I find it a tad amusing...

Kristy - posted on 04/26/2009

Stacy, you make a good point, I love working my own home business (in addition to my FT job) because I can do it from the comfort of my home, at my computer, playing on facebook.
1. I don't have any marketing advice as all we do it talk to ppl.
2. We have had many failures in other home based business though, my one bit of advice.... depend on yourself, and your own talents not your upline. Only you can make or break your business.
3. Our goal is to become debt free, which if very doable in the next 18 mos. I vow to continue to help others gain the same freedom and success.
4. Our company has one incentive, get 3 people enrolled, and you have the ability to max out the compensation plan. Yes it really is that simple!

I think finding a business you are passionate about is key. Your passion and excitement will attract others!!

Shelly - posted on 04/21/2009

I love Premier Designs because it allows me to work my own schedule. We get 50% of everything we sell that show and have no quotas to meet. I can skip working for months if I choose to do so there is no penalty for that. Our hostess earn 30% in free jewelry no matter how little there show is, the only requirment to count t as a home show is that it has to be $100, but if it isn't $100 we can still turn it in for the guests.

Kristin - posted on 04/15/2009

I think if you are excited about your product and you believe in it, the closing and "selling" just happens.  I'm not very familiar with the product you are selling you say you love it.  Do you have samples you've made?  Are you passionate about the product?  Have you made sure you are 100% educated about the product and the possiblities it/they provide?  I really believe in not being pushy.  If you're passionate and educated about the product it will rub off and remember, it may not be for everyone the first time, but keep good records of people who seemed interested, but not ready to commit right at that moment to buying, but keep them in touch with special promotions or deals.  Also, a checklist for them to fill out is helpful and I find it's not pushy.  Have a checklist for them to fill out while you're "closing" with others (I DEFINATELY recommend closing one on one, it only takes a few seconds, but gives everyone personal attention and lets you better know them).  The checklist could ask things like, "What did you like best about the product", "What would hold you back from bringing the product home today" etc.  then you can better acertain why the individual isn't wanting to purchase the item today.  It allows you to open dialouge.  And, if it's price (which today it mostly is if you have an awesome product), maybe there are ways you can help...can she/he host a party to get some free items, is there a smaller option to begin with ?  etc.  Hope this helps at all.  I have a lot more ideas, but I don't want to write a book here.

Kristin - posted on 04/15/2009

I'm new to this forum, but I can tell you why I love what I do.  I am a Mary Kay beauty consultant, and yes, I am also a teacher.  I love what I do because the supplemental income allows me to do things with my children I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.  When I began my DM career I agreed that it was going to be simply supplemental...so after paying for expenses, I now put all the money I make in a separate "account" (jar) and that money is saved for things such as special outings, equipment that is needed for my son's activities, etc.  Every year since I began 100% of my Christmas purchases have come from Mary Kay. 

I also love that I can plan to do more facials/classes if I want to or do less when need be.  Also, if I don't want to go out of the house I can either do classes or facials here at my home, or because I've built up my clientele, I can have a web-based sale or promotion.

I'm sure that this could be possible for most direct sales companies.  I'm thrilled I chose to become a consultant and I know I did it differently than many people, but I put out ZERO money up front.  I did NOT buy any inventory.  I told my director I was not willing to take one dime from my son's groceries or gas (because at the time I was totally living paycheck to paycheck).  I signed my agreement, bought the $100 start up kit (I had just received a bonus at work which paid for that) and I started booking.  I bought as I sold and for the first 3 months put all the money I made back into inventory and built my business up this way.  To this day I do not spend any money I don't make on anything Mary Kay related.  If I want to go to Seminar or to a conference, I look to the jar and use that money. 

I'm sure it was more difficult to do it this way, although I wouldn't know because it's the ONLY way I did it, but it is the only way to be assured that 100% of your profit is truly profit. I will say this as well...I know without a doubt, I am in complete control of my DM career.  If I wanted to take it to the top and become a director I could, if I want to make $3000 a month I can (and have), but I typically make a profit of approximately $700 a month and that's great for me.  That's another wonderful thing about Mary Kay (and I'd assume most other DM sales), what you want out of it is directly correlated to the work you put out.

