VDI: rely on hostesses!

1/ The beginnings of a VDI

When you start out as a VDI, the first thing you think about is building up a customer base. Initially, you turn to your friends and family to make sales.

Even if your personal network is important for getting your business off to a good start, you will certainly want to expand your customer base at a later stage. To do this, we advise you to approach your acquaintances and offer hostess status to the most motivated among them. You'll be able to meet people from their own networks who are interested in women's ready-to-wear.

To succeed as a VDI, Elora recommends that you set up and develop your network of hostesses.

2/ What is a hostess?

A hostess hosts a direct sale in her home, run by an independent door-to-door salesperson. She invites relatives, friends, work colleagues or anyone else interested in selling clothes. She decides the number of guests and selects them.

By organising door-to-door sales meetings at hostesses' homes, you can expand your network by meeting new people, and potentially develop your customer base and your VDI business.

3/ How do you find and convince hostesses?

To find potential hostesses, we advise you to talk to people around you. Ask your friends or colleagues who are interested in women's ready-to-wear to host sales meetings at their homes. Your best hostesses will be women who love fashion and discovering new pieces.

And to encourage them to organise a home sale, Elora lists some of the advantages of being a hostess:

• Flexibility: hostesses choose the time, date and guests for their private sale. They have no constraints and can organise themselves as they wish.
• Simplicity : They don't have to run the meeting because the sales consultant (you) takes care of everything! All they have to do is enjoy the moment.
• Exceptional discounts: They benefit from two financial advantages that are sure to delight shopaholics. For organising a first and second home sale, they will each receive a gift voucher as a welcome gift. They will also receive a hostess discount based on the value of the meeting, enabling them to treat themselves to their favourite outfit.

It's important that you have a good feeling about each other so that the relationship and the organisation of the event go smoothly. Choose hostesses who suit you and who will welcome your private sales.