1 - Find out more about the VDI business

Before taking up a job, the first step is to gather information to make sure that the job is suited to your profile and your desires. The first thing to look at is your skills.

What skills are essential for the VDI profession?

To work in door-to-door sales, you need the following skills:

• Knowledge of the brand and sales techniques

A home sales assistant knows the values and products of the brand she is promoting. In particular, she must systematically study new products in order to show them off to their best advantage.

• Organisational skills

Meetings are held at regular intervals. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, you need to manage your diary well, as well as all the meeting logistics (transport, quantity and type of clothes to bring, organising with the hostess, managing invitations, etc.).

• Oral fluency

A home sales assistant is constantly required to speak in front of customers. She needs to know how to present products, use a sales pitch, answer questions and give persuasive advice.

• Listening skills

Every customer is different. That's why it's important to listen carefully, so that we can offer her pieces that suit her tastes and style.

• Managing customer relations

If you want loyal customers, it's essential to know how to maintain the relationship you've built up over time.

The VDI will therefore try to build a relationship of trust and use various tried and tested communication and marketing methods (e.g. newsletters).

Read also: What are the skills of a good independent door-to-door salesperson?

2 - Establish work rules

Being a home seller means being able to manage your schedule as you wish. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't set yourself rules!

Full-time or part-time home sales?

The first thing to do is to ask yourself whether you want to make home selling your main activity, or whether you want to workpart-time as a complement to your usual job.

If you opt for the second option, find out in-house whether it's possible to combine two activities. Take care not to compete with your company, and if you are currently working in a similar field, ask your manager if you have his or her agreement.

Next, find out about the VDI status itself:

• social protection ;
• tax obligations ;
• your rights and obligations ;
• the different types of status available;
• administrative formalities.

H3: A few tips to help you find the right formula

You're torn between working in home-based sales full-time or part-time. There are a few tips to help you make the right decision:

• Be objective and try toestimate how much time you can devote to your home salesbusiness . It's not just about selling, you also need to take the time to find new customers, prepare for meetings, plan trips and deliveries, and maintain customer relations.
• You should also remember to organise your work efficiently by :
• defining a working day;
• setting time slots;
• making a note of all your appointments in your diary
• managing your customer database correctly;
• setting reminders for your tax returns and other related activities.

3 - Define the product you are going to sell as a VDI

By becoming a VDI, you can move into a field that motivates you.

So choose a product that speaks to you and that you're passionate about: fashion, childcare, IT, etc. Do some research on the Internet to choose what you can promote as a door-to-door salesperson.

4 - Test the product

To validate your collaboration with a brand, there's nothing better than testing one or more products. This gives you the opportunity to check the quality and see if you like the products.

If it's "love at first sight", this can only be beneficial for the future. You'll be able to sell the products better because you'll like them.

Tip

To save money, you can also take part in the sales meetings of several brands that interest you. That way, you can see for yourself the quality of the products without necessarily buying them at the time. You can also take the opportunity to talk to the sales advisers.

5 - Find a home shopping company

Once you've found the product you want, you can look for the company that suits you best. You'll be representing a brand, so it has to suit you in almost every way.

Find out more about :

• the reputation of each brand ;
• the types of contract and remuneration offered
• the product ranges on offer;
• support and training for home sales assistants.

> Also worth reading: How do you choose a home sales company?

6 - Draw up a customer file

A customer file is an essential tool for all home-based salespeople. If it's properly filled in and used, it can help to increase sales. You will get to know your customers better, and will be able to improve communication with them and personalise sales.

Another advantage is that it saves you time. If you have a question about your customers, you can consult your file.

The key information is as follows:

• full name ;
• e-mail address ;
• postal address
• telephone number
• date of birth ;
• date of first contact;
• dates and places of meetings attended;
• shopping list ;
• average basket;
• a notes area to record the particulars of each customer.

Good to know

When it comes to format, there's no need to complicate your life. An Excel file will do just fine.

7 - Prepare for the start of your business

You've researched the VDI status, you've defined your activity in advance and you've chosen the perfect company for you. Now you can prepare for the start of your business.

• 1- Start bycreating a working environment that you enjoy and that allows you to concentrate on your work: a closed office in your home, a corner in your bedroom, a coworking space, etc
• 2- There are many solutions, but the most important thing is to have a dedicated space where you feel comfortable and where you won't be easily distracted.
• 3- Plan to work on your network right from the start. Let your family, friends and acquaintances know that you're going into home selling. That's how you'll get your first customers!
• 4- You can also create dedicated accounts on social networks such as Facebook and Instagram, and use personal branding. We recently published an article on personal branding to help you develop your communications.

Your company will then be able to provide you with the appropriate training and help you develop your customer portfolio.

8 - Your first home meetings with Elora

Tips to follow :

1- Go to meetings

Before organising any meetings, we strongly advise you to attend one or more meetings organised by other Elora fashion consultants.

This will complement the training courses on offer and help you get to grips with the business.

2- Practice

Even if you think you've understood and remembered everything, take the time to practise speaking. The more you practise, the more comfortable you'll feel in front of your first customers.

3- Get organised

To avoid unpleasant surprises, leave nothing to chance and pay attention to the smallest details.

In particular, make sure that you inform your hostesses in advance about the reception requirements and how the event will run.

> See also: 5 tips for organising a home sale