WE'VE MOVED!!! OUR NEW HOME IS
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Team Building Is A Choice Not A Requirement
Congratulations! Suzie Someone has joined your team! Let's give them a million tasks to do in your first training session and never speak to them again! Doesn't that sound fun? Sometimes we get so excited that we want to give our new team members everything we've learned in our entire career with direct sales as soon as they join. But let's face it, it would take more than a miracle to absorb that much information in one sitting.
Believe it or not, a lot of what you've learned has come from experience and has turned into second nature. Now don't get me wrong. When you first made the decision to venture into direct sales you most likely had a sponsor or leader that taught you everything you needed to survive in the big world of party planning. But a lot of consultants aren't so fortunate. Some never hear from their sponsor at all. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing mentor when I joined my very first direct sales company. She walked me through the overall concept of how the back office worked and how parties flowed. She was available all day and most nights. I knew she was only a phone call or text message away. She never shoved it down my throat. But always let me know that she was there should I ever need anything. We became great friends and still keep in touch to this day. Not everyone is able to make themselves as available as that. But I do recommend that if you choose to build a team, you understand the basics of your business before jumping into the deep end. Team building is great for so many reasons, but if you jump into it too fast you may be setting yourself, and your new recruit, up for failure. Words get around in a small town. And direct sales, my friend, is a a very small town. The last thing you want is for your downline, past and present, telling others that you don't take the time to mentor your team. In return, causing you to lose potential team members and the residual income that everyone is after.
Building a team is a selfless act. It involves one on one coaching as well as team training. It should involve weekly contact and follow ups. Just as you most likely did when you were trying to recruit them. They should continue to get that same personal attention. Otherwise, they may look at it as false advertising. I also had the experience of joining another company and never hearing a peep from my sponsor. I felt mostly to blame because I did not do my research first and then contact them. But either way the first rule is REACH OUT! If you get an unexpected recruit and have no interest in growing your team. You may consider asking your sponsor to mentor her. Or even asking if that person can be placed under your sponsor instead of you. You have to do what's best for you as well as the team.
Team building is a choice, not a requirement. Always remember that.
Believe it or not, a lot of what you've learned has come from experience and has turned into second nature. Now don't get me wrong. When you first made the decision to venture into direct sales you most likely had a sponsor or leader that taught you everything you needed to survive in the big world of party planning. But a lot of consultants aren't so fortunate. Some never hear from their sponsor at all. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing mentor when I joined my very first direct sales company. She walked me through the overall concept of how the back office worked and how parties flowed. She was available all day and most nights. I knew she was only a phone call or text message away. She never shoved it down my throat. But always let me know that she was there should I ever need anything. We became great friends and still keep in touch to this day. Not everyone is able to make themselves as available as that. But I do recommend that if you choose to build a team, you understand the basics of your business before jumping into the deep end. Team building is great for so many reasons, but if you jump into it too fast you may be setting yourself, and your new recruit, up for failure. Words get around in a small town. And direct sales, my friend, is a a very small town. The last thing you want is for your downline, past and present, telling others that you don't take the time to mentor your team. In return, causing you to lose potential team members and the residual income that everyone is after.Building a team is a selfless act. It involves one on one coaching as well as team training. It should involve weekly contact and follow ups. Just as you most likely did when you were trying to recruit them. They should continue to get that same personal attention. Otherwise, they may look at it as false advertising. I also had the experience of joining another company and never hearing a peep from my sponsor. I felt mostly to blame because I did not do my research first and then contact them. But either way the first rule is REACH OUT! If you get an unexpected recruit and have no interest in growing your team. You may consider asking your sponsor to mentor her. Or even asking if that person can be placed under your sponsor instead of you. You have to do what's best for you as well as the team.
Team building is a choice, not a requirement. Always remember that.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
How To Get Bookings For Parties
There are hundreds of ways to get bookings for parties in the direct sales party plan industry. What works for others may not work for you. It all comes down to trial and error. Go through the list below and pick at least three that you believe would be feasible for you and give those three a try. If you don't have success with one, don't forget it, but instead put it to the side and go back to that one later. Below are some great ways to increase your party bookings and in turn lead to more parties, more sales, and a larger team.
- Catalogs - Not everyone believes that catalogs are a great tool for them. Some may see it as a waste of money. But I have come to notice that my past customers enjoyed catalogs much more than shopping blindly on my website.
- Hold an open house - This is a much more laid back environment where your potential customers won't feel pressured to buy. There is no formal presentation. They may come and go as they please.
- Vendor Events/Booths - Check with local businesses including schools, churches, event planners, etc. to see if there are any events coming up that you can participate in. Most cities will have a website where they list town events with contact information if you are interested in participating.
- Fundraisers - Offer to do fundraisers for local charities, schools, churches, etc. You will be donating your commissions so there may not be profit. However, it will get you leads for potential party bookings and new team members.
- ASK!!! - Ask anyone and everyone if they will let you share your new business with them for practice. This way they are helping a friend or family member and getting a sales pitch all in one. And they may not even know it yet!
