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. (more…)

By Jill Pfefer

It’s true, more and more I am seeing a strong trend today in providing education and letting your guests experience your product.  It’s how you can provide information and stand out amongst the rest!  The trend to sell with hard core tactics and by convincing your customer into a sale  is quite “passe”. I see more and more people explaining practical purposes for their product and how it can enhance their life.

Show your customers that by adding a simple accessory they can feel better about themselves instantly!  How great is it to get a compliment on something that they wear and get noticed by people they simply pass on the street! Teach them by adding, for example, a necklace they can mix up their wardrobe and and save money.  Instead of buying a new wardrobe, the necklace can compliment and tie into a lot of  their pieces they have had in their closet for years.

Here are some ideas you can mention at your next party….

(more…)

By Jill Pfefer

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.

(more…)

By Jill Pfefer

How do you spend your time building your business? I bet some of the actions you take to build your business are direct while others are indirect. You may want to analyze and actually look at and the time you spend doing both your direct and indirect marketing.

Directly growing you business involves parties, opportunity interviews, one on one sales, follow up calls and building long term relationship with your customers. These activities directly result in making sales and having faster growth in your home party business. For example, up to ninety percent of your time should be spent on your income producing activities. Make it a goal to speak to at least 3 people a day about your home party business. This includes talking to people face to face. So many times we hide behind our computers and chat online but a solid contact is built more solidly face to face. Set goals whether they are having a party once or twice a week, 5 one on one sales or participating in a local event. Follow through with your goals by putting yourself out there and check off the milestones you have achieved each week.

(more…)

By Jill Pfefer

It’s the beginning of the year and for some, a time to reflect.  A time to look back on the past and learn from it by planning a new future. Analyze what worked for you in your home party business and what things you need to change. What ideas come to you that you can actively pursue to take control and create a strong business year ahead.  The following are some ideas you can use to rekindle and/or spark this year by starting your year off with a blast!

1. I commend you for reading this blog post! Doing research on the internet in your field can help give you ideas that you may have never thought of before.  Look at other people’s suggestions and see how they like to book, sell and sponsor.  Maybe one person’s approach has shed some light on how you can tweak your own approach.  Maybe an idea comes to you that you would have never thought of on your own.  The internet is a wonderful resource you can use to rekindle or refresh your own ideas.

2. Attend your company’s webinars.  At Sydney Andrews we have several training sessions a month focusing on how you can improve on your sales and sponsoring.  Learn from the experts who have been successful through their own experiences.

(more…)

By Jill Pfefer

Last month I took a wonderful class with Beth Jones-Schall from Spirit of Success. She gave a lecture “From Generation to Generation”based on information from researchers Strauss and Howe.  I didn’t realize it at the time but I took away so much information that afternoon that it has taken me several weeks to absorb it all. It was quite interesting when you break down the 4 generations, you can see how differently you will want to approach people with booking, selling and sponsoring .

Traditionalists (silent generation) 1925-1942 – The people from this generation are very adaptive because they have gone through so many events in their life such as the Great Depression and WW11. They are great helpers, they love their community and most of all they are loyal. It is very important for them to leave a legacy. The best way to communicate with them is face to face, on the phone or with a written letter. When approaching them, let them know that they are needed and they will make a difference.

(more…)

I love this time of year- the New Year. Everyone is re-evaluating themselves and seeing how they can be more successful in the year to come. It is a time to set personal and professional goals and figuring out a way to be accountable and to stick to them. The important thing is to set realistic and attainable goals so that you can measure and see your results. By having disapline you will be able to see your results.

1. Look at the overall picture in monthly increments, with specific actions you’ll be able to map out and plan for the upcoming month in a broad view.

2. Break down each week, you can start by using a sample week and breaking it down to how long you will spend on your business each day. Mark which times you will make your sponsoring phone calls, which times you will hold sales calls and which times you will block out for your parties/events. By actually marking your calendar you will be able to block out the time for your business and put other respinsibilities into other parts of your day.

(more…)

You just had an awesome party! You had a great turnout, with a generous hostess and you were able to drive up your sales to one of your most successful events! You had the time to explain why your product is the one of the best  and/or most unique out there and you walked away feeling that this party was a great success. Do you think the next time your customers need a similar product they will seek you out or go down the street to a store? What can you do to ensure that the repeat business will actually come back to you?

1. Explain how your product is unique. For example, Sydney Andrews jewelry is a custom designed jewelry line.  You can’t find these pieces at the local  mall or in a retail store. Therefore, if they are really enjoying their product and get lots of compliments on it and want to seek out other styles, they know that they have to come back to you to buy it.

(more…)

By Jill Pfefer

How did your unparty go? Were the men open minded to coming to a home party and selecting items from your collection? Did they like the idea of fashion advice, great products at reasonable prices and free gift wrap and convenient shipping? I thought I might give you a few other suggestions on how to reach the male population outside of the home party.

If the party doesn’t come to you why not go to them. Bring the party to their office by bringing your product, finger foods and offering to give the office manager(or whoever set up the party) the free hostess rewards. Remember, people will go the extra mile if they know there is something in it for them.

Here are a few suggestions of where a good office unparty may be…..
- local dealership
- dentist office
- lawyers office
- realtor’s office
- local coffee shop
- networking group

I’d love to hear your ideas of your success with the UnParty!

By Jill Pfefer In our last two conference calls, Becky introduced a great way to think outside the box! O.K. maybe this wasn’t the guy you were invisioning coming to your party, but, it caught your attention anyway, didn’t it?

Invite a group of your friend’s spouses or male friends and help them pick out great gifts for their loved ones. This is a unique service you can offer to make you stand above the rest. Make the men feel comfortable by creating an atmosphere just for them!

1. Hold the UnParty the first week in December. We all know how men are infamous for leaving the gift buying up the last minute:)

2. In the invite emphasize that you will be offering the lastest fashion advice. Many times men are out of touch of what their wives would like for the holidays. Offer suggestions with color and style to suite their spouses taste. (more…)