The Annual Direct Sales Conference - Is it Really that Important to Attend?

The answer is YES! Do you like how that was short and to the point? Let me tell you why it is so important that you go to your annual direct sales conference.

• The Annual Conference is the Best Place to Get Motivated - Need some motivation in your business? Go to the annual conference. There you will see lots of people just like you who are making a success of their direct sales businesses. You can learn what they did to get where they are and what they’re doing to stay on top!

• Incentives, Incentives, Incentives - Often companies will offer an incentive like a discounted price or free registration to the conference if you reach a certain amount in sales and/or recruits. Setting your goals to reach these incentives will not only get you to the conference, but it will give your business a boost as well. Think of all the shows you will be holding and all of the sales you will be making to reach your goal.

• The Momentum You’ll Gain is Priceless - When you get back from the annual conference, you’ll be empowered with so much knowledge and motivation nothing will stop you from reaching your sales goals and gaining new recruits. If you boosted your sales and recruits to reach a goal prior to going to the conference, you’ll have all those shows to follow up on. You will be rolling along nicely in your business and your excitement will rub off on your new and potential recruits. They will want to sign up right away when they see how excited you are.

• The Knowledge You’ll Learn is Invaluable - Most annual conferences offer classes you can take while there. These classes will teach you how to be more successful in your direct sales business. The classes are usually taught by people at the top, who were once where you are right now. They will teach you how to get to the next level of your business.

• The Camaraderie is an Experience All Its Own - Everyone attending the annual conference has something in common with you. You will make new friends and possibly even meet a new mentor or role model. There won’t be a luncheon or banquet you will attend where you won’t have something to talk about with someone else.

• Big City Life Changes Everyone’s Point of View - If you’re like me, from a small, rural part of the country, going to a big city where annual conferences are usually held, is an experience you will never forget. It really changes your perspective on things and makes you realize this world isn’t so small after all. There really are a lot more resources out there than those from a small town may realize.
  

If you’re from a big city already you may meet someone from a smaller town and can learn from them as well. They know how to approach people on a personal level (because they probably know, or are related to, just about everyone in their town). The small town folks can teach you how to make a sale without sounding like someone who is only out to make money. Step aside pushy salesman, hello sincere friend or neighbor.

If your sales director or recruiter has been bugging you to go to the annual conference but you just weren’t sure about it, think about it no more. Set your goals. Make your plans and GO. I promise you won’t regret it. You will come back with so much excitement your mother-in-law will want to sign up. Okay, maybe that won’t happen, but I bet the girl you know would be perfect for this business finally will. No more excuses. Attending the annual conferences really is that important!

If you would like more great information on starting or running your home party plan biz please visit my website.

There are 5 traits every good leader possesses. If you don’t have these traits, may I strongly suggest you learn them. Yes, leadership can be learned. You don’t have to be a natural born leader to be a good leader.

As a matter of fact, I know some natural born leaders who aren’t good leaders at all. (That brings up the question of whether or not they are really leaders then. We will leave that for another discussion however.) I know, I know, get on to the 5 traits already. Okay, here they are.

A Good Leader is a Leader

I’ve heard the saying: “If you’re leading but no one is following, you are just taking a walk.” That is so true. Have you ever seen someone who is in a leadership position but no one is following them? I’m willing to bet you have.

Even some of the best leaders are not natural born. They’ve had to learn certain skills and what it takes to be a leader. You can do the same. When you lead people, you are actually teaching them, standing by their side and serving them. Yes, I said serving them. They will grow because of your example.

It’s like teaching your kids. You can’t teach your son to do the dishes if you don’t ever do them. You need to stand with him the first few times and do the dishes with him. Then when he is ready to do it by himself, the dishes will be all nice and clean, rinsed, dried and put away properly.

The same applies when you are in a leadership position in direct sales. Show your recruits how to do it and then do it with them. Next, help them when they first step out on their own. Yes, it takes time and energy, but there is no place better to invest your time and energy than in helping someone else.

A Good Leader is a Good Listener

A good leader isn’t one who thinks they know everything or who acts like she doesn’t have time to hear what her recruits or clients have to say. A good leader is one team members can go to when they need help with something or assistance in fixing a problem.

A good leader also knows what to listen to and what not to listen to. As a leader, you should not encourage gossip or negative talk about another person. You don’t have the time or energy to listen to someone who is a constant whiner and complainer. You’ll need some discernment and will also need to know how to politely turn away from this type of talk.

A Good Leader is Available

A good leader will make time for their recruits and clients. Some leaders have a set schedule for seeing recruits, but they also know emergencies arise and don’t get disgruntled when they do.

