Now is the Time to Grow Your Business

We are kicking off the busiest selling season of the year which is the perfect time to think about growing your business.  I mean people are shopping, ready to spend money on those they love and you have amazing products to offer them.  So, building your business now should be easy right?  Many of us will do 60% of our sales during the next 6 to 8 weeks, BUT we want the business to keep moving forward, right?  I don’t know about you BUT I like getting a regular paycheck.

This is the time of year when we get to connect with new and repeat customers.  We get to share all of the newness of the holiday gift guides and help them to find the perfect gift for those they love.  What happens when the holiday excitement fades?  Will your business fall flat or will it continue to grow or at least maintain an even pace?

This time of year gets me excited.  There are lots of vendor events connecting with other direct sellers and business owners.  I get energized thinking about new ways to build my business.  For those of us in direct sales, we know to build your business, you need to:

Sell, Book, & Recruit

Sales are easy during the busiest selling season of the year.  Vendor events open the door to new customers.  We get to introduce our product to people who have never heard of our companies.  Lots of customers result in an increase in sales, right?  Potential customers are all around us.  Sharing our passion about our products along with tips and tricks is something which comes easily for most of us.

Booking and recruiting can get a little harder.  Despite the fact I love the company I am with, the hostess benefits are awesome and I am blessed to have it pay all of my bills as I work from home; I still stumble over words when talking to someone about having a party or becoming a consultant.  Crazy, right?

So what is the trick to turning customers into hosts and recruits which will help to grow your business?  The truth is not everyone is going to be interested in having a party or becoming a consultant and it is OK.

Here are 3 simple ways to increase the number of customers who turn into hosts and new team members.

Strategy 1: Keep it all about them.

When we share our hostess program or business opportunity, how often is the focus on us as the consultant?  I can hear all of the denials but sometimes it is tough to turn “our needs for sales/bookings” into being all about them, right?   We need to practice talking about how it could benefit THEM.  As a business, people need to see how it can fit into their life and add value to it.  The key is building a relationship with our customers and then sharing the VALUE of what you have to offer with confidence!

Asking questions and offering solutions to fill their needs, helps our success rate go up. Whether tit is for the discount on the products,  time with friends/family, or a chance to earn extra money, YOU offer solutions.

Strategy 2: Uncover their concerns.

The key to finding new hosts and customers is knowing how to listen. If you ask someone if they would like to have a party and they say, “no”, don’t be too quick to move on from the conversation. Asking more questions doesn’t have to be pushy or salesy.  You can simply ask “is there anything holding you back?”  Then LISTEN to their response, it allows you to overcome their objections

Validate their concern and offer a solution along with some encouragement.  Who knows you could turn a no into a yes. Take time to find out more about their hesitation.

Strategy 3: Consistently Follow-Up

When someone says “no”, do you ask them if it is okay to check back with them at another time?  Then do you actually follow-up?

Think about when you were invited to attend something. Maybe you initially said, “Thanks for the invitation, but I’ve got so much going on I won’t be able to attend.”  A few days go by and the same person asks you if you are attending.  Now you respond with, “I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll have to see how my schedule pans out.”  Another week or so goes by and you get a messaging from the person saying they are hoping to see you at the event. This time you say, “You know what. It sounds like fun. Yeah, I’ll see you there!”

It happens all of the time. Initially, someone may decline to join your team or host a party, simply because they are busy and don’t want to think about it.  Then some time passes, if you reach out again they may be more open to the idea. A “no” doesn’t mean never contact me again, just not at this time.  You will miss opportunities if you don’t follow-up.  Remember, follow-up is important because needs and situations change.

When we focus on the needs of our customers, uncovering their concerns, and following up consistently, you will turn more customers into hosts and recruits.

A little long but hopefully it will help you to extend this busy selling season into the new year.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

 

Everything Spooky….

YEAH!!  October has arrived and I am so excited.  Since Irma caused our cruise to cancel, I am headed to North Carolina this month to spend some time with my daughter for her birthday.  October also means football is in full swing.  Despite all of the negatives in the NFL, I do like football so I may have to switch to cheering for college football instead of the J-E-T-S!

At Thirty One – October means the kick off of some many things….

There is tailgating, football, Halloween, birthdays (in our family), anniversaries, Thanksgiving and yes, Christmas. Here are some of the EXCITING things happening at Thirty One!  Thirty One launches our Holiday Gift Guide as well as our Online Exclusives which make great gifts for the holidays…

       

#1 – Have you every thought about being a part of Thirty One?

Want to have debt-free holiday?  How about some girl time after playing mom taxi?  OR do you want to solve your holiday gift giving with awesome discounts on amazing products?  Thirty One is offering a Holiday Enrollment Kit!  For just $50 you can get some of the TOP gift giving products to share with your friends and family.  Check it out:

   

Don’t worry, you can also still pick from either of the  $99 kits if you want.  They are packed with some of this seasons top sellers – the Retro Metro Bag (my favorite) and the large utility tote which has been a company top seller since it was introduced!

