Some of you may have heard a Rumour! The Rumour is shhhhh….

January is the slowest Month of the Year in any Home Based Business!

Well, thankfully that’s just a Rumour!!!!

For the 9 yrs I was in the Direct Sales Company I bonused (didn’t do just the minimum sales) Each and EVERY January!!!!

I’m going to share with you some of my Top Tips on how to maximize your January sales NOW!!!!

Scene #1
So, it’s near the end of the year! September, October, and November have been totally amazing. Sales have been through the roof, you are glad there is a lull so that you can finally slow down for your own Christmas Agenda.

Then, a funny thing happens! It’s January 5th and you have no shows left!

No customers to talk to!

Realizing, yikes, how did this happen? I better get on the phone and do some calls!

So in a panic you start phoning a tonne of customers, hostesses, then you bug your best friends (again!) to please look at the new catalogue and ask,

Sound familiar?

How does this sound instead?

Scene #2

It’s January 5th and today I’m calling my 6 hostesses that I already have booked, letting them know the new catalogue is in, it’s amazing and I give them 3 great New ideas that they can tell their guests about to help get them to the shows!
They are:
1) Fabulous Gifts for each guest in attendance
2) New products at the show
3) Shipping is on me (or whatever you want to offer)

Now, I don’t know about you….but I’d rather have Scene #2 and Know what I am doing…then doing something out of Frusteration and Desperation!

If you had been building Bridges behind you then Scene #2 is totally possible, if not, it’s not too late!

Here are my three Easy Breezy Ways to build some bridges for the New Year!

1) Stay Connected with your Past Hostess’s/Customer’s
2) Have a mail-out list
3) Keep up connections with their family (spouse/parents/siblings)

Let me Expand on each of these for ya!

1) Stay Connected

• Go through all your sales from the past year…YES..the past year. List all your Hostess’s/names/address’   Also make a list from your customer base…put them in 2 categories…those who bought under $50…those who bought Over $50  

2) Have a Mail Out List

• After you have made out your Connections you will now have 3 different mail outs!!!
• One to all your past Hostess’s thanking them for their time and business (include your new catalogue & that you are going to have an event in the New Year…just for them!)
• Second to all your customer’s who ordered over $50…let these ladies know that they are now one of your “preferred customer’s” and that they will Always be in the know of upcoming specials
• Third…will be to your customer’s who ordered under $50…thank them for their patronage..and how happy you were to meet them.

3) Keeping up Connections with Family

• You want to make sure that you get to know every hostess’s family! 
• Make sure you write down in your hostess’s file their husband’s name, sister, brother, mother etc…if you can…then when there are great Christmas specials….Valentine’s Special’s…and in the summer Anniversaries….you know Who to talk to & help them choose fav gifts for your special Hostess

(some of my most successful & lucrative parties have been my Spouse parties….one was well over $10,000 just before Christmas!)

So there ya go!
Some great ideas for how to Jumpstart your January!

I’d love to know how you stay connected with your Customer’s!

JODY )

Jody Maley is Motivational Speaker & Trainer, mom of six,retired entrepeneur, ToastMaster, Queen of the Home Party Plan Biz!

http://www.DesignedforDivineDestinations.com

“Where its not just about the Destination, it’s the Journey to Get there!”

Ok.. so… there’s this cosmetics company that I found out about. It’s non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and non-hormone disrupting. I totally get passionate about this sort of thing as I am working on detoxing my body as much as possible. I get excited about the fact that I can detox and not slather on more toxins with my every day makeup and cosmetics (soap, shaving cream, shower gel etc). I use up to 15 items every day.. the cosmetics industry (which is totally unregulated) says there are only “trace amounts” of toxins but consider that you use this stuff every day and it’s about 15-20 products. ….. alright you get it, I’m passionate.

I liked this company so much I became a distributor.. why not..it was free to be a distributor and get the discount on the products. SO When I started talking to my friends about it… many of them had questions. Lots of my friends know I read a lot about natural meds and detoxing my own environment, they trust me. They ask me about make up. It got to the point where so many were asking questions about the products and they wanted to see them that I decided to host my own party. When I signed up … I had no intention of having parties but I decided that was the best way to go so I could show everyone at the same time what the products were about and they could see the color palates and ask all their questions with my partner there who is great with the product knowledge.

