Hire a Wife To Help You Build Your Avon Business!

Hire a Wife To Help You Build Your Avon Business!

Hire a Wife To Help You Build Your Avon Business!   We are all busy, and sometimes time is our most valuable and scarcest resource. Some of us are building Avon full-time, but most are not.  Many Representatives are building their Avon business around their full- or part-time job, and around their children and family lives. …

Hire a Wife To Help You Build Your Avon Business! Read More »

10 Tips to Creating Residual Income With Your Avon Business!

10 Tips to Creating Residual Income With Your Avon Business!!

Good for you for taking the time to learn and grow!  I am certain that reading this Blog Post will give you great insight on how you CAN create a residual income with your Avon Business from building relationships and sharpening your very own skills!!!  Rest assured that you can create a business that gives you security and consistency on payday!

Below you will find 10 Tips that will help you start and create a business that you can count on campaign after campaign!  Guess what, all these tips are FREE and you already have them within you!  Let's put them to use!

This post gives you highlights!!

1.    BE VERSATILE! DO IT ALL!  As an Avon Representative you are GIVEN an unlimited income opportunity!  It is simply up to you whether or not you take advantage of that opportunity!  No waiting for a raise or the manager/boss to say, “You are up for promotion.”  It is not up to anyone but you whether or not you will earn Big Bonuses, and higher commissions or not!  With Avon you can not only build a large customer base selling world class beauty and health and wellness products, you can also offer the Avon opportunity to friends and family, and start  your very own team!   As you build and grown your team, you can earn extraordinary bonuses, and commissions (biweekly) based on your entire team sales!  SO YES, YOU ARE THINKING CORRECTLY! THE BIGGER YOUR TEAM THE HIGHER YOUR INCOME! Again, you call the shots! With Avon you can sell your products face to face through the brochures, and online with your FREE website Avon gives EVERY Avon Representative, customers can shop with you 24/7 anywhere in the USA!  And GET THIS!!!  Avon offers your brand new online customers a one time coupon of 10% off their entire order when they register their email address on your website (use code WELCOME10 )!  It gets better!  Your website ALWAYS OFFERS FREE SHIPPING on their order of $40 or more!  Avon does all the work for you when customers shop online, shipping is all taken care of, and earnings are directly deposited (must opt into direct deposit)! You can give back and offer a variety of different fundraisers to clubs, organizations, and more with your Avon Business!  You can earn incentives, and FREE VACATIONS year after year when you achieve certain goals! Most successful business owners have multiple streams of income to maximize all income opportunities!  Avon gives you everything you need!  Be versatile! 

2.   BE SOCIAL! I always say, and strongly believe there is absolutely no growth in comfort zones!  Yes, believe it or not I AM AN INTROVERT!  However, I certainly cannot be successful and sell product or an opportunity, EVEN IF SOMEONE NEEDED IT, if I do not socialize!  You must show up everywhere you go!  What do I mean?  Start practicing, say hello to 10 strangers today in your daily routine,  Talk to the person in line next to you at the grocery store, talk to the cashier, compliment the women at the bank, talk to the secretary at the school when you pick up your children, wave at the bus driver when he/she drops the kids off, strike up a conversation with your neighbor that you still don’t know after living there for 10 years!  Get the conversation started!  Plant seeds everywhere you go!  Other wise you become the person no one sees, or hears!  Be memorable, and thoughtful, remember what people tell you, even if you have to take a note here and there so you remember!  Remember what they’ve mentioned and ask them how that is going the next time you see them!  They will appreciate your kind and considerate demeanor.   Begin creating and nourishing GENUINE relationships with people every where you go, and you will quickly see your network grow!  Once a familiarity and relationship is formed you will feel more comfortable offering your new acquaintance or maybe even new friend an Avon brochure, or recomend a product to them based on your new knowledge of what they may like or need! I don’t just mean face to face! Use technology and social media to grow your business!  It is called Social networking for a reason you know!  I think sometimes people forget that, and they simply post and scroll through ONLY looking at other posts!  STOP DOING THAT! Every time you get a birthday notification, wish them all a happy birthday!  Comment words of encouragement and kindness when someone is having a bad day, compliment them on their on their family photo, congratulate the graduate, wish speedy recovery to those that are not well!  Reply to people when they comment on your posts!  Do a monthly, “Who is celebrating their  birthday this month?” post.  Inbox them to send you their address for FREE birthday samples and a flashy birthday message in the mail!  Keep the conversation going!  The more your name pops into their mind and on their social media the more they will see and be reminded of you, oh and by the way your business!  Post recognition, and gratitude for customers that purchase from you!  People love seeing their name especially in a positive light!  Whats more, their friends and family on social media will see the post you tagged them in and this will strike their interest…. MORE CUSTOMER or TEAM MEMBERS!  It goes on and on, think of all the people your network knows that you don’t know, and how many people their network knows, and on and on! THEY WILL REMEMBER YOU!

