Facebook and Direct Selling

Last week, I got a call  from Thirty One’s Home Office. I was excited to hear from them but was curious as to why they would be calling me.  No major “events” in my business world – that I knew of.  Then she very nicely said “This is part of our random Facebook audit”.  My heard sank.  I was about to get my hand slapped.  I was starting to feel ashamed that as a Director, I didn’t know the Facebook rules.  She was WONDERFUL!

She reassured me that 99% of my posts were right on and she even complimented me on pictures, enticing posts, etc.  This was not a hand slap, this was a “teachable moment”.  I am so grateful for a company that reaches out to their consultants to teach them instead of scolding them for an honest mistake.  I added ONE sentence to my recent post that totally threw up a red flag “Orders must be submitted by 4/20/2014”.  Those 5 words with a date was considered a solicitation for business.  WOW!  I really just wanted people to think ahead.  The other “flag” was the banner on my “closed VIP group”.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that the whole world can see my banner.  I know, I should be more up on the tech side of things but I am “old”.  Or so I tell everyone.  I truly believed that if it was a closed group – only the people who I invited could see the banner.

So, here are some tips for using Facebook to encourage sales for YOUR direct sales company….

• Personal success stories – I LOVE to share with everyone who will listen about the wonderful things that Thirty One does for us as consultants.  Yes, I blog about them but I often forget to take pictures of them to share on my Facebook page.  Want to encourage potential recruits, show them what they can get –  FREE gifts, trips, products, etc.  OR show them what the additional income has done for you in the way of buying things.  Did it help pay for your child’s activities – take and picture and tell the world.

• Show them – Show people how YOU and your CUSTOMERS are using your products. I use my products all of the time but I always forget to take a picture.  I need to get better at the camera and posting thing.

• Tips and How to’s – I use my blog for this kind of posting.  Occasionally on Facebook but I figure my blog posts on Facebook so if customers are interested in the tips, they will read my blog.  Remind that if you are only posting about product sales, free giveaways, or anything else that can annoy your followers, STOP. People don’t care!

Are you not using Facebook this way?  It’s not the end of the world. Facebook isn’t the end all to be all for promoting or marketing your business.  Are you getting ready to post something – Think about how you would feel if you were in the other person’s shoes and take it from there. Do you see other direct sellers posts and just ignore them?  Then why would you do that to your followers.

Have any suggestions to add. Why not share them?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

MOMS ARE GREAT AT BUSINESS

I came across this blog on mydirectsellingblog.com which I thought would be helpful for those Moms who think they are NOT cut out for business.  Here are 6 characteristics that make moms great at business.

1. Ability to Multi-Task
Few groups on the planet are better able to multi-task than moms. Particularly within an entrepreneurial setting, this characteristic is invaluable, and mothers have it down. Why wouldn’t this skill translate to better abilities in business?  I have heard many people talk about the pros and cons of multi-tasking but I have seen some AMAZING things accomplished by a mom who is trying to juggle every day.

2. Listening Skills
Moms are, at their core, listeners. They listen to their children’s needs all day long (which sometimes requires translation abilities, too) as well as that of their husbands, their bosses, and even the pets. Listening and absorbing information is a critical job skill that’s surprisingly difficult for some people to learn, particularly young workers who are used to being somewhat selfish. Moms already have it down.

3. Big-Picture Thinking
The ability of mothers to keep the big picture in focus while checking off the little things is unparalleled, and one that serves them well in business too.

4. Organizational Skills
Who’s better at organizing than moms? Time management is a critical aspect of organization and most moms are pretty darn good at physical organization, too. Moms are just built (or learn quickly) to arrange life better.

5. Networking Abilities
The old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is truer now than ever. Moms consistently coordinate with teachers, carpool participants, other moms, and even fellow kids and that kind of networking takes some serious communication skills. In business, the ability to seamlessly network and make ‘friends’ is one that serves moms well.

6. Dedication
Motherhood isn’t a profession and it’s not a calling. It’s a decision. Even the most tentative moms are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to their role as Mother and women are typically very successful at carrying over this trait into business.

So, how many moms are out there looking for a “night out”, “a chance to make some extra money”, “some me time” or maybe even the chance to have your own business.?  Direct sales is a great way to not only use your “mom” skills but also allows you the opportunity to make your own hours.  Thirty One is not just a “purse thing”, it is about building relationships and changing lives.  If you would like to know more about Thirty One and all it has to offer, contact me:

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Leadership Skills Needed in Direct Sales Part 2

Good Morning – This is Part 2 about the skills that are important if you are moving into or have moved into Leadership with your company.  Thank you MyDirectSelllingBlog for these tips…

6.  How to manage your time – You need to take control of the time you have and how much of it is spent on any one activity.  Planning your day and setting your priorities is a good way to start.   This is nothing new and can apply to ANY area of your life.  Reconsider those “time sucker activities” like Facebook and Pinterest where we get lost and then realize 2 hours have passed.  Okay, I can’t be the only one that this happens to, right?

