One of the biggest mistakes you can make in direct sales is to take your calendar to the party and lay it out where people can see it. Even if you’ve carefully highlighted your available dates, prospective hostesses will look at the calendar with their eyes, not yours. And pretty soon, you’re scheduling yet another show on a date you hadn’t intended to do one. Here’s what to do instead.

Before the show, do make sure all events that take precedence over your shows are clearly marked on ONE calendar. Put a big "X" across any dates that are critical in your life – family events, birthdays, dates with your spouse. Then, once those days are taken, decide what dates YOU want to do shows. I prefer to do my shows on Thursday and Friday evenings, for example. Highlight the dates you pick. Then, take a 5 x 7 Index card, one for each date you have remaining this month. One one side of the card put the date and day of the week of your first available date. Underneath that, draw a line and write "Hostess Name and Daytime Phone." Do this for each available date this month. Then again for each available date next month.

Then, put the ones this month together with a rubber band around them. Set next month aside with your calendar. At the show, when someone indicates they want to have a show, hand them the stack of cards with any remaining dates THIS month and tell them to pick the date they want and fill out the card then give it back to you. IF they come back that these dates don’t work for them, then give them the pack of cards for next month. ONLY if all those dates have conflicts, and if you are willing, pull out your calendar and see if there is a compromise date that works for both you. Be firm with the hostess-to-be that you are making an exception and that it is vital that she keep the date. Use the card to transfer the information to your calendar – write her name and phone number right in it. Then, be sure to mark that information on her hostess packet and schedule your first planning call.

By keeping control of your calendar, you make the business work for you and not vice versa. You’ll enjoy it more and your family will feel less like it’s taking you away from them.

Copyright 2011

I would like to offer you a FREE copy of my ebook "New Start to Great Start – Let’s Get Your Party Plan Business Started!" This is an updated version of the book I wrote and used to build a half-million dollar team in three years! Whether you’re just getting started, re-starting, or helping someone start, this 30-page book is chock full of ideas, inspiration, and how-to’s for any Party Plan Direct Seller! Get yours here http://sellmoretonight.com

Kimberly Bates, Chief Genie
http://yourideagenie.com
Licensing Profiting from Your Passions (R) Career Coach

Have you noticed how direct sellers seem to take a "holimonth" instead of a holiday every December? It’s like they neatly put their direct sales business on the shelf for most of the month of December (or at least from the 15th on) and hope against hope that it will be there, strong as ever, waiting for them come January 2nd when the world starts to turn again. Unfortunately, it’s often more the case that their neglected business has withered and is in dire need of resuscitation come January.

It’s important to make sure you’re booking yourself solid for January in November and early December, but once you’ve done that, do you have any options besides just taking two weeks off at the end of December? Absolutely!

Remember all those business activities you’ve been saying you didn’t have time for all year (like personal development, follow up calls, and planning)? Well, now you’ve got two weeks spread out in front of you like a gift. Grab it and rip it open!

Here are just a few ideas for how you might spend your work hours over the next few weeks.

I’ll start with some ideas for direct sales leaders (and just FYI, if you’re a leader, this is a great opportunity to get yourself and your team set up for success in 2012!)

• Plan all of your meetings for 2012. You can even include your direct sales team or down line leaders if you have them in your planning time. Throw a small party, put some cookies and coffee out, and have fun! You’ll be surprised at how quickly this task will go when you’re brainstorming with others.
• Take 1/2 day and call all of your down line leaders and direct down line to check in and learn how you can support them with their goals for 2011.
• Make a recording for your entire team giving them ideas for how to succeed in the new year. Here are some ideas for what you might share with them:
  • Some fun ideas for theme shows in the coming month, complete with a themed invitation e-mailed to them
  • An overview of the host bonuses for the following month
  • A quick recognition of those on her team who are new consultants
  • A booking incentive (like a drawing for a great item from your line)

If you’re not yet a leader, here are some great ideas for using your time at the end of December:

• Call all of your September, October, November and December home party guests and make sure they’re happy with their products. Come armed with some great reasons to host a party in January and make it your goal to book at least three parties.
• Commit to listen to/read at least one training program related to your business and write down at least three ideas you want to implement based on that training.
• Set up and launch a "Host of the Month" club. Here’s a simple format:

o 12 participants are required, 1 Hostess for each month of the year.
o Each hostess is required to place a minimum order of $30 each month.
o Each member will have one month assigned to her as Hostess of the Month at the beginning of the year.
o The Hostess of the Month will receive ALL Hostess rewards for her month.
o If the Hostess of the Month decides to have a personal Home Party in her month, she will have the Monthly Hostess Club funds applied to her party! She begins with at least $360.00 worth of orders, thereby increasing her Home Party sales & Hostess Rewards!

