Most people who join a direct sales company do so for one of three reasons:

A.    To start a business
B.    To earn a little extra money
C.    As a hobby or for personal use

The glory of direct sales is that it can be any of those three things to anyone – the choice is yours.  Before signing up with any company I would encourage you to determine which of the above categories best suits you.  That is certainly not to say that you can’t change your mind at some point down the line.

To ensure a smooth start to either your business, your part time extra money venture or your personal purchasing, have a clear idea why you are in it.  Then communicate that to your sponsor.  If you’re merely in it for the minimum qualifications and don’t have any desire at this time to build a team nor to participate in any group trainings, be very direct in your wishes.

Likewise, if you have your plate full with other priorities and simply wish to hold one party a month, then let your sponsor know.  This is an important step because if you don’t, you may find yourself feeling pressured to perform more and more. Your sponsor may think she is helping or encouraging, but if you two don’t communicate, then her encouragement could turn to resentment. Then be sure to let her (or him) know when you have questions or need help.

Lastly if you’re in it to start a business and earn a decent income, communicate that. Your sponsor is obligated to ensure you have the tools you need to be successful. However she won’t know what your goals and needs are if you don’t speak up. Don’t wait around for information to be doled out to you.  You’re an independent business owner.  If you weren’t sent the information you need; if you can’t locate it in your back office; if your sponsor won’t return emails or phone calls; then go up line until you get what you need.

Direct sales provides customized solutions for whatever suits your fancy. If you’re entertaining starting a business (or earning extra income or purchasing for personal use) I encourage you to check out Scentsy Wickless Candles.  It’s a wonderful company to work with and is further evidenced by winning the first DSA Rising Star Award.

This week we’re Sparking an Idea On Enjoying a Business-Free Holiday!

I just got back from a week long trip to the beach. Most people on the trip with me were able to enjoy the week without thinking about work. I on the other hand had to sneak a few moments each day to check on my business. Because I was more prepared than I have been on previous vacations, I didn’t have to spend too much time working, but with even better planning and a little help, I’m hoping my next trip will be work free (assuming I don’t start to twitch with the need to check my email!)

Use Systems: One of the things that made my “job” easier while I was gone was ability to let systems do the work for me. I didn’t have to send out my newsletter because I set my list service up before I left to send it for me. I didn’t have to post daily work at home jobs at WorkAtHomeSuccess.com or my two weekly articles here at WAHM2.0 because I set Wordpress to post them for me.

Plan in Advance: In order for my systems to work for me, I had to have the information pre-done and posted, which required me to double up on work the week before my trip.  Essentially I had to put two weeks of work into one week. But its not as difficult as it sounds. When you know what’s coming, you can often get it done along side other work you need to do. For example, I post 5 work-at-home jobs a day at my blog, but knowing I would be gone, instead of searching five jobs, I found ten setting the second five to post a day I would be gone.

Get Help: Because my major work for the week was done, the only thing I had to do on my trip was check my email. This was easy through my Blackberry, but because I get so much junk mail, it was tedious to wade through it on my phone. For my next trip I intend to ask my virtual assistant to take care of email for me (note: many WAHM’s have a virtual assistant manage email even when they aren’t on vacation).  If anything is pressing, she can text me to let me know what needs my attention. Other than that, I can be email-free. Well…I’ll try. Email is the one thing I have difficulty letting go of.  But email isn’t the only thing you can get help on. You can get guest bloggers or have your VA post reprint articles to keep your blog active if you don’t want to write a double week’s worth of blogs. A VA can also take phone messages, manage your social networking, keep watch on your website and handle any problems it may have while you’re gone.

Being able to spend time away from your business without worrying about keeping it running or handling a crisis is important. As a solo-WAHM-preneur it can be hard to mentally step away even if you’re physically gone from the office. But with systems, planning and help you can enjoy yourself and still keep your business running smoothly.

But in a difficult economy, you need to be smart about the type of business you start. People are spending less, foregoing many of the luxuries they once had. While I do believe that you should choose a business that fits your talents and interests, it should be something that offers products or services that people continue to need or use even in a down economy.

Here are some areas to consider in today’s economy:

1. Products and Services for the over 50 Crowd - With over 76 million baby boomers, this is a big market. Business ideas include the areas of health and wellness, retirement planning, and in-home care.

2. Services to the Self-Employed - This is a growing market as well as more and more people take control of their livelihoods. Services needed include technical support, virtual assistance, professional services such as accounting, and marketing.

3. Sustaining the Earth - Being green is the in thing. Providing products or service that help people while also helping the earth has become profitable.  There are business opportunities that have green products or you can create your own. Helping families and businesses be green and save green (money) by doing a “green audit” is another business option.

4. Health and Wellness - Everyone is concerned about health and wellness now especially since the report by Dr. David Katz that  indicated that children born after 2000 would NOT outlive their parents because of poor diet. Business ideas abound in this area and include diet and nutrition, fitness, organic foods, supplements, and health and wellness coaching.

5. Accessories and Apps - Is there anything you can’t do with an iPhone app? Do you have the carriers, covers and adapters for your cell phone or MP3 player? People are making a great deal of money creating accessories and application to be used on cell phones, MP3 players, computers and more.

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!

A dear friend once told me to spend 90% of my time minding my own business and 10% of the time keeping others out of my business.  That is some of the best entrepreneurial advice I ever received (it’s relevant to non-work related life too).

Specifically I’m referring to independent consultants of the same company – any company, it happens industry wide – spending waaaaaaaay too much time worrying about what other consultants are doing. If they spent a fraction of the time tending to their own business they wouldn’t have time to get their panties in a wad over what other consultants are up to.

