BY TRICIA ROMANO - www.RetailMeNot.com
n these uncertain economic times, the idea of working from home to make a little extra cash is appealing. But if you're afraid to dip your toes in the untested waters of Internet moneymaking schemes, why not try out a business model your mother would find familiar? We explored a series of sales-based home parties and narrowed the field to a few of our favorites:TUPPERWARE
Category: Old-Fashioned and trustworthy
Category: Old-Fashioned and trustworthy
Even though this is perhaps the oldest of the host-a-party, make-some-money ventures, Tupperware has adapted to the 21st century by making its services available online.
How to get started: Aspiring hostesses can sign up on the Tupperware website and quickly get connected to a consultant. The website provides several party theme suggestions covering the foods you should serve and the products you'd be using and selling. Girls' Night In, for example, features a chocolate mousse dessert made with the Whip 'N Prep Chef. Or you can host a Totally Tuppertini event, which includes sangria, snacks and a cocktail set.
How much it will cost you: To be a host? Nothing -- save for the cost of wine or appetizers you choose to serve. But if you want to be a consultant, you need to invest in a collection to demonstrate at the parties. The cost of the multi-piece Executive Business Kit is $119.99.
Potential to make money: An example of a recent deal: If a host sells up to $450 of Tupperware at a party, and two of their guests set their own date to hold a party, then a host can qualify for a free 13-piece summer serving set. The host can also opt for other gift specials valued at $68.
How many guests are needed to make money: The more the merrier. Although the host gets free Tupperware, consultants can make hard cash. The more friends you have who host their own parties and become part of your "team," the larger the commission at the end of the month (up to 6 percent). For the benefits to really kick in, you'd need to sell a whole lotta plastic. For instance, the TupperWave Stack Cooker Complete Set goes for $122, and the Get-It-All Pasta Set is $98. You can also host an online party in which you invite friends to your virtual space for up to 14 days. Your pals can buy pieces while the party is "in session." However, you only see benefits (in this case, 10 percent of sales) after you've sold more than $200 worth of merchandise.
What you get out of it: Besides brightly colored pieces of plastic to satisfy all your kitchen needs, hosts get a sense of camaraderie from planning a party. Serious-minded hosts can graduate to consultant and gradually move up the Tupperware ladder -- all the way to executive director. Tupperware says that at the top level, you can qualify to get an SUV company car to use.
GOLD PARTIES
Category: Recession chic
Since the 2008 economic crash, so-called "gold parties" have popped up around the country. There are several organizations, such as My Gold Party, Party of Gold and Gold Party US, tapping into the rising value of gold, as well as the public's growing desire for instant cash.
How to get started: Sign up online to host a party and find a representative. Call a couple of friends and invite them to bring over their old baubles for evaluation by the representative, who is a specialist in identifying types of jewelry.
How much it will cost you: Unlike Tupperware and other sales-based parties, the gold host doesn't have to invest any money to throw the get-together (except for the standard cocktail party provisions). But the representative -- the person responsible for assessing the gold and paying out the partygoers -- has invested several hundred dollars in a gold tester, scale and jeweler's loupe and does take a cut of the payout.
Potential to make money: Definitely. But you are still paying a middleman (the rep) who takes a percentage. Still, My Gold Party recommends that hosts be tipped 10 percent of the gold value sold that evening.
How many guests are needed to make money: If you have fashionable friends with a lot of jewelry, it's possible that a few people could net you a couple hundred dollars.
What you get out of it: Money, time with friends and an opportunity to tidy up your jewelry box.
LINGERIE PARTIES
Category: Wild 'n' sexy
Great for a bachelorette party, a single-again shindig or just a girl's night in, the lingerie party takes the Tupperware tack and turns it on its head.
How to get started: There are a plethora of lingerie party sites online. Find one that you feel comfortable hosting. UndercoverWear offers Business Sample Kits featuring the company's best-selling items, as well as a training DVD and CD-ROM that includes all necessary paperwork and supplies.
How much it will cost you: The starter kit will run $99, but if you really mean business, spring for the Total Romance Kit No. 2 for $500.
Potential to make money: If you have a knack for sales, it's possible to make a few hundred dollars per party. Hosts and agents work for commission -- UndercoverWear agents earn 25 percent to 50 percent of show earnings. The site claims that the average evening sees $500 in sales. And if you recruit new people to sell the product to their friends, you'll get a 10 percent cut of their income. One advantage of UndercoverWear is the brand's variety of products. The lingerie ranges from risque to comfy nightclothes, and the company also sells spa products and "romance accessories."
How many guests are needed to make money: If your friends have deep pockets, a few sales will put some cash in your wallet. But if your girlfriends are conscientious with their money, you should invite a larger group of pals.
What you get out of it: A naughty girl's night with your friends, a little extra cash and some cute lingerie with your 50 percent new-agent discount within the first 45 days of membership.
HOUSE PARTY
Category: Newfangled fun
Unlike the other moneymaking bashes, a House Party is a marketing party -- not a sales party. Brands get an opportunity to show off their products to new customers, but no cash is exchanged at the parties themselves. What makes House Party unique is that the companies represented appeal to both men and women. Parties have featured Toms Shoes and Kraft Foods. Microsoft even sponsored thousands of house parties during the Windows 7 launch.
How to get started: Sign up on the website, find an upcoming party to host and voila! There's also a social-networking aspect to House Party. Many of the events are held simultaneously around the country, so you can "check in," post to Facebook, and Tweet about your event as it is happening.
How much it will cost you: Nothing, unless you are purchasing refreshments.
Potential to make money: Nonexistent. But you get a free party pack filled with goodies from sponsors.
How many guests are needed to make money: Because there is no pressure to sell onsite, the number of people who come isn't as important for the host personally. But the brand will want to see a higher attendance level to report back to its marketing department.
