If you are like me- you probably have a whole closet full of neutrals. I actually go out of my way to buy a basic and classic wardrobe so that I can spice it up with my accessories. I also always consider the necklines the sleeve lengths and how a garments fits at the waist. With a closet full of neutrals feel free to add color- blasts of color! Combine a fun multi colored necklace such as the On the Fence necklace and accent it with a great pair of hunter green shoes! How about color coordinating fun flowing earrings such as the Peacock earrings with a turquoise colored purse to your bland outfit. Have fun with your accents and feel good wearing it! Love to see your combos!

By Jill Pfefer

Have you ever thought of thinking outside the box? Why not use your rings as a hair accessory? Since all of the Sydney Andrews rings are elastic and flexible- they make great ponytail holders too! I put a very thin hair tie underneath and only grabbed a small amount of hair. I then placed the ring ontop to cover the hair tie. I think they look pretty cool- what do you think?

By Jill Pfefer

Trend Alert! Color Blocking is huge here in Fall 2011!  It is not a new concept but it is big- now. This fashion statement combines the use of two or more blocks of color in an outfit. This can be from a shirt, blouse, pants, purse or jewelry. It can include monotone, bright colors, muted colors, contrasting and complimentary colors. Clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories can all feature color block designs or can make up different color blocks of color to be put together to get the color block effect.

Here are some tips to keep in mind with this trend.
1. Be bold and experiment. Any color combination is great if you can pull it off.  For example, blue, green and orange make a great statement.
2. Do not combine more than 3 or 4 colors.
3. Decide which pieces of your wardrobe you want to color block and leave the rest neutral. Such as colorful top and bottom but neutral shoes and accessories.
4.Do not combine two color blocked items. This look is bold but not that bold:)

I think is would look great to combine the Sydney Andrew s Circle of Life Pendant with a red and pink top and green pants. How have you brought this trend into your wardrobe?

I admit it, growing up I was a very shy little girl. Even through adolescence and early adulthood I would consider myself timid. But, as I have gotten older I have learned to be more specific with my needs and my goals.  How have I achieved my success? I have learned that quite plainly if  ”you don’t ask- you don’t get”. Granted “you don’t get” every time but the odds of reaching your goals are much greater if you just simply ask for it.

Don’t be afraid to introduce your business with just a few questions….

1. When you receive a compliment on your product- such as the necklace you are wearing that day, tell the person that you are selling this product and would like to know if they would like more information or would like a copy of the current catalog.  This is a great conversation starter because the person actually opened the door by telling you she likes your product. Give back information as to how they can purchase it or receive it as a hostess gift.

2. Ask people if they would be interested in hosting a party.  There are many rewards given to your hostess. In the Sydney Andrew’s program they can earn 20-30% in Free jewelry, half off items  plus montly specials and many other offerings for their guests.  Be sure to ask every guest at the party if they are open to hosting a party of their own. You would be surprised at how many people will consider this. Plus in our program if the new party is booked and processed within 60 days the original hostess receives another $50.00 in free jewelry.

3. Ask your guests or prospective clients if they know of anyone who might be interested in your product or hosting a party. Many people are very generous with offering referrals to help you, but again they probably won’t offer this unless you ask.  A great tool is the wish list that you can hand out at parties.  It is more of a subtle way of asking for referrals that they can complete without being put on the spot.

4. Ask at your next party if anyone is interested in your opportunity.  You can demonstrate how you have been successful and how they can be too. Ask if anyone in the room can use some residual income. These days I think almost everyone can relate to that or at least knows someone who can.

5. Ask if they would be interested in a fundraising.  I have found if there is something in for them, especially a portion of the sales or free product, the door may open letting you host a party or participating in an event.  This way not only are you growing your business but you are supporting a great cause.

I’d love to hear about ways that you have been able to “ask for it” and what suggestions you may have to others.

The number one reason consultants in the Party Plan business hold themselves back is because they are afraid of being too pushy and hearing the word “no”. When you think of a pushy person, what comes to mind? Someone who is aggressive, someone who is not concerned about their customer’s needs, someone who has their own agenda and someone who does not let their customer say “no”. Does this sound like you? Of course not! Your objective is to simply offer a customer an awesome product, to host a party and get free items or to tell them about the great opportunity it is to make extra money with flexible hours!

What is the absolute worst thing that could possibly happen if you discuss your direct sales opportunity with someone- you may get a “no”. Quite frankly, several no’s brings you closer to a “yes”, and every “yes” brings you closer to your goals! Don’t be afraid to hear the word no. In fact, this week Becky with Sydney Andrews is running a contest for everyone to seek out 100 no’s so that everyone gets used to hearing the word “no” and will learn to not be afraid of rejection. It’s a numbers game and the more people you expose to your business, I guaruntee you will hear no’s but with that there will be many yeses!

After spending 4 days in Los Angeles at the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA) conference it was  evident that there are new trends in the home party plan industry.  In fact, direct selling in general has changed. People are looking  for a conversation rather than a presentation.

I believe a lot of this has to do with technology and the new era of social media. People are spending a great deal of time on their computers and smart phones and are not conversing as much in person. Therefore it seems that when people communicate with  technology they feel that they have to get straight to the point and offer their product as soon as possible before losing their audience. WRONG! So many times I see on Facebook , Twitter or 3rd party sites  the deal of the month or why their product is the greatest product on earth. WRONG!

