Direct Sales Home Party Theme Ideas

Tired of the same hum drum, let’s face it – boring home parties?  Spice up your next direct sales home party with an exciting theme!  The ideas below ought to get your creative juices flowing. Starting planning your next bash and watch the sales roll in!

Banana Split Party – Hostess provides the ice cream, guests provide the toppings. Guests bring a dressed banana for a banana fashion show to be judged by the guests. Winning banana gets a prize.

Beach Party – Keep that summer feeling going all year long. Guests bring their bathing suits in a brown paper bag for everyone to guess who belongs to the suit.

Chocolate Lovers Party – Serve chocolate goodies. Guests bring their favorite chocolate recipe. A fun chocolate quiz is given. How well do your guests know their chocolate?

Christmas in August – Lots of specials for hosts and guests. First look at the beautiful new holiday line. Every guest gets a sample or car candle.

Come and Go Party – On the go? Juggling too many things at once? Have friends drop in and out in allotted time period. Drawing every 30 minutes.

Couples Party – Get couples together for a fun time with candles. Men LIKE candles, so why not get them together with you so you can find out what each other likes. All couples get a gift.

Garden or Patio Party – Have your show in your garden or on the patio/deck. Guests wear a garden hat or big floppy hat. Drawing for the best hat, funniest, ugliest.

Fundraiser Party – Looking for a new fundraiser idea? Why not support your favorite cause at the same time guests are doing their candle shopping?

Halloween Party – Challenge your guest to come in costume and earn a gift. Goodie bags given to all who bring a friend. Serve apple cider, pumpkin pie or candy apples.

Hawaiian Shirt Party – A bit of the Islands here on the mainland. Some Don Ho music, your favorite tropical drinks and a lei and you can have Hawaii in your living room. Guests who wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt will get a gift.

Mardi Gras Party – Any day can be Mardi Gras. Guests who dress in Mardi Gras colors, wear beads or a mask get a gift.

Margarita Party – Love Margarita’s? This is the party for you. I’ll bring Margarita recipes and give the guests a Margarita quiz.

Mother/Daughter Party – Includes mothers-in-law, step-mothers, grandmothers etc. It’s a time for laughter and sharing with a favorite picture. All mothers get a sample or car candle.

Pool Party – Party around your pool. Have guests bring their bathing suits in a brown paper bag and everyone will guess whose it is.

Potluck Party – Guests bring dish pertaining to their nationality. What a great way to get to know another culture and cuisine by Scentsylight.

Red, White & Blue Party – Celebrate the good old red white and blue. Prize for the best patriotic outfit.

Salad Party – Each guest brings a salad ingredient or a salad specialty. All melon scents are on sale.

Shower Party – Whether it’s a baby, bridal, anniversary or house warming, shower someone with a [Your Company] gift shower. Encourage brides to be to fill out our gift registry. For new mom’s, shower her with gifts she can use. What better way to decorate your home at no cost than with a [Your Company] house warming party. Candles, Warmers and wax in every room!

Strawberry Shortcake or Strawberry and Chocolate Party – Or try a fondue Party. All strawberry and chocolate scents are on sale.

Sample Scavenger Hunt – Wax samples are hidden in the backyard or in the house. Guests get to keep what they find.

Tropical Drink Party – Get the blender out, bag the ice and let’s party. Serve various tropical drinks and unwind with friends

Ugly Candle Contest – Admit it, we all have ugly candles hidden away. Bring them out and to the party for an ugly candle contest. Winner of ugly candle goes home with a new one. This also works well for the sootiest candle. We all know that wicked candles, regardless of wax used can produce ugly black soot on the edge. Who has the blackest one?

Very Berry Party – Make berry deserts, or berry toppings for cheesecake or ice cream. All berry scents are on sale.

White Elephant Party – Your trash could be someone else’s treasure. Bring a wrapped unwanted “treasure” from home. You will go home with someone else’s “treasure” at the end of the evening.