3.   BE STRATEGIC! Push yourself even further!  Make a plan daily that will increase your lead bank! Ask 5 people TODAY and EVERYDAY, for their contact information, record their information in your phone for safe keeping!  I find asking for their phone number and/or Facebook name is most successful!  Follow up that evening or the next day, too much time in between meeting them and the follow up will tarnish the freshness of interest and your conversation!  It seems everyone has Facebook these days!  Don’t be afraid…… simply say something like, “I’ve really enjoyed connecting/meeting with you!  Why don’t you write down your contact info and I’ll follow up with you before the next order goes in, I have some awesome samples here you can try in the meantime!” 

4.   BE PERSISTENT! NEVER QUIT approaching new people,  we all, EVEN TOP TOP TOP sellers and sales leaders hear NO, on a daily basis, the Representatives that continue on, are the ones that are successful, you’ll never be successful if you quit.  Do not be discouraged, they are not rejecting YOU personally, it just may not be for them right now, but people and their lives change, and you have planted a seed!  I have had many customers and recruits order and/or sign up on my team years later, because their lives changed, their income changed, and they remembered me approaching them!  MOVE ON, do not miss the opportunity with the next potential customer or team member, because you heard a no!  

5.   BE EXCITED! Isn’t it exciting that you can create your own schedule!  Isn’t it exciting that you can earn as much money as you want, have the ability to achieve and go on all expense paid vacations, even multiple vacations a year after year, mentor and empower others to do the same, work from home, and so much more!  Isn’t it exciting that you get first dibs on industry leading, world class beauty and health and wellness products!  I thinks its THRILLING, and a HUGE opportunity for EVERYONE! Be excited and share the excitement in your daily routine, share the excitement on social media!  Share testimonials of the products you have tried and and the benefits you have received from the products and the business!  Be loud and proud of your business!

6.   BE AVON FLASHY! BE YOUR OWN AVON ADVERTISEMENT! BE A WALKING, TALKING BILLBOARD FOR YOUR VERY OWN BUSINESS!  You have your own business that LITERALLY offers something for almost every aspect of your life!  Why would you pay full price at a retail store for things like, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, vitamins, makeup, skin care, hair care products, candles, jewelry, and SO MUCH MORE when you can get them at a discount FROM YOURSELF!  Wear your own product and I bet you will find people complimenting your jewelry and Avon products that you are wearing!  The perfect conversation starter and opportunity to offer your products and/or Avon opportunity!  Create an opportunity for yourself! YOU GOT THIS! Share your love of your Avon business and products!

7.   BE AN ACTIVE LISTENER AND SUGGESTIVE!  I often find a common issue in direct sales is that the direct seller is doing 90% talking and 10% listening!  If we switch those percentages, and listen 90% and talk 10% our customers will tell us exactly what they need and want!  We must also ask open ended questions that give the customer or lead an opportunity to share more than 1-2 word answers.  Be careful not to be directive with your questions.  For example, “Do you have dry skin?” The only way someone could answer this question is , “Yes” or “No.” Let’s try a more open ended version of that question!  “What type of skin do you have, and what skin care concerns do you have?”  This question needs to be answered in detail, they must give more than one word answers!  It gives them a chance to converse with you and share much more about their skin!  The more they share, the more material you have to work with, to then recomend products they can benefit from! In the first example, the Representative is too focused on getting to an answer so they can sell a product!  In the second example the Representative is simply trying to get more information about the customers skin, and LISTENING with out asking too many questions, or giving their opinions.  LESS TALKING MORE LISTENING!  The customers concerns will direct you to the right products to offer them!  The product will ideally take care of the issue they shared, and naturally they will be satisfied with the benefits and become a repeat customer!  Help your customers solve their concern, and they will return! 

8.   BE AN AVON PRODUCT EXPERT!  Daily care products are a gateway to a huge business!  I don’t know a single person without skin, and everyone bathes!  So everyone is your potential customer, and what is even better….. they will run out and buy more over and over again!  We are lucky enough to be in a business that offers products that everyone needs in their daily routine, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, deodorant, and above all, SKINCARE!! YAY FOR AVON REPRESENTATIVES!  This means you can offer your business to EVERYONE! Why would they go anywhere else when you offer word class innovative products, with personalized service at an extremely reasonable price! Know your products and their benefits!  Know them by using them!  Your personal and honest testimonial is your greatest selling tool! Avon even offers their Representatives a FREE Skin Care Adviser Quiz and Vitamin Quiz for their customers!  This tool allows the customer to answer a series of quick questions that will direct them to the best products for them based on the answers they provide! 