- Contact your past Hostesses - If they have already had one party the chances are that they would be more than willing to have another. If that is the case, they may even be interested in joining your team so that they can get paid, too!
- Pimp your ride! - There are many companies out there that offer affordable car window clings and decals. I personally recommend using Car Graphics because they can do such a wide variety of custom designs for you. And you know it is of great quality. From window graphics to entire car tattoos and graphics.
- Offer incentives for hosting a party - Most companies offer a Hostess Rewards Program already. But I recommend putting a cherry on top with a booking gift. Don't give the gift until the day of the party. Give your hostess the gift during the party so everyone can see what they will get if they, too, host their own party.
- Business Cards - Leave a business card everywhere you go! Don't ever underestimate the power of a business card. Leave it at the checkout next to a pack of gum. Leave one on a shelf at a store near similar products that you may sell.
- Wear your business - Order or make a super cute tank, shirt, or hoodie with your website or business info! Usually if you are talking to someone, you can't ignore what their clothing is trying to tell you.
The above are just a few of the hundreds of ways you can get bookings for parties. I would love for you to try at least three of these and see where they take you.
The Hottest Work At Home Jobs For 2015
If you are looking to work from home, as most mothers are, you're probably trying to figure out what jobs out there allow are legit. Below are some of the hottest work at home jobs for 2015.
Here are some of the positions and where you can find them.
1. PT and FT Telecommuting Jobs.
To find companies that hire remote employees start searching Indeed, (which is an aggregated job board) using the terms: “work at home”, “work from home”, “home-based”, “remote”, “virtual”, “telecommute”, and “telework”.
If you have a little money to spare, a FlexJobs membership is well worth the price! Not only are they a member of the Better Business Bureau, but they hand screen all of their jobs before posting so that you can rest assured that you’re not getting scammed.
Here are some of the top telecommuting jobs, as well as companies that hire for these positions.
- Call Agents/Virtual Receptionists – Contract World and GabbyVille
- Chat Agents – Talk2Rep
- Marketing – Listrak and Sprinklr
- Medical Transcription – MedQuist
- Registered Nurses – Humana and Aetna
- Sales – Teleflex and RetailMeNot
- Software and App Developers – Golden Frog and Gydder
- Virtual Assistants – Zirtual
- Web Developers – Acquia
- Web Search Evaluators – Appen
If you’re looking to make extra cash each month, these opportunities are very flexible and don’t require any special skills. I’ve written about each of these in depth — so just click on the category and it will take you to the companies that hire for these positions.
3. Telecommuting Proposal.
If you already have a job that you adore, perhaps you can take it home by writing and submitting a telecommuting proposal. Start by checking your companies telecommuting policy and then do your research and write up a flex time or work-at-home proposal. Make sure your proposal includes all of the benefits to the company – including the cost to recruit and hire a new employee to replace you if you decide to leave.
4. Become an Entrepreneur.
With the explosion of the Internet, starting your own home-based business is easier and more convenient than ever. One of the biggest challenges for many aspiring entrepreneurs is finding the perfect business idea, but with a little brainstorming and inventory taking you can find the perfect fit.
Here are some hot trends right now …
- Blogger
- Career, Business, or Life Coach
- Copywriter
- Direct Sales Consultant
- Freelance Writer
- Social Media Manager
- Virtual Assistant
5. Join a Direct Sales Company.
The direct sales industry has come a long way in the past 20 years; now offering products from major designers and well-known corporations – the opportunities are endless. Here’s how it works, for a small start up fee the direct sales company gives you everything that you need to start selling their products. And for every product that you sell you’ll earn a commission.
Here are a few companies that have unique opportunities …
- Avon – Affordable Makeup and Skincare Products
- CAbi – Stylish Clothing from Designer, Carol Anderson
- Stella and Dot – Fashion Forward Jewelry
- Traveling Vineyard – Wine
6. Purchase a Home-Based Franchise.
If you have money to invest or you’re willing to take out a loan, a franchise can be a low-risk and lucrative way to work-at-home. The nice thing about a franchise is that all the hard work has been done for you; you basically pay for the franchise and fees and you’re given a detailed road map on how to replicate the business exactly. Many franchises also have well known and established brand names, so you spend less money on marketing and advertising your business.
Here are some affordable home-based franchise opportunities …
- Healthy Hands Cooking - Teaching Cooking Classes to Kids
- Just Between Friends – Children’s and Maternity Consignment Sales Events
- Mom Corps – National Staffing and Recruiting Company
- Stroller Strides – Fitness Programs for Moms
- The Homeowner Referral Network – Contractor Referral Business
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Personalized Business Cards
I've used Fiverr several times for business related needs. My favorite part about this website is that most services start for as little as $5! Click the image below to check out business card design services.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Looking For Leads For Your Business?
To some, this may not be new. But I've recently come across a great program to help with Lead Capture for your website, blog, or any other page you would like to use it on. I'm finding it VERY helpful with my other businesses. Check it out by filling out the form below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)