I also am a goal hog.  I simply cannot make a goal and not meet it.  So that is fun for me.  I love the feeling I get when my director has a contest and I set the goal to achieve it and make it.  Most of the time (sorry director!) I could care less about the actual prize.  It's the fact that I MEET THE GOAL.  I get soooooo excited!  It's  a wonderful sense of fulfillment.

I hope this gave some ideas to people whom are considering DM sales as a career or 2nd career.  Good luck to all of you!

Martha - posted on 04/14/2009

Hi Stacy,

I also am new to this group and was hoping to brainstorm with like minded people. I am fairly new to DS and could use all the help I can get as well as maybe helping someone else. I just posted yesterday asking for any tips on online marketing and have had no replies so far. Like you say we all have our own DS businesses and are probably not looking to get into something else.

I think you need to really believe in and love what you are trying to market, others have mentioned that as well. People will feed off of your enthusiasm. I am a Heritage Makers consultant and right now am busy creating my own photo / storybooks to make my workshops more personal, when guests see my photos in the books, posters etc.

One of my biggest hurdles is closing. You mentioned feeling guitly about and wanting to apologize for sharing your business. I get like that too. I am not quite sure how to overcome that. I also think that DS has been given a bad rap and people sometimes think negatively about it which at first made me almost embarrased about what I was doing. Our company held a regional meeting which I attended and that helped me to feel better about what I was doing.

I find the "selling" the hard part and maybe I think about it too much instead of just trying to make conversation with people and see where it goes from there.

Sorry this has become a long message. Hopefully there are enough of us who feel this way and that we will see more helpful information. Here's an idea - maybe a few of us could research some successful marketing ideas, party ideas, anything and post for everyone's benefit. Let's throw lots of ideas out there for each other! 

Sarah - posted on 04/13/2009

bravo!

i am an independent consultant and area manager with arbonne international. there...

please visit my profile if you would like a little background.

it's hard. network marketing is hard. you constantly have to take a breath and swallow the fear of picking up the phone or in my case my fear is the follow up. i have found that networking sites like plaxo, linkedin, etc have been very helpful.

your warm market gets old really fast. one has to be able to reach out and talk with the gals behind the counters, in line at the mobile phone store, sitting next to you in the nail salon.

you have to give of yourself. ask them about them. LISTEN. bite your tongue and ask them another question about THEM.

love them for exactly where they are,

love you,

sarah

Sarah - posted on 04/13/2009

bravo!

i am an independent consultant and area manager with arbonne international. there...

please visit my profile if you would like a little background.

it's hard. network marketing is hard. you constantly have to take a breath and swallow the fear of picking up the phone or in my case my fear is the follow up. i have found that networking sites like plaxo, linkedin, etc have been very helpful.

your warm market gets old really fast. one has to be able to reach out and talk with the gals behind the counters, in line at the mobile phone store, sitting next to you in the nail salon.

you have to give of yourself. ask them about them. LISTEN. bite your tongue and ask them another question about THEM.

love them for exactly where they are,

love you,

sarah

Anita - posted on 04/13/2009

I just joined this group. I have been successful in DS for over 3 years. I'm looking at these communities and everyone seems to want to work from home, but not really. They are looking for data entry jobs basically.  Then there are posts that make them think there aren't sales, scheduling or sponsoring? I can see why people are concerned. My best advice is people will join you when they know, trust and like you. Also, to find a company that has a proven track record for 10 years or more and duplicate successful people. Don't reinvent. There are lots of companies that offer great coaching and duplication for those serious about making extra money or replacing their income. I love educating people on using results oriented products that are pure, safe and beneficial. I love teaching others how to build their own business and create the income or lifestyle they want.  I love not waking up to an alarm clock and working around 3 great kids. It is a balance that you have to create. I sure don't miss my old 60 hour work weeks! Do the activity that is shared from those making money and don't tie yourself to the outcome or be lead by emotions.    