I picked a night and sent out several invitations and WOW did I pick a busy night. Lots of people were unable to  make it. I had 2 guests. Was I disappointed? Not at all… I was happy that 2 of my friends were able to make it and hang out and have some cheese and wine and cider and other yummy snacks.

They asked lots of questions and made their orders. Earlier that day, one of my friends who could not make the party dropped by and made an order as well. So I had 3 orders. I also had stuff I wanted to get.

My desire was to make it more a party than about the cosmetics but I am the kind of person that lets things flow as they need to. My friends naturally gathered around the products on the table and we sat there and chatted about all sorts of similar interests and concerns with health and toxins . The conversation was natural and I let them ask the questions about the types of things they were interested in rather than trying to direct them to particular items. For me this party wasn’t about the money making  aspect, it was about introducing my friends to products I feel will help them live healthier lives.

I wasn’t disappointed about my 3 orders because I had more friends who can share the passion I have for clean living.

But wait… there’s more. I talked about these products with the 2 ladies in my networking group that could make it to the meeting earlier that day (perhaps that should have been my indicator as to what sort of busy day it was for several of my friends) and I knew that one of my friends in the group was VERY interested in the products. She is similar to me in that she prefers to use cosmetics that are non toxic and she does detoxes and eats healthy. I didn’t wait for her to call me… I called her (because I know that’s her… she’s busy and the way to get in front of her is to call her). She thanked me for calling her and she ordered several items which doubled my party orders.

If my friends like what they get, they will naturally order more. I can set them up as preferred customers and let them enjoy the same discount that I enjoy. Perhaps I didn’t make a fortune with this party and I’m good with that. My real passion is about showing these incredible products to my friends and helping them live a less toxic life. I know that money follows the passion. I have already made more than I expected with this company because as I originally stated, I only became a distributor for the discount and now I have earned a bit by sharing that passion.

Before you book your next party, ask yourself this…. “Am I selling a product? or am I introducing people to a product that I am fully passionate about?”

When you are passionate, people will find you, they will ask you about purchasing your products. Then they will tell their friends about it.

This is just a snippet of what the home part business is all about. Asking yourself the right questions will bring you success. Making sure that you present a way that is not intrusive or bossy but that gets others just as excited about your product as you are will naturally draw people to your business.

Are you selling products or are you introducing your passion?

Charlotte Salafia

www.designedfordivinedestinations.com

“Where it’s not just about the destination, but the journey to get there.”

“Do you use a Conference Call line? Or phone one?”

I am a Conference Caller Junkie and I’m not ashamed to say it!  There, now that I got that off my chest!

In the last few months, I have been ‘awoken’ to the “internet rampage”….where at the tip of your fingertips is knowledge and learning.  I have to admit though that I am a “Sensory” learner…I like to ‘read’ what I am learning, and ‘hear’ what I am learning. So I have been opened up to the whole “Free Conference” experience.

It’s great and wonderful!  For about an hour every day, I love learning about Personal Development, Business Development and all sorts of wonderful things….all for the price of a telephone call, as well as Hosting calls too!  So, I got a great North American phone bundle from Telus…and off I went.

All was great until a few weeks ago…Telus phoned me to ‘inform’ me that the States has made some ‘drastic changes’ to their area code numbers.  They had decided that two area codes (712) and (218) would no longer be available to ANY group plans….that a flat rate of .20 cents per minute would be initiated ASAP.   So, reguardless of what ‘telephone package/bundle’ I had, I would now be charged.  Telus had a personal rep phone me and let me know of this change….as they had noticed that I phoned BOTH those area codes quite frequently….ya think? (I also host 2x’s per week Women’s Mastermind Groups…one for Home Business..and another for Women’s Empowerment)

Sure enough, I looked up my Free Conference line numbers, and yup…the (712) area code was in each and everyone of them.  That means that for me to Host…or to Listen to a Conference, TeleSeminar etc…it’s now going to cost me about $20/hr!  PER HOUR!!!

Thank goodness that I have a wonderful telephone provider that called me personally and let me know of these changes, but then I got thinking about the Thousands of other people who use “Free Conference” or any type of Conferencing Line? Do you know of the changes?  How will this affect your business??

