What’s Your PR Strategy?

When we talk about PR, what is the first thing you think about?  By definition, “public relations” is the professional maintenance of a favorable public image by a company or other organization or a famous person.  

For most in direct sales, we figure we are our company, right?  If someone knows the product, they know we sell it – done!  The truth is good PR will help you develop and grow relationships, being known as the “tops in your field”, and land on your feet quickly should you ever find yourself out of work (or your direct sales company closing their doors)..

It’s not about being a pushy sales person, it’s about being a person who people trust.  People buy from those they respect, trust and know.  It’s about people knowing YOU, what your stand for and who you are NOT just about the products you sell..

 

1. All PR is not good PR.

I know can you believe it!  I used to think as long as people were taking about me, good or bad, it was okay.  For celebrities, it might work.  I mean they get book deals and new TV shows, but it rarely works in the real world (our world).  Drama does not make for good business.   Not sure about something,  stay quiet until you get your facts straight. Be intentional about the image you present. Protect it. Polish it. Then, present it.

2. Communicate your wins consistently.

Businesses put out press releases. We should too. This is on my “to do” list for this fiscal year.  You can call them whatever you want BUT you have to communicate!   What better way to recruit new team members or gather customers than by sharing your success.  No, it isn’t bragging if you consistently communicate with people.  When I achieve a goal, I thank my customers because they are the reason I achieved it.   When you work for someone else, you keep them in the loop, right?  It is the same thing for your customers in direct sales.  Let them know how things are going then they never have to wonder if you are still in business.

3. Collaborate and celebrate others.

Being in direct sales, celebrating our accomplishments may feel like shameless self-promotion, right?  Focus on the relationships!  When you celebrate your wins and those of your team,  you are strengthening relationships, and building trust.  Did you honestly accomplish your goal on your own?  Chances are NO!  So build those connections which will help you to reach your goals, quickly and easily with the help of those around you.

4. Stay positive and share your business tips.

In direct sales, we want our communication to be intentional – sharing our progress and ideas.  The key is for others to know what you do is duplicatable.  I tell everyone my business is an open book.  Want to know something – ASK!  I don’t share gossip about others and I definitely will not be the one complaining online about the company I represent when I get frustrated. Stay positive on the outside even if you are fuming on the inside.  There is no better way to kill your business then by complaining about a problem to others.

5. Be kind. Be bold.

Nice is bland and often not even authentic.  Instead, focus on being kind and gracious to people. Tell the truth, but in a gentle and loving way when you tell it. Being arrogant, disrespectful, or obnoxious to get your point across could eventually cause you to lose customers and team members.  One of the top strengths of a good leader is love and compassion. To stand out, be bold in your own unique way. Leaders know when to take a stand instead of following the crowd.  The result will be,  soon the crowd—and the opportunities—will be following you.

What will your PR campaign look like during the next few months?  Share your ideas with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Super Summer Thirty One Shin-Dig

June is CRAZY busy….. end of the school year, graduations, Father’s Day, weddings, Christenings, baby showers, and of course birthdays and anniversaries.  Are you ready?  Do you have all of those gifts together?

In direct sales, June is one of those dreaded “J” months.  The story is “J” months are traditional bad for business.  Think about it – January is the month after Christmas so everyone is broke.  June is crazy busy who has time to shop.  In July, everyone is on vacation so the last thing they are thinking of is shopping or partying.  I am here to “debunk” the myth.  Over the years, June and July have been some of my best months.  Why?  Because Thirty One makes them AMAZING!

This June and July are no different….. They have introduced FIVE new prints for summer fun.  Check out these cute prints:

#1 – Did you know you could make some extra money with just 4 hours a week?  A little bit of work AND using some amazing products? Maybe you could pay off some bills? Or pay for the kids summer activities?  Maybe you just need some girl time?  Maybe you are looking for a career change?  Whatever your reason, I would love to help you reach your dream…For just $99, you get over $350 in FREE product.  You get to pick your print option to fit your mood or color palette.

  

PLUS with $600 in orders, every month for the first 4 months, you receive a 25% credit of your total sales as a business credit!  Say what??? It is our StartSwell program.  An opportunity to add more product or business supplies as needed.  So you earn 25% commission + 25% business credit and you get some great product in your enrollment kit.

PLUS with Thirty One’s NEW Marketplace, you can save 40% off your own purchase of products or use the discount in helping a local team or organization raise funds.

#2 – I get having a business is not on everyone’s to do list.  So why not host a girls get together? Sip some wine (or your favorite beverage), catch up with friends, shop and have fun.  When was the last time you hung out with the girls without the kids?  You supply the friends and I will do all of the work. No time for a home party…. Why not a Facebook party?  Fund and games while everyone gets to shop from the comfort of their own home.

With a $600 party (the average), you get $100 in FREE products, TWO half price items, and TWO hostess exclusives.  PLUS you can get this AMAZING hostess special – the Perfect Pairing Thermal Set for just $35.  It includes two wine cups, a cheese spreader and cutting board in an easy to carry thermal tote.  Retail value is $118 but it can be yours for just $35.  It comes in Patio Pop and the Charcoal Crosshatch.