Elizabeth - posted on 04/13/2009

I just want to get in on the whole economy thing. I have not had a party booked since December! I sell lia sophia jewelry. It is beautiful, high quality jewelry at an affordable price. It has a lifetime guarantee as well! I have been on the phone calling people, sending emails, hosting open houses, sending post cards, anything and everything I can think of to get people to book. Every time I talk to someone they say, we just don't have the money right now. I tell them that as the hostess they don't have to buy anything. They are guaranteed 20% of their show sales in free jewelry (as long as the show total is over $250). Then I get, well my friends won't come because they don't have the money! I'm getting very discouraged. Any suggestions out there?

Marianne - posted on 04/11/2009

Stacy and the rest of you that replyed. Bravo! Thank you for posting this.

Terri - posted on 04/11/2009

I sell Xocai Healthy Chocolate it is a wonderful cold pressed cocoa with acai berry in it a lady in my upline has been doing the chocolate and has lupus she is off of 3 of the medicines, others have gone down in their insulin intake, some have been taken off of the blood pressure medicines, even dentist have taken to this healthy chocolate, in fact they are letting parents know about it and saying have your children brush and then eat some chocolate well he says that because the chocolate helps with gingavitis, and cavaties it is wonderful to see people healthier and to be taken off of some of their medicines.  Now it's not a miracle worker their is only one person who is but it does help this is a wonderful dark chocolate I have been in this business for about 4 weeks and I do like the choclate but having problems getting leads I really want to learn more about how others do their businesses online.

Amy - posted on 04/11/2009

I feel you should talk about your business and tell everyone why you love to sell what you sell, but also share what knowledge you have learned from doing direct sales with everyone in the industry regardless of the company. This is what I was hoping to see in this group.  It seems that the majority of what I'm seeing is people soliciting their business.  When I joined this group I thought that I was going be able to share or find ideas that I may not have thought of. Different ways to find new contacts, the best games to play at gatherings, mistakes people made ect.....  I thought with the diversity of many direct selling companies that there would be a great mix of ideas to share...Let's hope this will change things alittle....Thank you again Stacy for bringing to peoples attention

Sharon - posted on 04/07/2009

I agree. When I signed up to join this group I was looking for other pampered chef consultants to talk to. It would be nice to have some discussions as you mention above. Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention.

Jennifer - posted on 04/07/2009

I've actually been quite lucky in the fact that hobbies are booming right now. I'm finding that people may not be spending as much money going out to dinner, to the movies etc., but they are staying home and doing things they love to do. I've actually seen an increase in my customer base since the recession started. More people are turning to homemade gifts and crafty ideas instead of buying something from the store when they need a gift. I've also found that more and more people are looking to buy handmade gifts or cards as well. I've found it quite successful selling cards recently and when people order it's usually a dozen at a time.



Now my customers may not be spending as much each time as they used to, but the increase in my customer base has kept me going along at a steady rate.



My sister on the other hand was told last month that her direct sales business was going under and they were stopping the At Home division. So she's at the exact opposite of the spectrum.

Stacy - posted on 04/07/2009

I remember when I had time to scrapbook! That would be a fun party. Even when you don't know the people you're scrapping with, you have a common bond, and it's just so much fun!

Dierdre and Jennifer, have you had any hurdles recently with people not wanting to spend money? Has that nasty "E" word come up a lot when trying to find customers? (you know 'with the way the economy is...." blah blah)

I was telling my upline yesterday- it's not the economy that's stopping people from buying products, it's their priorities. People are still spending money, they're just dumping it all into Walmart's pockets. Why go to a big box store and buy something cheap that's only going to last a week, and give money away to people who live far away in their mansions, giving themselves bonuses and not taking care of their employees?