There are just a few ideas. Most importantly, make sure whatever you’re doing, you’re doing something! Taking two full weeks off at any time the the year just isn’t healthy for a thriving direct sales business. You owe it to yourself to at least work part time during the last two weeks of December so that you have a business to come back to in January.

Julie Anne Jones is direct sales corporate consultant, keynote speaker, 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 language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services and to read more blog posts, visit her at http://www.julieannejones.com.

Direct sales party or events can serve as excellent platforms to get forward reservations! If you are undecided about using them to your best advantage, you are not alone! Lots of people find it hard to balance selling, signing up and onward bookings in a party, so how does one do it right?

To start with be sure you arrive at your host’s house well before your attendees arrive and that you are set up when they get there. As the attendees begin coming in, make sure you network with them and make an effort to develop a superb connection with each one individually.

Throughout the chat drop in a number of recommendations about hosting their own party, in subtle and direct methods. As an example, when someone shows a desire for your product or service, you may tell them a little account about how one of your prospects got this brilliant price reduction bargain by hosting a party! Or, simply let them know directly, the things they can gain by hosting social gatherings for you.

As the party begins make sure to give exclusive attention to the host of the bash, by saying thanks to her, offering her a special present, making her look highly valued and sought after, other people will see this, and would want to have what the host is getting. Through your social gathering enlighten people about the host only liberties. The more exciting you make these privileges seem the better it will be for you. So, be sure that your tone is zealous and obtain your hosts positive inputs wherever you are able to.

At the end of the direct sales party make time for every guest as they are finishing the requests and recommend they leave a few things off their list for their own social gathering. This is when you ask them about their needs and requirements.

An additional point to consider will be to follow- up with your host when all the guests have gone. Debriefing him/her and demonstrating just how much profit they’d make if they signed up with your network, is practical as well! If the get together turned out to be to be successful it would be even simpler for you to persuade your prospective client about the main advantages of becoming a member of your opportunity.

Don’t forget that the secret’s establishing relationship and utilizing 5- step NLP sales procedure that incorporates:

• Rapport Developing
• Asking Them Questions
• Determining a need
• Connecting need to the merchandise
• Concluding deal

Direct sales party specialists consequently should keep these tips under consideration and good results will not be far behind!

Stephen is a business and life coach and has recently launched e-books and e-courses to teach Party Plan rookies Direct Sales Party Techniques that can help the achieve multilevel marketing success.

Tired of the same hum drum, let’s face it – boring home parties? Spice up your next direct sales home party with an exciting theme! The ideas below ought to get your creative juices flowing. Starting planning your next bash and watch the sales roll in!

Banana Split Party – Hostess provides the ice cream, guests provide the toppings. Guests bring a dressed banana for a banana fashion show to be judged by the guests. Winning banana gets a prize.

Beach Party – Keep that summer feeling going all year long. Guests bring their bathing suits in a brown paper bag for everyone to guess who belongs to the suit.

Chocolate Lovers Party – Serve chocolate goodies. Guests bring their favorite chocolate recipe. A fun chocolate quiz is given. How well do your guests know their chocolate?

Christmas in August – Lots of specials for hosts and guests. First look at the beautiful new holiday line. Every guest gets a sample or car candle.

Come and Go Party – On the go? Juggling too many things at once? Have friends drop in and out in allotted time period. Drawing every 30 minutes.

Couples Party – Get couples together for a fun time with candles. Men LIKE candles, so why not get them together with you so you can find out what each other likes. All couples get a gift.

Fundraiser Party – Looking for a new fundraiser idea? Why not support your favorite cause at the same time guests are doing their candle shopping?

Halloween Party – Challenge your guest to come in costume and earn a gift. Goodie bags given to all who bring a friend. Serve apple cider, pumpkin pie or candy apples.

Hawaiian Shirt Party - A bit of the Islands here on the mainland. Some Don Ho music, your favorite tropical drinks and a lei and you can have Hawaii in your living room. Guests who wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt will get a gift.

Mardi Gras Party – Any day can be Mardi Gras. Guests who dress in Mardi Gras colors, wear beads or a mask get a gift.

Margarita Party – Love Margarita’s? This is the party for you. I’ll bring Margarita recipes and give the guests a Margarita quiz.

Mother/Daughter Party – Includes mothers-in-law, step-mothers, grandmothers etc. It’s a time for laughter and sharing with a favorite picture. All mothers get a sample or car candle.

Pool Party – Party around your pool. Have guests bring their bathing suits in a brown paper bag and everyone will guess whose it is.

Potluck Party – Guests bring dish pertaining to their nationality. What a great way to get to know another culture and cuisine by Scentsylight.

Red, White & Blue Party – Celebrate the good old red white and blue. Prize for the best patriotic outfit.

Salad Party – Each guest brings a salad ingredient or a salad specialty. All melon scents are on sale.