·         CHECK OUT THE SKIN CARE ADVISER HERE! 

·         CHECK OUT THE VITAMIN FINDER QUIZ HERE! 

9.    AVON SKINCARE products are truly amazing!  In fact Avon’s ANEW Ultimate Supreme Advanced Performance Creme outperforms a popular department store brand that retails at $350!  Our customers price is $55!  That is just one example!  Once a customer finds the best skin care routine for their skin type and concerns, they can opt into, AUTO REPLENISH! Auto replenish gives customers the opportunity to automatically receive their products on a time line they choose!  They can save their card information on their account through your website and Avon automatically bills, and ships their products right to their door, no shipping cost when $40 or more!  Easy and convenient for both you and your customers!  RESIDUAL INCOME AT IT’S FINEST! 

10.  BE CONSISTENT!  The competitive edge that each Avon Representative has is their ability to deliver impeccable customer service to their customers!  Customers can have a personalized shopping service through YOU, their Avon Representative!  Know your order dates, and delivery dates.  Have a solid calendar that promotes efficiency, and consistent behaviors that your customers can rely on.  The day you submit your order, your new books should labeled and ready to share!  Time waits for no one, do not waste a single second of your full 2 week Avon selling campaign cycle!  Be sure your customers know your dates as well, never waiver from commitments you make with your business and your customers or team members.  If you do not take your business seriously, your customers will not either.  They will quickly learn they cannot rely on you! Imagine your customer is ordering a gift for someone, and they do not receive their gift in time, due to your inconsistency.  I’d imagine they will no longer continue ordering through you.  To create a residual income you must be consistent and reliable! 

11.  BE GENUINE!  Take a genuine interest in your customers and team members lives.  Get to know them outside of Avon, let them get to know you!  Ask them how they are feeling, stop in to say hello, have coffee or ice cream with them once and a while!  Gift wrap their products, get in tune with the theme for the upcoming holiday!  If Valentine’s Day is coming place a heart sticker on each invoice! Get to know their interests and hobbies.  Do NOT become a product focused business, be and remain a people and relationship driven business!  Create genuine long lasting relationships and the business will come, and stay! 

BONUS!

STAY HUMBLE!  ALWAYS REMAIN IN A STUDENT’S MIND SET!  Believe it or not you and I DO NOT know everything!  The more open we are to the right mentors and tools/materials available to us the more we can learn and grow and the more we can offer our customers and team members!  No one can drink from an empty well, a car cannot run with out gas, and you can not thrive in your business without learning and growing everyday!  Take advantage of those that have had success, reach out for ideas and tips.  READ, if you find an area of opportunity for you to grow, do your research and become an expert!  Never become STILL!  With Avon your growth is unlimited, and not just financially, your personal and professional growth is unlimited as well!

BUILDING: Average Order per Customer!

BUILDING:  Average Order per Customer!

I would like to shed some MAJOR  light on a huge money-making opportunity for YOU every campaign!  It is  called "Average Order Size."  So what does this mean?

Every campaign you place your order, right?  If you take the number of customers and divide it by your total sales that campaign you will have your average order size.  Let's use the example below to  show you how to earn more money in your business with a few small easy changes!

Example: Campaign 2 you have 10 customers and the total order is $200, therefore, if you divide 10 customers by $200 in sales that is about $20 per customer.

A $200 order you earn at the 30% earnings level!  30% of $200 = $64 earnings for YOU!

Now imagine if you took a look at each order your customer submitted to you, and followed up with all friends and family each campaign and actually made suggestions for them based on what you know about them!  Imagine each customer order was around $30 a campaign!  Additionally, due to your impeccable and consistent following up and asking your current customers for referrals you now have 15 customers at $30 each!  15 customers times $30 each = $450 in sales which gets you to the 35% earnings level which means you would earn $157.50 that campaign!

Now lets take it up a notch, because you really want to clear debts in the new year and take over some payments with your AVON business!  Say due to all your up selling and product suggestions you still had 15 customers, but their average order went up to $40!

That is 15 customers times $40 average order which = $600 in sales and places you in the $40 earnings level which means you earn $240 that campaign!

OK we are getting somewhere, you are really learning how to cross category sell, and up sell, by getting to know your customers and what they need  and like!

