Paperly: personalized stationery sold via fun, home parties

Join: Frequently Asked Questions

Home > Join Paperly > Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the more commonly asked questions posed by potential Consultants. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

What do I need to do to get started as a Paperly Consultant?
It's very easy to get started. Simply complete the online application. That's it! We will immediately begin to put together your Starter Kit, although honestly, there's no reason to wait for the Kit to start your Paperly business. Why? Because we will grant you instant access to your personal Paperly website (see a demo at www.MyPaperly.com/paperly) as well as your Virtual Office, full of training materials, reference documents and marketing materials. Consultants often submit their first order within hours of enrolling.

As a Paperly Consultant, what commission can I earn?
Commissions on personal sales range from 20-26%, plus an additional 4-12% bonus based on monthly sales. Commissions are calculated using Paperly's retail price before shipping & sales tax. Learn more at Paperly's Commission & Career Plan >

Is Paperly a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA)?
Yes, after a yearlong, exhaustive review of Paperly's policies and procedures, Paperly became a full-fledged member of the DSA in March 2010. Also, in July 2011, Paperly was recongized by the DSA for its participation in its ethics communication initiative. We feel the DSA's "stamp of approval" further validates Paperly as the leading direct seller of personalized stationery & gifts.

Does Paperly have a sales quota?
The short answer is "no". As long as you're a Paperly Consultant, you will receive commissions on your personal sales. The more detailed answer is that Paperly does have an "Active" definition of at least in $200 personal sales volume (PSV) over the previous 3 months (i.e. a "rolling quarter"). Why? Because Paperly does not want its team leaders to earn commissions solely on the hard work of her downline without selling Paperly products herself. Thus, being Active becomes relevant when you begin building a team.

What about inventory? I'd hate to have to buy and stock inventory!
We agree – inventory stinks! Because most of Paperly's products are personalized, inventory simply does not exist. Instead, our Consultants place their orders with us and we deliver the personalized product directly to the customer, Hostess or Consultant.

Do I receive a discount on any products I buy for myself?
Yes, assuming you are a "personalization junkie" like us and you want to purchase products for yourself or as a gift for your family and loved ones, you can purchase Paperly products at a discount equal to your commission rate, which can run up to 26% .

Do all Paperly sales need to occur at an in-home party?
Not at all. We never anticipated all of a Consultant's sales to occur at a party. Instead, we believe a significant number of sales will occur from friends and family via Paperly's catalogs and website. We also suspect Consultants will do a lot of one-to-one selling. We took great care creating catalogs that can easily be toted by Consultants to school, doctor's offices, coffee shops, playgroups, etc... wherever a Consultant can conveniently meet a customer or friend and show Paperly's products.

I already rep another direct selling company's line. Is that okay?
Absolutely! As long as the lines are not competitive, and you are not confusing the customer in any way about Paperly's products or brand, then you are more than welcome to work with Paperly and another line.

When does Paperly pay my commissions?
Generally, a Consultant gets her commission at the time of the sale. For example, let's hypothetically assume a Consultant sells $800 of Paperly merchandise (before shipping & sales tax): $250 in cash, $150 in checks and $400 in credit cards. Assuming the Consultant is at the 25% commission level, she is due $200 in commissions, which she keeps from the cash she received that night.

How long has Paperly been in business?
Although we've been in the stationery business since 2000, Paperly is a relatively new incarnation. We officially launched in 2007 and have been growing quickly ever since. Read more about Paperly's story >

Is there already a Paperly Consultant in my zip code?
Paperly does not offer exclusive territories. Feel free to contact us to learn how many Consultants may be in your immediate area.

How much does it cost to become a Consultant?
The only financial commitment to become a Paperly Consultant is to purchase a Starter Kit. The one-time fee is $99.00 and contains everything you need to successfully start and grow your Paperly business.

If I need to purchase additional materials, what's the cost?
Most Consultants never reach for their wallet when they need to purchase additional catalogs or other business supplies. Instead, they use Paperly Dollars that they've earned by selling Paperly products. In fact, you can earn hundreds of Paperly Dollars within your first 90 days as a Paperly Consultant through our Fast Start Rewards program.

How often does Paperly release new catalogs?
Paperly releases new products approximately 3x per year: a Spring catalog (called "Special Occasions"), a Fall catalog (called "Everyday Collection") and a Holiday catalog.

The vast majority of Paperly's products are exclusive to Paperly, meaning the only place to purchase a Paperly product is from a Paperly Consultant.

Can a Consultant have her own website?
Yes! Paperly enables its Consultants to have their own personal, Paperly website. You can see a demo at www.MyPaperly.com/paperly.

So now what...?