PLUS, during your first 4 months of being a consultant you get to earn MORE!  In addition to your 25% commission, when you reach $500 in sales every 30 days, you will receive a 25% credit in your back office to help you grow your business.  Have more than $500 in sales, there is no limit to the credit!  How cool is that!  Here is what it looks like:

Oh, there is one more thing…. join in October and submit a $1000 in sales and YOU will get a FREE Cindy Tote in the Black Dotty Pebble which is an exclusive available online during this holiday season.

#2 – Be a Hostess with the Mostess!

Not interested in joining our pink bubble – how about hosting your own party?  Did you know for just $200 in orders, YOU can have a qualified party.  You will get $25 in FREE product, 1 half price item and 1 hostess exclusive.  Did you know it is only takes 6 orders of $35 to have a qualified party? I offer home, catalog/online, on the go and Facebook parties. Fundraising opportunities are also available!  Which one will fit into YOUR busy schedule?

#3 – Don’t want to join, and not interested in being a hostess…..

How about getting a jump on your holiday shopping with a choice of these three products:

FIRST, you can shop this month’s customer special which is the either the Retro Metro Weekender, the Foldover Weekender or the All Packed Duffle for $31 each with a $35 purchase .  You can pick your choice of one for each multiple of $35 you spend!

TWO, you can send me your holiday wish list and we can put you on the budget/layaway plan for 3 months with everything being delivered to you in plenty of time for your gift giving events. Join my Holiday Gift Club. For more details, fill out the form below:

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Submit

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Which one will you pick??

Want a chance to earn FREE stuff, get special deals and more….

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Direct Sales and FUNdraising

I don’t know about you but as soon as it hit September 15th, I feel like my mailbox (snail mail and email) has been hit with LOTS of requests for donations.  Some from organizations near and dear to my heart while others are those spammy kind which try to pull on your heart strings.  As someone who does fundraising through my direct sales business, I tend to look at the pleas in a different way.

Fundraising can be done with monetary donations or by making a difference in the lives of others with gifts which will bring a smile to their face as they battle their struggle.

I know, you are wondering how to make fundraising work for your direct sales business right?  I actually issued this as a challenge to my team.  Find out what causes are near and dear to the hearts of your customers, pick one which is also dear to you and go for it!  What better way to get to know people then by finding out what causes they love.

So, why is fundraising a good move for your business?  Let’s start with your desire to build a team and move up in leadership.  In most DS companies, you earn income not only from your business but also from those who are on your team – bigger team = greater income.

If you want to grow your team, statistics show the more people you’re in front of, the more you will recruit. It’s a number’s game.

TIP #1:  Some of your best recruits can come as a result of being the hostess of fundraisers. Don’t forget to ask them to join your team and do their OWN fundraisers in the future! If they are raising money for a group, chances are-they know TONS of people!

TIP #2:  Make sure you funnel everyone into your customer group so they will continue to see your recruiting (and booking) posts.

TIP #3: Make sure you invite people from the Facebook Event to your team’s monthly opportunity night!  Find the one who comments a lot, who already has a lot of your product or the one every seems to ask for their opinion.

TIP #4: This is the most important as far as I am concerned! Send a “thank you” email to everyone who ordered from the party with links and graphics for booking and recruiting.

How can fundraisers help you with your bookings?  Again, the more people you’re in front of, the more bookings you’re going to get. Funnel everyone from your fundraiser into your customer group and you’ve created a breeding ground for future bookings!

TIP #1: Create a way for everyone who attends the fundraiser to help even more Tell by offering a booking incentive.  Something like, anyone who books a party (limit the dates) will also have 10% of THEIR party donated to this fundraiser/cause.   This is a great way to get your hostess booking parties for you! I also offer something to my hostess so she is pushing the bookings too.

TIP #2:  I do my events so they are linked to my public business page so everyone can SHARE the event! Maybe even do a giveaway for anyone who shares a certain post onto their personal timeline.  Create excitement.  Make it fun.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could have an extra $500 to $1000 a month in baseline sales BEFORE you even enter in any your regular parties?

What are some of you best fundraising tips?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Let’s Close the Deal

Yesterday we talked about getting out of the summer slump, today is all about the ASK!  Yes, you need to ASK for the sale.  Yes, you need to ASK if they want to host.  Yes, you need to ASK if they want to join your team.

Do you think “all my friends know I sell (your DS company), if they wanted anything they would ask”?  How about “I have posted all of the GREAT things hostesses can get, if they wanted to have a party, they would ask”?   Or, “if they wanted to make some extra money, they would ask about joining my team – it is only a $1″?

We have all been there.  I was at my niece’s wedding last weekend and to my surprise, someone actually said “I didn’t know you sold Thirty One“.  Okay, it wasn’t someone I see a lot BUT I thought everyone I knew – KNEW!

ASKing seems like a non-brainer, right? When was the last time you asked a friend or family member to buy, book or join your team?  I don’t mean just mentioning it, I mean flat out ASKING!   With more and more parties being online and NOT face-to-face, we sometimes forget about the ask – or at least I do.  You would think it would be easier because you can’t see their facial expressions or body language when you ask.  But I find, it is sometimes the last thing I do.  So whether you are partying face-to-face or online or Facebook or whatever party platform you use…. here are some tips which might help you “close the deal”.

