A Plan Comes Together

I LOVE when a plan comes together!  That is God’s plan, not mine.  This is week 2 of my new system and it WORKS!  Okay, you can laugh if you want but the lights are flashing….

So in addition to effectively using my tickler file to keep track of things to do… I have actually been picking up the phone when I am in my office.  I have to admit, I stumble a little especially with those people who I haven’t talked to in months – it is okay.  My call is focused on sharing the new catalog PLUS asking if they are interested in having a “girl’s night out”.  I know that there is probably a better way to approach the subject but it is a work in progress.  The fact that I don’t stutter when I actually get a real person is amazing to me!  I am half way through the 100 NO Challenge and have booked parties!

At the same time, I have been posting a little smarter on Facebook, Twitter (a default from Facebook), Linked In and even a little bit on Google+.   What does that mean?  First of all timing is key.  Have you noticed how many likes you get on a status update depending on the time of day?  Facebook makes me crazy since I only see limited amounts of what people post in my news feed.  If that happens to me, I am sure that it is happening to my customers and friends.  If it is something that I really want someone to see – I tag them.  Now that doesn’t mean that every post has a tag just the ones that really make me think of the other person. As a result, fundraisers and parties are coming together.  A month that was slow has picked up because I am being intentional.

Snail mail!  Love it or hate it!  I am the corny person that sends “happy mail” to my team, my hostesses and occasionally my customers.  Who doesn’t like getting something besides a bill in the mail?  My goal is to put a smile on someone’s face while I am sharing the gift of Thirty One.  No, I am not hawking items to sell, just sharing the wonderfulness that is Thirty One.

My paper planner has lots of notes with things to do while my electronic calendar holds my meetings and appointments.  Scheduling office time at varying hours and sticking to them is making a world of difference in my business.  Who would have thought that people would actually be willing to talk at 7PM at night.  Thank you Maggie for sharing your business tip.  I have watched your Beauty Control business ROCK with your consistent follow-up for 1 hour every night.  I may not make it every night but at least one night a week is making a difference.

I am not sure that I had a plan but I asked God for help in my business… what I got was some determination and my passion back.  Things may not be happening in my time frame or the way I want BUT they are happening.  Moving in a positive direction.

What small change have you made in YOUR business that has proved successful?  Share it with us..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Is being Self Employed On YOUR New Year Wish List

Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss?  According to “theselfemployed.com“, there is a list of 55 reasons it’s better to employ yourself but these are just a few of mine:

1. Set your own hours.
2. Opportunity to make unlimited income.
3. Can work from home.
4. Can work literally anywhere.
5. Are able to put family priorities first.
6. You don’t just work for a paycheck.
7. Able to do something you are passionate about.
8. Can work in your pajamas if you want to.
9. Take vacation or sick time whenever you need to.
10. In today’s economy, being self-employed can have more job security than a traditional job.
11. True flexibility in everything you do.
12. Work doesn’t feel like work.
13. Every day can feel like an adventure.
14. Only you need to believe in yourself. You don’t have to sell your ideas or vision to higher-ups.
15. You can set up your office however you want.
16. You are not limited to the money you earn each paycheck.
17. Every day is like a new challenge – a chance to grow as a person.
18. You will be able to spend more quality time with your family.
19. You can take control of your own personal and career development.
20. The more you put into your business, the more you will get out of it.
21. You will have more freedom to work, play or rest when you want to.
22. Being self-employed is the ultimate DIY project.
23. You can be yourself.
24. Get to meet new people that you might not have in a typical job environment.

For some, direct sales may be the answer to your self-employment goal.  For $99, the Thirty One enrollment kit changed my life.  It not only allowed me to make my own hours, it helped me to find a confidence in me that I had lost so many years ago.  When I am doing a home party with Thirty One, I am not “Belinda’s mom” or “Rob’s wife” or “Joan’s daughter” – I am “Hope, Thirty One Director and bag lady”.  I love all of my roles as wife, mom and daughter but I also love that I have my own identity too.  Did it start off that way?  No, I wanted the discounts (25%) and maybe to make some extra money.  It is so much more than just a purse.  

Thirty One may not be for you but it may be for someone you know. Share this link with them giving them the opportunity.  If your passion isn’t bags, try some of the other wonderful direct sales companies around – Mary Kay or Beauty Control or Dove Chocolate.

Share with us your reason for wanting to be self-employed..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Is Your Office Mobile

What is the first thing you think of when we talk about “mobile offices”?  Some will say social media, cell phones and email while there are some of us that still think about carrying catalogs, forms, etc in our purses/cars.  You remember, the old days when you had a box of business cards, order forms, catalogs and anything else you might need to give to a potential customer when you are out and about in your trunk.  Of course, there are always those famous out and about bags that we carry in our purse when it is not convenient to get to the car, right?

In today’s digital world, there are many ways to be mobile-friendly.  An article on the Direct Sales Education Foundation shared some tips on how to be mobile friendly in a cost effective way.  If you are in direct sales, we have been bombarded with training and information on this.  Some of us are a little slower than others (count me in this group).  Here are two that stood out for me:

• Limit what you ask for.  WOW!  I love to gather information on people with the intention of using it later to connect with them.  Sometimes, less is more.  When you meet someone and give them YOUR company information, all you really need is their name, their email address and their phone number (if they are willing to give it).  I have found that most people will share their email before they will share their phone number.
• Offer text message coupons and reminders.  Thank you Jason Dorsey for this lesson at National Conference.  To say the least, I am not there yet but I am working on it.  I need to learn an easy way to send the same message to several of my contacts without it being a mass message AND without it taking me hours to type and send.

For those of us who are old school, we have a mobile office in our car.  Thirty One has two options depending on your business – the Super Organizing Tote (on the left) and the Organizing Utility Tote (on the right).  Both have 7 outside pockets for carrying all those extras.  The Super is taller and has a zipper closure.

  This is MY mobile office which is always in my car except when I am refilling it.  It is the Organizing Utility tote with a Fold n File which is great for my hanging files.  I always have a hostess packet, fabric swatches, personalization swatches, catalogs, order forms and current monthly specials with me.  You never want to be unprepared, right?  Maggie from Beauty Control began using this mobile office about 2 months ago.  It has saved her at least TWICE when she headed to a party and forgot some of her paperwork.  What a great feeling to get a text that tells me that I “saved” her party.

There are many other uses for both of these products so what if you don’t need a mobile office.?  How about: diaper bag, overnight bag, gym bag, quick trip to the grocery store, travel bag, car organizer, snack bag…..what would YOU use these bags for? We would love to hear from you…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#hope