Get Rid Of Clutter AND Make Cash

The kids are out of school and what better time to clear out the clutter and make some money.  You have the kids to help and what better enticement for them then the chance to earn some money, right?  The trick is getting it done right.

I know you are already stressing about the amount of work, right?  I have several piles going in the garage with stuff I would like to sell BUT the reality is, it never happens.  Then it gets donated to church rummage sale or to the local thrift store.  The thing is, I didn’t get rid of the clutter, I simply moved it to another part of the house.  Not making any money and creating more of a mess in the garage.   I have finally faced the facts – I don’t have the time nor the energy to do a yard sale, sell on ebay (been there done it and it was a pain!) so I just donate to a good local cause.  If this is you, it is okay for admit it – it is the first step to getting rid of the clutter.

If you are going to have  sale –  pick a date (several months from now) how about just before the kids go back to school.  This way they will  have some of their own money to shop with, sound good?  This gives you a goal.

Now, set up several boxes to collect items for the sale.  Plastic tubs are the best because they keep the bugs out while you are decluttering.  I prefer boxes so whatever doesn’t sell can just go to a local cause.  BUT if you are going to save things to sell at the next one……..plastic is the way to go.

Okay, you have decided to have a sale, gathered your items and now comes the tough party – PRICING!  We have heard the tales of those who make thousands while most of us scrape by with a hundred or so (more if we are lucky), the key is finding way to price which works for you.

I like the color dot idea because you can grab them at the dollar store and it takes the stress of out individually pricing things.  Create a poster with a key showing what each dot means, price wise, such as a green dots equal one quarter, yellow dots are fifty cents, blue dots are a dollar, etc. The advantage of this method is, it is easy to slash prices at the end of the day, since you can just change the key for what the dots mean.  If you want, you can add these sticker to the item as you go through your home decluttering, so you don’t have to have a marathon session for pricing right before the sale.

The key to a successful sale or event is advertising.  I can’t tell you how many “garage sale” signs I pass and the information is so small you can hardly read it.  Either make bigger signs OR use arrows.  I actually found an amazing sale with just arrows pointing at every corner on the “garage sale” sign.  It was tucked away but people were finding it because of the signs.  Okay, enough of my soap box.  LOL

Try to coordinate with other families in your neighborhood, if possible, to all have your sales on the same day. The more sales, the more people will come to all of them. This will also help you commit to a deadline for your sale, since others are also participating, which can be a good motivation factor.

Now, spread the word far and wide. Some of my favorite inexpensive methods include ads on Craigslist, large colorful signs on major roadways, and notices on community noticeboards, such as in your local grocery store.  If you do a community yard sale, maybe invest in a classified ad in the newspaper.  Social media is huge so they will get you some customers too BUT don’t rely on just it for your foot traffic.  .

The key to keeping your sanity during all of this is be organized about the process. I know it sounds crazy because if you were organized – you wouldn’t need to de-clutter and have a sale, right?

During the whole process keep your two goals in mind as you prepare: #1 – make some money, and #2 – get rid of clutter.

You won’t be able to do a sale on your own and it is more fun, if you enlist helpers for the day. Give each helper a specific task, including directing crowds, answering questions, making sales, and taking payments. You may also want someone to help with entertainment, such as keeping nice music going, passing out (or selling) refreshments, etc.  Having some cold water or cookies are always a good way to make some quick sales AND get the kids involved.Make sure you  have lots of small bills and change.

Part of the fun of garage sales for those buying is scoring a deal and bargaining. Be ready to haggle and cut deals, since your goal is to get this stuff out of your home. Throw in freebies, or buy one get one half of deals, anything to get the stuff out of your home.  Don’t wait till the end of the day to haggle – be willing to do it all day long.

The truth is, you won’t sell everything.  Make arrangements for a charity to come pick up the rest, or drop it off yourself directly from your lawn at the end of the sale to the charity of your choice.  Remember we are clearing clutter!