Wine and Cheese Party – Relax with friends over some wine and cheese and warmers. Enjoy the warm candle glow of each as you celebrate life.

About the Author:  Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan.  She started her first home business in 1988. As a single parent, Laurie has supported her family by working at home.  She is currently an Independent Consultant and Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles.  You can find Laurie at www.IncomeWax.com.

Join Pink Spa...FREE!

Be Your Own Boss. Work Your Own Hours. Make Your Dreams A Reality.

How much does it cost to join Pink Spa?

• From March 1 through March 31, you can receive a FREE Pink Spa Starter Kit!  Sign up now and you will receive a kit valued at over $100 worth of products. The only catch is that you will not receive commission on the first $100 you sale. You are putting your kit to work for you! After you sale $100, you will receive 35%-50% commission. What a great opportunity!

How much can I earn?

• View Compensation and Career Plan.

I am ready to join. What do I do next?

• It's easy! Just fill out the Pink Spa Agreement and mail or fax it.

What are the benefits of becoming a Pink Spa Consultant?

• Be one of the first consultants in a fast-growing company
• 35% (or more!) compensation rate
• Work as little or as much as you want
• You are not responsible for hostess benefits
• No stock required
• No monthly qoutas
• Work flexible hours
• Chance to do something you love!

What comes in the Pink Spa Kit?

• 1 bottle of Body Wash (Tropical Sunrise)
• 1 bottle of Hand Sanitizer (Pink Love)
• 1 jar of Sugar Scrub (Malibu Lime)
• 1 jar of Whipped Body Butter (Malibu Lime)
• 1 bottle of Body Spray (Pink Love)
• 1 bottle of Bath Salts (Pink Sugar)
• 1 Natural Loofah
• 1 jar of Pedi Polish (Margarita)
• 1 jar of Pedi Whip (Margarita)
• 1 Aromatherapy Neck Wrap
• 1 pack of Catalogs (25)
• 1 pack of Order Forms (50)
• 1 pack of Invitations (50)
• 12 Spa Socks
• 12 Pastic Bags

What To Expect When Joining A Direct Sales Company

As a recruiter and team leader with a Direct Sales Company, I have come to realize that around 60% of my new team members have no idea what is expected of them when it comes to running a home based business.

If you are considering joining a Direct Sales business, there are some important things you need to realize before you sign on the dotted line.

Lets take a look at 5 of them right now.

1. Purchasing Business Kits and Business Supplies - You will be required to purchase a business start up kit which should contain business supplies and several demonstration products. As time goes on...you will need to keep purchasing products to add to your demonstration kit and/or to replace paper business supplies that you use. (example: catalogs, fliers, invitations, order forms, postcards, etc.)

2. Mandatory and/or Elective Sales Force Meetings - When you join a company, you will be expected to attend company sponsored sales force meetings and training classes. With most companies, these are elective but they are well worth your participation so I strongly advise that you attend as many as you can.

3. Company Policies and Procedures - You will be responsible for educating yourself on the policies and procedures of the company you are now representing. These policies are usually displayed on your consultant agreement, in your consultant manual or in the back office of your web site.

4. Record Keeping and Paper Work - You will be responsible for keeping records of customers orders, tax files and other necessary business paper work. I suggest you invest in a file cabinet so that you can keep everything organized right from the beginning.

5. Advertising, Marketing and Networking - When it comes to owning your own home business, you will be responsible for advertising it. This means you will need to spend considerable amount of time every week promoting home party bookings, individual customer product sales and your company's business opportunity.

When it comes to joining and working a home based Direct Sales business, you will need to put in a lot of hard work. If you know what is expected of you before you join a company, you can make an informed decision on whether or not Direct Sales is right for you.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com. Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Shelly Co-owns a Home Business Resource Site with her business partner Sophia. You can find additional articles and home business tips by visiting them at www.workathomebusinessoptions.com.

Bingo Parties are a Blast!

Have you ever conducted a Bingo Party for your Hostess? Who doesn't love Bingo?