Blogger, Pam Terry wrote an article called the “Do’s and Don’ts for Selling at the End of Your Presentation“.  Granted she is talking about home parties or face-to-face parties but I believe we can use some of the same wisdom in our Facebook/online parties.

The biggest take away question for me was: “Have you ever failed at providing an offer at the end of your presentation?”  When I look back at my last parties (all on Facebook) I realize the answer is a DEFINITE YES!  We talk about full-service checkout when we do home parties but shouldn’t we offer the same thing to our guests when we party online?

YES I talk about recruiting.  YES, I talk about the benefits of hosting your own party.  YES, I share the gift of Thirty One.  But during a full-service checkout at a home party, I ASK each of those questions when I talk to each customer.  Why not do it with an online/Facebook party?

Here are some tips from Pam and I am going to shed some light on how we can use these same tips for our Facebook parties:

1. Your presentation content should tie closely to your offer, but not sound like you are selling during the major part of your talk.  During our Facebook parties, we play games and share information.  I share products and the versatile uses of Thirty One‘s purses, totes and accessories.  I sprinkle in booking and recruiting seeds BUT I usually fail to remind everyone how easy it is to get all these things FREE or discounted by being a consultant or booking a party.  What if you asked each one in a private message after they placed their order?
2. Prepare your offer so that it creates value and is at a special discounted price just for today.  I heard someone recently talk about offering “packages” to customers to make it easier for them to shop.  I have done “bundles” with discounted prices based on the monthly Customer Special but the concept of offering 3 packages took this one step further.  It is like building a set of products to be used together with the more you buy, the greater the value.
3. Provide a way for your attendees to easily sign up for your offer.  Once you have ASKed or made the offer, you need to be ready with your calendar to book a party or have recruiting information ready to send someone who may be interested in the opportunity.  I am always ready but if I don’t ASK for the PARTY or offer the opportunity what good is it?

Pam’s concept of building audience trust and fostering a relationship works in ALL businesses.  The key is DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR THE SALE or THE PARTY!  This is something I sometimes forget to do because of FEAR.  So, who is ready to close the deal?  Who is ready to book those parties and find those new recruits to offer the opportunity to make their dreams come true?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Spring Clean Your Business

The first “official” week of Spring – the air is still a little chilly BUT it is a great time to clean up your business.  How many of you have given up on your “New Year’s” resolutions? Or maybe it is time to refresh your kit?  Have you fallen into the “same old same old”  which may be cluttering your profitability and productivity?

I am on the last week of earning our Leadership Incentive Trip so in the midst of pushing for those final “stars”, I am doing some Spring cleaning with the help of Becky Spieth.  Click the picture to watch her video.

What are you saying about your business?

I will admit, in the past I have fallen into the “no one wants to do party with me” thinking.  What about you?   When you are talking to potential hosts or recruits, are you focusing on what YOU think or need versus what they think and need?  When we shift our focus from us to Hostess/Customer/ Team, we see a difference in the way people respond to us.  I work really hard to focus on my team and not on my needs.  I am not normally a numbers pusher/nagger which makes working towards an incentive which requires team numbers a tad more difficult.

Are you trying to sell?

Aren’t we supposed to be selling if we are in business to make money?  The truth is no one wants to be sold to.  When we ask questions of people, we begin to build relationships.  When we are interested in a person for who they are and not for what they can do for us, we make a difference in their lives.  Once I have the answers to some questions, I like to focus on why our product can help them solve “a problem”, “make life easier”, or make them feel pretty or special.  I THINK our products are great but if they aren’t interested because it won’t help them, I’m not going to have a sale or book a party.    Discover everything you need to know about them.  Make them love you so much they want to share you, how you serve them, and your product with all of their friends.

Are you serving your customers so well they are staying with you?

In an effort to expand your circle to get more customers, have you ignored your current clients? Don’t worry, we have all made this mistake.  We work hard to get our current customers and we want them to stay with us FOREVER.  I can’t tell you how many times I have been at a vendor event, and ask someone if they already have a consultant.  When they respond “I shopped with someone but I’m not sure who it was”, my heart breaks for the consultant and the customer.  I have set up systems to reach out to my customers on at least a quarterly basis after I have done all of my “pink glove” follow-up.  It isn’t perfect BUT I keep moving forward.  Find a system which works for you.  Remember your customers and hosts gave you more than just their money… they gave you their trust.  Trust is more important than money, any day, when it comes to customer care and relationships.  People shop and spend money with people they like, know and trust.  You grow your business based on the trust factor.

Does your kit need to be cleaned and refreshed?

Do you have product in retired prints?  When was the last time you hosted your own party so you could earn FREE products to refresh your presentation?  It is SPRING….so add some Spring color, and fabrics after giving everything a thorough cleaning.  I’m going to host my own party this month to get some new SPRING products. I’m also going to hold a FLASH sale to clear out some of the old stuff.  It doesn’t help me sitting in a box gathering dust.

How will you refresh and revive your business this Spring?  Share your ideas with us..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!