Last week our Mastermind group had to be VERY creative….because I didn’t want to pay that fee…so we arranged several people to three way each other…and somehow managed!

So, check who you use….ask your telephone service provider if you are affected by these changes, because at the end of the month, I can guarantee that there are going to be some very very HUGE phone bills for alot of Canadians and American’s…and that You will be caught “unaware” until too late.

Here is a link you might like to read up on…  What’s with the 712 area Code?

Sincerely
Jody In Beautiful BC
www.DesignedforDivineDestinations.com
“Where it’s not just about the Destination, it’s the Journey to get There”

Or the 80/20 rule!

This principle simply means that 20% of the work you do Accounts for 80% of your results!

Top income earners have also become top Procrastinators…or perhaps here is a more positive word…Discernment!  These people, when polled, knew what tasks in their business made them money and what tasks didn’t!  So they CHOSE to do the tasks that made them money first…then gave the other tasks to someone else.

I fondly remember when I had first decided to hire an assistant…we worked out our pay structure (lucky for me she loved candles….and I sold them) so we ‘traded’ time for candles!!!

She handled things like:

• Wrapping my door prizes for my next few weeks of shows
• Making sure my hostess packages were all put together
• Cleaning out my demo bag…making sure catalogues were in ‘new’ condition
• Organizing my tote boxes and cleaning my display items
• Birthday/Anniversary cards

While she did that I was able to concentrate on my making money activities:

• Hostess Coaching coffee dates
• New consultant training
• my Daily calls
• Personal Invitations
• Calendar Control
• Putting in shows/new consultant agreements

I had never heard of the 80/20 rule years ago, but knowing it now…I certainly lived it and my paycheck was proof of that!

So decide today & everyday what are your money making activities….do those activities FIRST before you check your emails, go on FB, read other people’s blogs, twitter…etc….and I guarantee that you will start getting the results you want!!!

JODY )

Jody Maley is Motivational Speaker & Trainer, mom of six,retired entrepeneur, ToastMaster, Queen of the Home Party Plan Biz!

http://www.DesignedforDivineDestinations.com

“Where its not just about the Destination, it’s the Journey to Get there!”

A few years ago I was doing a home party show and was doing my Hostess Coaching with a great gal!

I knew she had done a few other different parties with other companies, but even knowing this I made it a point to set a coffee date so that we could sit down and go over the hostess package!

I met her at her home, brought the package and proceeded to go over the details.

We went over some key things that I do for every hostess:

• Brainstorm for guest names
• Discuss that if someone cannot make the show, they can definitely place an order
• I always tell my hostess’s that they know their guests better than I do, and how I do not like to “push sales on anybody”, so with this in mind if she has a guest who is on a ‘fixed budget’ this would be the ideal person that she could talk to…to host her own party!
• We also discuss how the hostess will contact people, and a ‘warm way to invite them’

My hostess was ECTASTIC and over the edge with happiness!

She gushed on how “no other consultant had set out clearly” about having a party!

UH???  I was stunned.

I had “ASSUMED” (ya know the old saying…it makes an ASS-Out-of-U-and-ME) that because my friend had several other parties with other companies, she would know all the fun details about being a hostess!!!

I was also pleasantly surprised by her warm “thanks” about how to even “invite her guests”…this was always something she had dreaded doing in the past…and she mentioned such things like:

• I never knew Exactly what to say when I invited people….so I’d usually say something stupid like “oh just come…have fun…I don’t expect you to buy anything” ((uh, even tho she did want them to buy a little something))
• Sitting down and making a list was always daunting and I put it off…but now we’ve done it together..thanks!!
• I never thought of keeping the food simple…I had no idea about giving people too many choices..I always thought I had to put together a huge COSTLY spread..thanks for simplifying it!
• I’m looking forward to this party, you have made it fun!

It just goes to show ya all….never assume that people who have had tonnes of other parties know even just the basics of having a Successful party…sure you mite get the seats filled…but filled with people who have no INTENTIONS of spending anything!!!

Think about it & I’d love to hear some of your most fun Hostess’s!!!