You now have 20 customers with an average order size of $50 because each customer is ordering the A box you have suggested for only $10 with their $40 order!

This means ...... you have a campaign sale of $1000 and you are earning at the 40% earning level which is a whopping $400 in your product!  Two campaigns a month = $800 in our pocket each month!  What would you pay with that?  

Mortgage? Cell Phone bill? Car Payment? Groceries? Day Care?

You see it's all about YOU!  How YOU decide to manage YOUR business!  How YOU decide to reach out for tips and help from ME and through Avon U on www.youravon.com!  All the resources are here to help you make the most out of your Avon business!

What is even greater is if you sell at minimum $400 each campaign for 26 campaigns you will be a member of the Presidents Club Program which locked you into 40% earnings no matter what your order size is!!  You also get invited to an exclusive Recognition Gala for Top Sellers Like YOU!   You get to order up to 3 of the same demo a campaign rather then just 1!  And so  much MORE!!!!

$400 in sales for 26 campaigns gives you $10,000 in total year sales which is the minimum requirement for President's Club!  Take a look at the attached Presidents Club information!

Don't say it can't be done..... I did in 20 campaigns with Avon, in fact my total sales were $18,316!!

YOU got this!

Avon Share the Love Recruiting Incentive

FROM NOW - AUGUST 6th, YOUR FRIENDS CAN JOIN AVON FOR $10!

Use this limited time promotion as a tool to recruit. Reach out to friends, family, and leads. Share the opportunity on Facebook with Avon Social. You can also download a flyer to print and distribute in person or email and text it. Sign up to be an Avon Representative for $10 from July 11 (starting 6:30 AM EST) to August 6, 2018 (11:59 PM EST).

$10 Share the Love Starter Kit - a $71 Value

• 2 Best of Beauty Sampler Packs
• 10 Lipstick Bullets
• 5 Anew Samples
• 5 Skin so Soft Samples
• 10 Brochures
• 1 24/7 Online Store

Plus they will have the opportunity to earn $546 in free products!

Send your friends to www.startavon.com and tell them to enter your reference code to join your team. How to locate your reference code i.e. my customer website address is youravon.com/lindagibson so my reference code is lindagibson.  Your customer website address is located at the top of  the page when you sign into youravon.com.

Avon Share the Love Support Tools and Action Steps:



• Avon Share the Love Starter Kit Flyer - print this out and hand it out to at least 5 contacts per day. You may want to add the label below so they know exactly how to join your team.

• Avon Share the Love Incentive Guide - print this out to review so you know the exact details for this amazing offer.
• 
  

• Avon Share the Love Book Labels idea - Use Avery 5160 or 5979 - example of what you can type on each row: (1) Linda 954-770-2625 (2) www.youravon.com/lindagibson(3) Join Avon for $10! Expires Aug 6 (4) www.startavon.com (5) Use code: lindagibson - customize these labels with your info and include them on all of your marketing materials you hand out through August 6th.
  

Thank you for your partnership.

Linda M. Leverett

Bronze Leader, President's Club

Avon Dream Team Leader

Avon Customer Service (English): 866.513.2866

Avon Customer Service (Spanish): 866.588.2866

Online Orders: 800.500.2866

Leadership Hotline: 800.468.4600 

Fundraising: 800.288.3787

Product Info: 800.445.2866

How to increase sales and reach Presidents Club?

How to increase sales and reach Presidents Club with Avon?

Presidents Club is VERY obtainable.  If you create a plan of action and stick with it, you will make it!

What is Presidents Club and Why should you strive for this?

Presidents Club is a sales title you receive once you have sold $10,000 in products.  This goal is very attainable.

Benefits of Presidents Club are:

• 40% EARNING GUARANTEED (and 25% on fixed-earning items).
• Order up to three demos of any product in each What's New.
• Invitation to the President's Recognition Program Division Gala Event.
• Birthday and Holiday points. **
• Toll-free number for account services.
• Advance Brochure Program - receive a brochure two campaigns early for a small fee.
• Congratulatory messages for achievement.

NEW!  Points awarded to your account that can be redeemed for Mrs. Albee Award of for one of over 3,000 other items found on Rewards HQ.  THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

NEW!  Product Bundle presented at the PRP Division Gala Event.

NEW!  Achievement Pin presented at President's Recognition Program Gala Event for highest level of achievement.

**Birthday Points will be awarded in the first campaign of the month of your birthday.  Holiday Points will be awarded in C-25.

