I know you are thinking, Lisa , who will want to have a party right away?”  Let me paint a picture for you.  If you wanted to go shopping and invite a friend to go with you, would you call a friend and say, “Hi, I am going shopping on Tuesday, February 9.  Would you like to go with me?”  Or would you call a friend and say, “I am going to go shopping this Thursday night. Would you like to go with me”?

I have found that the best parties are the ones booked in close.  The hostess was enthusiastic, invited the guests right away.  She did not put off doing what needed to be done.  Her guests did not have time to forget. People generally know more about what they are doing in a few days versus in 2 weeks. Here are some words to help you paint a picture for potential hostesses.

In fact, maybe you can book an evening party and a daytime office event this weekend as well.  Start dialing and smiling.  Call everyone and say, “Hi Jennifer, this is Lisa.  I am calling you today because I really want you to know how much I appreciate you as one of my customers.  There are a couple things that I am offering all of my customers.  One of the things Jennifer I love to do is help others start home-based businesses too.  This time a year is a great time to more or less job test – see if this is something you would enjoy doing.  Have you ever thought about doing something alongside your family and other activities to earn some extra income?”

If they say; no I am not interested.  Then say, the other goal I have in helping my customers this year is to invite everyone to enjoy hosting a stress free party and earning some of our products for free. What has your experience been with home parties?  I have  some time this Thursday where I would love to stop by for just a little quick visit and show you some of our products.  If they say yes, then say, “Can you think of some other people who might enjoy that idea too?  I can be in and out of your home in an hour or two.   What do you think?  Would you like to be one of my stop and shop hostesses?” Don’t prejudge.  Just start dialing.

Ask everyone.  Click Parties for information on a tool to make booking parties easier.  Believe that there is someone out there eager and ready to hear from you.  Think of it as if you are playing hide and go seek.   You start looking everywhere, having a good time looking.  Are you ready to do the same thing?  I want to encourage you to be ready to look for all your customers to show your appreciation and commitment to being there for them this year.

Also, you can call some receptionists at offices and share you would love to offer to pop in during lunch and do the same for them and their co-workers this year.  Offer to come in during lunch one day this week and share some of your products.  Let them know that  they would also be participating in a community service project because you will be donating gifts to a shelter, the Red Cross or a special organization based on the sales at all the doctors offices , law firms, real estate offices, etc. You can book these quick to be held events.  The key is to start sharing with everyone, people you know and people you do not know.  Become an “equal opportunity” sharer today.  Again, keep in mind you have something to share that everyone might like to know more about.  It is your job to share to find them.  “Come out, come out wherever you are!”

One of the most effective ways to market your direct sales business is through local vendor events, Girls Night Out like Shecky’s, bridal shows, Networking events, fundraisers, fashion shows and wine festivals. With a little creativity and know how, these events can be a fun and exciting way to meet new customers, book additional parties and sponsor new team members.

Find events in your area. Check your local newspaper, community calendar or Craigslist.com click on calendar and click on all events and type in vendors. Also, one of the best ways to learn about direct sales events is from the people who participate in them. Connect with fellow direct sellers and ask for referrals to the events that they’ve had success with.

Attend events. If you are planning to participate in an event, you’ll want to learn how other direct sellers set up table displays and interact with customers. Watch for the booths that are the busiest and think of ways that you can incorporate the best ideas.  I found that roulette wheels draw people to your booth.  Spin the wheel to win a sample or book a show at the event an sign the wheel for free product.

Reserve your spot. Make contact with the promoter and fill out all of the appropriate forms. Make sure you find out the average attendance, in order to determine the number of fliers and handouts that you’ll need and the booth size that you will require. You’ll also want to know what the layout of the booth will look like, so that you can plan your table display accordingly.

Stock up. Make sure you have enough promotional materials. In the weeks preceding your event, you’ll want to make sure you order enough catalogs, opportunity info, business cards and sample packs.

Create a lead box. The most important aspect of a vendor booth is generating leads and future business. Offer a small giveaway and create drawing slips or contact forms for your guests to fill out. Include questions such as, “Would you like to host a show?” or “Would you like a catalog?” so you know how to follow up with potential hostesses and customers.  To order a lead box I recommend www.wabizbox.com (I spray paint the box silver –clued a plastic sleeve to the back so that I change the flyer out)

Practice. You’ll want to set up and arrange your display at home prior to participating in the event. This way you can be assured that you have enough room for the key elements of your display.

Stand up and smile. Try not to sit down during the event or you may appear to be bored. Engage you booth guests by asking them questions or offering product samples. Remain enthusiastic throughout the event and your guests will respond accordingly.

Have a goal in mind.  Know what you want to gain from each event.  Will it be selling products, filling your calendar with bookings or setting Nite facials.  Goals will help you stay focus.

Lisa

I find myself as a leader, motivator, coach and therapist at times.   I have become and expert in the direct sales industry for over 8 years.  So when someone said hog wash to the phrase ” things happen for a reason”.  I pay no mind.

I have been given a gift to make other peoples lives a little better if not great.  What I do is offer others the ability to have financial freedom, time leveraging, choices.

Most of us are looking to make a difference in our own lives and with others…opportunities are always knocking at our hours the key is to see the potential in the things that are right in front of us. Are you looking for a change something that gets you up in the morning and makes life a little easier? Then let me share with you, what gets me fired up every day its called Votre Vu frenchskincare@gmail.com

Life is not a dress rehearsal. We only get one shot at it, and just one chance to make the most of every second.

