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One of the benefits of being a Scentsy consultant is that you are provided with a personal website where you can grow your team and take web orders.  You have the option of deciding on a name for your business or your web address. The address will look like https://whateveryoupick.scentsy.us (or .ca for Canadian consultants).  If you ask around you may get ideas on the “whateveryoupick” portion of your website.  Though the information below addresses six common errors when naming your Scentsy business website:

1. Double letters – particularly ss – i.e. janesscents you’ll lose people who never know if it’s one S or two.

2. Unkonventional spellings – kandles, etc. Generally you go with those unconventionals when what you really want is taken – meaning if wicklesscandles is taken and you opt for wicklesskandles you could inadvertently send people to wicklesscandles – someone else’s site.

3. Avoid dashes and dots – if you have to explain if it’s a dash or underscore, or dot, you’ll lose people.

4. ID numbers. In previous P&Ps we HAD to change our site and were not allowed to use that # in our address. Now the language is softer that you should or could change it. Though corporate has reminded us on a number of occasions to guard your ID# as you would your own SSN. That is the number that you need to login to sites or when you call corp. the first thing they ask for is your ID#. To avoid identity fraud and the possibility that someone can pose as you to change your account in any manner, don’t publish that number to anyone.

5. Anything that requires you to explain or further elaborate. If you respond “it’s mysite.scentsy.us” then most will be able to go there without problem. Even if you’re talking about publishing the site address, you want it to be easily memorable so they can go to it later, without the need to write it down for future reference.

If you have to audibly say – it’s “michelle” with two ell’s, or “for you” with the numeric 4, or “kathy” with a k…. anything that needs ‘fine print’ for someone to easily find you should be avoided. Even scents can be confusing – of course we all almost instantly think s-c-e-n-t-s but others may wonder if it’s sense or cents.

6. Think of connotation or what message are you sending and does it portray a professional image. Smell isn’t always a positive word where as odor isn’t either – though technically they simply mean or relate the the nose/olfactory. Smells is a verb, and not a noun, so if you’re making up a word to change it to a noun (as in such and such smells or sniff the smells) that falls under same as unkonventional spellings. Same for personal interests or hobbies – pookie.scentsy.us or squaredancer.scentsy.us may not be taken as seriously.

Before you flame me and defend your position why you may have chosen something similar to one outlined above, please keep in mind that these are not just my opinions, but also those of marketing and business guru’s when it comes to naming a business. I am also assuming that if you’re investing in a vinyl or decal then you are treating your business like a business and not as a hobby – else you likely wouldn’t go to the effort of marketing your business.

For those who are not business builders (and there are many, and that is totally fine and acceptable), then the naming conventions aren’t as important. I’m merely referring to business builders.

RYBLAB – Run Your Business Like A Business.

For some consultants, talking with people they do not know is no big deal.  Yet for others, the hardest element in promoting their direct sales business is opening their mouth to talk with strangers.  It truly does get easier with practice, though let’s face it, some people will never be terribly outgoing.  These cautious, observant people can be just as successful as those with sanguine temperaments.

Two questions I am frequently asked is “How do you approach people?” and “What do you say to the waitress, store clerk, receptionist, etc.?”

If you want an easy to remember lead in, one that is almost guaranteed you will not receive any rejection, try this:

“If you know anyone who likes [product], could you please pass this along?” Then hand the person a business card, sample, or catalog.

Most people will not refuse to take it.  Worst case is that they make take it, and later throw it away; but then you still were able to get out of your comfort zone and practice talking to people.  Best case is that you could get a new customer or recruit out of it.

This is a non-threatening approach because the person you’re talking with doesn’t immediately get on the defensive thinking you’re trying to sell anything; you’re merely asking for a referral.  The person you’re talking with could very well be the person who loves candles, lotions, supplements, jewelry or cooking.

Try those 13 words and then let me know it goes.

If you know anyone who likes [product], could you please pass this along?

Just as there is more than one way to skin a cat, there are numerous ways that Scentsy consultants make their samples.  The information contained below is just one way.  Take what you like and discard the rest!

