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Archive for Direct sales

Why I Love Dana Wilde

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

There's so much going on in my business right now, and the most exciting thing is the opportunity I'm getting to reach more direct sellers and work with some inspiring and amazing people. Last year, one of those people was Dana Wilde, who contacted me about a really unique event she started called The Mind Aware Teleseminar Series and invited me to be a part of it.

That was a year ago, and a lot has happened since. Dana and I have become great friends and started our own mastermind group with 3 other amazing direct sales speakers (we call ourselves Team Advantage). I participated in both Mind Aware series last year, and now we're getting ready to start the third season, called "Practice Makes Progress."

I have to say that Dana is one of the most amazing, giving, positive people I've ever met, and that authenticity shines through in everything she does (including this series). She has blessed my life and business and I can't imagine either without her.

In case you haven't been introduced to Dana or The Mind Aware Series, It's a twice-weekly teletraining event that offers the perfect opportunity for network marketing professionals and party plan entrepreneurs to grab some fantastic education at NO CHARGE!!

Each one of the 24 guest trainers (including yours truly and some of the absolute best trainers in the industry) will be bringing their newest and freshest ideas to the table, and Dana will be interviewing them all. She has a knack for getting the greatest amount of information possible into each one hour time slot. And here's the best part – even if you can't make the live calls, Dana sends out a replay so you can listen when you have time within the next few days after each interview. She's the only one I've ever found who does that with a free tele-series like this.

I'm speaking on a brand new topic for me, "From Overwhelm to Organized" and I can't wait to share some very cool new ways to get your life and business organized. My call is on Thursday, April 12th.

There are 23 speakers besides me including: Dana Wilde, Belinda Ellsworth, Karen Phelps, Mary Christensen, Shari Hudspeth, Andrea Waltz, Pat Pearson, Shachena Gibbs, Sue Rusch, Karen Clark, Linda Sturdivant, Casey Eberhart, Lynsey Jones, Tammy Stanley, Deb Bixler, Becky Spieth, Lyndsey Baigent, Teresa Garrison, Julie Henderson, Anne Howie, and more. Wow!

Go ahead and click here to see the complete bios of these rock star trainers and get enrolled. You'll get access to lots of free gifts from all of us as well as some awesome pre-recorded teleseminars you can access immediately as soon as you sign up.

The teleseminar runs Every Tuesday & Thursday at 12:00 PM Eastern (11:00 AM Central, 9:00 AM Pacific) starting Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 (That's next week!)
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Hope to "see" you on the calls!

3 Simple Steps to Eliminate Direct Sales Party Cancellations

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

If you've been a home party plan representative for any length of time at all, you've probably felt frustrated with a party host (possibly on a regular basis). As a direct seller, I learned very quickly that success or failure in my business had a lot to do with my relationship with my host. I want you to think about where that relationship with her begins. It generally starts the night she books her party, at the party she's attending as a guest.

She’s experienced you as a representative for the current host, hopefully she's had fun, and she's saying "yes" to hosting a party with you. Your goal before she leaves is to have her understand what that commitment means, to be sure she’s clear about what you’ll expect from your partnership with her, and to clearly communicate what you’ll provide for her. If you’re clear with the host about these things, you’ll find your parties holding on their original dates with hosts who are on board and enthusiastic about creating a successful evening for you.
 
And it's really just a simple, three step process.
  1. Set a show date within 30 days from that night  if at all possible.
  2. Assign the task of completing the guest list and offer an incentive to get it done.
  3. Schedule a date within one week (either over the phone or in person) to pick up the list & postage & plan the party.
Your language around these three steps is very important. The biggest mistake most representatives make at this point in their relationship with their hosts is not taking control. When you own your power and simply tell them what the plan is instead of asking them for their cooperation, they respect you at a whole different level and your partnership begins. The more confident and enthusiastic you are, the more she’ll take these requirements seriously.
 
Here's a sample script you may want to use:
 
“Linda, I want to thank you for scheduling a party for me and (tonight’s host) Barb. I’m so excited to have YOU as one of my upcoming hosts. Our goal is a fun night out with your friends.
 
I want to be clear about how you receive all  the host gifts and bonuses I talked about earlier and how Barb receives credit for your booking. All it will take are three easy steps.
 
First, set your show date within 30 days of today. In a moment I’ll show you the dates I have available.
 
Second, I’m sending you home with a blank guest list. I have a great invitation to send to all your guests. I’ve included 30 blank mailing labels and all I need is a list of at least 25 names and addresses with a first class  postage stamp for each within one week. If you don’t have time to go to the post office, you can just pay me for the postage and I’ll take care of that for you, too.
 
Third, we’ll set up a time you and I can connect within this next week for a cup of coffee or a soda. (if it’s not possible to meet in person, set up a phone appointment with her).  At that time, I’ll collect your list and together we’ll plan a fun experience with your friends. (If she’s doing her coaching over the phone, offer her a self addressed stamped envelope and ask her to get you her labels by that time.”
 
It's a fact that mailed invitations increase attendance. You want the list back. and you don’t want to have to pay for postage. The above language supports you in accomplishing this. Just matter-of-factly say, “I’ll just need to get your list and a first class stamp for each name – or if you’re too busy, you can write me a check and I’ll go to the post office for you!”
 

And isn’t it true that in order for her to get “all the goodies,” she has to have a successful party, and in order to have a successful party, she has to work with you to create it? Of course! This language sets her up for success by ensuring that she completes the guest list in a timely fashion and you’re getting the invitations mailed out for her. It's a win-win.

 
I'd love to know what you think of this idea. And if you’re interested in more scripts like this one, click here to order my popular E-book “Powerful Language to Explode Your Direct Sales Business; 12 Scripts tell You Exactly What to Say to Get the Booking, Sales and Sponsoring Results You’ve Always Dreamed of.”


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Julie Anne Jones is a direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific systems, language, and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read her weekly blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.

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Video Blog: Long Term Direct Sales Planning

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Have you ever considered your 5 year plan for your direct sales business? You'd be surprised what you'll learn from this simple exercise.

Can't see the video? Click here.