Consultants Must Set Direct Selling Goals!

This sounds pretty obvious but I am always amazed at how many direct selling consultants do not set target goals.

All successful businesses operate by setting and resetting goals continuously. This does not mean “Oh, I would like to do $xyz in sales…”

The Definition Of Business Goals

The definition of a goal according to Webster’s Dictionary is:

1. the terminal point of a race
2. an area to be reached safely in children’s games
3. the end toward which effort is directed

According to the Business Dictionary a goal is:

An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed time frame.

Business Target Goals

All businesses must set and reset their targets. A goal is measurable, achievable and has a fixed time frame. After reaching a business goal, a proactive sales consultant will establish another goal. It is one thing to say or think your goals but to achieve them, a written goal plan is far more effective. Using a direct selling business plan to set your “company’s” targets will improve your chances of success 100-fold.

The key to any business is momentum that is maintained for the long term.

Establishing goals to achieve in a measurable time period then building on that goal by establishing another is the only way to create a consistent income from home. The Power UP For Professional Results program includes a business plan template for direct sellers. Set your direct selling business target goals then reset them so that you can keep your momentum going!

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Cold Calling For Direct Sales Business Leads

At some point in their career, all direct sales consultants are told to get on the phone and call all your cold leads. Cold calling is rarely successful unless you have a legitimate business reason to call your lead. If your focus is on finding business for yourself then your focus is on you and not your customer.

Get Return Calls From Your Business Customers

When you have a legitimate business reason to make your cold call then you have a much better chance of success with your lead. You also increase your odds of getting a return call when you have to leave a message. Think about the average tele-marketer. Think about the calls you get. Are you interested in what they have to say? Do they have a legitimate reason to call you? You will get more return calls when you have a legitimate business reason for calling a customer. When you leave a message:

Click-For Home Party System

• Have a legitimate business reason to make the call
• Create curiosity
• Create a sense of urgency
• Personalize the call

Narrow Your Direct Sales Marketing Niche

When you narrow your niche down it will be easier to market your direct sales business. Think about it…

• What sets you apart from the other consultants in your company?
• What sets your company apart from other direct sales companies with similar product lines?
• What do you have that brings value to the marketplace?

Niche Marketing = Serving Customers’ Needs

When you know what your niche is you can better serve your customers’ needs. Narrowing down your business to a niche allows you to focus on a distinct segment of a market.

I teach healthy food choices at my shows and my upline tells risque dirty jokes.

Even though we both are representing the same company we have a distinct segment of the market. Mine is people who are interested in real life cooking and healthy food tips, while his narrow market is frustrated middle-aged married women.

Find Your Business Niche Market = Loyal Customers

Happy customers are loyal customers. The exercise that we recently discussed to get started in public speaking for lead generation is a perfect formula to help you find your niche market.

Create a list of your passions, talents, skills, hobbies and business attributes.  The list is all about your life, not just your direct sales business. You can then look at it and figure out which parts of your personality will bring the most value to your business. Think about how you can zoom in on the people that will really appreciate your services and create a niche direct sales personality.

When you bring real value to your customers that they appreciate, it will pay off with loyal customers.

Home Party Plan Hostess Gifts

Part of any business is finding suitable locations that have a built-in customer base. In the home party plan business, these are provided by the hostess. Without her or him, there is no venue and there are no customers. Unfortunately, not every hostess will be excited about the opportunity. Offering the hostess a gift will reduce home party plan cancellations.

Gifts To Increase Loyalty – Reduce Cancellations

Gift-giving is a way of increasing a hostess’ sense of loyalty. After all, the party planner has given the hostess something of value so she should feel responsible to reciprocate.

Gifts can be given at three times, either before the party or after the party and also at the future show. For maximum effect a generous consultant can give gifts at all opportunities.

Reduce Cancellation Hostess Loyalty

Gifts given before the party should never be expensive or extravagant. They are meant to represent a thoughtful, thankful gesture for scheduling the party  and will generate a sense of loyalty from your hostess. A logo item like a pen with the company’s info on it is OK but something with more personality would be better. One of the smaller items in the catalog will work. If the party involves only more extensive merchandise, a small bouquet of flowers or other item with a note will suffice. to show your appreciation and establish some loyalty as well. The gift should be something that will be seen often by the hostess until the date of the party. The pre-party gift serves as a gentle reminder that the hostess has an obligation. Because it isn’t expensive, the home party plan business will not be left with too great a financial loss in the unfortunate event the hostess has a change of heart.

