Do you ever feel uncomfortable imposing on your friends , family and new contacts to host a party?  Do you feel that people are looking at you differently because you think they are thinking you have your own agenda? Do you feel like you are asking everyone for favors?

Sorry to say, but, the truth is “it’s not about you.”

Often consultants run their home party business incorrectly by asking for bookings.  Many consultants assume their hostesses are doing them a favor by holding a party.  Well the truth is there are a ton of benefits for the hostess to hold a party and have a fun filled evening amongst their own friends. With most companies, including Sydney Andrews, the hostesses earn a large percentage of FREE product based on party sales.  Also, additional items often can be purchased by the hostess for half off.  Many direct sales companies offer benefits to the guests as well, currently Sydney Andrews offers 10% off all orders over $100.00. Therefore this is a win, win, win senario- the hostess is eligible for free and discounted jewelry, the guests are eligible for discounted items and the consultant earns his/her commission!

Below are some examples of how you can approach booking a party- which one sounds best to you?

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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.

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Social media is such a fantastic tool for your direct selling business.  However, it IS social, which means that there are LOTS of people there…not all of them good people.  Now some people decide that they’re not going to engage in social media at all because of this.  However I believe that this approach will cause more harm than good for your business.  After all, if you want to attract leaders to your team, studies in our industry show that most director-level people started the business in their 20′s.  This is Generation Y, and they’re more comfortable communicating through social media tools than talking on the telephone!  And because there are SO many people engaging online these days, chances are you’ll miss out on a LOT of potential orders and reorders if you choose not to engage.

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If your direct sales or network marketing company is like most these days, they either have a Facebook Fan Page or are planning one.  And the large majority of direct selling companies are using their Facebook Pages to talk to YOU, the consultant.  Why?  Because their strategy is to empower you with resources that you can use to build your business.  After all, many of your customers and prospects are probably already on Facebook. Why not provide you with resources that you can pass along with a simple click?  It just makes sense.

So are you making optimal use of the resources that your company provides? (more…)

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.

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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.

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Do you assume that all successful business people are outgoing and extroverted? Well, that is just not true. Many successful business people are shy and like to work behind the scenes. It may take some practice but interacting with the public and promoting oneself is imperative to continued success.

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

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“The willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life is the source from which self-respect springs.” Joan Didion

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. (more…)

Home presentations are the foundation of your home-party business. However, adjusting and expanding any business strategy to suit the sales and economy climate just makes sense. You will find more doors opening when you begin selling what your clients are buying. What are they buying today or better yet what aren’t they buying?

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. (more…)

As you begin your Sydney Andrews home-based business, it’s important to learn all you can about maximizing your home parties and other selling opportunities.  Most of us have heard it said that “when you’re telling, your aren’t selling”. The key is to listen to your customers, hostesses and business prospects. That is the way you can learn about their wants, needs and desires. At your parties, match a benefit to their need and you are practically there.

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! (more…)