Our Cycle begins with C-1 in December and ends in C-26 of December

Are you ready?  Now is the time to start planning for success.  Everyone is able to achieve Presidents Club with a detailed plan and consistency.  I can definitely help you with a plan for success.  You only need to average $400 per campaign (from campaign 1 - 26) or reach $10,000 in award sales for the cycle to make Presidents Club.   Do not be discouraged if you join Avon in the middle of the year.  I know reps that have achieved Presidents Club in 6 months.

My favorite reason for joining Presidents Club is the guaranteed 40% commission on all full earning items on every order no matter the size the following year and invitation to the Presidents Recognition Gala!

We can not forget all of the extra money you will make from selling $400 in products every campaign.  Cha - Ching$$

I want to bring 10 representatives to the Presidents Recognition Gala and give special recognition to you every campaign!  Who is with me?  We can do this!

Here is a simple plan of action:

1. Order at least 100 brochures each campaign.  You want $400 in orders every campaign?  You need more customers.  You want more customers?  You need more brochures.  Let's do this!  100 brochures only cost $21.  You must be willing to make a small investment in the growth of your business.
2. Participate in the Power of 5 daily.  I must be honest.  I used to cringe at the thought of giving a brochure to 5 different people each day.  But, you are missing out on valuable new customers and lots of money.  I normally give out 20 brochures a day.  I don't go out of my way to do this.  While I go through my daily routine, I give people brochures.  While I in line at Walmart, I give the people in line with me a brochure.  While I am shopping, I give other customers a brochure.  (contact me if you need help with this)
3. Have a least one fundraiser per month.  This is an easy way to get more customers and recruits.  Contact day cares, girl scouts, cheer squads, volleyball teams, schools, church youth organizations, etc.  Ask them if they need to raise funds for anything.  You can view details at youravon.com under the Earnings Opportunities tab.

Contact me asap so that we can work together and make sure you reach President's Club or view details be selecting the link below!

Presidents Recognition

I am looking for 10 representatives that are serious about making it to Presidents Club.  I want to work with you.  Contact me ASAP!

How To Dramatically Increase Your Avon Sales

How to Sell Avon and Make Money at it! 

How To Dramatically Increase Your Avon Sales Do you look at the reports every campaign and see all those people who have sold $110,000 or even more, and wonder how that is even possible? Maybe your goal is to achieve that level, President’s Council. Or maybe you just want to move to the next level, Read More....

3 Effective Ways to Market Your Business

on July 19, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Imagine if you were planning a major celebration, such as a wedding.  You’ve spent days and weeks planning the perfect theme, venue, food, music, etc.  As amazing as this party could be, it simply wouldn’t happen if you didn’t send out invitations.  Without invitations, no one beyond your close circle of family and friends would even know about the event.  This same rule applies to your business.  Marketing your business is mandatory for bringing in customers, but you should also think of it as an ongoing process instead of something you do once in awhile when sales are starting to lag.  Here are three effective ways you can market your business and bring in customers.

1. Tap your customers’ passions.  It’s no secret that successful entrepreneurs know how to educate their customers on what they need as well as how the product works.  However, people aren’t usually as interested in what they need as they are in what they really want.  Find out what your customer is passionate about, what motivates that person on a daily basis, what he/she really enjoys doing, etc.  Your marketing materials are much more likely to bring in customers if you appeal to a customer’s lifestyle/culture rather than the product itself.  For instance, if you are selling all-natural cleaning products, an advertisement stating that customers will get “10% off if you stop by all this week” will likely get overlooked.  On the other hand, if your message says, “We’ll provide you with all your green cleaning needs because your family’s well-being is our #1 priority,” you’ve now tapped into your customer’s desire to eliminate harsh chemicals from the home.  People respond better to messages they care about than they do to sales talk.
2. Get involved in your community.  Being a part of your community offers wonderful opportunities for networking, service-sharing, customer service, and marketing.  Even better than that though, is demonstrating your commitment to give back.  By participating in community events and hosting your own events, you will be more recognizable to others, and they will be more able to relate to you because like them, you are interested in the community’s well-being.  For example, a local contractor builds the central display for the town’s annual festival for free, makes himself available for free estimates for neighborhood residents, and is regularly seen his children’s baseball games and school fundraising events.  Because he is a visible part of the community who frequents the same local spots as his customers, they are more likely to remember who he is and trust him to do the job well.
3. Make customers feel special. Word of mouth is a powerful thing, and customers are happy and excited to recommend you to others after they’ve had a memorable, positive experience patronizing your business.  We live in tough economic times where getting the lowest price has become a top priority for most people, and lots of businesses that can offer competitive pricing don’t have time for superior customer service.  Find ways to personalize your products and services, such as including a handwritten thank you note with your customer’s order.  Being kind and attentive to customers is an effective and low-cost way to market your business.

