So are you making optimal use of the resources that your company provides?

Now it’s important to throw a little caveat in here. You should NOT be blindly sharing every single thing that your company provides as your own status update.  There is a difference between a Facebook PAGE for business (such as the one your company has created) and a Facebook PROFILE (your personal account on Facebook) that you use to network.  People resent being spammed by Facebook Profiles. Instead, your strategy for your Facebook PROFILE should be to provide content that your contacts value (that isn’t the specials, my friends.)  Let’s say you’re with a jewelry company.  If your company provides helpful tips on how to layer jewelry to achieve the latest styles, that might be something of interest to pass along.  If your company shares its philanthropic work, sharing the occasional post with a note about how proud you are to be associated with a company making a difference would be appropriate.

So let’s talk about some specific things that your company might share through its Facebook Page, and how you might use that effectively:

Specials – As I said earlier, your contacts do NOT want to be spammed monthly with your specials (be they sales, hostess specials, guest specials, recruiting specials, etc.)  Instead, use this information in a special group on Facebook you’ve set up just for customers and other interested folks who may be interested in more information about your products specifically (this could also be shared through your own Facebook Page, if you have one, but I’m still not convinced that a Facebook Page is an effective use of a consultant’s time.) Another way to use specials is to link to them on a Facebook Events invite you’ve set up for a specific party or other selling event.  Knowing what the specials are might entice someone to attend.  You might also want to email a link to these specials to those on your mailing list, and you can use specials fliers on your company’s Page as a resource for your team.

Product Videos – Again, this is one of those cases where a general blast to your entire Facebook network is not a good idea.  However, you may also want to post this information to your Facebook Group/Page, and these are also great to feature in your monthly customer newsletter (provide a link instead of embedding, as most email programs will send emails with videos to the spam folder.)

Information Articles – As long as you are balancing articles with networking and relationship building, it’s fine to click that “Share” button in Facebook and share informational articles with your entire Facebook network.  Really think about whether or not the target market you’re developing on Facebook would be interested in the article, and if so, share away! (By the way, these are also appropriate for your Group/Page.)

Philanthropic Efforts – I think direct selling companies may do more philanthropic work than any other industry, and I’m not sure that everyone else knows that.  What an opportunity to share that fact through Facebook!  We all like feel-good stories, and highlighting the philanthropic work of your company and/or your team is a great way to share how amazing your company is.  As long as you are again balancing your posts with the personal tidbits that help people get to know you, and relationship-building, this is a great way to introduce your company to your network by expressing enthusiasm for your connection to an organization doing such good work.

Convention Information/Videos/Photos – When you are tagged in photos/videos from convention, your friends will see them.  That’s one way to subtly share how cool convention is without being over the top.  You might also do one (or at the MOST two) posts about how excited you are to be going to convention at the amazing location your company has selected.  But don’t go crazy here.  The convention information is more for you.  Share your enthusiasm on your company’s Page, but don’t go overboard sharing it through your own profile.

Facebook-Only Specials – Sometimes your company may have specials that are ONLY offered through the company Facebook Page.  Treat these the same way you would treat an opt-in list.  If people have signed up for info on specials (by joining your own Facebook Group or Page) feel free to share these specials.  But don’t spam your entire list.  People just won’t appreciate it. You can also use these specials as a way to encourage customers who have not yet joined you on Facebook to do so.  In your customer newsletter, let people know that you’ve just posted a Facebook-only special from the company.  To get access, all they need to do is join your Facebook Group.  (And once they do, you’ll be able to contact them more regularly with company information, increasing your chances of reorders.)

Ideas on Creative Ways to Use Your Products – Your company may be sharing ways to mix scents (if you’re a home fragrance company), decorate for the holidays, create new makeup looks, etc.  Are these appropriate to share through your profile?  As a general rule, no. These are more appropriate for a customer Group/Page.  Use this as your rule of thumb: if people can use the information you share right now, without spending a dime, then it is probably appropriate to share through your general profile.  If they need to spend money with you to make it work, then you’re better off sharing it through an opt-in Group/Page.

There is lots of great content being shared every day through your company’s Facebook Page.  You should be participating on the company Page regularly, because when customers and potential recruits come to check it out, an active Page gives the impression that your company is a great one to be associated with.  So express your enthusiasm for products and specials, share your love of the opportunity, and help folks understand why your company is so great.

Do NOT share your personal website address or try to recruit customers or prospects from the company Page.  This is bad form and will annoy your colleagues. Instead, treat the company Facebook Page as a resource for all, and share content as described above.  In that way, you’ll be able to put those resources to work for your greatest advantage.  And that way, everyone wins.

Now it’s your turn!  How are you using company Fan Page resources?  What techniques have been effective for you? Will you be making any changes? Can’t wait to read your thoughts below!