I think a lot of people don't understand that buying from direct sales businesses is keeping the money LOCAL. It's also supporting the community. My profits stay here. And most direct sales companies are SO customer oriented that they'll stand behind their products no matter what. I know my company has a LIFETIME guarantee on all the toys we sell. 

No matter what people say about recession or economy, people are still going to buy toys for their kids, lotion for their face, and they're still going to be investing in their hobbies. There's no need to go to an inferior product- host a party, introduce your friends to the great opportunities and items available and earn your shopping list for free!

LOL I've been on the phone WAY too much today trying to get some more April parties booked. :) Can you tell?

Jennifer - posted on 04/07/2009

I love what I do because I can brighten someone's day just by sending a card in the mail. I also love being able to preserve my families memories and I have fun doing that. What I love most are the friendships I have established just by sharing my love of paper crafting. It's amazing how a room full of women who don't know each other can bond and become friends over paper, ink and rubber stamps. Being with Stampin' Up! gives me an outlet to be creative, stay at home with my kids and yet not feel completely isolated at home because I have been able to establish a network of friends both online and in real life.



I guess I am lucky in that my husband completely supports what I do. When I'm feeling burnt out he helps me look at things in a different light. Sometimes I focus on workshops, other times it may be classes or sometimes I simply just focus on selling completed cards and projects or even just getting paid to have them published in magazines. It's nice having flexiblity to do things the way I want to do them.

Stacy - posted on 04/06/2009

Dierdre, I sent you a personal message!

Deirdre - posted on 04/06/2009

OK I'm intrigued.  I want to get my kids out from in front of the TV.  Since I am trying to make the most of this business I want them to have some things that will occupy them much the way TV does.  In other words something they can do, without my help, for 1 to 2 hours at a time.  Do you have anything like that? My kids will be 4 years and 2 years old in may (girl 4 boy 2).  Let me know thanks.  I'd love to support your business.

Stacy - posted on 04/06/2009

Oh absolutely, I agree with you. We need to learn to be able to deliver our business name/service without boring people. You know, I really got into this to build relationships with people. That's why I have always struggled with wanting to apologize to people for sharing my business with others. It's funny- I have felt guilty for wanting to share amazing, educational toys with mothers, when I KNOW the benefit children have when they aren't sitting in front of a tv or a game console. I have also learned how to overcome the hurdle of having a husband who does not support my direct sales business. (Ok, I'm learnING how. :) ) It's hard when I get so pumped up and excited and all he does is find the negatives. It's funny because he honestly thought that direct sales businesses are the same as pyramid schemes and other businesses where you only make money on recruiting. Granted, I'd make MORE money if I had a huge team, but you know what? I'm making more money than I thought I'd ever make in this business, just by getting out and selling toys! I love playing and getting paid for it. :)

Deirdre - posted on 04/06/2009

Wondefrul.  I just posted something similar to another group that I thought would offer support and sharing of success stories.  I just started DS with Arbonne International in January of this year.  I love them and I love their products.  I've learned so much about running my own business and hope to soon be like you and not working for anyone else but ME.  It's like you learn something new every day and they are practical things that apply in life as well.  I was just talking to my sponsor telling her how I've learned to "ask for what I want" and Arbonne taught me that. Prior to that lesson I would talk myself out of asking for things/favors from others.  I'd feel that I was imposing on others but then I would be stuck and I'd be the miserable one.  I love that lesson and I am looking forward to learning more.  I also learned over this past weekend how to POP my business.  Sam Horn, a speaker at an event in VA this w/e, said you should have a 7 word or less way to describe what you do.  "Provide pure, safe, beneficial personal care products".  She also said that when someone asks you what you do you should ask them a meaningful question that will get you free information.  IE "have you or anyone you know ever had a catscan?"  Yes. "Well I provide the service to the machines used for the catscan".  She said the meaningful question helps people to have an understanding of what you do and it eliminates you being too verbose about your job.  Those are just a few things I've learned. What about you?