Blogging for Business

Are you scared to blog?  Are you wondering how blogging can help your business?  I will admit, I am not an expert BUT I do know as a result of blogging daily for over 4 years (OMG!) I have made a difference which is my purpose personally and in my business.

A simple challenge from Vanessa Coppes of ETTM, changed my life.  On those days I want to quit, I go back to the emails I received from readers and customers to see how something I shared has helped them.  Do I struggle some days finding a topic? YES!  Do I wonder if anyone actually reads them?  YES!  It is the occasional comment or message from a friend or reader which keeps me going, wanting to write more and share more.  I am always amazed how many people actually read my blog!  It is humbling to think people read AND share it with friends, family and team members.

The Sales MOMS Network actually did a story on “Blogging for Direct Sales“.  There are some great suggestions in there on how to get started if you are in direct sales and are considering blogging.  It can be a little scary at first but the benefits far outweigh the scare factor.  They also shared a blog on “The 7 Tips of Basic Blogging”.

I remember the first time Deb Bixler included my name in a tweet – I was shocked, honored and for those who know me – yes, I cried just a little but they were tears of joy.

I know my blog is all over the place.  I go from talking about my business to sharing personal health struggles to organizing tips and product spotlights.  I have heard pros and cons about the best way to blog – focused versus general.  Most days, my blogs are about what I need to hear and I hope some where along the way, it helps someone else.

Are you considering blogging?  What have you got to loose, right?  Will it give you instant business?  Probably not.  Will it help you to develop relationships?  Absolutely.  I know for me, it has changed my life.  It has helped me step just a little further out of my comfort zone by sharing sides of myself very few people know.  I LOVE helping others to grow – personally and professionally to be the best they can be.  Remember “You can’t fail if you don’t stop BEFORE you SUCCEED.” Wise words from Mary Christensen.

I challenge each of you to move the walls of your comfort zone so you can grow.  If it isn’t blogging, maybe it is picking up the phone and making calls. Or is it sharing the gift of your business with someone you don’t know?  Whatever the wall is – step beyond it and experience the greatest gift of all – overcoming your own personal FEAR.  I look forward to hearing about the walls you are moving – please share.  If you are blog or are starting a blog – share your link below so we can all check it out.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

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Why Train

Happy Friday!  “Why Should I Train?”  I have been asked this question by some seasoned consultants lately.  For some this may be a no-brainer.  I mean when you start a new job, there is training and an orientation process, right?  In a lot of corporate or non-profit jobs, there is on-going training to keep us up to date on what is going on in our field.  Why should it be any different when you are part of a direct sales company?

As a Leader, we train our team members to focus on booking parties and building relationships with their customers.  Believe it or not, training is not just for the newcomer – it for for EVERY level of your team (including yourself).  I am always reading, going to trainings and looking for more information to how to improve my business.  I LOVE to learn new skills so that I can share them with my team.  

 

What Training Can Do?  Developing skills will add value to those starting out with their direct selling business and thereafter.  When you train, make sure to focus on the critical areas that will help:

• Build team morale
• Grow the business
• Help people achieve their dreams.
• Increase confidence
• Increase knowledge of products and skills
• Motivate individuals and the team

I will be the first to admit that I sometimes struggle with training.  For some that may come as a shock but I have finally learned that I need to rely on others in the areas that I am not strong on for their expertise.

Is your business in a slump?  Are your parties boring or the same old thing?  Maybe it is time to check out some of these AMAZING trainers or business coaches who have helped me over the last year or so in my own business but also as a Leader:

• Mary Christensen
• JulieAnn Jones
• Mike Michalowicz
• Shari Hudspeth
• Vanessa Coppes

My NED, Hope Shortt, also challenged us to “re-qualify” for whatever out title was.  As a Director with Thirty One, that means recruiting and qualifying ($1000 in sales) 4 NEW consultants and meet the minimum qualifying requirements.  This challenge made me re-think how I approached my business.  I know that I say that a lot but the truth is I LOVE to keep things fresh and new.  Have you become comfortable in your “position” with your direct sales company?  What if you were to re-qualify for your current position?  Would that help you to refresh you business and GROW?

Share your favorite business mentors with us.  Do you think it is important to continue to train or do you think it is not important after you reach a certain level in your business and/ or direct sales company?  Let us hear from YOU.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Recruiting Tip

As we wind down the “Wonder What’s Possible” recruiting blitz at Thirty One, the crunch is on for all of us to grow our team.  At the same time, many of us our looking to earn additional perks from the company.  Who wouldn’t want to go to the Riviera Maya (all expenses paid) for the Leadership trip or to National Conference (FREE)?  Despite the fact that I would LOVE to earn all of these while growing my team, I am reminded that it isn’t all about me.

Over the weekend, I spent some time at a vendor event with a new recruit and a seasoned Thirty One consultant who is looking to “jump start” her business again.  During the course of the day, I wasn’t focused on me but on helping them to grow and learn.  WOW!  It really helped me to see that what I take the focus off of ME and my WANT, things happen.  It was so exciting to see their excitement in all that Thirty One has to offer.  As I gave them tips and encouraged them – I was reminded to “practice what I preach”.  As a result of “training” them, I was able to have one of the best vendor events that I have had in a long time.

Then this week, I came across some recruiting tips from Mary Christensen, “Be a A Recruiting Superstar” who I had the pleasure of hearing speak at my FIRST National Conference.

