Do Online Work Offline

Posted on 16 November 2008

I’ve been noticing more and more opportunities to take online opportunities offline and vice versa. Although, I suppose putting offline work online is a bit more like the usual way that things work.

But what if you’re not suited to sitting in front of a computer for the majority of the day? What if you’re a “people person” who gets depressed without a reason to put on the new outfit you bought over the weekend?

I’ve noticed that several companies are melding online and offline work–Avon and Mary Kay come to mind. Yesterday, though, I got an interesting proposition in my email box. It had to do with becoming a VistaPrint Reseller. This is one of the few offers that I’ve received that I’ve taken seriously.

That’s because I like VistaPrint’s product. I first noticed them because of all of the free promotional products they offer. For example, right now, they are offering a free t-shirt of your own design, and they even have them in black! There’s lots of other freebies as well, like car magnets, notepads, business cards…that’s how I got hooked!

At any rate, here’s how the reseller program works: Basically, you behave as a print broker, although you could advertise as a printer. You advertise the (your) services, products and rates. You use the VistaPrint website like your own personal graphic editing tool. The prices are generally marked down from the prices on the regular site, and products are drop shipped directly to the customer without the VistaPrint logo. So far, this is sounding pretty cool. Here is a list of the benefits:

The one thing that aggravates me about this program is that there is no referral program associated with referring people to the reseller program, as opposed to generally referring people to VistaPrint products. I suppose I’m still in online mode. Still, if you are a social type, why not set yourself up as a person who offers print services? It looks like you could make a bundle.

Photo Credit: OLD SKOOL Cora