out and about doing errands.
- Contact two prospects per day by phone to collect orders, follow-up, or answer questions.
- Spend 10-minutes per day educating myself about the products and company.
Make sure your daily schedule focuses on income producing activities, which are retailing and recruiting. Everything else is busy work. Spend 90% or more of your business hours on money producing activities. Basically, we get paid to talk to people.
There are many ways to build your Avon business. Your key to success is to have a short list of activities you will do every day, at least five days per week. These activities will be determined by your talents, strengths, budget, goals, and time commitment you will devote to your Avon business.
# 8: Make Your Name List
Every adult knows at least 2,000 people, if not more. You need to set aside two to three-hours and brainstorm as many names as you can. Do not prejudge people. Get a pen and a notebook and write all of these names down in one place. The more names you come up with the faster your business will grow. Here is a good place to start:
- Write down all your Facebook friends.
- Write down all your phone contacts.
- Write down all your email contacts.
- Write down everyone on your holiday card list.
If you just did those four things I’m pretty sure you would have minimum 1,000 names. In addition, you can also use a memory jogger to come up with additional names.
Do not skip this step. It is vitally important. You want to start with people you know because they like you, know you, and trust you. It’s easier to sell to a friend than a stranger.
# 9: Navigate Back Office and Complete Training
Set aside three or four hours to navigate your back office and go through the Avon University training. It might be a little bit overwhelming at first, but once you’ve spent a few hours in the back office, you will know how and where to find stuff. Be sure to complete the training on how to set up your website, in addition to the ALMA training.
There are a number of resources that are available to help you learn more about all aspects of your business. There is so much to learn when you are first starting your Avon business, I suggest try a few and then a few more next week.
Avon has a FREE training program for representatives and it is called Avon U and you can find it in your back office by logging into your account on AvonNow.com. Once you sign up to become an Avon Representative, I recommend taking the Avon Orientation, Shortcut to Success and Social Media training as soon as possible for a better understanding of your businesss.
Representatives who complete the training program have higher sales than those who don’t participate and have a better chance of online sales due to the training.
Online sales are important because – you save yourself money. There is a virtual brochure that you can share with your customers instead of a physical paper brochure – cutting costs by sharing your e-store link. How great is it also to save time and money when your customers’ orders will be shipped directly to their door – instead of you having to separate, deliver and collect money. So, promoting your website is a win-win situation! ~ Christinasavonglam
# 10: Make a List of Your Questions
Don’t think you have to know everything before you get started. You don’t. Don’t make the mistake of drinking from a fire hose, trying to learn everything on day one, and giving yourself information overload. Just learn as you go. Keep a page in your notebook to write down questions as they arise. When these questions come up, ask them in the Facebook group or email/call your sponsor to get the answers.
# 11: Schedule a Mentoring Session with your Sponsor or Upline
Within your first three days of joining Avon, and after you’ve done the steps on this Avon Getting Started Checklist, schedule a sit down with your Avon sponsor. Share your goals with them. Share your proposed daily routine. Ask your questions. Ask them for any tips or suggestions they can offer. You can do this by phone, SKYPE or in person.
# 12: Review Your Product Kit
By the time you’ve done the first 11 steps, you should have received your product kit in the mail. Open up the kit, and review the literature and samples.
# 13: Launch Your Business
You are now ready to launch your Avon business. Remember, you get out what you put in. The real key to success is to take massive action and share the products and business with as many people as you can, as quickly as you can.
Make it a goal to connect with MINIMUM five to ten new prospects each day. Do that for a month or two and you will see massive growth in your Avon business. This business is a numbers game. Add in good customer service and follow-up, and the numbers should work in your favor.
# 14: Place Your First Order
Since you’ve printed off the mail plan schedule you know when your first order is due. Make sure you place your order on time, before midnight the day it is due. Consolidate your customers’ orders and your personal order, plus any samples or marketing materials you need. 1-2 days after submitting your order you will receive an email with your invoice to pay the amount due. Your first order should be for $150 or more (retail price) so you are eligible for the Kick Start bonuses.
# 15: Stay Plugged In
This business is a team sport. Do not try to do everything by yourself. Stay plugged in to your sponsor daily. Call your upline support team once per week. Attend all calls, training, and live events. Do not be an island or lone wolf. As you surround yourself with other Avon reps, you will learn new skills, stay motivated, and stay on track.
Bonus Tip
Give your new Avon business at least one year before you decide if it is or isn’t for you. In every business, like dating, there will be a lust phase. That phase might last 2-4 weeks and will then disappear. It’s what you do after this excitement dissipates that will determine your success (or failure). This business takes commitment, persistence, and consistency, just like any other business. You get out what you put in. You must give yourself a fair chance to succeed before you can throw in the towel and say it doesn’t work. Anything less than a year isn’t a fair chance.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed my Avon Getting Started Checklist. I will update this document from time-to-time as I learn new things. If you are an Avon rep and you have any suggestions about what I should add to this Avon Getting Started Checklist, just leave a comment below to share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Chuck Holmes
20+ Year Network Marketing Professional
Top Earner & Top Recruiter
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
P.S. Learn how to grow a successful network marketing business. Secret tips, training, and practical ideas. Free training delivered by email.