On the road again… (TSF)

I may have mentioned that my husband and I love road trips. We love road trips so much, in fact, that this year in just the last 8 months we have put over 20,000 miles on our mini van. You may think we are nuts and sometimes we wonder the same thing given the current cost of a gallon of gas. However, our family is a bit spread out at the moment. One daughter is attending school 900 miles away and our son (who is now moving back home) has been living 1400 miles away but not in the same part of the country as our daughter. So, there you have it.

Recently, a good friend of mine and her husband (who leave next week on a road trip to a family reunion) asked me what in the world we do on these road trips to keep from terminal boredom. One of the things we enjoy, I shared, was books on CD. Yes, she and her husband had thought of that but were appalled to find that an audio book they were interested in was retailing for $30 on Amazon.com. To her SHOCK and surprise, I suggested that she might enjoy checking out the audio book for FREE from her local library. I say SHOCK because apparently my friend and her husband NEVER realized that the library checks out more than just print books.

Many of you are saying ‘duh’ at this point – however – I consider my friend to be someone in the know. That said, since SHE had no idea, we thought perhaps some of you might appreciate this tip as well.

Your automobile is a rolling classroom. It’s your choice. Flip through the radio stations OR ‘read’ a business building book as you drive. It’s a great way to maximize the time you spend on the road and I have found it to be far less distracting than using my cell phone. Visit your local library and visit the non-fiction audio section for some great books on tape that will cost you ZERO dollars.

P.S. Many libraries let you reserve and renew your books online AND offer MP3 downloads of audio books as well!

So Exciting! Denise featured in a blog!

Here I was just getting back in the swing of things with some bloggers and low and behold I get this great email from Denise Eloundou in Minnesota...

"Hi Shawna,

Long time no email! I read on your blog the other day that is has been 6 months since you had the baby. Time flies!! I just wanted to drop you an email and give an update on what's going on with me and UB!I I have started calling into the Today Counts! hotline and taking an action step each day. I had a party last month and have one scheduled for the 16th. This was a lead I received from corp this past summer. I've kept in touch with her and now is the right time.

A woman I play volleyball with does silk wedding flowers and has a website
www.loveisblooming.com We are doing a give-away on her blog http://www.loveisblogging.blogspot.com/ I don't think the readership is huge but it is a start.

Thanks for reading. I hope all is well. Take care and talk to you soon.

Denise"

I visited the blog and it's darling and I hope that Denise gets some readership from it and hopefully can book a few parties! Just some great ideas for anyone re-engaging!

Where in the World is Shawna?

So as I look at my last post I realize it's been WAY too long since I've updated the blog and I apologize. There are many excuses but no one need to hear them ;)

I am reinspired with Urban Botanic as I've just received my first shipment from the Scent of the Month club! OMG the Harvest Pumpkin is amazing. My entire home really smells incredible. I must say the blended scents for the SOTM are INSANELY good. I know McKenna also mentioned that if I had enough people on SOTM that I wouldn't have to do parties regularly as with 100 people on SOTM you have your $1k in volume! So I think she said something like if I blitz 22 parties I'd sign up enough people for SOTM that I'd be done if I "wanted" to be! I'm sure I may have messed up some of what she had said but I do know basic math. 100 people on SOTM and I'm good to go! 25 on it and I make my every other month volume for commissions every month!

I'm serious when I say that the SOTM scents are amazing. I'm actually on pins and needles to get November and December now. I'm hosting Christmas Eve so I'm excited to have everything be perfect for my husband's family and for my White Elephant Gift I'm giving them a warmer!

I've also been working with a new blogger on the Home Fragrances. I'm very excited to get some traction again there for some online sales. I just had an online $200 order from someone who took the personality test so I know that works. I quickly ordered $50 in volume after that and made my volume now for the month! LOVE THE WEBSITE!

Anyway - I'd love to hear any success stories you're having with SOTM! Look for an updated newsletter as well from me and a more active role again - I know I can get $1000 in Volume every month from this club. Already waiting for orders to come in from some of my Die Hard party folks :)

Five AMAZING quotes…

I just received these from a dear friend. They are from some note-taking she did at a sermon she heard so long ago she doesn't remember the church or the pastor who made these points. But they were so good that she typed them up (on a typewriter!) and has been carrying them around in her Bible for years.

Read them one at a time - slowly and REALLY think about them - they are powerful!