How have you been able to use our suggestions?  What are some other ways to market your business that have worked for you in the past?  Please share your comments below!

Seven Ways to Get Others to Promote Your Business

on January 26, 2012 · 2 Comments

When other people talk about your business, it increases credibility and adds value to your brand. But when people want to help you promote your business, do you know what to ask them to do?

Here are ways that other people, such as family, friends, community members, and network associates can help you promote your business.

1. Display your literature.  Something as simple as a brochure on a table in a waiting room can pique the interest of potential customers.  If designed well, such promotional materials will attract others to pick them up, read them, and ask about them.  Other places to display information are community bulletin boards (clubhouse lobbies, libraries, municipal buildings, and online newsletters), local businesses with whom you have no direct competition, and places of worship.  Increasing your visibility can quickly add to your customer base.  Remember to ask permission from the appropriate people before doing so.
2. Showcase your testimonials and reviews. Highlight your loyal client testimonials and reviews of your products/services in your literature, online presences and other marketing materials. People will be more likely to trust what their neighbors, friends and family say about your business than any other kind of marketing. 
3. Reward referrals.  People who help you promote your business can provide prospects that may be in need of your products or services with your contact information, a little bit about you, how they know you, etc.  If you have an incentive system in place to reward those who give you referrals, they will be more likely to continue doing so.  
4. Sponsor events.  When holding an event such as an open house, recruit others to donate space, equipment, advertising, or other resources needed.  This kind of help can be mutually beneficial as it increases the visibility and promotes the interests of all involved.  For example, if you sell jewelry and are running a holiday shopping promotion for corporate customers, ask someone you know who works in an office setting to let you set up in their conference room, talk up your event to coworkers, and perhaps recommend a local deli to provide finger foods and beverages.  
5. Use social media and contests.  You most likely already have a website, Facebook page, Twitter account, blog or any combination of these set up.  One key to making these work for you is to get others to want to share your content with their friends.  Consider setting up contests, polls and games that give out prizes. This encourages sharing of your information, products, or events and maximizes the effect that word of mouth can have. 
6. Invite you to relevant events.  Many business organizations hold conventions, workshops, and seminars for their members and guests.  Ask members of such organizations to invite you to one of these events.  For example, a workshop for interior designers would be a great place for a self-employed home organizer to meet prospects who may either be in need of their services or who regularly work with others that do.  Not only will you gain valuable information there, but you will also have a chance to meet potential customers.  
7. Tap influencers. Seek out influencers in your community and provide them an incentive to promote your business. The difference here is that influencers generally have larger networks and/or have more credibility. The key here is again to have them share your information and provide a testimonial to increase word of mouth. 

Decide what methods you are most comfortable with in getting others to promote your business, and make a list for yourself.  Incorporate one of more of these methods on a regular basis to facilitate the growth of your business.

What have you found to be an effective way for others to promote you?  Please share your ideas and experiences below!

How to Successfully Promote your Direct Sales Business

How to Successfully Promote your Direct Sales Business

Lets face it, having a successful direct sales business can be challenging, but everyone has the opportunity to be successful.  A new direct sales business is like an infant that must be nurtured and grown in a supportive positive environment.  If you join up and expect buyers to flock to you without putting forth much effort you may find yourself discouraged and feeling like you've been misled.

The truth about life, applies here as well, you'll get out of it what you put in.  To save you time and energy, I've outlined tips on how you can promote your business one day at a time.  I hope this information will help you to stay on track, stay motivated, and feel a return on your efforts.  These tips are not intended to be completed one day after the next.

Once you have joined a direct sales company it's time to get the word out and advertise you business. Word of mouth among your family and friends is great, but there is much more you can do with minimal time and effort-- the best part of all is most of these ideas are free!

You want to expose your business to as many people as possible, but how?  Here are some suggestions on things you can do by simply devoting 30 minutes per day to advertising.

DAY 1

Create a FREE email Signature Tag, and attach it to every email you send!  Email tags are easy to set up and every email has one.  Each different email program will have different  instruction on how to set up your signature...  if you can't figure it out on your own, try doing an Internet search on "how to set up an email signature on_______ (hotmail, Gmail, outlook, etc)  Some programs will allow you to attach an image and some just text.  No matter what your email providers restrictions, something is 100 times better than nothing.

Order your business cards.  Vista Print provides great business cards at an affordable price.  You never know who is going to be a potential customer.. or a potential recruit so you'll want to try to mention your new business to as many people as possible.

