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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How You Can Make Money as a Party Plan Consultant

Party plan is a term synonymous with fluffy slippers, a host with a lounge room of giggling women, and sadly pyramid schemes. For years this vehicle for making money has been pushed aside, defamed, ridiculed and the butt of jokes. But who’s really having the last laugh? In a tough economic climate, this time tested means for making money has become the salvation for many. Party planners are laughing all the way to the bank, these everyday people who have put aside their prejudices and joined world wide recognised brands like Mary Kay, Tupperware, Creative Memories are making money, flying in the face of a recessionary tornado.

Why are party planners so successful? Simple, they sell everyday products consumed by everyday individuals, in everyday homes, all with the convenience of home shopping. In a time poor society, home shopping has becoming increasingly popular, akin to shopping online but with the added benefit of personal customer service.

According to the worldwide federation of direct selling this billion dollar industry, boosts annual sales of US$114 billion generated through the activities of more than 62 million independent sales representatives members world wide. Even former US president Bill Clinton, recognises the merits of the industry, officially endorsing the direct selling industry, saying ‘Direct selling strengthens the US and its economy, providing an opportunity for a better future’. In fact so popular is party plan, it is estimated, a Tupperware party starts somewhere in the world every 2.3 seconds;

‘Putting aside the statistics, there are too many success stories, to deny the industry its due merits. Well known author Robert Kiyosaki, of the bestseller, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, recognises the benefits offered by direct selling. He has been quoted singing the industries praises, he says ‘A business in direct selling is the ticket to what I call freedom money’. Where the average person can enjoy the benefits of financial success without the hassles associated with a traditional business’.

A complete misunderstanding of party plan, is probably the main reason why it is not readily considered as an alternative and safer option to start a business from home. Each and every day, across world small business owners are hitting the wall, sinking considerable amounts of capital, chasing their entrepreneurial dreams. Whereas a distributor has the opportunity to make money, with the support and stability from multi million dollar icons like Avon who have successfully weathered several recessions.

There are several reasons why party plan could work for you;

• Flexibility work life balance

Party plan allows you to work the hours you want and when you want. Party plan consultants are rewarded according to the effort they exert. Moms in particular are empowered to work around their family’s busy schedule and commitments.

• Equal opportunity

One of the endearing and compelling merits of party plan, is the underlining non-discriminatory nature of the industry.’ No prior qualifications are required to ensure success; you need only possess, commitment, determination and a ‘can do’ attitude.

• Low Cost

Party plan provides anyone and everyone with an opportunity to realise their entrepreneurial dreams, this is in part because the cost to start a business as a party planner, is much more affordable than buying the latest designer pram or plasma TV. This is an important point, many people want to start their own business, but lack the capital to do so.

• Low risk

Going into business for yourself, means you are not only risking personal capital you are exposed to a plethora of business related worries and stress, it can be very overwhelming and very risky. Party plan provides quite the opposite opportunity, you are exposed to a limited risk because you don’t bear the burden of the managing the company, your role is to simply support the company as a party plan consultant.

• Free support

Party plan not only represents a relatively lower risk, party planners receive free training and enjoy the benefits of a well established business, including the support of a national marketing campaign, brand recognition and the strength in established systems and processes. Party planners are free of the cumbersome troubles that plague business owners, they are more empowered to get on with the job of building their business.

• Passive income

Party plan offers the opportunity to earn passive income.  Passive income is money you are entitled to without actually having to work for. For example once you sell a product to a customer, every time that same customer reorders, you will be entitled to a commission on the sale. Alternatively you could gain leverage by building a team, earning commissions from the sales made by your team. Most party plan companies empower their party planners to build teams – that’s money for jar.

For less than the cost of a dinner date, anyone and everyone can ‘Give it a Go’. Party plan is unequivocally the only equal opportunity where, few barriers to entry means no one is discriminated against, from the less educated to the Rhodes scholar, the defining point between success and failure is attitude.

About the Author: Sonia Williams is the author of several books, designed to guide budding entrepreneurs on how to make money from home, her current release Give it a Go what have you got to lose?, is an in depth investigation into how anyone and everyone can make money through party plan. Sonia interviewed hundreds of successful party plan consultants and reveals their secrets to financial success in Give it a Go.www.party-plan-consultant.com.

Can you Make Money With a Direct Sales Company?

