Can You Beat Vacation Veronica?

How long is this sign on your business during the holidays?  For Vacation Veronica stepped into the picture right around Thanksgiving weekend.  She may have come and gone a few times since them but she is sneaking back to see if she can stay till the spring thaw.

Some will take a holimonth instead of a holiday.  I used to take a holimonth from the Christmas cutoff till after the first of the year.  The end result was the need to kick start my business every spring.

As we creep into the final days before Christmas then head into the week till New Years, the holiday season takes on a life of its own.  The time spent in the office is all about paper pushing.  Now, I am not saying this isn’t productive in some ways but can put a damper on the most productive, money making time of year.  Pushing papers and getting things in order are good things I do in between Christmas and New Years as I prep for the upcoming year.  The truth is, we need to keep working on building our business so in January, we are not sitting around trying to figure out WHY we don’t have any business on the books.

Here are some tips from JulieAnne Jones:

• If you are a Leader, plan all your meetings for 2018. As Leaders with Thirty One, they help us stay on track with giving us all of the materials we need.
• Schedule time to connect with your downline to see how you can help them with their goals in 2018.
• Share with your team some fun ideas for theme parties as well as other tips on how to boost their business in the new year.
• Call your September, October, November and December guests – you know the “pink bag calls” we talk about. Check in and make sure they are happy with their product.
• Call your past hostess and check in. Don’t be afraid to ask them about hosting a party.
• Commit to listen to/ or read at least one training program. Don’t just listen or read – IMPLEMENT it!

As for me, I am excited to be kicking of the new year utilizing the Tag Team Party format.  Since 95% of my business has been online, I have been on the hunt for a way to hold fast, fun and easy parties online.  The format will plant booking and recruiting seeds while guests enjoy a 31-minute party online.

I am tweaking my follow-up system.  With our new ship before the party closes, there have been some challenges.  So, I am trying to get a system together.  The money is in the follow-up and I need to remember it on a regular basis. It isn’t just about the emails or social media, it is also about snail mail AND the phone.

Here’s to hoping Vacation Veronica doesn’t linger long at my house or yours. Take a break and enjoy your family and friends during the holiday season but don’t neglect your business. If you had a store front, you wouldn’t close for 2 weeks would you? So why should you close your direct sales business for 2 weeks unless you are fully booked for the next 2 months – even then, I am not sure I would stop working my business.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

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!

Sizzle not Fizzle

Here we are at the last day of June and rolling into another “J” month.  For some in direct sales, they dread these two months.  WHY?  The summer is here, people are headed to the beach, lake or pool to have fun with little thought of hosting a party.  For those of us who rely on our business to pay our bills, it means getting creative.

I honestly used to hate “J” months but it is definitely a mindset.  Yes, what you speak into the Universe will happen.  I used to say “no one wants to party” or “sales are awful in the J months”.  The result, horrible sales with few parties in January, June and July.  Truth be told, I headed into June this year with NOTHING on my calendar.  I am ending the month with over $2,000 in sales. Why?  Because I changed my mindset and got creative.

Your direct sales party plan business doesn’t have to stop when the summer heats up.  You actually can make money and have fun during the summer months.

Here are some tools from Misty Kearns, CEOofMe.com you should pack in your business beach bag so you can have a sizzling hot successful summer.

Swim Suit = Parties! Parties are the core of our business so be sure you always have parties booked. Cancellati­ons and reschedule­s are higher in the summertime so be sure to over book. Offering fun, summer time themed parties will help you book more parties and have higher attendance at your parties too. A few of my host & customer’s favorite party themes include Luau, Garden Party, Party at the Park, Pool Party & Ice Cream Party. You can do these as home and online parties and even have fun with themed catalog parties too.

Sunscreen = Don’t let yourself get burned out in your business! You should apply training often. Attend your team and company’s regular training events. Stay connected with your fellow team members for accountabi­lity, motivation and support.

Sunglasse­s = Have your Business Glasses on & look for new business everywhere­! Always be on the lookout for new people, places and opportunit­ies to share your business this summer. Take your business with you as you are out and about, doing summer activities and traveling.

Water Bottle = Stay hydrated & motivated. It’s important to keep yourself hydrated physically and mentally. Make personal developmen­t a daily habit. Surround yourself with positive influences and other motivated business owners. Read some new books this summer, catch up on training series you signed up for but didn’t finish or complete some business projects you have been putting off. Take care of your health too so you are able to work to the best of your ability.

Shovel = Determinat­ion! Be prepared to dig deep & work hard this summer to reach your goals. Don’t let yourself get lazy. Stick to a (flexible) schedule and be sure to do all the weekly activities you should be doing in your business.