Never complain about what you permit.

The problem that infuriates you the most is the problem God has assigned you to solve.

Those who unlock your compassion are those to whom you are called.

The secret of your future lies hidden in your daily routine.

When you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done

SUBJECT: Recruiting - 100 great tips! Part 1

One of TSF's most requested topics is recruiting. So…for the next 5 days, we will be sharing a potpourri of 20 “quickie tips” a day (in no particular order). WARNING: Trying all these tips at once may be hazardous to your health!!!

1) Whenever possible, give your product as a gift.
2) Ask every single customer if they would like to join you in your business.

3) Promote your business as a “family” business and give examples.

4) Remember your customer's children and spouse's names
5) Don't be pushy; sincerely and honestly tell potential recruits why they would be good at this!

6) Leave your old catalogs in public places with “Help Wanted” stickers

7) If someone feels they are too busy because they are already employed outside the home, tell them they can be the “on-site” consultant for your company.

8) BE EXCITED about what you do!
9) Indirect method of asking “Do you know of anyone who might be interested…”

10) Follow up within 24-48 hours.
11) Keep information given simple and to the point.
12) “Take away” method of asking… “I don't know if this would be right for you, but this has been the best thing for me and my family…”

13) Put business cards in all of your bills.
14) Have a recruiting message on your answering machine.
15) Laminate a kit flier to pass around at your parties.
16) Put recruiting information in every hostess packet
17) Send recruiting information out with every catalog
18) Give recruiting information to every guest with their catalog and order form.

19) Use your products
20) Ask guests at parties lots of questions about themselves to determine needs

MORE quickie tips tomorrow!

Quick time saving tip…

With the holidays fast approaching - it can be a great time to keep your name in front of your hostess and preferred customers.

Rather than adding a Christmas card (or whatever holiday you may celebrate in December) to the deluge of mail that arrives on or about the 3rd week in December, why not think about sending a Thanksgiving card? Aren't we ALL thankful for the business our customers/hostesses bring us?

Starting now, to save time, when you jot your hostess her post party thank you note - take another moment and address her Thanksgiving card as well! Then you will be ready to mail them out the 2nd week in November!

Calling back…

From The Success Factory...

Thanks for your email tips newsletter. I love receiving the frequent encouragement, advice and tips for building my business. Here's something I've struggled with since starting my direct sales business and maybe you have advice that could be shared in your tips newsletter...You contact someone who is expresses an interest in hosting a party or hearing about the business opportunity. The first time you call, you get the answering machine. How many times and how frequently do you contact someone and leave a message for them on their machine if they don't return your call(s). Also, do you have a specific message that seems to be effective in getting their attention and enticing them to return your call? Thanks again for your help.

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda - Thanks for your kind words and great question. This is one that befuddles many of us all the time.

First of all, when it has been agreed that you will call someone back, do your best to schedule a specific time. It sometimes helps if you have made an official “phone appointment”.
Secondly, if someone seriously would like to speak with you, ask if they wouldn't mind sharing their cell phone number with you or if they work during the day, can you talk briefly to them at work.

Thirdly, I have yet to find the secret message that can be left on an answering machine that gets someone to call back (TSF would be a Fortune 500 company if it owned the rights to THAT one!)

I believe, however, that you should definitely leave some kind of message because so many people now have caller ID, they will be able to see that you have called even if you don't leave a message. I usually identify myself, say that I had promised to phone back to talk about (whatever), give the date and time and leave my phone number. Then I ask that the call me (knowing full well they won't) but say that I will call them again in several days if I don't hear from them. Depending on the urgency of what we needed to discuss, I will phone back in several days or about every 7-10 days; varying my time and day of the week until I reach them. I always leave a message identifying myself. If it has gotten to be quite a few calls (like 4 or more) and I've still not connected, then I usually leave a message that says something to the effect that I'm really feeling like a pest and that's the last thing in the world that I want. Please, if you wouldn't mind, will you just leave a message for me on my voice mail (less threatening than talking to me in person) and let me know one way or the other if you are still interested. Thanks for your help!

Try not to take the fact that NO ONE returns calls personally. If you really think about it, you probably do the same thing. I know I do, and often it is a return call to family members that I ignore. I really think that between email and cell phones, people are SO bombarded with being “in touch” all day that it can be difficult to get back on the phone at night or when they are spending time with family.