It's easy! Simply create the Bingo Cards. On the day of the party, as you share information about your favorite products the party guests will mark off that product's name on the Bingo card.

All of the party guests are listening closely...and you give the winner a free gift! When the guests are viewing the products and having fun...sales increase and YOU and the hostess will benefit. It's a win-win event!

Have you had a Bingo party? If so, comment below and tell us how it went...

10 Ways to Escalate Your Online Presence

You have decided to start an online business. You have a website ready to go but now you have no idea what to do next. Businesses do not become successful overnight, even on the internet. It takes time, work, commitment, perseverance, dedication and belief in yourself and your products.

One very important thing you need to do is to establish an online presence. This will take time so don’t expect sales to start pouring in by the end of the week! Once you start to create your reputation and build a solid foundation for your business, it will start to grow and sales will increase.

Below are 10 ways you can help accelerate this:

1. Appreciate Your Customers – Customers do not come easy so you need to show them you appreciate them and deserve their trust. Be available to your customers when they have questions or need help. Answer all emails as quickly as you can and as efficiently as you can. Be willing to go the extra mile to make their experience with you more than satisfactory. Customers are not always right but you can make them feel like they are!

2. Join Groups and Forums – Join email discussion groups, message boards and other forums to help build your business. Participate as much as you can. Offer advice, help, guidance, and ask questions as well. Do not just advertise and leave!

3. Blog, Blog, and Blog – Blogs have become very popular in a short amount of time. Blogging is very much like writing a newsletter or ezine. You want to post helpful information, resources and more. Update your blog regularly and make it interactive. Wordpress is a good place to start your blog.

4. User-Friendly Website – Make sure your website is simple, user-friendly and straightforward. Don’t fill your site full of flashy animations, music, and other annoyances. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and let your customers know what your site is about. If your visitors can’t figure out what you offer, they will just close you out. Always have your contact info available for your visitors. Be honest, straightforward and provide a good product or service. Unless you are a casino in Vegas, you don’t need the flash and glitter!

5. Social Networking – We all know the sites: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., but not all of us use them to their full potential. Getting and staying active on these powerful sites are highly proficient ways to expand your contacts, increase your sales, and intensify your online presence.

6. Optimize for Search Engines – Research ways you can improve your site for the search engines. Use relevant keywords, bold headlines, effective meta tags, a site map, and update regularly. All these things can greatly increase your search engine ranking.

7. Article Marketing – The power of article marketing has increased over the years. If you are not yet writing and submitting articles, I would recommend you get started as soon as you can. Writing articles does not have to be hard. You do not have to use big, technical words. Write like you are letting a friend know how to do something. Make your article straightforward and helpful. Once you get an article written (include your resource box at the end), start submitting it to article directories such as Ezine Articles, Go Articles, Idea Marketers and more.

8. RSS Feeds – RSS is a means of letting your subscribers know when you update your site with new information, sales, resources, etc. Your subscribers will receive “feeds” which are short summaries of the updates. This is a great way of getting all these potential customers back to your site. You can do this for free with RSSFeedReader.

9. Your Business is Not a Hobby – So many people start a business because they mistakenly think they will not have to work a lot to make money. When I first started online, I was working 12 – 14 hours a day to build my reputation and online presence. After several years I am able to slow down a bit but I must be sure to always be on top of things and to not let my business grow stale. I know not all of us have 12 – 14 hours a day to work but if you stay committed and treat your business as a business and not a hobby or something to do, than you can make your business a success!

10. Video Marketing – Learning how to market yourself and your business with videos can have a big impact on your online presence. In this day and age, we do not need a complicated camera and crew to make a video. You can simply do this at home. Put a little planning into your video, dress appropriately and brush up on your speaking skills. You want to effectively get your message across and you want people to take you seriously. Once you create your video, post it on your site, blog or social media page and amplify your online presence.

Take some time to research these marketing methods and be prepared to follow through. Rushing into things can sometimes backfire and do more damage than good. So, always be learning, expanding and testing your techniques and you will surely escalate your online presence!