Beach Ball = Build a Team & Bounce Up to Leadership­! It’s not really much fun to play on the beach by yourself. You need a team to play with. Focus on recruiting­, finding new team members and helping them get off to a strong start this summer. You’ll enjoy an increased income, leadership promotions and most of all be able to help others reach their goals.

Bucket = Something to carry all the money you will be making! That’s right, if you work your business consistent­ly and apply these ideas you will be carrying home a big bucket full of money instead of just sand at the end of the summer. Buy yourself a beach bucket from the dollar store and write your goals for the summer on it. Put your beach bucket on your desk for daily motivation­.

Flip Flops = To remind you to keep on moving. Remember NO means “next opportunit­y” and gets you one step closer to the next YES! Keep on sharing your business & moving forward no matter what!

I am teaming up with three other friends in direct sales for a BINGO night.  A chance to book some parties, get some sales and expand our customer base.  

What are you doing to make your summer sizzle?  Share your best tips with us..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Momma with Fur Babies

 

I can hear the groans as you realize that it is Monday and the start of another 5 days at your JOB!  I have to be honest, I LOVE having my own business.  As a result, I don’t dread Mondays!

The weather is changing so there are some great opportunities to host different types of parties.  Think outside of the box…..

Today’s is all about customers and hostesses with fur babies….

Animal Play Date

Have a get together where pets and their owners can enjoy each other’s time together. This is the perfect opportunity to share the products you have that will make them the envy of every pet owner.

  

Pet Parade

Have your guests create a costume for their pets and host a parade for them somewhere. Then give your winners samples of your products. This creates an atmosphere of friendly fun while at the same time getting your products in your guest’s hands.

Pet Owner Creativity Contest

Ask your friends how they can benefit from using your products as a pet owner.  This way they can help you find new ways to market your products. Then host a voting event on one of your social media outlets. The person who wins gets a package of your products.

Coordinate an event or party with a pet rescue group.  Help raise awareness and funds while getting your products in the hands of new potential customers.  Know someone who just got a new pet?  Give them a mini basket with your product front and center.

We often think of parties or activities with kids BUT to many their fur babies are their children.  These activities are a sure fire way to create lasting memories of you and your products. They also make your friends and their pets feel special. The added icing on the cake is all the lasting memories you’ll gain.

What other events can you think of that would be fun to host with your pet as the main star?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

End of Summer Themes

#ThrowbackThursday

Yes, all of these items were in a past Thirty One catalog!  We weren’t always just purses. We were all about the gifts.  So, only have 2 more days till August 1st.  Can you believe that the summer is half over?  I mean where did July go, right?

At Thirty One, we are kicking off NEW Fall catalog.  I know it is hard to think Fall when we are in the middle of a heat wave but give it a try.  What are some of things that you have coming on in the next month?  Vacation? Barbecues? Family gatherings?  Is there any time in there for YOU to just take some me time?

August is a great time to have some girl time.  I mean you have taken care of everyone else this summer so why not give yourself permission to enjoy yourself for just one night.  Take a break between the summer madness and the back to school crunch.  How about a Girl’s Night Out?  Now, this could be at a local restaurant/bar or it could be in your home.  What better way to get friends together then with a theme party, right?  When you focus on the theme instead of on the product, it becomes more about your hostess and her guests then it does about you.

Here are a few summer themes along with a few tips to keep you partying through the month of August:

• Ice Cream Social Party – This is great for a Mom and Me party idea.  The host provides some of the basic “fixin’s” for making sundaes – including edible bowls made out of ice cream cones (which you can buy at any grocery store) and let your guests go to it!  Maybe even have your guests bring their favorite ice cream topping.
• Colorful Creations Party – This is a great party for moms who need a break but maybe don’t have child care.  Lots of ways of doing this one.  Create your own solar combination or let the kids pick out their own.
• 
• Wine and Cheese Party – This is a popular one.  Ask each guest to bring their favorite wine in a plain paper sack and have the host provide the cheese.  Then do a “blind tasting” and let everyone vote. Whoever brought the winning wine wins a cool prize!  I have done this with some interesting results.

• Pool or Patio Party – Why be cooped up inside or just limited to an evening. Use a large bowl or bucket full of ice to keep beverages cool and encourage your host to keep it simple with finger food and paper plates.
• Back Yard BBQ Party – I just received an invitation for one of these in the mail and loved the idea. Who doesn’t like a BBQ in the summer? After everyone’s eaten, they’ll be ready to hear about your products.  This is great idea for at the park or at someone’s home.

Are you working during the week and have no time to party?  Why not a trunk party?  Hostess coach the same as you always do, then show up at the parking lot and let everyone shop during their lunch break.  I love this one – quick and easy.

What fun themes are you offering your hostesses right now to increase attendance at their summer parties?  Share them with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!