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If you are in direct sales then sponsoring other people is part of the plan. The question is “what is the purpose of sponsoring others?”

I’ve seen two very different philosophies on sponsoring. One philosophy is to sponsor many; some will stick, some won’t. The other philosophy is to sponsor just a few and then nurture them.

I believe the purpose in sponsoring others is to build a team. There is more than one way to build team. You can build a team sponsoring twenty people per month or you can build a team sponsoring just two people per month.

I’d like to share my thoughts on the two philosophies. I’ll start with sponsoring many. When you sponsor twenty people per month you are absolutely playing the numbers. Of these twenty people, you’ll find a few who just want product discounts. You’ll find a few who want to sell to family and friends and earn a little bit of supplemental income each month and you’ll find maybe one who asks questions and truly wants to build a business. The rest will never turn in a first order and will fade away. Again, this is not good or bad, right or wrong, these are just the statistics.

I often compare joining a network marketing company to either joining a gym or buying a magazine subscription. Your goal is to get the most for your money, to work out daily or weekly or to read each issue cover to cover. But the reality is many people set never set foot in the gym after the first week, or only skim issues of the magazine every other month. We think we want something today but by tomorrow it just is not as important as it was yesterday.

I say if you’re able to sponsor twenty people each month and have the time to truly help the one or two who want the help then go for it.

The other philosophy is to sponsor just one or two per month and invest your time nurturing them and working with them.

There are definite pluses to having just one person you’re working with. You have the time to really offer help and assistance. You’re able to walk them through each step of owning their own business. You’re able to spend a lot of one on one time with them. You’re also able to help them build a team by helping them meet others and offer the opportunity to others.

When you sponsor just two per month, you’ll still find those who just want a discount and those who want supplemental income, however I believe you’ll have fewer who drop off.

I’ve sponsored two people in a month and I’ve sponsored twenty people in a month. Either way, my goal is to continue to build my team and help those on my team achieve their own personal goals.

About the author: Audrey Okaneko has been in direct sales since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or you can Become a Tupperware Consultant. Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

I bet you didn’t know…

U.S. retail sales of candles are estimated at approximately $2 billion annually, excluding sales of candle accessories.

Candles are used in 7 out of 10 U.S. households.

Manufacturer surveys show that 90% of all candles are purchased by women.

Candle industry research indicates that the most important factors affecting candle sales are scent, color, cost and shape.

Approximately 35% of candle sales occur during the Christmas/Holiday season. Non-seasonal business accounts for approximately 65% of candle sales.

Major U.S. candle manufacturers typically offer between 1,000 and 2,000 varieties of candles in their product lines.

More than 1 billion pounds of wax are used in producing the candles sold each year in the U.S.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 different candle scents are available to U.S. consumers.

Consumers are increasingly purchasing candles as a focal point for their home décor, and for aromatherapy-like relaxation and stress reduction.

Fragrance is by far the most important characteristic impacting candle purchases today, with three-fourths of candle buyers saying it is “extremely important” or “very important” in their selection of a candle.

The majority of U.S. consumers use their candles within a week of purchase.

Nine out of ten candle users say they use candles to make a room feel comfortable or cozy.

Candle users say they most frequently burn candles in the living room (42%), followed by the kitchen (18%) and the bedroom (13%).

Approximately one in five women say they use candles to decorate the yard, patio or other exterior areas, as well as the interior of their home.

Both men and women consider candles to be an always-acceptable and highly appreciated gift for a wide variety of occasions.

Candle purchasers say they view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays (76%), as a house warming gift (74%), a hostess/dinner party gift (66%), a thank you (61%) and as adult birthday gifts (58%).

Source:  National Candle Association

In July of 2003, two moms who loved candles but didn’t want to worry about the danger of open flames decided to design a safe alternative to fragrant wicked candles.

After months of research, a safe, beautiful and creative alternative to a traditional wick and flame candle was born. Aromatic candles, heated in decorative warmers where the wax is melted by the heat of a 25 watt bulb, were the fragrance solution they had been looking for.

Today that safe alternative to wicked candles is being spread by independent consultants of Scentsy Inc.,  the authentic wickless candle company. The concept is simple, and powerful. The products are heartwarming and current. Above all, they are safe.

Candle fires are reported more often during the holiday season than any other time of year. Four out of the 5 days with the highest reported incidences of home fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. (The fifth day is Halloween.)

