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However, yesterday as I scrolled through my Facebook feed while procrastinating on packing, the overwhelming majority of my friends had very few positive things to say about their Monday. That got me thinking: the problem is not Monday-the problem is your job! We only get one shot at life. This isn't a dress rehearsal for something greater. My friends, we are in the final act right now. Do what you love. And don't wait for tomorrow, do it today!
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In today's modern age, many men and women are turning to the direct sales industry as a way to add quick flexibility into their monthly budget. The promises of being successful while running your own business pull on the entrepreneur that naturally lives in most of us. Four years ago when I went from working in full time corporate America to a stay at home mom, I was definitely looking for some financial independence, as well as some girl time. But thanks to my husband's job, I knew that the traditional punching the time clock wasn't going to work for us. We were at the mercy of his contract, and could get called to move at any moment. So I needed something that was going to be portable, wouldn't require me keeping an inventory, gave me an opportunity to earn some honey-don't-know money, and preferably something I enjoyed. I had been introduced to the direct sales world through a friend of my mom's, but I had no idea how to get started.
"Enter the direct-selling business--small, lean, and incredibly efficient. As a direct-selling professional, you can choose from hundreds of fine companies that sell every product or service imaginable--from women's apparel to state-of-the-art nutritional products. In exchange for a minimal investment (most under $100), the company agrees to research, design, test, manufacture, store, ship, and in many cases, service its product-all at its expense. You, in turn, agree to become the company's "marketing department," acting independently to share the products and find new customers, who then become your clients. For every sale that you make, you are paid a commission ranging from 20 to 50 percent. As a direct-selling professional, you have the opportunity to work part-time or full-time and can expand your business enterprise by engaging and training other people, who also love the products, share their enthusiasm for the business, and gain new customers. For this you are paid additional bonuses." --Build It Big, written by the Direct Selling Women's Alliance
That's kind of a long quote, but it summarizes and explains the direct selling industry better than I ever could. And I love the use of the term "marketing department." When you get a good haircut, do you not tell your friends about it? Or what about when you go to a great restaurant, and have great service matched with great food? You tell people! The direct sales industry is a way for you to get paid for recommending a product that you love. It really is that simple. And there are so many people that want to step into this industry, so team building is possible if you work your business!
The thing I find is that, like myself, most people would love the flexibility a direct sales opportunity would offer them. They just simply don't know where or how to get started.
After being in this business for almost four years, sitting through hundreds of hours of training, and implementing these processes myself, I've been given the opportunity to see what has and has not worked. And now I'm freely sharing that information with you. So here are my tips on how to start your home-based business off strong.
1. Know Who You Know
After you make your initial investment and purchase your company's enrollment kit, I want you to sit down and make a list of every person you know, and their best contact info-even people that you know would never be interested in your product. Input their information into your company's customer relationship management system. If your company does not have one, I recommend starting your own in Excel. This way you will have an organized spreadsheet with all of your customer information. If you ever move to a more formal management software, you can usually import from an Excel spreadsheet seamlessly.
2. Hire Yourself First
After you have written down who you know, it's time to set your launch party for a day or two after your kit arrives. This will be your premiere opening party where people can come by and take a look at your new venture, see you and the product, and catch up. Understand that the goal of this launch does not necessarily need to be sales. If someone wants to buy something, let them-but the overall goal needs to be finding hostesses. A lot of new consultants will try to set this up as an open house, where people can come by any time between a set hour. I do not recommend doing it this way, because you miss the opportunity to let people experience a demonstration. Again, this does not need to be all about sales. Here's why: Simon Sinek says that people don't by what you do, they buy why you do it. So your opening in your demonstration needs to include your "why". Why did you join this company? What purpose does this company fill in your life, and how will your friends supporting your venture add value to your life?
Let me give you an opening example of what I might say at my product launch party.