Jennifer Fong helps direct sales companies, direct sales professionals, and other home-based business owners leverage the power of social media to grow their businesses. A former direct sales company CEO, Jennifer is passionate about teaching direct sellers how to use social media tools to enhance their businesses in a strategic way. Visit Jennifer’s blog at http://www.facebook.com/l/d7813;jenfongspeaks.com and follow her on Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/l/d7813;twitter.com/jenfongspeaks.

In Direct Sales: 5 Secrets to Fill Your Calendar Without Overcoming Objections

By Lisa Robbin Young

With the changing economy, direct sales consultants are pulling out their hair trying to secure bookings and keep their calendar full. Even the most experienced consultants are “getting back to basics” in an effort to fortify their fading calendar.

But savvy consultants I know are still holding a consistent book of shows, with calendars that are full and steady.

As a business coach, I work with consultants with many different companies, and the successful consultants have revealed their ‘dirty little secrets to massive success – even during tough economic times. At first blush, these “secrets” are common sense ideas that will make you roll your eyes into the back of your head. Before you get dizzy, however, ask yourself how well you are implementing these secrets.

1. Create a schedule and stick to it. Top consultants will tell you that they work when they want to, and fill their work calendar around their life calendar. This is a critical component for any successful consultant. You need to know WHEN you want to (and are able) to work.

Mark it down and do your work when you’re working. By scheduling and utilizing time that is set aside to work, you’ll be a million miles ahead of the consultant that prays for bookings to fill the empty white space on her calendar.

When you know your next two or three available work dates at a moment’s notice, people take you and your business more seriously. And if you don’t have a show planned on a day you have scheduled to work? Work anyway! Practice your demo, download a teleclass, read up on product knowledge or network. Do SOMETHING to grow your business.

2. Desperation stinks. Customers and clients can smell desperation a mile away. When you need shows, and start doing “Crazy Eddie” antics to get them, people stop taking you seriously. You don’t see Bill Gates jumping up and down on begging people to buy Windows. Neither should you. This is where most consultants develop their fear of “being too pushy”. You should ALWAYS present the opportunity to join, host, or buy, but once a client says no, and you’ve answered her questions, leave it alone. I can’t count the number of recruits I’ve signed at a later date because I was patient and didn’t sit on their doorstep waiting for them to join my opportunity.

 
Attraction marketing (aka gravitational marketing) helps you create an identity, establish yourself as an expert in your field and draws interested, like-minded people into your circle of influence. They naturally gravitate to you and, ultimately, choose to do business with you – no desperation required.

3. Touch your business daily. While you can bet that Donald Trump isn’t sitting in the office every day making deals, he is touching his business in SOME way every day. Be it a public appearance, speaking engagement, television episode, or contract closing, he’s busy being an entrepreneur and making sure that his delegates are tending to business in his absence. Likewise, you as a consultant need to be making contact with your business on a daily basis. Your stor e is essentially “closed” any day you’re not working.

Working doesn’t just mean doing parties. It means preparing hostess packets, making coaching calls, holding recruiting interviews, doing customer care and follow up. You don’t have to work all day everyday, but you should make a point of doing SOMETHING connected to your business that propels you and your company forward.

By the way, YOU are the CEO of your own company as an independent Direct Sales consultant. Legitimate networking, travel and mastermind groups all count as touching your business. Organizing your desk, socializing on the phone, cleaning your stapler and vacuuming the floor do NOT count.

4. Keep in touch. Regardless of the method, hostesses, customers and recruits want (and need) to hear from us. A Ho stesses number one complaint is that their consultant didn’t make enough contact with them. Most coaching programs recommend ten different times to contact a hostess before, during and after a party. Customers should be contacted at least once every two months – and preferred customers at least monthly. Attraction marketing pros use ezines, conference calls, and newsletters to keep in touch, en masse, with a personal feel. These lead generating, rapport building tools are only part of the arsenal that propel the big money earners to the top of their company rankings.

5. Be “REAL” and talk to everyone. This is not exactly the same as the old-school 3-foot rule, where you would talk to anyone that would listen about your “amazing, ground floor opportunity.” Rather, this is an invitation to release inhibitions and strike up conversations with anyone and everyone about anything and everything. Be friendly. People l ike – and gravitate toward – friendly. Opening channels of communication help you to discover common interests, and open doors to natural conversations about booking, sales, and recruiting. When you are likable, and easy to talk with, people enjoy your presentations more. Enjoyable presentations lead to more bookings, more sales and more recruits – without having to beg for “just one more host” at any party.