#3 –  I get it, you don’t need extra money and parties aren’t your thing.  BUT you just LOVE to shop? So here is the AMAZING Thirty One Customer Special for June…

All SOLID Crosshatch Prints are 50% with a $35 purchase.  For each multiple of $35, you get to pick a product – any product in the solid crosshatch print.  From organizing products to travel items to thermals – you pick the product in one of these solid prints.  They make great Father’s Day gifts!

So, to sum things up…there are THREE opportunities with Thirty One this summer:

Which opportunity is for you? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Thank you Janet Kinkade the creator of JK by Thirty-One jewelry for today’s tips. Her ultimate passion is to inspire women and help them recognize their own beauty and potential. Read more on Janet’s blog, and follow her on Instagram!

I love how we set aside a whole day to honor and celebrate the women who raised us. My mom is an amazing mother. She is selfless yet strong – and the most beautiful woman I know!

Mother’s Day holds a special place in my heart because of my own daughter – Belinda.  I remember several Mother’s Days in the past, waking up to handmade gifts she had poured her hearts into making. These moments remind me motherhood is a gift and my favorite job of all despite the fact my “baby” is all grown up.

Thirty-One makes it so easy and fun to find the perfect gift for all of the special women in your life! Here are a few ideas for you:

Save the day with a fun and funny “New Mom Survival Kit”

New moms get so many gifts for baby, why not take this opportunity to put together a cute and creative gift just for her? Help ease her transition – and give her a little chuckle at the same time – with a sweet “survival kit” tucked into a reusable Zipper Pouch or Swap-It Pocket, along with a note explaining each item:

• A healthy snack to keep her energy up!
• Hand sanitizer so she stays healthy. (Moms can’t get sick!)
• Dry shampoo, because regular showers are a thing of the past.
• Yummy-smelling candle to help create calm when she needs some alone time.
• Snickers® bar and Laffy Taffy® to keep her sense of humor.
• Bag of marbles to replace the ones she’ll lose!
• Rubber bands to remind her that flexibility is key!

Take something off her plate with an all-in-one meal kit

You can pack an entire meal inside one of our gorgeous totes that Mom will love to use long after the meal is over! Put all the ingredients for a delicious dinner in a personalized Zip-Top Organizing Tote or Catch-All Bin – or in one of our new Summer Essentials like the Summer Fun Caddy or In the Clear Tote. You can even add some hand-painted soup bowls, a matching kitchen towel and potholder – and don’t forget a bottle of her favorite wine!

Why not try one of my family’s favorite meals: Taco Soup! Most of the ingredients are in cans, so it’s perfect for packing.

Taco Soup
Ingredients:
3 cans of beans (I mix red beans and black beans)
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can of whole kernel corn
1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 package of taco seasoning
1 package of ranch dressing mix
32 oz. of chicken broth
2 cups of cooked ground beef

Directions: Combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker, and cook on high for 4 hours. (You can cook on low for 8 hours, instead, if you’re going to be gone all day.)

Express your love and gratitude with custom home décor

If you’re looking for a personalized gift that will last long enough to become a family keepsake, look no further than our custom Statement Canvas Pillows, Statement Canvas Wall Art and wooden Close to Home Tray! These gifts can be a creative way to show off her Personality, talk about her Passions and inspire others with her Purpose as a mother. Check out our 3 Ps of Personalization for tips to make a beautiful gift for her home that she’ll always treasure!

Stay close to her heart with a mother’s necklace

Our new Charm Catcher Necklace is the perfect way to design Mom her very own meaningful – and wearable – keepsake! Create a beautiful piece of jewelry (moms LOVE jewelry!) that she can put on every day to remind her of all the joys of motherhood.

Start with our Charm Catcher Necklace in gold or silver tone, then add:

• Family Roots Keepsake Charm, because her family means everything
• Two-tone Wax Seal Charm that represents her number of children
• Round Initial Charm with the initial of the family’s last name
• A Celebration Birthstone Charm in her birth month, or those of her kids or grandkids

What special gift are you getting your mom?  Share it with us, we won’t tell…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

A Letter to Hope 2.0

As we close the month of February, I want to share one last thing in honor of International Boost Your Self-Esteem Month!

Remember you deserve to be happy, truly happy with a joy which comes from within.  Believe in yourself just as others believe in you.  See yourself through their eyes.  You are AWESOME. Feel it.  Believe it.  And know you deserve it.

I don’t know about you BUT I struggle with self-esteem – from the comparison game in my business to still seeing the 295 pound me instead of the new 175 pound me.  I practice visualizing, where you want to be every day, then take the steps to make it a reality.  It isn’t easy but I am determined to reach my goals even though they scare the HELL out of me!