Thank You Gifts Increase Party Plan Bookings

A larger gift should be given to the hostess at or just after the party and this should be a piece of merchandise that is offered at the party. This type of gift will increase the chance that your hostess remembers you the next time he or she wants to host a show. The thank you gift will increase hostess future bookings.

If it is wrapped or decorated with a bow the gift will show that it is being offered as a special gesture. By giving this gift at the party, the guests will see the planner’s generosity and may be tempted to schedule a future party of their own. By giving the gift after the party, the planner increases the personal nature of the gesture and makes it seem more sincere.

Reduce Cancellations With Gift At Next Home Party

When you promise a gift to the current host at the shows booked from her/his home party then present the past host the gift at the next show it will also increase bookings for even more shows. This type of hostess gift will also reduce cancellations by giving the current host a vested interest in keeping the future home party firmly committed. The current hostess will (using peer pressure) encourage the future show hostess not to cancel.

Hostess gifts do not have to be expensive. The investment will pay off when you seek out gifts that show your gratitude for the hostess’ efforts and have some emotional value to your hosts.

By giving the hostess a gift, the consultant will cultivate a positive impression and hostess loyalty. This will prevent any future parties scheduled with this hostess from being canceled.

Improve Direct Sales-Smile When Talking On The Phone!

Direct sales and home-based sales is now a multi-million dollar industry that is growing larger every day. The autonomy provided the sales business consultant is a double-edged sword. Independence often makes sales reps feel as though they have no one to turn to for advice and suggestions. Fear no more. One of the most powerful techniques for expanding your business that will improve your closing or conversion ratio is also one of the most time-honored techniques in sales and it is FREE!

As a direct sales consultant who is responsible for her or his own success, you will benefit by incorporating this powerful  technique into your sales arsenal.

Whenever you are on the phone with a potential client (or in person for that matter) there is one simple thing you can do that will tilt the odds of success in your favor drastically: smile.

This may seem like a silly suggestion at first, but experience and science tell us differently.

In his 1937 classic book How to Win Friends and Influence People, self-improvement proponent and world-renowned trainer Dale Carnegie states:

“The effect of a smile is powerful—even when it is unseen. Telephone companies throughout the United States have a program called “phone power” which is offered to employees who use the telephone for selling their services or products. In this program they suggest that you smile when talking on the phone. Your ‘smile’ comes through in your voice.”

Sale Consultants Smile On The Telephone!

Experts such as Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy also discuss the importance of smiling when dealing with people. So how does smiling while on the telephone help achieve success in direct sales?

First of all, get over the idea that smiling while talking on the phone is silly. Remember the age-old sales adage “smile and dial?” Well, there is good reason for that piece of advice. Instead of focusing on the fact that you are speaking on a telephone, mentally erase that “barrier” between you and the other party. Pretend you are speaking with the prospect in person. That being said, you should sit up straight or stand up while speaking on the phone. While slouching in your chair might feel comfortable, sitting up straight makes you attentive to your conversation and gives the other party the impression that you are focused on their needs.

Business Is Better With Simple Tip

You will definitely achieve more success with this simple business (and personal) technique. Most of our communication, both verbal and nonverbal, comes from our face. Smiling makes your tone happy, warm, and friendly, which makes you sound calm and confident. You do want to come across as warm, friendly, and confident, right?

Since smiling on the telephone is new, use a mirror to gauge yourself and develop the habit of smiling while dialing. After a while it will be an ingrained habit. Think about how excited the prospect will be when you are able to solve their problems through your products and/or services. Think about how helping your customer results in generating income. These thoughts should be enough to get a smile on your face. Think about your friends and family, as well as other positive thoughts that will keep you in a good mood with a smile on your face.

Business and Personal Benefits Of Smiling

• Boosts the immune system
• Increases positive affect
• Reduces stress
• Lowers blood pressure
• Enhances other people’s perception of you