I'm self employed selling imports. Want to turn it into an independent business system.

[starriol]

Good afternoon. I've been importing & selling goods online for a few months and right

now I'm making more money from this than from my job (that is quite well paid).

I've read Rich dad/ Poor dad, the cashflow quadrant and more from Robert K, so now I

want to turn this into an independent business system.

I already have logistics & distribution quite well organized. I have some of my stock on

the company that delivers my products to my clients.

But I can't find a way (without hiring people directly) to handle administrative (not so

important, this takes very little time) and sales (this is VERY important and time

consuming).

I have some ideas for sales:

1) Taking my products to business and offering them in consignment. The problem is that

this would require me too walk a lot... so I thought of number 2...

2) Create a multi level marketing system. Example: Bob buys a sample of my 3 mains

products in a low, promotional price. Then, he offers it to whoever he wants. Also, if

he gets people into the system, he gets commissions on their sells too. Anyone know of a

good book that talks about the mechanics & how to create a multi level mark. system?

My problem is that all I can think of when thinking this is "hey, I'm giving away 20% of

my profits!!!"... I know this mentality sucks & will keep me small... better to sell

1000 items with a profit of 25 than 50 with a profit of 100!!!

Any more ideas on how to systematize a sales system?

[BusinessAdviser]

My problem is that all I can think of when thinking this is "hey, I'm giving away 20% of my profits!!!"... I know this mentality sucks & will keep me small... better to sell 1000 items with a profit of 25 than 50 with a profit of 100!!! Any more ideas on how to systematize a sales system?

You hit the nail on the head: You ARE giving away 20% of your profits. However, you can look at it in a couple ways. First, this is essentially your payroll, paying your "sales force." Second, this is what you are trading off in exchange for not having to get out and sell it yourself.

This mentality doesn't suck, it's realistic. The great thing is that you recognize this and can now make a rational decision whether to "pay" this 20% for others to sell your products (upsides: less effort, more time, access to more potential customers; downsides: less profit, less control over the marketing, brand image, etc.) or to sell it yourself and keep the profit (upsides: more profit, more control over marketing, brand image, etc.; downsides: more time, more effort, less access to potential customers).

One other thing to consider is that you don't KNOW the number of items that you'll sell through either avenue without conducting research, so you don't KNOW that you'll be better off going one route over the other without researching a bit. (Yeah, you're better selling 1,000 products at a $25 profit each than 100 products at a $100 profit each. But if that's the basis of your decision, you should consider whether you'll really sell 1,000 products through that avenue, because if you only sell 350, you are actually better off selling the 100 at $100 profit each.)

[starriol]

I think a good idea would be to pay a visit myself to very good potential customers and keep doing PR with current ones PLUS expanding the multi level market.

About the numbers... I can't believe that you can do better handling a whole company by yourself than by getting a well oiled business system working for you.

A big plus about building a self reliant business system, is that it leaves me time to create more self reliant business systems

[BusinessAdviser]

You're exactly right. But the key here is "well-oiled." This requires time, money, commitment, and a great plan, among other things though. There's a tradeoff. If you really think that any Tom, Dick, or Harry can say, "Hey, I want other people to sell my product because I'll make more money," and make it happen, then I think you're sadly mistaken. I think you might want to consider a bit more the planning and resources that it will take to create this well-oiled business system of yours. Also, I would ask others here on the forum their impression of how easy it is to create one.

[rogercbryan]

starriol, what type of products are you working with? I work with four wholesale auctions and I'm always looking for new products.

[starriol]

To jmenq2:

I might be a bit naive, but from my experience, with very little effort I have to business selling my products for a comission of around 20%, quite reasonable given the products.
When I begin searching more actively, I believe honestly I can find 10 new stores in a month or so, and more in the comming months.
Also, I'm offering to sell them in consingment, so they have 0 risk. Yes, I know they can steal my products, but how posible it is? I'll make them sign receipts and if I lose 5% of my inventory (hell, make that 10%!), it would still be profitable.

To cre8ivejg: I think I've found the solution; giving comissions to business & making a simple multi level comissions system. I don't think it's THAT complicated.