As consultants around the globe are waking up to the power of the Internet, and the potential of automating contact with their prospects, more leaders are growing into powerful, marketing savvy machines. These attraction marketing whiz-bangs are raking in recruits, selling up a storm, and breaking booking records – without ever having to overcome a single objection, because people are seeking THEM out for their expertise and professionalism. They have become the hunted, instead of the hunter. Begin implementing these five secrets today and watch your business soar. Who knows? Maybe YOU’LL be the next top achiever at your company’s National Conference.

© 2008-2010 Lisa Robbin Young.Lisa Robbin Young is a certified direct sales marketing coach, teaching direct sellers to grow their business like a real business instead of an expensive hobby. Sign up for her free weekly ezine at http://www.homepartysolution.com

 Are you searching for a new endeavor and considering the home party industry.  Below are some helpful tips…

1. Direct selling is a great way to own your own business.  You get to be your own boss and set your own goals. If you are self motivated and conscientious you will appreciate this freedom.

2. Flexible work schedule.  You can set your hours based on what works for you and your family. For example, you can make your follow up phone calls when your children are at school or you can have your parties at night and on weekends after your full time job.

3. This is a great way to nework and meet new people.  You will be always meeting new people such as your new customers and feel apart of a team within your company. You will be encouraged by people who are as excited about your product as you are.

4. Earn extra income.  Anyone can do this because there are no resume or education requirements.  You can work part time or full time with very little investment.

5. Earnings are in proportion to your efforts.  The more you put into your business the more success you will have. The level of success you can achieve is limited only by your willingness to work hard.

6. Receive training and support from your company. Most companies offer manuals, teleseminars, webinars and conferences as well as upline support.  So even though it is your own business- you will work with a supportive team!

The home party business is a growing industry.  The direct sales industry has doubled in the past decade to $100 billion worldwide.  Many people start out part time and later leave their careers when their direct sales business becomes so lucrative!

Check out the Sydney Andrews opportunity- it may be just right for you!

What are some of your greatest simple pleasures?

It’s the New Year and a new start! Now is a great time to start evaluating you and the direction of your home party jewelry business.  Take advantage and start with a clean slate.

1. Changing your focus changes your outcome! You are in control of your business in 2010 and ask yourself what it is you truly want.  Focus on the right things to help you achieve your goals.

2. Break your goal down into logical monthly steps.  What you do today will benefit you in the next 90 days!

3. Small changes add up to big results.

• Make a commitment to ask everyone at the party to see if they are interested in having their own party
• Offer and explain to everyone the Sydney Andrews opportunity
• Plan to spend at least 15 minutes a day working on your business such as prospecting calls, social media and networking.

4. Track your results.  See what has worked for you.  Do you have better results when you personally call the guests?  Has it helped to use an Open Date Card? Did the women engage more in the jewelry when you played one of your games at the party?

5.Think outside of the box and be sure to have fun with the New Year and New Opportunities!

Tell me what goals you are going to set -I’d love to hear from you!

The following 4 tips are great suggestions to help combat shyness and conquer self-promotion.

1. As a business owner, there will be times in your career that you will be a public speaker . The best advice is to be prepared. If you tend to be shy – getting caught off guard can really make one stumble on their words. If you are confident you will truely stand out and that will shine through.

2. Write and communicate to your leads and customers often. Position yourself as an expert in your field by starting your own blog, using social media and contacting your existing customers. Keeping your name infront of people validates you as an expert and a leader. This also shows you are interested in assisting them.

3. Host parties and get involved in local shows. Not only will you get sales at these events but this is a great opportunity for PR. Ask pepole if they know anyone who would like to do a party/event or if they know someone who would like to join the business. Many people wait to be asked about the opportunity and if you don’t ask the opportunity may never present itself- the worst they can say is no. People at these parties are both great customers and sources for referrals.

4. Network all the time. Whether it’s a formal group from the local Chamber of Commerce to meeting someone at the grocery store- weave in your home party business into your light conversation. Stick to neutral topics and avoid talking about politics and religion. Making these connections may not be immediate but are important to expanding your network and social visability.

Don’t forget to smile! People will be drawn to your sunny and enthusiastic nature!

1. I don’t have enough money to get started.

Solution: I will be happy to show you how you can pay yourself back by holding a couple of parties in the next 30 days. Let’s put in perspective how little it takes to start a home-based business versus a franchise or brick and mortar style business.

2. I don’t have time to add a new business into my busy life.

Solution: How much time do you think it takes? If you can utilize drive time to make calls and watch TV or operate a computer an hour a two less each day, you can have a very successful Sydney Andrews business.  Busy people make the best Consultants because they are typically very organized and have a built in support system. They also know a lot of people and come in contact with propspective customers on a regular basis.

3. I don’t have any sale experience

Solution: Great, because none is required.  If you can follow some simple training tips and love to make people look and feel good about themselves you will be very successful with the jewelry at Sydney Andrews. We offer fashion trends and style suggestions rather than selling merchandise that is commonly sold in chain stores.  It’s a cliche, but true in this case, the jewelry sells itself.

