Catalog Changes

This past weekend was Thirty One’s Fall Premiere.  For those in direct sales, you know that the introduction of NEWNESS creates a lot of excitement.  You are eager to share the catalog with friends, family and customers.  You want everyone to be excited so that YOU can fill your calendar.  Well, that is great if the catalog starts in the next few weeks.  What happens if you get a sneak peak in June and the catalog doesn’t start until August 1st?

As a hobbyist, I was one of those people who wrote off June and July and eagerly shared the new catalog.  I didn’t have a plan on how to get through June and July, I was just pushing for the Fall.  I mean my customers have seen the same catalog for the last several months and they were ready for something fresh.  When I did that, sales were down.  Could I have expected anything more?

I am blessed to be a part of an AMAZING team with Thirty One.  As a result, we banded together with our fearless leader, Hope Shortt, pulling it all together to create the Damage Control Campaign.  It was a great way to help new consultants but also those who would consider themselves “seasoned”.  In short, it was daily emails with a variety of videos and tips from the leadership team on how to make the most of the summer season.  It’s crucial to set GOALS and have a plan.  This way we can kick off an AMAZING Fall and holiday season.

Here are some of the tips:

• Use Customer Care Card or Door Prize Slips to secure bookings and leads at events.
• Use Hostess Stacking and booking games at parties.
• Use games to keep the party fun and help to fill your calendar. To keep your business growing, your goal should be at least 2 bookings from every party or event.
• Build strong relationships with customers and hostesses. Communication before, during and after the party is the key that builds trust and begins building a solid relationship.
• Think outside the box of a home party in July. Everyone is on the go, so, why not take your party on the go? From a backyard bbq, an afternoon at the park with your girlfriends and the kiddos, a pool party, the beach, a night out with girls, and traveling with friends and family.
• Knowing what is available, and what is coming in the following month helps to build consistency. It encourages conversations with potential hostesses.  It allows you to have a one on one conversation,  making them feel special because you are providing them with a sneak peek of the upcoming hostess and customer specials.
• We all want to keep our July booked and busy even though our customers are going to want to get their hands on that new catalog.   Offer a fun enticing way to get them to book in July. Give your hostesses the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the new fall catalog at their party in July.
• July is a great month to offer last chance opportunities for the current catalog. Last chance/ first glance parties.  These give your customers a chance to purchase retiring product as well as get a glimpse of the NEW items. Encourage your hostesses or customers to plan parties or purchase early in the month, as items begin to sell out closer to the end of the month.

So, what is YOUR best tip for keeping your calendar full during a catalog change?  Share your tips with us.

Have ThirtyOne-derful day!