"Thank you all so much for joining me today, as I set out on a new journey that I am really excited about. A few weeks ago, I decided that {insert your why} we really needed to add some extra income to our family budget, {insert how your why impacts your life} so that we could afford to enroll the boys in more sports activities, and still be committed to paying down our existing debt. As my husband and I were talking about how to do this, I decided that it would also be nice for me to have a little independence of my own, and so I decided to go from a stay at home mom to a work at home mom. This business opportunity will give me the flexibility to still be at home with the boys, but simultaneously allow me to have an impact on our family finances. The reason why I chose this company is because {what attracted you to that business} their mission really spoke to me in how they aim to celebrate, encourage, and reward women and families. I've invited you here tonight because I know that you are going to love the product."See what I did there? I have not told you a single thing yet about the product, but already you are sold, because I've sold you myself. When you're in a new company and you don't know much about the product yet, this is a great way to start. From here you can pass out your company's information, like a catalog or hostess form, with the goal of getting bookings for future parties. You may choose to highlight a few products in a demonstration, and if you do, pass them around. Put the product in your guest's hands, and let them touch it. If they're touching, they're buying. I also recommend playing a game. It lightens the mood and gives you the opportunity to put a free product in someone's hands. If you're just starting out and don't have a lot of capital, grab something from the dollar bins at Target or Michael's like a notepad or a nice coffee mug. It doesn't have to be from your company, it just has to be free.
3. Follow Up
Sometimes you will walk away from a party and not have any bookings, especially if you haven't asked for them. My favorite thing do is call and ask, "Did you get everything on your wishlist, or was there something else you wanted?" Most of the time they will say no, they didn't get everything they wanted. In my business, I have the option to offer them an item for free or half priced through hostess benefits, so I'll say something like, "Amanda, how would you like to get that product for free or half priced?" Duh she want's it for free. Call me when you come across a person that would rather pay for something than just be given it. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss when she can be your hostess and when she can take advantage of your company's amazing hostess benefits. Even if she says no, you've planted the seed for the future. No doesn't always mean no buy-a lot of times it just means not right now.
The follow up is everything, so you have to pick up the phone and do it. I didn't see a major bounce in my business until I started following up with everyone. The follow up gives you a 2nd opportunity to connect with that person. So ask them if they had a good time, ask them (if they ordered something) how they are using their product, and ask them if you can keep in touch with them via your "newsletter" or some type of online marketing. A lot of companies will do this for you, by sending out monthly marketing information with customer specials or sales. Asking them shows that you want their permission to contact them about this product. Most will say yes, some will say no, and that's totally cool too. You don't want to waste time trying to market a product to people who don't want it. If a person tells you no, it's a blessing, because you can move on to the next possible opportunity.
4. Buddy Up
Find a person who needs this opportunity that is a close friend or relative, and recruit them. Then make that person your business partner. It is paramount that this person shares the same drive as you and passion as you for your business, because you want a partner, not a project. This partnership will keep the both of you motivated and focused. Make a symbiotic pledge to each other in the beginning to work with each other through tough times, keep the other focused on a goal, and to always be looking out for the others best interest, and the two of you will both benefit from the relationship. Ideally, this person will be a recruit, but if you are having a tough time finding someone at first, ask an upline leader to connect you with someone in your area. In a larger company like mine, it's super easy to find someone to be a business partner. It's best if that person is proximal to you so you can attend company training together, but if it's long distance, that's fine too. The company is bound to have regional events and conferences you can get together at, hopefully once a year.
5. Deposit Into Your Account
I'm not talking about your checking account, but hopefully with a successful business you will do that too. What I'm talking about is with repeated, consistent encouragement. Owning your own business is hard. There will be days when you don't want to do this anymore. There will be days when you don't want to do anything but lay on a couch and eat pop tarts all day. You've GOT to work through those days. Depositing into your emotional bank account will help you have less pop tarts in your pajamas days, and more traveling to party days. This is true for any business owner. My recommendation is to find a book, podcast or training within your company's resources that motivate you and have a day each week where you just get motivated.
My day is Monday. I always search for and plan to deposit to myself on Monday so that I have direction and encouragement for my business through out the week. And there are so many good speakers and podcasts out there. All you have to do is be looking for them. Some of my favorite books include, "The Compound Effect," by Darren Hardy, "Successful Women Think Differently," by Valerie Burton, and even a few positive encouragement books like "The Confident Mom" by Joyce Meyer. I mentioned Simon Sinek earlier-he has a podcast out called "Start With Why" that's fantastic.
So there you have it. My tips for a strong start. If you're in direct sales, I would love to hear your tips for a strong start in the comments! I love chatting with other people about their companies and why they're in this business.
Be well!
-C
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