Most women, and many men, have been to hosted product parties at a friend or family member’s home. Everything from makeup and candles, to scrap-booking and adult’s only products. I’ve been invited to many, some have been great, and I’ve even purchased something (of course, there’s no pressure) not only because it supported my friend’s new business venture, but because it was a product I actually wanted. Then there have been other times where it feels like yet another party with products I’m not interested and I certainly don’t need, but by attending it shows support for your friend. But it’s been a long day at work or you’ve been running around with the kids and doing the grocery shopping. What if there was an alternative? I’ve looked at many successful home party businesses such as Avon and Scentsy, and there are so many of them. But lets review one that has taken the ‘home party’ business model in a different direction – Younique.
Younique appears to do it differently, making working from home or on the road, a more flexible and suitable option for women (although I’m sure there are men who have jumped on the bandwagon too).
[Younique] is the first direct sales company to market and sell almost exclusively through the use of social media. [Younique’s] pioneered Younique Virtual Parties bridge the huge world of social media and the traditional home party business model. A Younique Virtual Party has no limits to your reach or who you can invite. This make it so the traditional home party is not even necessary unless you choose to do it.
I was invited by a friend through Facebook Messenger to click a link and join a private online event on Facebook. It was as simple as clicking ‘accept’ and checking out the event page whenever I felt like it over 3 or 4 days. The ‘host’ simply posted photos and information about various makeup products. But it wasnt just one big sales pitch, there were games to play. Pick a number and you’ll win whatever is behind it (perhaps a lipstick or $20 credit towards any purchases). There were games riddles and picture puzzles. Post a photo of your face, all cleaned with no makeup, and have colour and product recommendations made. This is called a virtual party. And you can do it all via your mobile, tablet or computer, and in the comfort of your own home. Throw on a pair of pyjamas and pour yourself a glass of champagne, and binge on your favourite TV show, all while participating in the virtual party.
Lets face it, our lives are busy and only getting busier. Unfortunately, we can’t always accept invitations to parties, business launches, dinners etc. There just isn’t enough time in the day/week/month. We’ve just had Christmas and the next one will be here before we know it. That’s what makes this concept so appealing and EASY to do.
With a massive portion of the population used to online shopping, it makes sense for businesses to go online to sell their products. Especially when it’s all automated. But Younique takes it that step further with their exclusive online marketing through social media. The majority of people have at least one social media account, and most check regularly, so it makes sense to take this route. And it is proving to be very effective.
This is also great for anyone to get involved as a Younique Presenter. You don’t have to market to your close friends and family, invite any of your social media friends, and ask them to invite their friends. Whether you are a stay at home mum, work a full time job, or you are a student, this business model works for pretty much anyone. The amount of time you commit is up to you. You’ll receive support from your sponsor who you never even have to meet in person, as well as other presenters through the many online support pages and groups. There’s even an online training academy.
Take photos or videos of yourself applying makeup, or demonstrating a new product. And if you make a sale, you don’t need to handle the payment or the stock, it’s all done through your own personal website with the backend all taken care of by the Younique team. You don’t even have to wait a week or a month for payment, it’s all done automatically every three (3) hours, that’s right THREE hours.
But what about human interactions, face to face contact you ask? Social media is unfortunately affecting every day interactions with more and more people, especially the younger generations, spending more time text messaging and chatting online with friends, rather than hanging out in person. If more businesses go down this path of marketing and selling products, they are not stopping face to face interactions, as home parties are still an option IF the presenter chooses to do this, but what this model allows is a longer reach, a wider audience, more accessibility and flexibility for everyone. If you have friends who live hours away and can’t make it to your party, they won’t miss out. If party attendees are close by, grab a coffee and chat in addition to the online party.
Technology has many pros and cons, but what technology does brilliantly, is bring people together when in other circumstances it wouldn’t be possible. Make new friends and grow a business that may not be an option otherwise for many people for a long list of reasons.
We are seeing more businesses getting involved in social media, with a growing online presence and investment in online marketing. The number of jobs for social media managers etc. is only increasing and with business models similar to this, will only continue to do so. Just check out your favourite products and businesses facebook pages, and see how many have event pages featuring live chats with senior staff or special guests, along with offers and sales available exclusively to social media followers.
