What is an Usborne Facebook Party? How can you “party” on Facebook? And what is Usborne Books & More?
These digital online parties, especially via Facebook, seem to be all the rage, with various companies and direct sales people hitting you up all the time for you to attend them, companies like Usborne, Norwex, Paparrazzi, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and so many more.
Before these types of direct sales parties were only in-person events, and you would have to actually put on a happy face, and clothes, and schedule babysitters.
The Facebook Party is the lazy way to party with all your direct sale friends and hostesses. You can be anywhere with internet access and an internet connected device and check in. This means you can even multitask during the party! Who says you can’t party and cook dinner at the same time? Or use the restroom and party at the same time? The beautiful thing is, no one has to know what you are doing, wearing, watching, or thinking as you are participating and shopping.
It’s like an introverts paradise! No small talk, no catching up with old friends, just some information and free giveaway prizes, that you can consume on your time. You don’t even need to show up on time, unless you really want to win a giveaway limited to only live participants. Facebook parties usually stay open for a few days too, though all the action is usually ended within the allotted 30-60 minutes of the live party.
How does an Usborne Facebook Party work?
How does an Usborne Facebook Party work?An Usborne Facebook party works very similarly to other direct sales Facebook parties I have attended. The Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant works closely with the party hostess to invite people to the Facebook event page. Hopefully, the hostess will personally message you, and not group message you, or invite you to the event without even asking (because no one likes that), to see if you are interested in attending and would like an invite.
You should RSVP once you indicate you want to attend (and I’ll tell you why you should attend in a minute) by clicking GOING or MAYBE. This will get you an entry into the door prize giveaway for a free Usborne book, as long as you show up during the party.
The Usborne Books & More consultants will share a few fun pre-party posts with questions about how old your kids are, their favorite books, if you are familiar with Usborne or not, and whatever else they feel like asking. Several of the questions ahead of time help them know what information to share that will help YOU be better educated on their products and offerings during the party. So, comment as you feel like it.
During the party (there will be a set time and date on the event page for it to start) the Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant will share numbered posts so you don’t get lost (Thank you!) directly onto the event page wall. Each post will have either a graphic or a video along with some text sharing a few more details, and usually asking you a question like “which book was your favorite.” Commenting gives you an extra entry into a book giveaway drawing.
In order to keep up with new posts, hit F5 or refresh your browser manually. The party will end with the Independent Consultant asking if you are interested in hosting your own party so you can potentially score free books, share information about the benefit of becoming an Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant, and of course, ask you to place an order.
The great thing about Usborne Books & More is that there are so many great products to love and learn about! Every Usborne Facebook party I’ve attended had me adding more books to my wishlist! It’s fun to see what products your friends are into, which products are their favorites, or their kids’ favorites.
The party is usually only 30-60 minutes long, and you can pop in and out as you choose, because you’re virtual, baby!
Why You Should Attend an Usborne Facebook Party
Why You Should Attend an Usborne Facebook PartyI have attended many direct sales parties over the years in person and now on Facebook. Honestly, I rarely buy items, not because I hate the products (most of the time they are awesome looking!), but mostly because I hate spending money and we don’t usually have money to spare.
Because I intend only to look and not buy, it’s made question why I am attending these parties if I am not going to buy anything.
I attend because:
1.) I enjoy learning. I enjoy testing things out for myself, handling their products (if in person), and learning more about their company. So, while I may have never bought from Jamberry, Avon, or Norwex, I have attended parties for each of those products. I like knowing what makes their products, their company, their direct sales models, different from all the other products out there (or at least how they say it differs). I also like seeing the quality myself and witnessing other people’s comment on their quality and if they like them (because there are other guests).
2.) I like knowing how much this or that product costs. If I like a product, but can’t buy now, I keep the information in the back of my mind, so when the next party comes along and I am financially able to, I can make a purchase if I so choose.
3.) I enjoy socializing. Whether in-person or online, I love talking and engaging with other people. #extrovert
4.) I enjoy supporting my friends. Since I’m usually friends with the hostess, I like to support them in their efforts to support a sales consultant. While I know I won’t lose a friendship over not attending, or attending but not buying anything, I like supporting them, as well as socializing with them (see point #3). I would never unfriend someone for asking you to attend a party either. I sometimes just no, and move on. They get it, cause our friendship isn’t based on what we can do for each other.