Whenever I read work-at-home blogs or message boards, I always see some variation of the question “can I make money in direct sales"? Most of the answers to this question come from those who have recruited a few people so the answers are always very biased.

So back to the question, can you make money in direct sales? The quick answer is yes, you can. However I’d like to offer more details than just a “yes”.

Direct sales companies usually offer the distributor two ways to earn money. One is through the actual sale of a product and the other is through sponsoring or recruiting people to become representatives for the company.

This article will speak of industry-wide averages only. The average commission on the sale of a product in direct sales is roughly 30% to 35%. If in a week, you sell $100 worth of products, you’ll earn about $30 to $35 dollars. This will not pay your rent, but it’s $30 you didn’t have prior to selling the product!

When someone comes to me and says they want to earn $1000 per month, I cringe a little bit. Not because it’s not possible to earn $1000 per month, but because the vast majority of those involved in direct sales never earn this much. Speaking of sales only, in order to earn $1000 per month, you’ll need to sell about $3000 worth of products every single month. If the average customer spends $35 on products, you’re going to need at least 85 customers, each ordering $35 worth of product, to hit that $3000 sales mark. Again, this is not impossible, but almost no one can do this their first few months in business. It’s not easy finding 85 customers each and every month. For those who stick with it, for those who continue to pursue new customers each and every month, it is not uncommon to have several hundred customers in a couple of short years. Direct sales becomes especially profitable when you’re selling a product that has to be re-ordered each and every month.

Now let’s switch gears and talk about sponsoring others. The AVERAGE industry-wide income earned from sponsoring others is about 10%. This means for every $100 sold by those you sponsor, you’ll earn about $10. Again, using $1000 as our target income, you’ll need to create a group volume of at least $10,000. Ten percent of ten thousand is indeed the $1000 you were looking for. Again, this is not impossible to do, but it does not happen as often as the internet leads us to believe it does. Let’s say you sponsor one person per month your first year. This means you’ll have 12 people in your group at the end of that year. If each of those 12 people sold $500 per month in products, you’d have group sales of $6000. Not quite $10,000, but you’re definitely on your way.

The best advice I can give someone is that when they choose a direct sales company, they have to dedicate themselves to at least a 3 year plan. If you get involved with a direct sales company expecting to get rich overnight you may be very disappointed. Big money can be made for the average person but it takes time and dedication.

Author: Chad William Hershey of ManifestYourFortune is founder of his own home based business, The Pinnacle Group. He is a student and mentor of the Universal Law of Attraction, as seen in The Secret, and believes fully in The Master Key System. Chad shares his passion and knowledge of being in the home based business arena for the last 15 years and enjoys helping others succeed with Internet marketing.  

Choosing The Best Sponsor For Your Direct Sales Company

So, you have found the perfect direct sales company to join. But before you sign up, you'll need to decide who is going to be your sponsor.

First, the basics: When you sign up with a direct sales company, you will most likely sign up underneath someone who in turns becomes your sponsor. This person will receive a percentage of your sales, and should be the one to help get you started and give you any training you may need. It is to their advantage to get you motivated and trained, because the more money you make, the more they will also make off of you.

However, sometimes you will find some direct sales representatives that are so focused on sponsoring new members that the neglect the most important part, which is training and managing their downline.

If you sign up underneath one of these sponsors, you may find yourself lost and without much direction on how to run your business.

Most new direct sellers sign up under the first person that introduced them to the company, or the first one that gave them the information that they requested.

It is your sponsor's job to train, teach, and guide you in the right direction so you can build a successful direct sales business. If you don't know your sponsor, how do you know they are the right candidate in helping you build your direct sales business?

Here are some questions you may want to ask your potential sponsor:

1. How long they have been with the company? In general, the longer your sponsor has been with the company the more they know about it and how it works. They also have an upper hand in knowing what methods of selling and recruiting work best for this company. A seasoned direct seller is almost always more knowledgeable than a new one.

2. How knowledgeable are they with the company's history and policies? Knowing the company history and their policies are very important. Your sponsor should be able to tell you a full history of the company, about the founders, and all the products. Company Policies are also important because you will want to know what methods of advertisement and selling may not be allowed.

3. How active they are in the company? Is their business part time or full time? This is also very important. You might prefer to go with a sponsor that makes their direct sales business full time because they will have more time to devote to you. A part time sponsor will also have another job to deal with and may or may not be on call when you need them.