Update your answering machine or voice mail to let callers know you represent a particular company.  Great way to always keep your business on the top of mind with everyone you know.
 
Day two:

Establish an external website.  FIRST be sure to check with your direct selling company to make sure you're not breaking any rules.  External websites are a great way to increase your exposure online.  It gives you a voice to share why you love your company and what new and exciting things are happening... promotions, sales, new member benefits, rewards... etc.. the list can go on and on.  If you're not technically aware of how to design a website from scratch there are plenty of free resources on the web, but it's just as effective to start with a blog.  http://www.blogger.com/ is free, and user friendly.  It's okay to start with a blogger template... the most important things is to get started, post regularly, get links.  With a blog, the easiest way to create links is with your "blogs I read" list, or creating a "websites of interest" list on your blog sidebar.  For an example, you'll see mine to the right.  Ask your fellow team members to link to you, and return the favor by linking to them.  Everyone wins. 

Day 3

Register your website business on every FREE search engine you can find.  There is a bit of debate over this on the Internet.  The argument rests with submitting your site manually to all the search engines out there, verses instead getting your site linked to high profile pages, such as popular blogs.  Google, and several other search engines are popularity driven, meaning the more links your page has, the higher your listing will appear in a related Internet search.  I would strive for a combination of both to see the most immediate success.

Day four

Search and join online work from home, work at home moms, and direct marketing forums online.  Join, and PARTICIPATE.  Participation is key.  Be careful not to dive straight into promoting your business on every post as that will be seen as rude and socially ill-mannered. Get involved in the discussions and get to know the people on the forum. Post about your business in your profile, and mention your business in forums when appropriate.  Many of these forums will have specific forums to promote your business and recruit.  Be sure to read the forum rules before you get started.

Day Five

Go to other peoples personal websites and blogs and sign their Guest Book or leave comments, make sure you include a link to your blog in your signature so they can find your site too.

Contact other webmasters or blog owners and offer to exchange banners with them! If you do a online E-Zine or Newsletter swap banners with others and place them in your online newsletter and have them do the same!  A banner is simply an image embedded with a link to your website.  Here's a free site (one of may I'm sure) that can help you get started. http://www.wix.com/flash_websites/fish

 Day Six

Another great way to drive business to your site and expose your business is become an online editor.  Write articles that praise the benefits of your business or product and submit them to online publishers.  The articles go into a database and can be used for free by people writing newsletters, articles etc.  To created useful articles you'll want to leave specific mention of your company and product to your signature only and make your article informative and educational.  The rules set by the online publishers generally require anyone who uses your article to use it exactly as written and they must credit you as the source, INCLUDING your signature line.

For example, If my direct sales company specialized in beautiful customizable home decor made in the USA, I would want to write articles such as:

• The benefits of buying from US manufactures.
• What makes a gift meaningful and memorable.
• Changes and developments in the direct sales market.
• Why direct sales companies are thrive in a down economy.

 If I do mention my company in the article, which I would generally not recommend, it should from a third party, independent standpoint, not associated with you, for example a quote from the owner of your company, with reference to their title.

Your signature should be posted in the following format:

Camille S. McClelland
Rendi Independent Stylist - Leadership team
www.camille.rendistyle.com


Day Seven

Run a Contest on your site for registered customers/newsletter members ONLY and then list your contest at all the FREE Contest & Sweepstakes Web pages!  Give away a free product, discount, etc...  just remember the more appealing the benefit of your giveaway the more participants... and leads... you'll get. 

Day Eight

Start thinking about your target market... and target them.  For example, if your direct sales business would be a great benefit to busy executives who don't have a lot of time to shop, of would make an incredible wedding gift start searching for forums or alternatives to reach out to those groups.  Consider advertising on a bridal forum, or contact a company with lots of busy executives and see if you can set up in their break room for an afternoon and share what your business has to offer. Target small companies and point out how they can earn free items for their company.  Once you begin to brainstorm the possibilities are endless.   

Day Nine

If your direct marketing company doesn't offer one, consider utilize a service like Aweber to create a database of online clients.  Create online bi-monthly or monthly email newsletter. Once you have an online customer base built up consider doing a print version  to hand out at promotional opportunities like parties, or events.  Keep your customers informed of new products and promotions, and well as constantly marketing the business opportunity.

Day Ten 

Exchange business cards or fliers with other work at home business owners from non competing companies. Use these as "bag fillers" for your party guest orders or party takeaways and have the others do the same. You both get FREE advertising!

Day 11

Networking with other home business owners can be invaluable.  Check for Home Business EXPO's locally in your area.  If there isn't one, consider planning one with the help of other interested business owners.

