QUESTIONS from YOU - Customer loyalty

Has TSF ever published anything on the topic of loyalty among consultants in the direct sales world? I am loyal to consultants that I 'buy from' and/or 'sell to' of other product lines, and often try to support their business by sending leads for shows/events. Recently with more than one of these "fellow" consultants, I got a slap in the face to open an invitation to an event hosted by the consultant, with SOMEONE ELSE offering my product line. It feels to me like a violation of some unspoken direct sales code of ethics and has rattled my sense of being loyal to others in the future! Do you have any comment on say, some ground rules in these types of situations? Your advice and insight is always appreciated! - Annonymous

TSF - Thanks for your comments. As I read your email I am visibly wincing - OUCH - that sure feels bad, doesn't it? It brings to mind memories of friends/family members who I worked to recruit in the early years of my business only to be stunned when I received communication from them indicating they had joined another direct sales company OR in one situation MY OWN company but under another consultant.

It happens to ALL of us at one time or another. We work to develop rapport and customer loyalty and people will always disappoint us.

My advice to you is to keep things in perspective. Most likely your friend from the other direct sales company is related to, or considers the consultant from your company a personal friend. There is likely a good reason that she didn't ask you - she probably didn't do it to purposely hurt your feelings. Unfortunately in this world, direct sales and otherwise, most people are so busy looking out for #1 that they pay little to no attention to how their decisions affect those around them. I encourage you to hold yourself to a higher standard. Continue to refer business to the consultants you are loyal to. Professional behavior such as yours is always rewarded in the long run.

I close with an amusing anecdote. TSF's Teresa once had a good friend who never bought a thing from her direct sales business despite the fact that she had people in her life that definitely could use her products. When this gal joined another direct sales company and asked for Teresa's support. Teresa smiled broadly and said, “I promise, I will happily and enthusiastically support your new business venture in the exact manner that you've always supported mine!”

You see, it happens to the best of us! Hope this helps!

I love to cut/copy/paste new fragrances...

After catching up on some of my favorite bloggers - aka The Glamorous Bee - I noted that she was talking about Roxy's new fragrance to go along with their line of clothes. I loved her comments and of course the notes she so graciously gave out that we can obviously doctor up and create our own slice of Roxy heaven at a smidgen of the price! Read here for a fun new project!




That also got me looking at some other blogs such as Beauty Addict. I noted her great comments on Tom Ford's new male scent and thought I might try something similar myself for hubby: "Turns out Tom Ford for Men is a classic men's fragrance that I found to be really well done and very wearable...for me. I had been planning on passing the bottle along to a lucky man (my cousin, ha ha) after a couple of test sprays, but now I don't really want to give it up. Now that the weather has cooled off, I'm loving the woods, violet leaf, and oakmoss in this scent. I actually prefer it over Black Orchid, which was doing some kind of weird pineapple thing on my skin."

So there are a couple weekend projects for scent concoctions. I also tried out the Candy Cane recipe in my home warmer and will try a couple others before deciding which one will be wafting it's yummy home fragrance at the LWL Holiday Showcase this weekend! If any of you have any favorites don't be shy to share! Happy December in just a couple days!!!

Oh the joy of nesting...

Well here we are not even November 30th and I have all my Cmas cards ready to go out this weekend and 25 presents wrapped under the tree. The house is fully decorated except the lights outside and the snow globe for outside which I'll try to get up this weekend as well.

I've also caught my first cold of the season and that's miserable without my many over the counter drugs I could take if I wasn't pregnant LOL.

This weekend proves to be a crazy party weekend and I'm looking forward to these parties and really getting some great sales for Christmas! Taking Avis advice at my Holiday Showcase on Sunday and will look forward to hearing about all your parties as I know quite a few have already happened!

Don't forget to send your updates! I love to use snippets of them on the blog to share out with everyone!

Stack the Hostess

We were flooded with requests for an explanation on this popular booking tool, so here is a repeat of this fun game to play at your parties to help spur on bookings. Print it out and share with your new recruits!

Stack the hostess can be played at any point in your party that you wish. We have found that it is very effective at about the halfway point.



Simply have your current (or a potential future) hostess begin to choose an assortment of products that she is interested in. Have another guest man the calculator and add up what she chooses until the hostess has sitting on her lap, the hostess rewards for an average to better than average party (based on your company's plan). Don't forget to include any half-price or hostess only specials in the mix. This is a great visual to help guests really see the benefits of hosting one of your company's parties.

Advertise, advertise, advertise

The last time you paid your credit card bill, how hard was it for you to find the line (in size 1 font) that said, “Make checks payable to________”?

Did it make you crazy? I'm convinced it is one of many ways that credit card companies put in place to mess us up when we attempt to pay our bill (because ultimately that means more money for them!)

How easy is it for your customers (current and potential) to find you? Do you frustrate them? Your name, phone number and business should be in lots of places. Here are just a few suggestions:

Your answering machine - be sure your message mentions your business
Your catalogs - Stamp them in multiple places and DON'T be stingy! Catalogs are MUCH larger than a business card!

Business card magnets - rarely get lost and always are referenced. To this day, we receive phone calls from customers and hostesses who we gave a magnet to YEARS ago.
Business cards - put them in every bill that you pay

Your name, phone number and business (with a small commercial if you like) on your “signature” of all emails you send out.

Bumper stickers or car magnets advertising your business

Watch what the companies you do business with do to keep their name and number in front of you. Pay attention particularly to the small businesses (those with small budgets). You may find that some of their ideas can be transferred to your business. Be easy to find and watch your business explode!

Father in Law's 61st Birthday Today...

We had a nice bday today for Ted's Dad. This weekend has been a bit lazy for me since it's all back to work this next week with big events so thanks so much for understanding :)

Taking a Break Today...