Why and how I use samples –

I don’t let any of my business cards leave my hands without having a wickless candle sample attached to it.  People generally desire to smell, touch, taste, or hear something before they’re truly sold on it.  Scentsy is no different.

Where I get the wax to use –

I don’t pay for the wax I use to make samples. When I place an order I always make sure it’s at least $150 or more so that I can take advantage of the hostess benefits, including free and half off items.  The wax I get with those perks is what I use to make the samples.  Generally I like to use the bricks, as it’s a better value; but I have also been known to use bars sometimes too.

What scents I use – (more…)

Something has been baffling me for quite some time.  Mayhaps someone can explain it to me.  Why do some direct sales independent consultants use product lines, other than their own, to promote their products?

For example, if you sell candles, wouldn’t it make the most sense to give away a wax sample of a popular scent?  Or if you sell herbs and spices, wouldn’t you want to provide potential customers with a sampling of your top selling Scampi Blend?

Certainly this may seem like a blinding glimpse of the obvious; but bear with me.  I know of some consultants who take the time and expense to make up labels bearing their contact information and company website, only to then purchase mini-chocolate bars and wrap them with their labels.  This would be adorable if you were in the chocolate business or even the customized label business.  Not so much for kitchen gadgets or candles.

Likewise I’ve witnessed some consultants begging for promotional items such as chap-stick, bearing their consultant contact information.  Okay, if you sell cosmetics and you’re offering a sample of your own product line.  However if you’re trying to promote children’s toys, can’t you find something within your own product line to offer rather than someone else’s lip moisturizer?

Consider the bottom line.  Consider profit margin.  Consider whether or not what you’re about to participate in will increase sales – that is, sales of your own product line.  Cute and adorable will only take you so far in business.  If the action you take today won’t lead you closer to the next customer, hostess or recruit, it might be time to rethink your action plan.  If you’re a direct sales independent consultant, you’ll do well to stick to offering your own product line.

About the Author:  Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles.  She enjoys helping others start and maintain a candle business.  You can find Laurie at http://la.Scentsy.us or http://www.Twitter.com/thrivingcandle

We are a society that likes free samples.  We like to try it before we buy it.  We test drive cars; we lie down on mattresses; and we accept food samples from the lady in the grocery store.

Yet many direct sellers do not embrace this concept.  I contend that free samples are the number one way to attract new customers.  Websites, catalogs, brochures and verbal promotion are all well and good (and needed). However, generally it’s not until someone can smell, taste, feel, hear or see the product offering are they really sold on it.

Most of us have read Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham book at one time in our lives.  If not, here’s a sampling of the text:

You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may. Try them and you may, I say.

Sam! If you will let me be, I will try them. You will see.

Say! I like green eggs and ham! I do! I like them, Sam-I-am! And I would eat them in a boat. And I would eat them with a goat…

And I will eat them in the rain. And in the dark. And on a train. And in a car. And in a tree. They are so good, so good, you see!

So I will eat them in a box. And I will eat them with a fox. And I will eat them in a house.

And I will eat them with a mouse. And I will eat them here and there. Say! I will eat them ANYWHERE!

I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!

What could you do for your business with regard to free samples?

Make candle wax samples out of candy molds; Herb and Spice packets, Lotion or Cosmetic samples.  But what if you don’t sell a product that is conducive to sampling? It may not be cost effective to freely give away jewelry, kitchen gadgets or storage containers.  Consider a loaner program. “Take this home, try it for a week and if you don’t love it, just return it, otherwise if it’s everything I said, and more, just pay me after you try it.”

I have seen some pretty awesome product catalogs, but almost 100% of the time, the photos still don’t justice to the actual item.

Take some time today to think about how you can get your customers to say:

Say! I like [insert your product here!] I do! I like them, Sam-I-am! And I would [insert verb here] them in a boat. And I would [insert verb here] them with a goat… I do so like [insert your product here!]! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!

About the Author:  Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles.  She enjoys helping others start and maintain a candle business.  You can find Laurie at http://la.Scentsy.us or http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com