Be fire safe this holiday and visit our blog http://www.safecandlesbyscentsy.blogspot.com

I just received a new 1.5” Digital Pocket Viewer as a gift.  It’s pretty nifty in that I can load pictures of my children onto it and then carry it in my purse.  It’s the modern day version of the accordion wallet file of family photos.  The first page of the little manual reads:  READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.  Of course I wondered how difficult this little gadget could be, as it is merely a little plug and play device.  It was written in all caps, so the warning scared me into actually reading all instructions before use.

At the very bottom of paragraph two I read (again in all caps) DO NOT LAUNCH THE SOFTWARE YET. Had someone just decided that they were above reading the manual, I can believe with utmost certainty that they would have launched the software at that point.  After all, it seemed like a natural thing to do.

Then I started thinking about all the people who sign up to be consultants for home-based companies.  Most are either given or have access to the company policies and procedures.  It is my understanding that most also need to sign or click that they have read, and agree to the information contained in the policies and procedures.  They affirm that they have READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.  However it has been my experience that truly, most do NOT read the policies and procedures before beginning their business.

These are the same people who think running a business is as easy as a plug and play device.  They are the same people who “launch the software” before it’s time.  These are the same people who don’t have a clue how their compensation works or what the qualifications are for rank advancement.

If I had opted to just plug and play my little 1.5” Digital Pocket Viewer and then preceded to launch the software before I taking other steps, it simply wouldn’t work.  And I wouldn’t have any idea what was wrong or how to fix it.  If you sign up to start a home business, be it candles, jewelry, gourmet food, makeup or any other wonderful products, it simply will not work if you don’t READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.

Out of all the questions asked on company specific consultant forums, I venture to guess that 99.9% of them could be answered if consultants only took the time to RTFM – Read the Fantastic Manual. Take some time to read all instructions before use – you might be pleasantly surprised what you learn!

About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan. She started her first home business in 1988. As a single parent, Laurie has supported her family by working at home as an Independent Consultant and Star Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping others learn how to start a candle business. You can find Laurie at www.IncomeWax.com

I know I speak for many other busy professionals when I say, “Please leave details when leaving a voice mail.”  Doing so is being respectful of our time.

Too often I get this:
“Hi, It’s me. Call me.”  (Some times I don’t even know who “me” is.)  If I’m lucky, I’ll get a name.

I’m not referring to my family or friends calling, I don’t expect protocol from them!  I’m referring to team members or potential recruits or anyone else who may need something from me.

Years ago the telephone rang while we were eating dinner.  My children asked me why I wasn’t answering it.  It was a wonderful lesson in time management and priorities.  I have always been of the philosophy that I am not a slave to the telephone.  Just because it rings does not mean that I need to drop everything to answer it.

I believe in being fully present at the moment.  If I am working on a project, or writing an article, or analyzing some data, or talking to my children, or talking a soak in the tub, I make a conscience effort to ‘be’ exactly where I am, sans interruption.  One of the rare exceptions is when I am away from my children.  I will stop whatever I am doing and check the phone, just in case it is one of my girls needing Mom.

In order to work efficiently I need to be able to set prioritize my workload. I also only check voice mail on average of once a day. Proper protocol dictates that when you leave a voice mail message leave details such as who, what, when and how.

Who:  Hi, it’s Sue (or Sue Smith, or Sue Smith, one of your down line)

What:  I had a question about the compensation (sign for me to call within 24 hours as it could affect her pocketbook – which is very important to people and tends to make some uneasy).
What:  I have a potential recruit sitting here and she had a question about breakaways that I’m not sure how to answer (sign for me to call ASAP)
What:  Call me (sign for me not to call or to call eventually as I have no idea what she needs and if it’s that important she should say what it is about.)

When:  It’s Monday at 1pm Mountain time (I get calls from all time zones)

How:  You can reach me at (616) 555-1234.

Don’t assume I have your phone number or have easy access to it.  Also please don’t assume I know what time zone you’re calling from.

Remember:  “Hi, it’s me, call me” doesn’t work so swell.  Rather:  “Hi, it’s JoAnne Wildgirl, I need to know if it’s ok if I sell on eBay, I couldn’t find it in the policies and procedures.  It’s now noon on Saturday, can you please call me back at (616) 555-1234, thanks” is much better.

About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan. She started her first home business in 1988. As a single parent, Laurie has supported her family by working at home as an Independent Consultant and Star Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping others start a candle business. You can find Laurie at www.IncomeWax.com