Set your own schedule, but be aware that your recruits will need you at times other than those you specifically set every once in awhile. Open your door and help them when they need it most.

A Good Leader is Organized and Knows How to Prioritize

This is not only true in business, but it is also true in a leader’s personal life. You’ll need to realize your family is most important and how to balance family and business. If you do not know how to organize and prioritize your business and personal life, don’t worry. There are tons of materials out there that can help you with this part. Look on the Internet or in your local bookstore for starters.

A Good Leader Doesn’t Let Obstacles Stand in the Way of Goals

In other words, you’ll need to know how to overcome obstacles or work around them. Also, don’t let negative people stand in your way. You should know how to block the negative and absorb the positive. Believe me, when you are in a leadership position, you will hear it all. Some of which you don’t want to hear, but have to just because you’re the leader. Filter out the bad and keep the good. Don’t let these obstacles stop you from reaching your goals.

There is a ton of information available on leadership qualities. Get some books, attend classes and learn from someone who is a good leader in your personal life, like your pastor, a teacher or sales director. Good leadership can be learned, you just have to be willing to study it.

Want more information on running your Home Party Plan Biz, please visit my website also.

(Home Party Plan Referrals)

Home Party Plan – Creating a Referral Plan that Works

One of the most frustrating parts about building a successful home party plan business for new consultants is creating a referral program that consistently brings in a steady stream of new leads.

It’s actually not as difficult as it sounds, and the sooner you put these simple techniques to work for your home party business, the quicker your business will begin to grow.

Here’s how to get started:

First of all, think of the last time that you experienced truly excellent customer service.  What do you remember about the experience?  What did the salesperson or representative do that made it stick out in your mind?

Sadly, getting excellent customer service has become such a rarity these days that when we do find someone who understands what it means and practices it in their business, we do remember it – and so will your customers.

Creating an excellent customer service program will also help to generate new leads and referrals to your business, because people will not only tell their friends, family, and contacts about you (usually without you even having to ask), but they’ll also be happy to send referrals your way when you do ask them to.

Start with your own customers. You’re going to create a “Preferred Customer Program” and let your customers know that they qualify for extra special services.  What’s wonderful about this is that it will make your customers feel special, and it’s not expensive or time consuming, as long as you stay organized.

Create a simple database – either on your computer, or do it by hand using recipe cards and a card box.  Under each customer name and contact information, include the personal information that you have – for example, birthday, anniversary, spouse and children’s names, hobbies, likes, etc.  Then, add additional information relating to your product line.  If you sell cosmetics for example, what is your customer’s skin tone? Facial shape?  Best feature?  What are her preferred colors (warm/cold, summer/winter, etc.)  What products does she buy all the time?  Favorite fragrance?  Add this information based on the products you sell and she likes.

For first time customers, put together a simple one page survey or online survey.  Invite your customers to fill it out – and tell them that you’ll be happy to let them know when sales of their favorite products are coming up, so that they can save money!  And then follow through.  Your customers will be delighted, and as you build trust and respect, you’ll also notice that your sales continue to grow.

Every month, go through your list of birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions for the next month, and add them to your calendar.  Taking the time to send an email, postcard, or greeting card lets your customers know that they are important to you – and that they mean more than the money they spend with you.  Pay attention to what’s going on in your customer’s lives, and be ready to ask questions, congratulate special occasions, or comfort during times of trouble. Because almost no one takes the time for these little extras any more, you – and your home party plan business - will be remembered.

Set up a Customer Referral Program. Make it fun and reward customers who refer other customers, hostesses, or recruits your way.  For example, you could offer monthly contests, with a product or special prize to the winner.  Or offer a special discount or reward program so that customers can earn gifts, products, or discounts on their next purchases.  One popular method is to use a points system, where points can be accrued over time – and the more points someone has, the bigger or more expensive prize they can earn.  Set up a point system for things like referring a new hostess, or someone who is interested in becoming a consultant, or hostessing a live, online, or catalog party.

One caution – create a system that is easy to use right from the beginning, and preferably one that is automated, to save yourself lots of administrative time down the road.  You want to be able to stay on track with your referral program and keep it organized, or it can quickly become a nightmare!  Include information about your referral program in all your hostess kits and other marketing materials.

Train your recruits to recruit. Don’t forget to take the time to teach your recruits your recruiting and referral methods, too.  Remember that their success helps to build your own.  Share your methods with them, and provide ongoing training and support.

As you can see, with a little bit of time and effort, your business sales and success will be soaring thanks to the simple techniques that will increase your leads and customer base!

