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Networking

Taking Your Online Business Offline

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Having an online business is a wonderful thing. At this point in my life I can’t imagine having it any other way. I have my internal customers – my downline team members, and also my external customers – those who order from my website. One of the key factors in maintaining an online customer base is going offline.

While email is so convenient and a great tool to manage a large organization, it’s missing a human element. The time that I save with emails allows me more time to write hand written notes. And I do write many handwritten notes almost daily. For example:

  • Thank you notes for online orders; and I mention something specific about their order so they don’t just think it is a generic note.
  • Follow up cards to customers who have not ordered in two or more months
  • Welcome to the team for new consultants
  • [Read more…] about Taking Your Online Business Offline

3 Smart Words: I Don”™t Know

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Think you’ll look stupid if you respond, “I don’t know”? If you’re of this mindset you’re wrong.

If you want to look smart to your customers and downline use these three words: I don’t know. Then if you really want to dazzle them, follow it up with: But I’ll find out and get back to you.

There’s a quote that says, “If you can’t dazzle them with your intelligence, baffle them with your bullshit.” If you have ever been the recipient of such baffling, I’m sure you’ll agree that the person who is handing you a load of bulllloney, is the one who looks like a buffoon. People can see right through that.

I often see consultants in a state of analysis paralysis. They’re getting ready to get ready. Fear is crippling them; fear of not knowing all the answers. That’s just a bunch of hooey. What would make one think that they have to know all the answers? Do these people really think that they’ll be judged so harshly if they don’t have an accurate, on the spot response to every question that could possibly be thrown their way? [Read more…] about 3 Smart Words: I Don”™t Know

Is That Business Idea Really a Good Idea

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When you start a direct selling venture your sponsors and fellow consultants can provide wonderful ideas to build your direct sales business. No sense reinventing the wheel. Take the experience from veterans and learn from them.

Sounds like pretty sound advice, yes? It certainly can be wonderful advice. However one word of caution: Test Everything.

Not all business ideas are good ideas. Some ideas may be obsolete – what worked in 1989 probably won’t work today. Other ideas may work well in one geographic area but would flop where you live. Still others may initially sound like a good idea, though after further consideration may create a threat to your personal safety.

For example:

Good Idea? One idea that recirculates every couple of years within the direct sales community is to affix business cards or catalogs to the outside of your car while you are parked in public. Some suggest using a magnetic locker caddy; others prefer using suction cup shower caddies. The idea behind it is that while you’re in the mall or grocery store, other patrons will walk past your vehicle, take a catalog or business card and then potentially be your next customer or recruit.

Bad Idea. I emphatically discourage any home based consultant from employing this tactic. Do you really want complete strangers knowing what kind of vehicle you drive or that your vehicle at that very moment could contain the candles, jewelry, or kitchenware that you’re promoting? How easy would it be for someone to lie in wait, and then follow you home – because surely you may have some inventory at home and possibly even a stash of cash from a recent party? Instead of “Take One“ or “Free“ you might as well hang a sign that says “Follow me home if you want to burglarize me; I have a stash there!“ Or “Expensive Inventory on Board“

It’s also a waste of your marketing collateral. Kids or competitors would love to take your catalogs and business cards. They’ll end up in the round file or scattered all over the parking lot. Then perhaps the facility manager can give you a personal phone call – no not to place an order, but to inform you about their no solicitation policy and fine for littering.

Good Idea? Approach at least three people a day about your products or opportunity. [Read more…] about Is That Business Idea Really a Good Idea

13 Important Words for Shy Direct Sellers

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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, https://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com or https://www.Twitter.com/thrivingcandle

Do You Ever Clock Out From Direct Sales?

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If you’re a direct seller, are you always on the clock? Or as Kenny Rogers says, is it important to “know when to hold “˜em, know when to fold “˜em, know when to walk away “¦?” I would agree that there are opportunities literally everywhere to introduce your products or business opportunity to someone. Yet are there times that even if an opportunity presents itself, you should not take it?

For example, if you’re in the hospital sitting with a loved one who is ill, should you prospect the medical staff? Would it matter if the loved one was in Intensive Care or merely recovering from a common procedure?

If you learned someone just lost a pet, would it be acceptable to show a brief moment of sympathy and then approach the subject of your direct selling opportunity? Or should business be left to a separate conversation, at a more opportune time?

I am in a unique position to hear about hundreds of situations that happen each day in the direct selling world. All of my examples given have come from actual situations – sanitized to protect the innocent. I know what I consider acceptable, but I’d like to hear how you feel about golden opportunities for direct sellers.

Take “˜em if you get “˜em? Or not all opportunities need to be acted upon? Weigh in on this discussion.