A long post but hopefully a helpful one!  Share your best garage/yard sale tips with us.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

 

Goodie Bags

What comes to mind when you think of “goodie bags”?  Do you have visions of cello bags filled with candy?  I remember growing up, every party had a goodie bag – something for the guests to take home to remember the fun they had at the party.  Or if you are in direct sales, maybe you think of the bags you give out to potential customers.  Goodie bags are a great what to share your business with some chocolates or other treats.

Gift bags have become an important part of every milestone – baby showers, bridal showers, Sweet 16 parties, weddings, retirement, graduation and the list goes on, right?  We are always trying to figure out what to put in them especially in these days of food allergies and political correctness.  Why not reach out to your favorite direct sellers and ask them for samples?  Interesting thought right?

Almost every business has samples of some kind that they would love to share with your friends and family.  From samples of soap, nail decor, perfume, lipstick, candy, bookmarks, coloring sheets, etc.  Business people LOVE the free advertising and as “Hosts”, we love the opportunity to save money.  If you are in a business where samples are not available,you can print out bookmarks, recipe cards, candy wrappers, gift bag tags, shopping lists, chore charts, etc all with pretty designs on them along with your business card and a coupon.  Depending on the party or event, would determine what would be donated.

Do one of these special events happen in the next few months while we are in the midst of the busiest season of the year?  Why not make those goodie bags a little more special with a reusable bag.  These festive holiday bags are by Thirty One! Available for a limited time only, each set includes one large pouch and one small pouch, each with a drawstring closure. Large Approx. 15 ¼”H x 13 ½”L Small Approx. 7 ¾”H x 6 ¾”L.  The best part, they are only $5 for the set!

So reach out to your friends in direct sales, help them to promote their business while putting together some unique goodie bags.

I do a goodie bag for kids that includes a coloring sheet, a few crayons, my business card and a mini catalog.  See a mom struggling with a fussy child, share the goodie bag with them.  What fussy child is not quieted by a colorful bag to play with?

What is your next event, you will need a goodie bag for?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day

Are You a Walking Billboard

In direct sales, we are always looking for NEW customers.  We want NEW people to share our AMAZING product with and who will be our future customers and hostesses.  That has been the focus this week, right?

Let me ask you, are you a walking billboard of your business?  I have to admit when people first see me, 99% of the time, they know that I am a Thirty One consultant.  HOW?  I am usually wearing a Thirty One shirt and I am ALWAYS carrying at least one of our awesome products.  I mean what kind of business person would I be if I carried a Coach bag but sold Thirty One.

Alright, no hate mail because I know there are some people who do carry other purses.  I have to admit that I have considered it on occasion. I mean one year, hubby bought me TWO Vera Bradley bags.  It was when I was running my business like a hobby.  I felt so bad but I never used them.  Even though my business was just a hobby at the time, I felt like I was being unfaithful.

So, where is all of this leading..

You are your best marketing tool.  

Whenever you step foot outside you are also out advertising your business.  Use/wear your products in possible whenever possible.

I have a woman on my team who was struggling with booking parties and getting sales.  She told me about her extensive collection of Thirty One bags and how much she loved them.  Every time I saw her, she was carrying a different purse and was not using any of her extensive collection.  I repeated talked to her about how she was sabotaging her business.  For months she resisted and then one day she decided to try it.  Guess what?  She booked 3 parties and had several people interested in her Thirty One business.

Let’s be honest, if you had a storefront – you would advertise, right?  If you had a new business, you would tell the world, right?  If you found a new restaurant that you love, you would tell everyone, right? So why are we hesitant to tell people about our business?

As you go to those new places to meet new people, use your products and wear a shirt that advertises YOUR business.  The truth is unless I am going to a professional meeting, I can usually be found wearing a Thirty One tee shirt.  At those professional meetings, I am usually wearing jewelry that relates back to my business whether it is my Oragami Owl locket or my Pandora bracelet.  Everything this I do tells a story about the gift that Thirty One has been to my life.  You will NEVER find me with a bag other than Thirty One whether I am going to the grocery store, shopping or just out to lunch with friends.

So, are you a walking billboard for YOUR business?

Have  a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#partywithHope #marketing #findingcustomers #advertising #thirtyone #HOPE