Would you like more information about creating a referral plan? Click Here

How Home Party Consultants Increase Their Sales, Recruit More Team Members, and Book More Parties Using These Simple Steps – and You Can, Too!

When you first became a home party consultant, you were full of energy and excitement about your new business, and probably found yourself dreaming about how quickly you would become a “success” and started making plans about how to spend all the money you were sure you were going to be making, right?

And then, somewhere between two and six months into running your new business, you hit a slump and found it difficult to maintain the momentum, right?  Maybe your sales started dropping off, or you found it more difficult to convince people to host a party.  Maybe you even found yourself doing things like cleaning the scum behind the bathroom sink faucets or scraping the grout in the kitchen, just so you didn’t have to get on the phone and face another rejection.

Maybe you even began to doubt yourself and think that maybe you’re not cut out to be a home party consultant after all.

Well, I’ve got some good news for you!  What you’re facing is something that probably 85% of all new home party consultants face in their business.  In fact, not only is it a common problem, there is also a solution.  Just follow these simple techniques, and in no time at all, you’ll find yourself back on the fast-track to owning your own successful – and profitable business:

Dream a Little Dream

Set aside an hour when you’re not going to be disturbed.  Turn off the phone, don’t look at your email, and if the doorbell rings, pretend that you’re not at home.  The first thing you’re going to do is a little “dreaming.”  That’s right.  I want you to sit down and imagine your “perfect” business.

Let’s pretend that it’s 5 years from now.  What does your business look like?  Describe it.  Where is your office?  What is your title?  What does your office look like?  Do you have a staff or team?  How many?  What are they like?  It’s important that you write down on paper your dream.  Put as many details into it as you can – how much money do you make a year?  What kind of lifestyle do you have because of your business?

The reason that it’s important to dream first is because if you don’t have a vision – an idea of what you want – how are you going to know when you get there?  Start with the big picture first.  Every time you get discouraged, just knowing where you want to end up and exactly what you want to achieve can help you to stay focused and motivated, even during the most difficult of circumstances.

If you’re a visual person, you might even want to create a dream book that you can paste pictures in of the things you want.  (The world’s experts on goal setting and business building and even top sports figures all agree that visualization is one of the basic building blocks of getting what you want.)

Get Smart

Now create your long-term goals.  Here are a few things to keep in mind about goals:  Write them down.  Give each goal a deadline.  And make your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.)  Long-term goals can be goals that you want to achieve anywhere from 1 to 5 years down the road.

Here’s another hint: Your long-term goals should all be related to the last things you need to do before achieving your dream.

Get Chunky with It

Now let’s break down one of your long-term goals. (This is also called “chunking” your goals.)  For example – if you decide that within one year you want to be making $20,000 a year working part-time in your home party consultant business, one of the things you’ll need to figure out is what your net average party sales are.  (You can either take your total sales for the last year and subtract your expenses, or if you haven’t been in business for a year yet, take your last month’s party sales and add them up.)

Now subtract your expenses – what it cost you to do business.  Next, multiply that number by 12.  Then take your “goal” amount - $20,000.  Divide that by 12.  (I’m going to round it up to $1,667.)  In order to reach your goal of $20,000 a year, you only have to earn $1,667 a month – which really isn’t that much.)  Now look at the number you came up with for your net sales.  Let’s say you came up with $300 per party, and you’re holding an average of 4 parties a month.

At your current level, you only have to make another $5,600 in the next 12 months – or an additional $466.67 a month.  Which means there are two very simple ways you could meet – actually exceed your goal.  Increase your sales at every party – in this example, that means you only need an additional $116.67 per party.  Or hold two more parties a month, and you’ll exceed your goal.

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

Now let’s work on creating short-term goals that will help you achieve your long-term goal.  If the average guest at a party spends $50.00, then that means that you would only need three additional guests each month – and you’ll meet or exceed your goal.

What can you do this week to help each one of your hostesses get one or two more guests to their parties?  What about a contest?  A fun new theme?  Can you find a new way to motivate your hostesses?  What about encouraging them to give out catalogs to each person they invite who can’t come to the party? Or offering a special – and highly coveted prize – to the hostess with the highest sales for the month?

That’s all there is to it.  Know what you want – have a vision for your business.  Create long-term goals that are SMART.  Chunk those goals down into doable steps each week or each day.  Work on each step until you’ve achieved it, and then move on to the next.  Persistence will pay off in the end, and one day you’re going to look around and realize that you’ve built the business you once only dreamed about!

Find more information here

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