7.  How to handle difficult people – You will run across them.  Not every one of your team members is going to love you or is cheerful everyday. It is up to you to keep your cool and take note of the different characters and moods you will be dealing with.   As I don’t always know how to deal with a difficult person,  I would simply suggest you listen and ask questions.  For me, I am not good with confrontation.  I need to get a tougher skin because my feelings get hurt easily.  I really need to remember that not everyone on my team my like me – UGH!  People Pleaser Patty will really hate this skill.

8.  How to support or direct your team – This doesn’t mean holding everyone by the hand or coming to the rescue for each obstacle that comes their way.  Guide your team to where they can find answers.  If you are developing team members to grow into leadership roles, now is the time for them to step up and try out their skill.  Give them the opportunity to help their fellow team members in order to take some of the load off you.

9.  How to manage your business – If you are in direct sales, not only are you a Leader but you are also a consultant that has a business.  You need to work YOUR business like a business so that you can be an example to your team.  Work your business like a hobby and it won’t be long before you are no longer a leader.

10.  How to solve problems – Finding solutions to problems can take time.  Apply what you’ve learned from past experiences to help you work through work through similar situations.  As a Thirty One consultant, we have AMAZING resources and I LOVE that when all else fails, I can call Home Office for guidance.

Although you might think you are good at all of these skills, it wouldn’t hurt to ask those in your team how you are doing.  I LOVE the idea of checking in with my team for for feedback on how I am doing.  I see a Survey Monkey in the works…  I THINK I know what areas I need to work on but it would be nice to hear what other’s perceptions are of me as a Leader.  What are YOUR best tips in one or all of these skill areas?  Share them with us, please.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Leadership Skills Needed in Direct Sales Part 1

Since I started off the week talking about the next step, I thought why not continue on the theme of Leadership for the week.  So, with the help of MyDirectSelllingBlog, here are a few skills that will help you when you are ready to move into leadership…

When you move into leadership, you have already shown you can be successful in your personal sales and you have also begun to establish a foundation for a strong team.  For some recruiting may come easy but they may quickly find that maintaining those recruits can be a little bit more difficult.  You know how to do be successful – all they have to do is LISTEN and do things YOUR way, right?  WRONG!!  Keep in mind that without your team, your business won’t grow so you need to move the focus from what YOU want to what THEY want – their WHY..  Remember what Zig Ziglar says:

Here are a few tips on the skills you need to know or improve as suggested by “mydirectselling” blog:

1. How to lead a team – If you ever read the quote “Be the leader you want to follow,” those words pretty much say enough.  Not everyone is a born leader.  I always share that I “fell” into leadership yet my desire to learn has helped me to improve.  There is still a lot of learning going on here…
2. How to train, manage, encourage, and motivate your team – You might be great trainer, but are horrible at managing or motivating your team. Learn to read people and establish techniques that work. Okay, so this is an area that I work on regularly.  Yes, I blog.  Yes, I share all of the crazy tidbits of knowledge in my head but is that enough motivation for my team?  Another skill that I continue to work on as I grow into the next level of leadership.
3. How to build relationships – It all comes from the heart.  You need to make sure you have constant contact and communication with each of them. It is just one trick to building relationships.  There are so many avenues to reach out to people now – ONE of them will be the best for each of your team members.  Find that ONE and stay with it so that you can build those strong relationships.
4. How to conduct effective meetings –  We are blessed that Thirty One provides us with all of the materials necessary to conduct our Celebrate and Connect meetings every other month.  Although, I don’t hold team meetings on those off months, I am looking into the possibility of holding at least a quarterly “social” gathering so that team members can connect and build stronger relationships amongst themselves.
5. How to develop people – I always thought if you want to develop people, you have to recognize everyone’s skills first. Sometimes those individuals don’t recognize what stands out the most.  You are there to help them perfect certain skills by encouraging them to advance in their learning. Another key factor is being a mentor or finding someone in your team who can mentor those you wish to develop.  

Part 2 will be tomorrow…. Do you lack any of these skills?  Are you ready to seek out help from either your upline or a mentor?  It isn’t all about the money, it is about changing peoples lives and helping them to reach for their dreams.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!