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com. Terri Seymour (also known as “The eBook Lady”) has over ten years online experience and has helped many people start their own business. Visit her site at www.seymourproducts.com for resources, $1 resell ebooks & software, free tutorials, affiliate programs, free ezine and free business ebook with Master Resell Rights.

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 www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com.

Looking for a Direct Sales (party plan) Company? Do You Know What Questions to Ask?

So you know what products you want to sell, but how do you pick the right company? By asking questions, but what questions should you ask?

Make sure to ask questions like these:

How much is the commission (also called discount) some companies start you out at a base commission, and then later bump you up to a higher commission. Sometimes you get a raise based on sales, sometimes it's based on if you build a team. Also some companies give you one percent for commission, but give you a higher percent as a personal discount to build your kit.

How do you get paid? Most companies have you keep your commission up front, some have you submit the full order amount and cut you a check later.

What is the hostess program and who pays for it? Some times the rep pays for all of it (minus their discount) Some companies pay for the all of the hostess program and some companies pay most of the hostess program but have the rep pay a co-pay.

How much are business supplies like catalogs, order forms, and invites? Ask to see a catalog and other business supplies.

What are the start-up costs and what do you get in your kit?

Do you have to get a merchant account to take customer credit/ debit cards?

Are there any sales quotas? Quotas are not necessarily a bad thing, but they need to be reasonable.

Is there an annual renewal fee?

Are there any advertising restrictions?

Can you have a website?

Also, it’s important to ask who takes care of the sales tax. It’s not hard to do your self, but you might want the company to do it.

If you are interested in building a team then you might want to ask what the management levels are, how much commission you earn on team sales, what is required to maintain each level?

You might have more questions to ask, write a list of what is important to you, and start asking!

10 Steps to Success in Direct Sales

Every year thousands of men and women across America sign on with direct selling firm-Tupperware, Amway, or a cosmetic company-hoping to make money enough for new draperies, a new davenport, or some new clothes. They sell a little merchandise to a few relatives and close friends. Then they are through. They quit before they give themselves a chance to learn the basics of success in sales. "I am simply not a born salesperson," they often say.

No one is born a salesperson, any more than one is born a doctor or born a lawyer. Sales is a profession. To be successful in any profession one must learn not only the basic techniques, but also how to apply those techniques. Success in sales makes use of all the abilities one is born with, plus all those acquired through education and experience.

If you are looking for a career opportunity or "extra income" to help with the family budget, direct selling offers you dream-fulfilling possibilities. However, you must give yourself time to learn the techniques of sales. Ask yourself. "How long does a doctor to be study? A lawyer to be study?"

WHAT IS DIRECT SELLING?

Direct selling is marketing a product directly to the consumer with no middleman involved. Most reliable firms are members of the National Association of Direct Selling Companies. They bring to the public fine products that are modestly priced in order to insure mass consumption.

Most direct selling companies furnish their representatives with a starter kit and essential supplies below-cost prices. In many instances the investment is under $100.

There is an old adage which says "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Many of them were able to change their lives for the better. They took their families on nice vacations. They purchased a piano or an organ and provided music lessons for their children. They saved money for college education. They redecorated their homes, bought needed furniture. One highly successful saleslady built a new home.

The rewards of direct selling are many:

1. You can be your own boss.
2. You can set your own hours.
3. You can own your own businesses with little or no investment.
4. You can pay yourself more than any boss would ever pay you.
5. You can give yourself regular raises as your business grows.

It is only fair to tell you that there are failures, too. There are people who will not work for themselves. When working for a boss, they rise early, are well-groomed, and get to the office on time. However, when they are their own boss, they are still in a bathrobe, drinking one more cup of coffee at 11:00 A.M.

If you can be your own boss and discipline yourself to do what has to be done when it has to be done, direct selling offers a most unusual earning opportunity.

THE TEN STEPS

Here are ten steps that will assure your success:

1. BE A GOAL SETTER. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to save for college education for your children? A new car? A new home? You can have whatever you want, but you must want it enough to do the things that have to be done to get it. Whatever your goal, write it down and set a target date for reaching it.