Social media is not “sales” media.  Social media is about having a conversation and easing into a relationship with someone. This could be compared to dating.  People who are too forward about their intentions are usually a turn off.  Most people like to become friends before commiting to a serious relationship.  The same is true when selling a product.  Customers prefer to buy from people they like and trust. Engaging in a conversation is the best way to build upon a relationship and trust.

The trend today is about inviting people to learn about a topic or a product instead of convincing them to buy it. That’s why writing blogs, posting links and joining in the conversation are great ways to build your network. Wouldn’t you rather selling to an informed customer who really wants to buy your product rather than a customer who felt pressured to buy it?

What are some of your suggestions to starting a conversation and building relationships?

Mother’s Day is right around the corner! April and May are the second biggest direct sales months next to the holiday season. Women are out buying for their moms, aunts, sisters, friends and themselves. But what about tapping into husbands, fathers, sons etc. who would like to get a unique gift for the special mom/woman in his life. The following are some ideas that I have seen consultants utilize.

1. E-Party- Send an invite to the husbands or men on your mailing list to shop at your e-party specifically set up for Mother’s Day. By the press of a computer button he can have the gift delivered without having to go shopping at a live store. Jewelry is always a winner!

2. Open house- Open up your house and  welcome local friends and neighbors for a family night. A suggestion would be to have the women and children upstairs and the men downstairs watching a sporting event and picking out a giftfor their loved one.

3. Daddy/Daughter night- Host a party and have the daughters pick out something with their father for their Mother. This is a nice way to have the children involved in the gifting process and feel a part of the holiday.

4. Gift Certificate- Send an email to your list and offer them the opportunity to buy a gift certificate. This way his loved one can pick out exactly what she’d like for Mother’s Day.

5. Free Wrapping and/or Shipping- offer your male customers a Mother’s Day special! You can offer free gift wrapping and/or get a bulk shipping and distribute your product(jewelry) directly to him.

6.Wish List- At your next home party distribute a wish list tp the guests.  This way if she is not comfortable purchasing everything she would like that evening she can jot down what else she wishes for and you can subtly give that list to the man in her life.

What other creative ideas have you come up with to market to men around Mother’s Day? I’d love to hear your ideas.

March 24,2010  by Jill Pfefer

Whether your home based business is in direct sales or any other industry – I find it helpful to be organized and accountable in my work. The following are 5 basic tips that I do to keep on track. Many of us both work at home and run a household and it is important to be able to balance the two and feel successful in both arenas.

1. Don’t procrastinate- I do live by the saying “Do what you can today and don’t put it off until tomorrow”. It feels good to accomplish all that you can today because you never know what will come up tomorrow- especially with kids! Setting reasonable goals and finishing your tasks will give you a great sense of acheivement.

2. Write lists- I am constantly writing lists because I am a visual person. If I have written it down I can see the list in my head even if it is not infront of me. I find myself writing lists on sticky notes all over the house, which drives my husband nuts. Instead, I made a great discovery this week – I can keep an ongoing list on my blackberry which follows me wherever I go.

3. Learn something new- Each week I set a goal to learn something new. Whether it is a topic on social media (such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter,) blogging, networking etc. I know I have gained something each week by accomplishing a new task or topic.

4. Clean your work area space- About 6 months ago I took an Incubator class with Ladies Who Launch. It was a wonderful class where I learned a great deal from fellow female entreprenuers and every week we had an assignment to help us grow our businesses. I thought the assignment of cleaning one area of your home/ work environment was a bit strange but I found it really helpful . It was sort of like a cleansing or a fresh start. I love to pile up stuff but it is amazing to have a clean slate! (OK, I admit, I still need to work on this!)

5. Make yourself accountable- whether it is a weekly task or something that is montly be consistent and just do it! For example, every Friday I try to go through my emails and delete the ones I no longer need. Another one is setting specific times like Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00-3:00 for phone calls to grow my business.

I hope these are helpful tips. I would love to hear how you organize yourself in your home based business!

The following are some tips of where you can leave your business cards behind in your direct sales networking efforts. It is such a simple gesture but can lead to more business for you.

- Visiting doctors, dentists, hairdressers, bank- basically anytime you are doing a business transaction around town you can explain what you do by handing out your card.

-When you are paying for a product such as checking out in a clothing store- that’s a great time to strike up small talk with a salesperson. Many times the conversations starts with a compliment on the necklace I am wearing and I explain that the necklace is from a home party jewelry party and we would be happy to show her the rest of the line or do a home party.

- Slip a card in your outgoing mail and bills.

- When someone hands you a card be sure to hand one of yours back.

- In FREE LUNCH drawing boxes.

- With every product that you have sold and deliver.

-To every person at your events or parties.

-Put your card on magnets and stick to bathroom stalls.

- Write a note on the back of the card with the monthly special.

- On bullentin boards- I am always reading the board at Panera.

It’s a good idea to have your cards your home number, cell number, email address and replicated site if your company has one.

What other creative and successful ways have you found to pass out your cards?