Day 12

Hold a Mystery Hostess Open House party! 1. Send out invites to everyone and post fliers every where! 2. Offer door prizes, and refreshments.  3. Tell everyone who comes and orders they get one entry, if they bring a friend they earn a bonus entry.  4. If they book a party at your party they get 3 more entries and so forth....  you set the rules.  5. At the end of the party, draw a name and the winner becomes the hostess and earns all the hostess credits for the party!

Day 13

Referrals!  Give friends who contend they don't have time to do your business the opportunity to refer business to you.  Offer them free products and discounts for bring buyers your way.  As they see how easy and profitable your business can be they'll become your strongest recruits. 

Day 14

Donate items or gift cards to fundraisers.  Schools, and non profit organizations are a great option.  The expense to you is at wholesale price, and most organizations will give you full credit and reference your website if your donation is of a certain retail value.   

Day 15

Contact local business owners and ask to set up a small table display. Offer them a personal discount or a freebie for allowing you this business exposure or swap "bag filler" business cards with them.

Day 16

Distribute fliers and business cards to apartment complex rental offices along with a free or loaned product sample. New tenants are almost always interested in making their new space personal.  You could also do this with real estate agents, or real estate home loan offices... etc!

 Day 17

Advertise yourself as a free personal buyer on grocery store memo boards, school teacher lounges, church directory memo boards, senior centers, nurses & doctor lounges etc. So many people simply hate to shop, but don't want to disappoint their loved ones.  Provide an out, that keeps them in.

Day 18

Contact your local hospital and ask them if they give out the FREE new baby bags filled with gifts etc to the new moms in their hospital.  Ask if you can add a flier, business card, coupon or catalog to the mix.

Day 19
 
Register to be a vendor at a local job fair.  The expense is minimal and you'll meet many people looking for great business opportunities.

Day 20

Host parties for friends, co-works & family members who would like to give a bridal shower, or baby shower. Great to do if you sell memorable gifts, home decor, kitchen baby products, invitations/stationary companies or lingerie companies!

Day 21

Give a product from your company as a gift as much as possible! Not only does someone really appreciate the gift but its FREE advertising and you are helping your own sales. Always check with a tax consultant, but generally advertising is an acceptable tax write off for your business as well. Why buy something elsewhere and get NO sales credit for it or any free advertising! Works GREAT for all Holiday Gifts plus birthdays, anniversaries, wedding and so forth.

Day 22 

Leave your business card behind every where you go. You can also do this at restaurants, bars, clubs etc. Anywhere you might leave a tip behind!

 Day 23

Contact your local Welcome Wagon Group. Ask if you can add your business card, flier, or catalog to the Welcome Wagon Package in your area. If you have samples then donate one to their package.

 Day 24 

Contact local kitchen & cabinet tradesmen and home builders in your area. Ask to set up a display in their show room about your business.  They get free staging, and you get free advertising.

 Day 25

In this day and age it's sort of a bit of a treat to receive anything personal in the mail.  Create and print postcards advertising your business on one side and blank on the other.  Send out lovely postcards letting previous buyersknow you appreciate their business, and potential buyers that you were thinking of them.  Make it personal and thoughtful, not just a plug for your business.

  

Day 26

Personalized giveaways.  Invest in getting some printed refrigerator magnets, snack bag chip clips, post-it note memo pads, pens, pencils with your business information.  They make great party freebies, and are perfect for events and shows.

Day 27

Design your own hostess promotion.  On top of what the company already offers, add something extra.  A half price item or product credit for getting a certain number of guests to the party...  The important thing is to incentivize areas you feel your parties are struggling.  The extra sales and commissions will more than make up the minimal cost to you.
The same concept could be applied to your team.  Offer your own incentive for recruiting, top party sales, or where ever your team may be struggling.

Day 28

Create and send a marketing mailer to small companies in your area advertising your products as business marketing opportunities.  This is especially effective if your products can be customized.  Offer to handle all the time consuming work involved in the order personally as a free service. That's a huge benefit to a business who may be ordering holiday gifts for clients located in different geographic regions.
Day 29

Get and stay organized.  As your team begins to grow it's important to keep track of where each of your downline is in terms of their goals, sales, and areas they excel and struggle.  Remember, you recruited them, it's up to you to lead and train them to be successful.

 Day 30

Get yourself a self inking or rubber stamp made up with your website URL and contact info on it! Stamp everything. Not only does this save you time but you will be more apt to stamp everything and anything if it ONLY takes a second to do it!

Finally, Don't forget to stay positive, and keep working on your business. 

Best of Luck!

xoxo Cam