5.) I want to win free stuff! I usually attend in the hopes of winning a goodie bag prize or giveaway so I can test out their product for free! It’s my favorite reason I attend these parties, cause I love free stuff.
All of these five reasons I attend direct sales parties, apply to an online Usborne Facebook party too. If you are invited to an Usborne Books & More Facebook party, you should attend.
Check out their books online and learn more about how to host your own Usborne Facebook party! There are some serious perks for the hostess!
**UPDATE: I no longer sell Usborne books and more. If you are interested in a fun way to regularly (and inexpensively) build your child’s library, look into Bookroo! Bookroo delivers 2-3 high quality hardcover (or board books) to your home every month, wrapped like gifts, for your family to enjoy. The subscription fee is only $17.99/month or only $16.66/month with a 3-month subscription, plus $5 S&H in the US ($16 to Canada, and $25 everywhere else).
However, they are currently offering my readers 20% off a new 1 or 3-month subscription with code READ2017. That makes a 1-month subscription only $14.40/month plus shipping or $13.33/month plus shipping with a 3-month subscription. For 2-3 brand-new, high-quality books, it’s a pretty great deal! It would make a great gift for a new mom or for a child’s birthday.
You can see my full review of Bookroo in my post about how I taught my homeschooled children to read.
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JEN says
This post made me feel 100% better about attending these parties and not buying anything. I always feel a little guilty knowing I probably won’t buy anything, but you make a good point.
Although sales are the ultimate goal, a larger number of attendees also makes a host look good. 🙂
Katelyn Fagan says
It’s tricky because sales are the ultimate goal for the hostess to win free goodies, and for the seller to make money, BUT most (good) companies believe in education and empowerment. It’s also often said that it takes several exposures to a new idea or product before you are willing to buy anyway.
Ashley Roth says
I would love to schedule my own party, but I’ve already hosted one relatively recently. I love Usborne books though! If I had more money, I would buy so many of these!
To answer the book question, I especially love the Busy Books, Muddle & Match, and the My First Encyclopedias.
Amy C says
The Where’s Will Shakespeare book and the Illustrated Stories look so fun.
Shannon Alexander says
There are so many we really want. Like the Lift a flap times table book. But m y boys specifically asked for the Extreme Adventures Set.
Nikki says
Why exactly did you stop selling Usborne?
Bekki says
I would like to know this too. I thought your posts on Usborne were interesting, but I was more concerned with how you ended each post with an edit that said you didn’t sell them anymore and to try out BookRoo instead. (those links didn’t work anymore btw). So, do you not like Usborne anymore? If not, why not? I would like to know if there is an underlying reason that Usborne should be avoided! Thanks!
Katelyn Fagan says
I sold Usborne books over two years ago. I joined at a terrible transition period for the company, where shipping was taking a month or longer for my customers, which is totally unacceptable. And yes, there were some definite quality issues as well. I have continued to purchase Usborne books here and there since no longer selling the books myself, but I still have some quality issues (the binding just doesn’t hold up very well to my rough kids, faster than other books for example) but the shipping is amazingly fast now!
But, the main reason I stopped selling was because I just didn’t have the time and energy into pursuing a new business. None of my friends really wanted to host Facebook parties with me, and I was out of leads. And I didn’t really want to pursue and beg and plead for new leads. Ultimately, I already HAD a business (this blog) that I wanted to put much more of my time and resources into so I let the Usborne thing go by the wayside.
I think they have some great and interesting books. I think their customer service and shipping have greatly improved from when I joined. I think there are still some lack in quality. But, I don’t think they should be avoided, no. They are fine company.
Also, I recommend Bookroo instead because I think their books are super cute and different and a fun way to build your child’s library each month. Sorry the links aren’t working. They are my affiliate/partner links and I didn’t know they are apparently pausing their program at the moment. :/
Bekki says
Thanks so much for answering! I literally just signed up for Usborne and thought, oh no! What did I get myself into? So I appreciate your honesty and your detailed explanation! I will have to keep an eye on BookRoo too. I love books and I love sharing my love of books with my students! I am a preschool teacher:) I am definitely a new follower to your blog because I found lots of great info just in the few minutes I spent browsing it yesterday! Thank you again!
Michelle Ramer says
Amazing info and great transparency. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.