Needle is a company that connects retailers with their fans and turns the fans into the ultimate online-salesmen. For example: Ben Peterson is an avid scuba diver from Colorado Springs.
Within the last year, Ben was turned onto the company LeisurePro, and he really likes their products. He likes them so much, he became a fan on Facebook.com.
Needle then found Ben to see if he wanted to become a LeisurePro "Needler" - someone who conducts chats on LeisurePro's website with those who are considering purchasing a LeisurePro product. Ben can not only chat up their products, he can also answer questions about scuba diving, find out the shopper's needs and help them get the right product.
"It is talking to someone who is passionate without any of the pressure of a salesperson that wants a commission," Peterson said. "We want to close the sale, but what is more important to us is getting the person happy with the product."
Morgan Lynch is the CEO and co-founder of Needle and says it is that expert advice that makes for a more genuine shopping experience online.
"If you walk into a store and you talk to someone who is very knowledgeable and interviews you, asks you and finds out your needs, they take the time to do that and then makes a recommendation to you - we typically as consumers buy," Lynch said. "So naturally,when you get to talk to somebody that is an expert, you are going to spend because you feel comfortable, and you have gotten your questions answered."
Lynch also touts that when companies invest in Needle, they are creating jobs here at home.
"The questions that have been fielded have typically been sent off-shore, and we have the experts here in our own country," Lynch said. "You are going to be talking somebody here in Denver who is now using his expertise in scuba diving and sharing that with people. Maybe before that job would have been sent somewhere else, so we are bringing that work back here."
A Needler works part-time hours, anywhere between 10 to 20 hours and typically receives part-time pay.
You can learn more by going to their website www.needle.com
(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)