I fully embrace that if you are made aware of someone who is participating in a bona fide compliance infraction and it can hurt your own business or the company as a whole, then you should make the powers-that-be aware of the situation.  This type of issue is not what I am referring to.

But rather I am talking about the tattletalers.  Again, no matter what company you represent I’m sure you see this on some scale.  A prime example of this time consuming whining is eBay sales.  As far as I know, most direct sales companies prohibit consultants from retailing on eBay.  Yet on any given day you can search a particular direct sales company name and find hundreds or thousands of listings of product. That’s a fact.

Yet consultants want to take up time on message forums or complaining to upline and anyone else who will listen that “So and so has listings on eBay!”  Then to consume even more time, these folks also take time to email the seller and attempt covert action of uncovering the consultant’s real identity.  “I wrote the seller and just casually asked if they had any other items available or if they could order more!”

People!  Mind your own business!  Just go sell the wax [or jewelry, or makeup, or kitchen gadgets or lotions and potions or whatever product you sell]. Let your corporate office handle these issues.

“But… but … they’re taking my customers away,” you sadly lament.  No.  No those who purchase from eBay are looking for a bargain.  They buy on eBay so that they don’t have to pay retail or attend a home party or deal with an overly eager consultant.  Those are not your customers.  Besides, the sellers often are losing money after they pay for the cost of goods sold, then eBay and PayPal fees.  So let them continue to lose money.

Instead of worrying about what other consultants are doing, get tunnel vision for your own business and you’ll start to see profits soar.

Remember this mantra:

1. Sell the [insert your product line here]
2. Get others to sell the [insert your product line here]
3. Repeat

Simple, right?  Now go mind your own beeswax and make it a productive day!

This book was published in 1987 and the content is still relevant today. Whether a direct sales consultant, freelancer, WAHM-wannabe or any other entrepreneur this book will inspire you. It’s an easy read sprinkled with humor. Debbi was a stay at home wife and mom who took her passion to build a thriving business doing what she loved.

Mrs. Fields Cookies is a true success stories.  The book talks about her guiding principles and some the struggles she encountered starting her business. She rejected conventional advice with regard to marketing and promotion. Debbi and her husband focused first on making a spectacular cookie, then coupled it with sales staff training and customer service to become a multi-million dollar franchise.

If you’re thinking of starting a business or just needing some inspiration to get you through the slower summer months, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book.

1. Prepare for and anticipate things that can go wrong. Your computer can crash, so arrange to regularly back it up to an external drive or an online source.
2. Have an emergency go-to person for your children if you need to run out at the last minute to an appointment or get a rush order.
3. If your boss or client needs to have you come in asap, make sure your papers and equipment are easy to transport to the site. Use a briefcase or tote and keep your projects in files so you can easily collect them and go.
4. Keep your home appliance and work equipment in top shape to avoid breakdown. Have a toolbox or a list of trusted technicians handy for when things do break down.
5. Help the family be prepared. Have pre-made meals and activities for the family for those days and nights that you have to work.

Sparkplugging is continuing our new tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!

This week we’re Sparking an Idea About Email

While I fully embrace the concept of working smarter, not harder - I do not support being lazy in business. Specifically I am referring to sending emails. It sure is easy to hit the Forward key and pass on some exciting, valuable, funny and insightful information, isn’t it?

It bugs the crap out of me when I see emails that contain other people’s email address. It’s a breach of their privacy and opens them up to unwanted SPAM. It bothers me when I receive emails of this nature but I hate to even think about the emails that are sent to others that also contain my email address.

Consider this if you send out a team email to your down line. Just because everyone may be a consultant for the same team and the same company does not mean that you should be sending out their contact information for all to see. Instead use the BCC: (Blind Carbon Copy) feature to select names of the recipients, this will ensure their addresses are hidden and protected.

If to you, it’s no big deal if you see email addresses of others or if your own email address is sent to others, at least be considerate and realize that it does bother others. Respect their privacy.

There, I feel so much better now that I have that email pet peeve off my chest!

1. Stay connected with the main office. If you telecommute, drop in sometime or find ways to connect with the boss and colleagues via email, collaborative project management sites, or social networking.
2. Join local business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce or find a group through Meetup.com.
3. Use online social networking such as Twitter and Facebook to connect with like minded moms.
4. Join a mastermind group to help you flesh out ideas, get feedback and receive support. I like MomMasterminds!
5. Get out of the house. Take some time to get away from the home office. Living and working under one roof can make for some really tedious moments. Even if you have to work, you can find a local cafe or go to the library for a change of pace.

As a self employed direct seller, there are many times when I am working on a task, headed toward a particular objective, but then I get so sidetracked that what should take me 20-30 minutes to complete can take me more than an hour.

This reminds me of my nightly walks with my puppy.  For the first half of the jaunt she wants to stop and sniff everything; she wants to turn around and go the other way; she wants to check out the pinecone in the street; she wants to cross the street; she wants to do everything except stay focused and walk in the direction we are going.

According to SeeFido.com, teaching and training your dog to “Heel” is essential for all dog trainers as it is part of teaching your dog to be disciplined. To teach the dog this, the dog must be on a leash next to the dog trainers left leg. The trainer will then start to walk with the dog at the command of “Heel” and the dog must walk right next to the dog trainers left leg without running ahead, or stopping at any moment. The way to teach the dog to stay next to the dog trainer is to pull at the leash with short quick pulls.

I wonder if there is a way to set up my computer to detect when I’m stopping at a mailbox to sniff, then I will get a short quick pull on my leash, accompanied by the command:  Laurie … HEEL!  Maybe that would keep me on track!

Think how productive I could be! Hmm - wonder what other tricks I could learn.