Someone suggested I write a letter to the future me so I could see how far I have come.  It also helped me to visualize the future and how it feels to reach my goals.   Have you ever written a letter to future you?  Why not try it?  Make sure it contains positive affirmation of the goals you want to achieve.  Remember, the Law of Attraction?

Here is my letter to Hope 2.0 telling her how proud I was of all she has accomplished in her life:

Dear Hope 2.0:

I am so proud of all you have accomplished in the last 5 years:

• Your office  is organized.  I am glad you finally have a part-time assistant to help with the busy work.  The family room looks AMAZING.  I know your team loves hanging out with you and learning all of your great business tips.
• Where did you say your last cruise went to?  WOW!  I know hubby loves the fact you can take a vacation every year and you treat.  What a great way to say thank you to him for taking care of you every day.  Of course, those mini getaways are nice too.  You can never have enough of them.
• Your team has grown by over 100 girls.  Having hubby there when they celebrated your accomplishments on stage was the best part.  I know you cried because he never wanted to enter the pink bubble but he was so proud of you.  He finally sees your business as a business and the impact you are having on others.
• Your calendar is always full.  Your hostesses are scheduling their next party so they never miss out on getting on your calendar
• Your Annual Hostess Appreciation party has become the talk of the town.  In 5 years, it is the must attend end of the year event
• The many charities you have helped with your seasonal events for kids and families are a blessing.  Don’t forget the multiple fundraisers you hold every month.  Not only are you helping organizations find discretionary money but you are also helping people who are struggling. You never forget where you came from – a homeless, addict who just wanted to please everyone.  By remembering, you are able to encourage others
• You have inspired so many on your team to reach for their dreams, to overcome their inner gremlins and as a result their lives are changed forever
• Your willingness to share your office systems, your party ideas, presentations and even allow consultants to tag along with you whether they are on your team or not is a great example of a leader.

I want you to remember success is always within your reach.  There will be struggles but it simply means there are lessons to be learned.  Your  journey is yours alone but others can learn from it.  Comparison is not in the plan.

I am not there yet BUT I am on the road to being Hope 2.0.  I am not waiting for “when” or “if”, I am claiming the blessings NOW.  I have seen things change in my business since I did this exercise – thank you Eryka. Give it a chance, what have you got to loose.  You deserve to have all of the blessings waiting for you.  I can’t wait to celebrate your successes.

What about you?  What would your letter look like?  Share your thoughts with us…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Organizing with Thirty One

The new year is here and Thirty One has everything you will need to help you get organized this year.  I will be getting a sneak peak of the NEW Spring catalog on Saturday at Product Premiere.  It is always an exciting and fun time, connecting with my Thirty One sisters.  Yes, I squirreled…

Thirty One has been showing their appreciation for you, our customers since mid-December with Weekly Deals.  This is a NEW version of our annual Outlet Sale, the best part is NEW products are added every week.  Some are retired prints and products while others are currently prints and products which may (or may not) be available in the NEW Spring catalog.  Be sure to check them out.  The sale only lasts until January 14th.

I know, what does all of this have to do with organizing, right?  Well, this month we are introducing a NEW product from the Spring line-up: the Your Way Display Bin.  This bin lets you organize the rooms in your house or your closets, pantry or office space. The open design is short in the front and tall in the back for easy access and display. The side handles make carrying the bin and contents a breeze. It is  5″H (front)/7.5″H (back) x 15″W x 12.75″D, the best part is it can be personalized!   Check out the many uses…

Would you like help getting organized while earning FREE and discounted products?  Send me a snapshot (if you aren’t local) of the area you want to get organized, I will make some suggestions – options with and without Thirty One products.  We will schedule a 31-minute Facebook party to show you, your friends and your family how to get organized.  I will share solution sets and tips.  As friends and family place orders, you will be able to get organized with FREE and discounted products?  Easy, right?  I do all of the work and YOU reap the benefits!

As a hostess, you will also have the opportunity to purchase a Stand Tall Bundle which includes another NEW Spring product – the Medium Stand Tall Bin.

If you don’t like FREE stuff, then you can just shop.  Did you know it only takes 6 orders of at least $35 to get some FREE products?  No pressure!  You can shop the Weekly Deals and claim this month’s Customer Special with a $35 purchase…

Next week the Retirement List will be out as well as some sneak peaks of the NEW Spring catalog.  Don’t want to host your own party, join the fun as we “Get Organized” in my Facebook event.

Maybe you are stressing over the upcoming holiday bills or thought about getting a part-time job.  Why not try this “purse gig”?  Whether you are looking for some friendships/sisterhood, some me time or some extra money, Thirty One could be just what you are looking for.  This is a great time to join (believe it or not) as we ramp up for our 15th Anniversary Celebration.  You can earn money during the Weekly Deals, host online parties during the crazy cold weather and make your own hours.  There are currently TWO enrollment kits to pick from and a NEW one coming in the next week or so. Have questions?  ASK!  I’m happy to help you…

So, who is ready to get organized?  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!