4. What is their experience with training their downline? You might want to ask your sponsor how many people are in their downline and how they manage them.

5. What tools do they offer to help train their downline? Ask your sponsor if they have weekly or monthly conference calls for their downline, and any message boards or chat rooms to go for support.

6. How much time can they invest in you? Ask your sponsor how much time she can take out in the first few weeks to help you get your direct sales business set up and ready to go.

7. How close do they live to you? Location is not the most important qualification, but it is always nice if a sponsor is close by and can be reached easily for meetings. Most training is done online now in direct sales.

Finding the right sponsor is just as important as finding the right direct sales company. Remember, you don't have to join the first person that tries to sign you up. You may even ask to speak to a member of their current downline to get a better account of how good a sponsor they are. Make sure you spend the extra time to find someone that really meets your qualifications and expectations so you can be one step ahead in your direct sales business!

Author: Stefanie Fauquet is the owner of Work at Home Mom Online, a top direct sales resource site with information to help moms make money in direct sales. Visit http://www.WorkatHomeMomOnline.com today!

How To Advertise Your Business On Valentine’s Day

Even on hard times, it is traditional to give someone you love something special on the day of hearts. So don't be surprised if some businesses like flowers, chocolates, greeting cards, postcard printing, personalized notecards and other gift products will be on the boom. Love after all is worth spending on. So, with all that Love and cash being distributed there is something here that you can use take advantage on for your business. You use this as a great opportunity to advertise your business.

Below is a simple guide on how to advertise your business on Valentine's day. If you are new to promoting your businesses or maybe even a veteran owner who wants new ideas, then you will benefit from this guide. It details a few key strategies like postcard printing, product repackaging, personalized notecard printing and others that can help advertise you business and bring in sales. So without further ado, here is the simple guide.

1. Repackaging your products: The first thing you should do is to set aside a few choice products for a “Valentine line”. These products should be the ones that are applicable as Valentine presents, which someone can give their significant other. Of course, if your business is about food, flowers, stuffed animals, balloons and other such traditional Valentine’s presents you should have no problem. Just package them in red containers or plastics, add some ribbons and a color postcard, and they should be all set for Valentine’s. For other products however, it might take a little creative thinking on your part to apply it for the day of hearts.

For example, if you own a shop that sells gadgets and computer equipment, you may want to emphasize on discounted twin product deals that can apply for couples. Those gadgets that are colored red, or something close to red and pink can also be aimed for the “Valentine’s” crowd. Just think of ways to market and package your products so that a person may consider it as a gift to a loved one. Please take note though that if your product is really not related to anything about Love (like building materials, or poisonous chemicals), you mustn’t force yourself in doing some kind of Valentine’s marketing strategy. It just won’t work.

2. Investing in printed gift materials: Besides redressing your products, you can also have a few printed gift materials that you can give away or sell off as marketing tools. These printed materials can include color postcards or Valentine’s greeting cards, personalized notecards, bookmarks and other such paraphernalia. You can design them for the season, with hearts, butterflies, ribbons and other nice objects. Of course include your business logo, or color business card in the package so that the printed giveaway becomes your advertising tool. You can even hide some coupons or integrate them into the designs, to make sure that people will think of going to your shop or business on Valentine’s day.

3. Offering Valentine's day packages: Of course, another way to advertise your business is to offer special Valentine’s day packages. Have a large color poster printed that announces your special Valentine ’s Day deals. Focus on deals for two people of course, or try to have some big gift packages with collections of your products which can be applied as a Valentine gift. If you can, try to offer them in some kind of red packaging, or you can also offer some free gift wrapping so that people can immediately give them as gifts.

4. Creating a special event: Lastly, you can also offer a special Valentine’s event in your shop as an advertising ploy. For example, if you own a bookstore, you can have a poetry reading or story telling event for couples to enjoy. If you own a department store or something similar, maybe you can have some kind of palm reading event for free that can tell people about their Love and destiny. Basically, just think of a nice event that people associate with Love and Valentine’s Day. As people see your business, they’ll be attracted to go in and see what’s going on. It is a nice advertising tool.

Those are just four great ideas for advertising your business in Valentine’s Day. If you have are creative enough, you can also adapt these strategies, or you can even build upon them so that you can use Valentine’s Day as a way of advertising your business. Good Luck!

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com