Divide the time period into blocks of achievement that are reachable. Work consistently toward accomplishing each day, each week, each month what you set out to do. Goal-setting is a must in every area of life. Little is ever accomplished without definite goals.

2. BE A LIST MAKER. Each evening list all the things you want to get done the following day. That gives you an organized approach to each day. As each task is finished, mark it off your list. It is amazing how much gets done when one works with a "things-to-do" list. Also, have a notebook listing appointments, potential clients, repeat clients, and referrals, and keep it with you at all times. You will be adding to it constantly.

3. BE ENTHUSIASTIC. Enthusiasm is the high-octane "fuel" that salespeople run on. Enthusiasm generates its own energy. Energy and good health are synonymous with busy, happy people, people who are achieving.

4. RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAGIC WORD IN SALES IS "ASK." In direct sales we don't have to wait for business to come to us. We create our own business by asking for it. Ask for appointments, then you can do business. Ask for business, then you will close sales. Ask for referrals, then you always have a full list of potential clients. Be quietly, yet firmly aggressive.

5. EXPECT NO'S. Realize that no's are not personal. In sales, as perhaps nowhere else, the law of averages works. Every no gets you closer to a yes. Keep track of your ratio. It will help improve your techniques. Are you getting ten no's to one yes? Is your ratio five to one? Remember, the yes's are your income. Also remember that "no" does not necessarily mean "no." Often a "no" is simply a stall for more time to think. It may be a request for more information about your product or your service. What your client is actually buying is assurance. Assure here by your helpful attitude and your complete honesty, that you want what is best for her. She will most likely respect you and do business with you.

6. SCHEDULE TIME WISELY. A schedule is the roadmap by which salespeople travel. It takes the frustration out of the day. It assures that the necessary things get done and get done on time. Plan your work then work your plan.

7. BE POSITIVE IN YOUR ATTITUDE. Success in sales, as in all areas of life is 90 percent attitude and 10 percent aptitude. All of us must work at developing habits of constructive thinking. I am proud to be a salesperson. Sales make the wheels of our economy turn. Bernard Baruch, advisor to several presidents, is quoted as saying, "If every salesperson sat down and took no orders for twenty-four hours, it would bankrupt our country!" Every company that manufactures any kind of product depends upon salespeople to move that product. Without salespeople business would be paralyzed.

Remember, sales is one of the highest paid of all professions. Statistics show that good salespeople enjoy incomes far above the average.

8. HAVE AN OFFICE AREA. Most direct salespeople work from their own homes, but it is essential to have a place where you can work in a organized and efficient manner. An office plus a strict working schedule gives you dignity. Both are absolutely essential for efficient operation and accurate record keeping, so important to the success of any business.

9. BE INVOLVED. Most sales organization offer contests to stimulate production. Include winning contests as part of your business goals. Contests make your business fun as well as adding considerable dollar value to your income.

10. LEARN TO HANDLE MONEY INTELLIGENTLY. A regular nine-to-five job usually means a paycheck at the end of the second week. Direct sales "reps" handle money constantly. Direct sales is instant income and constant income. Therefore. it is absolutely necessary to become an efficient money manager.

Deposit every penny collected from clients into a checking account set up especially for its business. Since bank statements show an exact record of all monies collected, and business expenses can be verified by canceled checks, record keeping becomes simple and accurate. Everything except a few "petty cash" transactions can be directly taken from bank statements.

Money saved regularly and put at interest, soon develops a second income in addition to earned income. A long-term goal, which is realistic in direct sales, is to be able to live in retirement off the interest earned on savings.

Would financial security mean a lot to you? If so, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I honest?
• Do I really like people?
• Am I willing to learn?
• Am I willing to work?
• Am I capable of being my own boss?

If your answers are yes, to find a good product for the direct sales market, one that you like, one that fills the need of a lot of people, and go to work for yourself! You can turn dreams into reality.

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