A sincere compliment is a winning conversation starter and you’ll sponsor more by making it all about your prospects. Think before you speak: “Why am I approaching this person to join my team?” and let them know it!
 To a customer who is always friendly: “Because you’re always so friendly. I feel good when I call you.” OR “You’re one of my favorite customers and I would love to work with you.”
 To a favorite host: “Your party was my best this month and it was definitely because you were a great host. We would be thrilled to have you on our team.” OR “I would love my other team members to meet you. We’re a fun group and you are exactly the kind of person we love joining us.”
 To a close friend or sibling: “Because I keep thinking how much fun it would be to work this together and maybe even get to travel together.”

So, I practiced this tip this week.  Did I immediately sign up everyone I talked to?  No!  The truth is that I have 1 who has committed to joining on payday and her launch party (Facebook style) will be on Saturday.  Another who is thinking about it – just for the discounts and maybe a party or two.  I still have TWO more home parties and another Facebook party this month – imagine what can happen.  I know that I sometimes miss cues at parties so I am being intentional about it but not CRAZY!  Taking the focus off of me and my wants while focusing on helping others.

What is YOUR best recruiting tip?  Will you share it with us? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 This SPECIAL ends on 3/15/14

 

 

 

Blogging Changes Lives

I know you are thinking – why is she talking about blogging AGAIN?  First, I can’t believe that I have been blogging daily for over 4 months.  Who would have thought a simple challenge from Vanessa Coppes of ETTM would get me obsessed with blogging?  Do I struggle some days finding a topic? YES!  Do I wonder if anyone actually reads them?  YES!  It is the occasional comment or message from a friend or reader that keeps me going, wanting to write more and share more.  I was surprised a National Conference at how many people actually read my blog!  It was humbling to think that people read AND shared it with friends, family and team members.

The Sales MOMS Network actually did a story on “Blogging for Direct Sales“.  There are some great suggestions in there on how to get started if you are in direct sales and are considering blogging.  It can be a little scary at first but the benefits far outweigh the scare factor.  The also shared a blog on “The 7 Tips of Basic Blogging”.

Another blog that I follow is by Women Living Well who shared how FIVE years of blogging had changed her life.  That is ALOT of blogging.  She shares how writing of other others in the blogging community has changed her – I can so relate to that.  I remember the first time that Deb Bixler included my name in a tweet – I was shocked, honored and for those that know me – yes, I cried just a little but they were tears of joy.

Looking for a way to get started – try the “The Editorial Checklist Planner”  by The House of Papier.  I had the chance to hear Melissa share at an ETTM meeting and she was AMAZING.  Her book is a BIG help for those of us who blog on a regular basis.  I tend to think of topics all of the time so this helps to keep me at least a little organized.  I mean who wants to read the same blogs all the time, right?

Are you considering blogging?  What have you got to loose, right?  Will it give you instant business?  Probably not.  Will it help you to develop relationships?  Absolutely.  I know for me, it has changed my life.  It has helped me step just a little further out of my comfort zone by sharing sides of myself that very few people know.  I LOVE helping others to grow – personally and professionally to be the best that they can be.  Remember “You can’t fail if you don’t stop BEFORE you SUCCEED.” Wise words from Mary Christensen.

I challenge each of you to move the walls of your comfort zone so that you can grow.  It it isn’t blogging, maybe it is picking up the phone and making calls. Or is it sharing the gift of your business with someone that you don’t know?  Whatever the wall is – step beyond it and experience the greatest gift of all – overcoming your own personal FEAR.  I look forward to hearing about the walls you are moving – please share.  If you are blog or are starting a blog – share that information below so we can all check it out.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.

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Is Your Heart Bursting?

Good Morning!  I have a question and you need to answer it HONESTLY – is your DREAM/GOAL big enough to make your heart burst?  A strange question, right?  Well, Mary Christensen asked us that question when she began talking on Super Thursday at Thirty One‘s National Conference.  If it isn’t, then we are putting qualifiers on our goals and dreams.  How many times have you thought about a goal for your business and then modified because you didn’t think you could do it?  Have you reduced your dreams to something that “others” would approve of or think is obtainable?  Have you given up your goals entirely because you have hit a valley in your business?

I know that I have done all of this at some time in the last year.  My dream (the one that makes my heart burst) is FIRST, for my family (hubby & I as well as Belinda) to have financial freedom and SECOND, to build a team with Thirty One that helps other women to grow in self-confidence while meeting their own personal and business goals.  In other words, my ultimate dream is to be an Senior Executive Director.  WOW, that is the first time I have said that!  I have put qualifiers on my goal though, wondering if I would be a good leader, if I was as good as or could be as good as other SED/NEDs or by just letting FEAR and DOUBT join my party.

TODAY, I am giving myself permission to succeed.  I am going to stay focused and not get distracted.  I am going stay focused because if I want this – truly want this – I can’t get distracted by all of the naysayers.  As Mary Christensen said, “I can’t fail if I don’t stop before I succeed”.  Set aside your fears and go back to the basics of your business for it is the basics that first got you to be successful in the first place.  If you are in direct sales – it is book, sell, recruit.  It can’t be much easier than that, right?

I challenge you to write down you DREAM – the one that makes your heart burst.  Pray on it and then let God take control.  Share your passion for your business.  Offer the opportunity to party to everyone and anyone.  DREAM BIG where the sky is the limit.

Here is a poem by Marianne Williamson called “Our Deepest Fear” that Mary read to us:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!