There are no retakes in a live show so step into the spotlight now and perform to the best of your ability.

Direct selling is an aspirational business. Most of us are driven to do more and be more in our lives. While we must never forget to be grateful for what we have.

As the recession lingers on and most people are waiting for things to get better, you take a different approach. Focus on making yourself better.

• Pick up the phone more often
• Do a few extra parties to make up for lower sales and offer more people a chance to start their own business. This is the perfect time to build your team.
• Out of leads? Search for a Trade Show coming up in your town and book a booth.
• Nothing is going to change until and unless you change.

1) First, pick a service on the web that is good for making a code that shows where you are on the web – twitter, Facebook etc.  (free service— http://www.qrstuff.com/ or http://www.uqr.me)  use bit.ly for tracking or budurl.com

2) Decide what it is you want readers of your QR Code to find. If it’s going to be on your           business card, maybe you want it to direct them to your blog’s website? If you are putting it on your blog, then maybe it should go to a video of you welcoming them? Or maybe it directs readers to a link that tells readers all the different ways to connect with you on the web. It would be super slick if your QR Code provided readers with a secret coupon code! The sky is the limit!

Scan this QR code with your iphone and it will take you to my personal website.

Instead of promoting our Facebook Personal Profile , include a link to your fan page in every email you send out.  Check out Wisestamp signature add-on.  Wise stamp is easy to install.  In order to use this feature you need to have firebox  or Google Chrome installed on your computer.   It cost $24 for the year.  What is nice about this signature you may connect your twitter account, motivation quotes, blog post to the end of your signature.  As you update your post a new fresh  post will show on your signature.  Always keeping you updated.

Easy ways to reduce junk mail

Call,write or go online to the following companies and request your name be taken off their list:

Direct Mail: The Direct Marketing Assoication (DMA) is the single largest provider of direct mail list.  They charge a $1 fee if you send your request by mail or you can submit through the online form.

DMA Mail Preference Service , P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512, Online form www.dmachoice.com

Credit Card Offers:  You do not need to provide your social security number.  STay on the line and they will process your request without your soical security number.  equifax/Trans Union/Novus/Experion  1-888-567-8688

Sweepstakes: Publishers Clearinghouse:  1-800-645-9242

Shopping Flyers: Val Pak Coupons:  1-800-237-6266, Advo/Valassis 1-888-241-6760 or www.advo.com/consumersupport, Harte Hanks Direct Marketing 1-800-422-4116 or www.pennysaverusa.com/contactus

2)  Catalogs: Remove your name from specific catalog lists for free by visiting CatalogChoice.org     You can also contact the catalog  and tell them you want your name taken off their list.  Call the number on the catalog or write a letter.  It is easier for the organization to remove your name if they have the exact copy of your address lable; cut or peel it off and glue or tape it to the bottom of your letter.

3)”Do not sell my Name”,  When you buy from catalogs over the phone or online, make sure to let the company know you don’t want them to sell your name or send promotional materials.

4) To reduce junk email: At the bottom of your email advertising flyer It will have unsubscribe.  click on the and you will be removed with in the next month.  If you still see the advertising showing up call the store/company and ask to be remove from their online mailing list.

In the beginning this might be a little time consuming but in the end it will only save you time.  Wouldn’t you like to have more time to do the things you love.  Most People notice a difference in about three months with the amount of junk mail that comes to your door.  Be patient, removal of you name can take up to a year.

Who is your CEO?  What is his background?  How many investors are involved in the company?  To find out these answers start reaching.  Great place to start is on Google & LindekIn.   To be successful in Direct Sales you to have belief in the Company, as well as products and belief in yourself.  The information you find will help you determine if the company is stable with an excellent support staff and financially sound.  You don’t want to join a company and find out a year later they are closing their doors.

Does your Direct Sales Company offer hostess rewards?  How much are their business supplies?Do you have Credit card fees?    How much do you have to invest every time you go out the door to promote your product?  These are the things you need to be looking for.  You are here to many money not go bankrupt.

Lets talk about product for a minute.  For me I want results I can not promote something that I don’t believe in.  I find most people are same.  So how do you know what industry is right for you?  What are you passionate about?  If you are a health nut or a dedicated fitness person you might enjoy Max International is an international health and wellness company that produces and markets patented nutritional supplements. Still considered ground floor opportunity.  If you love to travel you might enjoy YTB travels. Reps sell e-commerce business solutions through a direct sales model and are … and pays retail product and travelsales commissions.  Love helping others wanting to make a difference, helping others gain confidence about them selves you might consider Skincare industry.   Votre Vu new Direct Sales company that have open their doors in the last 2 years.  Basically take something that interest you because you can find deep inside you that passion.  Passion sells!   Your excitement that causes interest in others.

The bottom line is money.  We are not doing this for free.  We don’t mind the hard work but we want to get paid for our efforts.  Find a company that pays with out having to put out large investments.    Find a company that ships direct to client.  With the way the gas prices have been and the wear and tear on your car not having to make deliveries give you more time to work your business or spend with your family.

Warmly,

Lisa D’Astuto

Join me on facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheNetworkInsider