How to Make Money In Bad Winter Weather

This past weekend was the first of what I am sure will be many cancellations of events and parties during the rough winter months.  I am working on a plan to keep my business consistent while I (and my customers) are snuggled warm at home.  Last winter, I was able to hit my goal as was my team with some planning – I always have a plan B….

Here are some tips to help you keep your sales up during those cold winter months…

1.Flash Sale Fridays (or any day)

Pick a product or a bundle of products and offer them at a discount for a 24-hour period only.  Let your customers know by sharing the products LIVE on Facebook or via an email or even in a text message.  Encourage them to share the flash sale with friends – the more the merrier.  If it isn’t in your budget to offer your own discount, utilize the specials offered by your company by creating bundles  for your customers.  By creating a sense of urgency (today only) you can encourage people to shop.

2. Facebook LIVE parties

Facebook LIVE is a great way to demonstrate products, do drawings, and have fun. By letting your customers see you LIVE, then establish a connection with you, see your personality shine.  Encourage attendees to share the video with friends.  Ask simple questions like where do you live so everyone checks in.  Acknowledge those who check in with a greeting or comment.  The more interaction, the more people will see it on their Facebook newsfeed.  The end result is to take orders by sharing solutions to their every day problems with your products.

3. Show on the Go parties

Pack up some samples of your products, catalogs and share them with 6 of your friends. Encourage each of them to collect $100 in orders.  Give it a fun name and split the hostess benefits between them.  Chances are they will collect more than $100 in sales.

4. If it’s just a flurry

Have a flurry sale offering, get rid of retiring prints and products or excess inventory – we in direct sales always have excess inventory.  Have a home party, offer a discount or special gift if the party holds and guests attend or order.

5. Hold a Mystery Host party

Text, email, phone or facebook message past/ current customers for orders.  Anyone who places an order will be entered in a drawing to win ALL of the hostess benefits.  The more orders, the more benefits.

Be sure to OVERBOOK your calendar in the winter months.  One date is the party date and the second date is fa snow date, just in case the original date needs to get postponed due to weather. If a home party is cancelled, switch it to a ZOOM or Facebook LIVE party. You were scheduled to work, so work your business.

Another fun idea to get people out to a wintery party is to offer a fun theme party with a summer or tropical theme… all the way down to the dress and snacks. It’s a fun way to bring hope the winter will soon be over and allows everyone to dream a little.

What is your best tip for keeping your business consistent during the winter?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Business Marketing

It is Friday and for many of my Thirty One sisters, they are headed to National Conference in Columbus Ohio.  This is  my favorite time of year for so many reasons but the BIGGEST one is that as Thirty One sisters, we are better together.  Together we celebrate our achievements.  Together we encourage each other through the hills and the valleys of our business.  Together we reward each other with hugs and high fives.  Although I have always been a team player, working solo (especially in my grant writing days) seemed to be my favorite mode of working – that is so different now.  I thrive when I am surrounded by the love and support of my Thirty One sisters.  I will be with you in spirit this year as I celebrate, encourage and reward you from a distance.

I started thinking about some other things that are better together like peanut butter & jelly, wine & cheese and sugar & spice.  Then I start thinking about the different ways that we can market our business.  I know a strange transition but it happens that way some times.

For many in direct sales, we have lean business budgets because our goal was to make money when we joined NOT spend it right?  But we need to keep ourselves front and center with our potential customers.  What makes them think of YOU when they are ready to buy?  Is it that they carry your products or use them on a daily basis?

 

Here are some inexpensive ways to advertise your business when you are out and about:

 

1. iPad, iPhone or laptop “skin”

I think this is a great idea.  I am always either on my iPhone or my iPad.  My phone currently has a plain cover and doesn’t tell anyone what I do.  My iPad is the same.  I am going to create a skin for my iPad and cell phone, so no one will miss a chance to know what I do.  I mean I usually wear a Thirty One shirt and I ALWAYS am carrying a Thirty One bag but by using my visual brand, what a great conversation starter!

 

2. Social media

Everyone is on social media – all or some but at least one if they are in business.  There is Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which offer space to say who you are and what you do. Then there is Periscope and LinkedIn.  Personally, why not use these platforms as an opportunity to remind your friends and family what you offer?  How about using business images or sayings on your profile headers, add photos of you at work (everyone loves a party), your company logo or a recent company training, instead of a photo of your dog or a pretty sunset.  I think personal things are important too but there should be a 80/20 split on your personal page.  Remember sharing is caring.

3. Social events

Step out of your comfort zone which can mean getting out of your current networking circles. Scary, right?  Find new events where media and decision-makers are mingling which might earn you some free publicity.  Get involved with causes that are near and dear to your hear.

 

4. Video

This is becoming something that I am more comfortable with the more I do them.  Practice makes perfect, right?  The use of video is growing every minute.  Make them short and to the point.  Think about the videos that you watch and what makes you click them or not.  Have real world videos like your team at work and play, highlight product demonstration or give virtual tours of your office.  Things that would let people get to know you and your company product.  I am doing videos on my Facebook parties and getting a lot of positive feedback.  Thank you to the Tag Team Peeps for their ideas.

 

In the past, it was sell, sell, sell.  Today, it is more about positioning yourself so that customers think of you when opportunities arise.  What is your best tip for sharing instead of selling?

Have  ThirtyOne-derful day!