JODY )

Jody Maley is Motivational Speaker & Trainer, mom of six,retired entrepeneur, ToastMaster, Queen of the Home Party Plan Biz!

http://www.DesignedforDivineDestinations.com

“Where its not just about the Destination, it’s the Journey to Get there!”

So, you have this home party business selling X, Y and/or Z. You have had a couple of parties but seem to have a hard time getting people to book the next party. You might think “how can I get some parties booked so my hostess can get rewards and I can do more parties?”.

Plant some seeds!

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When you start a Home Party Business, the first thought is how to get people to have parties. Many coaches or “uplines” advise you to have your own party first and that is a great idea! You are excited about your new position as a distributor and you are excited about the product and you think everyone else should be!

Think about why you got into the business. Some become a distributor because of the discount and then think about making money with it.. if it happens. If you don’t make it happen, it’s not  going to. Be sure you know whether or not you really want to host parties or just enjoy the discount.

When you make the decision to sell, be sure that it’s your decision and that someone didn’t just talk you into it. If you have not accepted the role, you will not be successful no matter how good your coach is.

One of the greatest challenges that new distributors come across is how to get people to book parties. I know that many distributors feel they need to have a lot of product knowledge before they can start feeling comfortable with demonstrating. The beauty of hosting your own party first is that you are surrounded by friends and family, if you make any mistakes, they know that you are new at it and are very forgiving. Making mistakes is how you learn, go ahead and get them done with those who are most forgiving. Start with the products that you fell in love with and their questions will teach you what you need to know for the next time.

When you have your party, don’t expect that people are just going to sign up to have their own party, you have to ask! Plant seeds through out the party (we will address this in another blog). Give them the idea to have their own party during the party. At the end when you observe how much they like your products or particular products… ask them if they would like to have a party of their own, so they can get a discount on the items they would like to purchase. I myself would generally say “when would you like to host your own party so that you can get more items that you like?” but you should ask with the way you are comfortable.

Be sure to have a calendar purchased before you have your first event. (We will also address calendars and booking later) and have it handy. Determine ahead of time what days you will have available. Being wide open looks desperate so schedule them with in both your and the clients parameters. Be sure to encourage booking within the month.

What to say when they say no… sort of… People will give you different kinds of “no-s” . Some will outright say, “no, I don’t want to have a party”, and your question to them is “you don’t want to have one now, in the next month or the next year? or ever?”. No is a different answer in every ones mind. Be sure you are clear on what “No” means. If they say no.. for now then ask permission to call them in a few months to check back in with them. If they say never, then respect that and ask if they can be on your mailing list for future order.

There are some who say no but may mean something else. I remember being with my upline when I was researching whether I wanted to represent this company. I had a friend of mine book a party and at the end of her party one of her friends answered the question with “…. no… I don’t have enough friends who would come.” My upline said “are you sure?” and her friend said “yeah”. My upline was about to drop the ball and let it go…but I could tell she was interested in hosting a party to get more product at a discount and free stuff too. I piped up “Oh sure you do! Sara (the host of the party…not her real name) will come, won’t you?” Sara says “of course I’ll come” and another friend pipes up “Oh yeah, I would come too, I need to spread out my order”. Then I asked her “Don’t you have a couple of friends at work that would come?..or what about  a friend from the gym?”. After I encouraged her to think of a couple of people and she felt good knowing that she had at least 2 firm commitments she decided to host and her party generated $800 in sales.  One of the girls at the party inquired about becoming a distributor herself.

Now, maybe $800.00 is not going to make anyone rich but.. the friend was happy, there was potential for more business and party bookings.. AND I got more experience. What was the secret? I figured out that some people want to host a party, it’s always a good excuse to invite people over and have fun (who may not come otherwise) and that some people feel that they don’t know enough people to make it worth your while. By assuring her that she did know people who would come and by letting her know that it’s not all about how many people who come but it’s about having fun, they feel more comfortable booking a party with you.

There are lots of people who like to have parties, there are lots who want to earn the free gifts. Take the time to genuinely talk to them without pressure and find out what it really is that they want. You have the power to empower them.

Charlotte Salafia

www.designedfordivinedestinations.com

“Where it’s not just about the destination, but the journey to get there.”