4. I don’t know enough people

Solution: One of the many benefits to having a Sydney Andrews business is the fact that you will meet and make a lot of friends and acquaintances as you build your business.  You simply start with your warm circle of family and friends and they will lead you to people they know and you don’t. And so on and so on.  You usually know more people than you think.

5. I’m very shy and don’t think I can talk in front of people.

Solution: If that is something you would like to become more comfortable with, having a Sydney Andrews business can help. One of the most beneficial parts of having a business like this one, is the personal growth you will experience in all areas of your life.

What obstacles do you face when discussing this business and what suggestions would you make to encourage people to join our team?

In Carl Casanova’s book, What every Successful Person Knows!, he notes that if you plan on being a success in business or life, consider self-responsibilty first.  Each person is the source of her or his success.  At Sydney Andrews, taking responsibility means you are fully accountable for everything you are, everything you have and everything you achieve.  Your dreams, your home-based business, your education, your relationships, aspirations, goals and endeavors belong to you and you only.

Self-responsibility is a critical part in creating the outcomes of our lives.  It is also vital to the health of your home-party business.  The wellspring of success sprouts forth when the one in pursuit of success takes on, and is accountable for, the great and not-so-great of what happens.  There are no greater spoken words than “It’s about me, I own it, and I am responsible. I will do whatever it takes to make it right because it is my responsibility.”  Having your own business means showing up during your appointed office hours, spending dedicated time calling your hostesses and customers, booking parties and adding names to your prospect list each day.

What areas of your life and direct selling business have blossomed once you took responsibility for the outcome?  When were the results of your efforts at a party, on a prospecting call, or in your family life enhanced the minute you accepted that if it is meant to be, it’s up to me?

1. Time and Convenience (I’m too busy to make a commitment.”)
2. Money (“Everyone I know is out of money or work.”)
3. House or location (“I’m never home”, or “My house is a mess.”)

For the time and location issues, try using the Low-Carb Alternative party*–in other words, just give them the meat. Low-Carb dining is popular. Just as a Low-Carb meal needs to be light, flavorful, instant and satisfying, so it is with low-carb booking success.

Light: Minimize the presentation time and the number of guests required.

Flavorful: Power-pack the mini product demonstration tailored to their needs.

Instant: make it easy to book with you with minimal planning or lead time-book in close.

Satisfying: Cut the time, but don’t skimp on customer service.

One nice thing about Low-Carb parties is that they can be done virtually anywhere! Before and after presentations work well. They are done before the movies, after work, after exercising; in fact, meet them at the gym! Because the Low-Carb party happens without much notice, invitation are informal (a call or an email) and the hostess need not be stressed about her home or refreshments.

Of course, this recipe only works if you make the booking calls and offer! It might sound like this: “Sally, I would love to conduct a party for you because I know it would be successful and fun. I offer two options: we can do a regular party with all the bells and whistles, or I now offer a lighter low-carb alternative. What sounds most appetizing to you?”

She may laugh, but she will certainly ask you to tell her more.

Address the money issue with free product offerings for the hostess or for a guest who provides referrals. Also, adopting a genuine no-pressure sales attitude is the key! If you are passionate about your jewelry, you know they will love it once they see it. 

Catalog parties have become quite the craze. It’s a matter of  dropping off a catalog and some order forms and having them fill out the information on their time and place.

Here are some suggestions of where to find sales…

-School Front Office- the ladies love to wear the jewelry and show it off to other parents

-Doctor and Dentist offices

-Starbucks, Panera (post a flyer on the corkboard)

-Discussions in the gym locker room

-Supermarket

-Church or Synagogue

-Airport

*Thanks to Build and Big and Joellen Sutterfield, direct seller, for her low-carb alternative idea.

When you are learning how to promote your direct selling and hostess opportunities with a prospect via telephone you will find that there are actually two reasons to encourage the other person to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with you. One is for the reason stated above. The second, is that a prospect doesn’t usually end a conversation…while THEY are talking about something important to them!

Bring that thought into any direct selling process, whether on the telephone or in person. Make it a goal that, whether you are simply establishing a realtionship with a prospect, or actually giving a party presentation that will hopefully result in a sale, that you talk only 25 percent of the time and listen 75 percent of the time. And, the way to accomplish this is to ask questions. Ask questions that the prospect wants to answer, allowing her to engage in the conversation and and this will help her toward the decision of joining in your Sydney Andrews business, or selecting the perfect piece of jewelry to enhance her wardrobe.

Remember what the great sales master, J. Douglas Edwards used to say “Questions are the answer”. How are you doing, percentage-wise in terms of listening versus talking?