What you get out of it: A unique experience, free stuff and an evening with old friends and new acquaintances.
Tricia Romano is a freelance writer who lives in Seattle. She writes for RetailMeNot.com, the No. 1 coupon site in the world
How to get started: Aspiring hostesses can sign up on the Tupperware website and quickly get connected to a consultant. The website provides several party theme suggestions covering the foods you should serve and the products you'd be using and selling. Girls' Night In, for example, features a chocolate mousse dessert made with the Whip 'N Prep Chef. Or you can host a Totally Tuppertini event, which includes sangria, snacks and a cocktail set.
How much it will cost you: To be a host? Nothing -- save for the cost of wine or appetizers you choose to serve. But if you want to be a consultant, you need to invest in a collection to demonstrate at the parties. The cost of the multi-piece Executive Business Kit is $119.99.
Potential to make money: An example of a recent deal: If a host sells up to $450 of Tupperware at a party, and two of their guests set their own date to hold a party, then a host can qualify for a free 13-piece summer serving set. The host can also opt for other gift specials valued at $68.
How many guests are needed to make money: The more the merrier. Although the host gets free Tupperware, consultants can make hard cash. The more friends you have who host their own parties and become part of your "team," the larger the commission at the end of the month (up to 6 percent). For the benefits to really kick in, you'd need to sell a whole lotta plastic. For instance, the TupperWave Stack Cooker Complete Set goes for $122, and the Get-It-All Pasta Set is $98. You can also host an online party in which you invite friends to your virtual space for up to 14 days. Your pals can buy pieces while the party is "in session." However, you only see benefits (in this case, 10 percent of sales) after you've sold more than $200 worth of merchandise.
What you get out of it: Besides brightly colored pieces of plastic to satisfy all your kitchen needs, hosts get a sense of camaraderie from planning a party. Serious-minded hosts can graduate to consultant and gradually move up the Tupperware ladder -- all the way to executive director. Tupperware says that at the top level, you can qualify to get an SUV company car to use.
GOLD PARTIES
Category: Recession chic
Since the 2008 economic crash, so-called "gold parties" have popped up around the country. There are several organizations, such as My Gold Party, Party of Gold and Gold Party US, tapping into the rising value of gold, as well as the public's growing desire for instant cash.
How to get started: Sign up online to host a party and find a representative. Call a couple of friends and invite them to bring over their old baubles for evaluation by the representative, who is a specialist in identifying types of jewelry.
How much it will cost you: Unlike Tupperware and other sales-based parties, the gold host doesn't have to invest any money to throw the get-together (except for the standard cocktail party provisions). But the representative -- the person responsible for assessing the gold and paying out the partygoers -- has invested several hundred dollars in a gold tester, scale and jeweler's loupe and does take a cut of the payout.
Potential to make money: Definitely. But you are still paying a middleman (the rep) who takes a percentage. Still, My Gold Party recommends that hosts be tipped 10 percent of the gold value sold that evening.
How many guests are needed to make money: If you have fashionable friends with a lot of jewelry, it's possible that a few people could net you a couple hundred dollars.
What you get out of it: Money, time with friends and an opportunity to tidy up your jewelry box.
LINGERIE PARTIES
Category: Wild 'n' sexy
Great for a bachelorette party, a single-again shindig or just a girl's night in, the lingerie party takes the Tupperware tack and turns it on its head.
How to get started: There are a plethora of lingerie party sites online. Find one that you feel comfortable hosting. UndercoverWear offers Business Sample Kits featuring the company's best-selling items, as well as a training DVD and CD-ROM that includes all necessary paperwork and supplies.
How much it will cost you: The starter kit will run $99, but if you really mean business, spring for the Total Romance Kit No. 2 for $500.
Potential to make money: If you have a knack for sales, it's possible to make a few hundred dollars per party. Hosts and agents work for commission -- UndercoverWear agents earn 25 percent to 50 percent of show earnings. The site claims that the average evening sees $500 in sales. And if you recruit new people to sell the product to their friends, you'll get a 10 percent cut of their income. One advantage of UndercoverWear is the brand's variety of products. The lingerie ranges from risque to comfy nightclothes, and the company also sells spa products and "romance accessories."
How many guests are needed to make money: If your friends have deep pockets, a few sales will put some cash in your wallet. But if your girlfriends are conscientious with their money, you should invite a larger group of pals.
What you get out of it: A naughty girl's night with your friends, a little extra cash and some cute lingerie with your 50 percent new-agent discount within the first 45 days of membership.
HOUSE PARTY
Category: Newfangled fun
Unlike the other moneymaking bashes, a House Party is a marketing party -- not a sales party. Brands get an opportunity to show off their products to new customers, but no cash is exchanged at the parties themselves. What makes House Party unique is that the companies represented appeal to both men and women. Parties have featured Toms Shoes and Kraft Foods. Microsoft even sponsored thousands of house parties during the Windows 7 launch.
How to get started: Sign up on the website, find an upcoming party to host and voila! There's also a social-networking aspect to House Party. Many of the events are held simultaneously around the country, so you can "check in," post to Facebook, and Tweet about your event as it is happening.
How much it will cost you: Nothing, unless you are purchasing refreshments.
Potential to make money: Nonexistent. But you get a free party pack filled with goodies from sponsors.
How many guests are needed to make money: Because there is no pressure to sell onsite, the number of people who come isn't as important for the host personally. But the brand will want to see a higher attendance level to report back to its marketing department.
What you get out of it: A unique experience, free stuff and an evening with old friends and new acquaintances.
Tricia Romano is a freelance writer who lives in Seattle. She writes for RetailMeNot.com, the No. 1 coupon site in the world
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