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13 Important Words for Shy Direct Sellers
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?
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 https://la.Scentsy.us, http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com or http://www.Twitter.com/thrivingcandle
What Separates Successful People from Unsuccessful People?
Before I get accused of plagiarism, something for which I have high distain, allow me to tell you that I found the information below on Evan Carmichael’s site. It is taken from an article, same subject, by author Cyle Greenwell. Ok, now that I’ve given credit where credit is due, how’s about we get on to finding out what separates successful people from unsuccessful people?
Step 1: Follow the proven system. If you wanted to be successful in real estate, wouldn’t you find someone who’s successful in real estate and then do what they do?
Step 2: Don’t quit. A lot of people quit their direct sales business before they can become successful. They think they are going to get rich quick, but when that doesn’t happen, they quit. No successful direct seller ever thought to themselves, “If I don’t make it big in the next six months, I’m going to quit.”
Step 3: Be a Fisher rather than a Hunter. Being overly aggressive means that you are a hunter. When an animal is being hunted, it runs because it doesn’t want to be caught and killed. When you are fishing, you attract people. (note: there is much more excellent on point info on this fishing analogy in the original article).
Step 4: Work hard. Your direct sales business may be a flexible, lucrative business; but it’s still a business. It’s not a hobby. It takes good old fashion hard work.
Step 5: Work harder on yourself than you do on your job. Your business is limited to the size of your own personal growth. Income rarely exceeds personal development.
For Cyle’s entire article, click on Evan’s link above.
Lost My Miss Congeniality Award
Dealing with Difficult Team Members in Your Direct Sales Biz? Read on …
I learned something recently, not everyone thinks I am as wonderful as I do. Just kidding, I’ve known that for years. That wasn’t a new revelation.
I received an email recently that could peel paint off prison walls. ‘Have to admit that at first I thought WTH! Well, because 99% of it was unfounded, inaccurate and it blind-sided me. It came out of nowhere. Clearly I am not on this person’s Christmas list. After the shock of it wore off and I shared it with two close professional associates and confidants, their remarks were “she must be on some funky medication that caused her to be delusional, confrontational and totally off her rocker”, and “don’t tell me, she’s a spoiled 30 yo who has a false sense of entitlement.”
No worries, I would never use this person’s name or break any confidence. No one knows the identity of this person unless she has chosen to disparage me to others. Who it was in this particular case is of no importance, however it is a very real topic that happens to most of us who spend any time in Direct Sales. It’s important to have the knowledge in your tool box so that you know how to deal with these kind of people, when situations like this arise.
Sadly, this person must really be struggling with something, as her note made her look like a buffoon. Regardless, I hope she is ok and whatever is causing her unbalance works itself out. I harbor no ill feelings and wish her well; I have always liked this person. Besides, I certainly couldn’t take such an attack seriously.
You can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose, or whatever that saying is! Point being, once you’ve earned senior ranks in your direct sales business and you manage a large organization, this also equates to more people to complain about you. It happens to all of us. Don’t let it crush you. Continue reading
If You Leave a Sucky Voice Mail You May Not Get a Return Call
Direct Sales offers the opportunity to learn from a number of people within your upline. As your downline grows you will/can have hundreds or thousands of consultants within your group. Once you reach senior ranks, time management skills are key to a successful business; the ability to set priorities is paramount if you are going to lead a large organization.
While I would not dare complain about having of team comprised of hundreds or thousands of consultants, having a large group does present some unique challenges; one being returning emails and phone calls.
The information below is actually for those consultants who leave messages for their sponsors, directors or managers. Whether your leader has 20, 200, 2,000 or 20,000 consultants on the team, the information below is relevant.
If your voice mail sounds like anything below, you may not get a return phone call – either not in a timely fashion or possibly not at all:
- Hi, it’s me, give me a call. (Me? Who is me?)
- Hi, it’s Sara, can you call me please? (I have 13 people named Sara. How am I to know which one?)
- Hi, this is Jane Doe. I have some questions. Can you call me please? 123-555-2345 (Name is good. Number is even better. “I have some questions” is far too ambiguous.)
Inventory to Grow Your Business
Many direct sales companies advertise that you can start a business for only $39 (or $99 or whatever the cost of a starter kit). While I agree that in some cases you can start a business for that amount, you’ll likely need more of an investment to grow a business.
I’ve also seen some ads that tout the perks of “No Inventory” needed. I can certainly appreciate that lack of necessity or requirement for said inventory; however, I do not agree that is necessarily a good thing to be without inventory.
In fact, I contend that inventory is highly encouraged if you wish to grow your direct sales business. Many direct sales companies take one to three weeks to receive product once it is ordered. In some cases, back orders occur and it can take even longer. Who wants to pay for something and then wait three weeks before you actually get it? Sure, many people do that, but imagine how much more your sales would increase if you had cash and carry available.
Whether you’re choosing to work your business via home parties, vendor events or one on one sales – we are in an age of convenience and impatience. Customers will most likely take what you have rather than place an order and wait weeks.
Also consider the turn around time. If you’re at a vendor event and have on hand inventory, the customer who purchases from you will take the item home and likely either start using it immediately or show someone what she purchased. Assuming your product is a consumable, the customer will need a refill all the more quicker vs. the three weeks of downtime while waiting to receive her initial order. Or if she shows it to someone that night “Hey look what I picked up at the craft show!” chances are greater for referral business, “Where did you get that? I want one!”
If your recruiting efforts include the words “No Inventory Needed”, you might want to change that to “If you’re able to stock up on a little inventory, it will really increase your sales ten fold.”
You’ve heard it before: It takes money to make money. A small investment in some on-hand inventory will be money well spent.
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 https://la.Scentsy.us, http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com or http://www.Twitter.com/thrivingcandle
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