Thinking of Usborne bookselling as a side hustle - I know what it is, but many of the usual warnings don't apply. Any thoughts?

[AnonyLonnymouse]

I have had quite a busy work-week and perhaps my brain is a bit addled, but I am suddenly wondering if selling Usborne books might be a useful side hustle for me? I know that it is an MLM - and know all the arguments against MLM - but it seems that it might actually suit me quite well. I have existing freelance work and I am looking for a new job but would like a side activity that I can scale up or down as needed.

The reasons why it seems like a good idea - at 11pm on a Friday! - are:

I want to get out of the house!
I like selling at NCT sales etc and am quite good selling face-to-face, but not pushy
I like interacting with parents and pre-schoolers/primary age children
I would not be selling to friends, as they are mostly beyond that stage
I have an existing FB page with 2k+ followers in the right type of audience
I have the cashflow to buy stock and not worry about recouping it ASAP
I have the storage space, although tidying up a bit would help!
I would not push anyone to join a team, as I know that isn't ethical
I can drive
I can use social media for business purposes
I live in an area where people definitely have money to spend and would happily spend a bit more on a book at an event rather than wait to buy it cheaper elsewhere. Lots of grandparents around here too!
I live in an area where there aren't really large supermarkets or discount shops nearby.

Bearing all the above in mind - not the typical situation - what do you think?
Thanks.

You might find you lose followers if you start pushing usbourne on your existing business social media. I followed someone who I paid for a service from. I got fed up of her pushing her mlm so unfollowed.

I don't really see the point tbh. I buy Usborne books and puzzles, but I just order them from amazon/book shops as and when.

Would you literally be selling single books, or is there some sort of subscription element?

Also I automatically lose respect for people who get involved with mlm. Your followers won't know you've opted out of the "building a team" element.

I like usbourne books but they are always cheaper in the Works than from a seller. And agree, I do a hard eye roll at anyone who has talked themselves into thinking it's a good idea

www.talentedladiesclub.com/articles/how-much-money-can-you-earn-with-mlm-usborne-books-at-home/

I live in an area where there aren't really large supermarkets or discount shops nearby
Amazon makes that matter much less than it once did.

I disagree with the above. I don’t think us borne have some of the negative connotations that other mlm have.
I’d go for it under your circumstances so long as the outlay isn’t too big.

Wow first I've ever heard of Usborne as a MLM! I buy sets from Costco or The Works

That's a great link! Shocking what they get away with isn't it.

Every single woman you know will hate you.

I doubt you will make a profit. You'd be better off getting a minimum wage part time job.

Woman at school does it. I feel bad for her now I've read how bad it is. Never bought from her because wouldn't pay top whack and also there's only so many usborne books you'd want to buy.

Don't do it!!

I looked into it heavily, I wouldn't bother. Even in areas like you're a describing inflation isn't matching wages, childcare cost, uniforms, school trips, pricey school fees, people aren't spending on books like the used to. You can get them books on offer in Tesco, the works etc. I live in a similar area. It honestly wouldn't fly. If you had the cash why don't you invest in yourself and see set up a small business

My mum used to buy books for me through some kind of book scheme that sent a catalogue into school every term. I was so excited to get what I ordered even though it took a few weeks. But this was the 90s and there was no Amazon or online shopping.

If someone approached me today about buying books from them it's highly unlikely I would do it. I can order pretty much any books on Amazon and most arrive within 24 hours, including Usborne. I don't need a middle man. They are often a little cheaper than buying direct from bookshops too.

I agree with the prev poster who says it may put off current audience. I unfollow people who start trying to get me to buy stuff. Most people I know either get new books as gifts or are buying secondhand from each other on FB... Maybe that's a sign of my economic status and I'm in that bubble, but I love books and I very rarely buy new. Last new book I bought was one by someone I actually know.

The question you should be asking here is 'would you buy books from someone you know rather than off Amazon or the Supermarket or a second hand shop?'

The answer for me is a resounding no, because I object to the idea on principle, because I find people who try and sell like this lacking in social awareness that it crosses the boundaries of the existing relationship and would still essentially be like emotional blackmail to try and get you to purchase, I know it's cheaper elsewhere... I could carry on with reasons.

It's totally inappropriate and intrusive however you do it. However soft your sales pitch is, it's still a sales pitch and everyone you know is no longer a friend but a sales opportunity.

That's not cool.

@AntiHop
Thanks, that’s a good point about existing followers although it would fit in really well with what I do already.

@JessicaPeach
Thanks, I will read the link

@determinedtomakethiswork
@RedToothBrush

I completely agree regarding people who try to sell MLM to friends, but all my friends and acquaintances have teenagers or young adult children and are therefore outside the target market.

I would only be doing it at events.

I can’t imagine people wanting to go to an usborne books party and pay more for books you can get cheaper on Amazon.

Lots of fairs don’t want MLM stalls either. They put people off the fair entirely.

There are much better ways to make a bit of PT money alongside your main job than this.

I used to know someone who was pretty high up in usborne circles and I think “ran” the local area pretty tightly for well over a decade, would talk about what it had enabled her in her life to do, etc. even she has gone mysteriously quiet now (although has, I note, gone onto another franchise opportunity). I really think the time for buying books at home has gone; independent bookshops with a world of choice struggle to survive, and Amazon will give me every usborne book, often cheaper than full price, by tomorrow.

@WallaceinAnderland
Good point, but I don’t really want something where I have to turn up every Thursday.

Like others I just don’t understand why anyone would buy books in person because you can get them much cheaper online.

Usually with MLMs you can’t make any money if you don’t recruit (and even if you do recruit the vast vast majority lose money anyway).
Have you looked at the compensation plan?

That has actually made me reluctant to purchase Usborne books at all.