Shower Party – Whether it’s a baby, bridal, anniversary or house warming, shower someone with a [Your Candle Company] gift shower. Encourage brides to be to fill out our gift registry. For new mom’s, shower her with gifts she can use. What better way to decorate your home at no cost than with a [Your Candle Company] house warming party. Candles, Warmers and wax in every room!

Strawberry Shortcake or Strawberry and Chocolate Party – Or try a fondue Party. All strawberry and chocolate scents are on sale.

Sample Scavenger Hunt – Wax samples are hidden in the backyard or in the house. Guests get to keep what they find.

Tropical Drink Party – Get the blender out, bag the ice and let’s party. Serve various tropical drinks and unwind with friends

Ugly Candle Contest – Admit it, we all have ugly candles hidden away. Bring them out and to the party for an ugly candle contest. Winner of ugly candle goes home with a new one. This also works well for the sootiest candle. We all know that wicked candles, regardless of wax used can produce ugly black soot on the edge. Who has the blackest one?

Very Berry Party – Make berry deserts, or berry toppings for cheesecake or ice cream. All berry scents are on sale.

White Elephant Party – Your trash could be someone else’s treasure. Bring a wrapped unwanted “treasure” from home. You will go home with someone else’s “treasure” at the end of the evening.

Wine and Cheese Party – Relax with friends over some wine and cheese and warmers. Enjoy the warm candle glow of each as you celebrate life.

Two more excellent themes contributed by Vicki Doran. Thanks Vicki!

The Tacky Party was by far the best attended party I ever did, and we ad so much fun! Think tacky, tacky, tacky – the tackier, the better! Everyone was told to dress tacky, and the winner got a prize – which was a sparkly lawn flamingo I picked up for a couple of bucks at a local craft store. The invitations were printed on scrap paper left over from the neighborhood yard sale (there was a big “x” on the back to cross out the yard sale info). We had a quiz to see who was tackiest, and the hostess served tacky foods such as Pop Tarts, Slim Jims, prunes, Little Debbie Snacks, generic soda (or pop, as we call it in these parts – lol!), and wine in a box. She used all of her kids leftover party plates and napkins for the party. I wore a skirt with gym socks and high heels, and on my t-shirt I plastered labels with every single home party slogan you have ever heard on it. Let’s face it, one at a time things like “Earn Some Free When You Party With Me” or “Is Money Low? Book a Show” are OK, but when you have like a dozen different at one time – that’s definitely tacky!

My hostess even decorated the front yard with a clothes line featuring giant granny panties and a bra, broken lawn chairs, old tires, and an empty case of beer. The best part of all of this is that the house next door was for sale, and there was a point where we were outside in our crazy tacky getups greeting the next visitor – while the realtor was showing the house! You should have seen the look on their faces – I thought she was going to die!

The 80s party was also fun – I made up name tags with famous people from the 80s, and everyone picked one when they arrived. We had an 80s quiz and a contest for best 80s hair. Sadly, the woman who won for best 80s hair has her hair like that every day! lol She took it really well though!

Hope this helps – theme parties can be as big or as little as you like. Obviously my friend went all out for the Tacky Party, but you don’t have to do all of that and can still have a great Tacky Party. One of the things my hostess loved about that one was how easy it was to prepare the refreshments! After all, it doesn’t take much to break up a few pop tarts and open up Little Debbie snacks!

Take care – happy partying!

About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Star Director with Scentsy Flameless Candles. She enjoys helping others start and maintain a candle business. You can find Laurie at http://www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com.

In the direct home sales industry, bookings are absolutely essential to your success. Without bookings, you cannot make sales, and without sales, you won’t make any money! Home party games will help increase bookings and keep you in the business. Finding a fun and exciting home party show game is essential for success as a direct sales consultant.

Games, Games and More Games – There are thousands of games and variations that can be used at a direct sales party. You are only limited by your imagination. If you try a game and it doesn’t appear to work, move on to a different game.

In the direct sales business, trial and error is often the best way to figure out what works. The important thing is to make sure that the game provides value to all involved.

• Value to the guest = FUN
• Value  to the host = increased benefits
• Value to the consultant = more BOOKINGS

As you gain more experience in the industry, you will have a better feel for what works for you, your products, and your audience. Your trial and error will have less error and more success.

Games can be used just for fun, to help recruit team members, and to increase bookings. Each type has an important purpose and will contribute to a successful and profitable home business. A good home party show game should be fun, encourage participation, increase the energy level, and offer a prize or prizes at the end.

Increase Bookings – One of your principal goals at every party should be to get one or two new bookings. One of the best ways to do this is just to ask everyone at the party if they would like to host a party. To encourage people to say yes, get them excited by playing games. Party games should be:

• Fun
• Easy to set up and play
• Interactive
• Effective – they should work to get bookings!

One of the best games to play is a variation of the “What’s Your Score?” game. You make up a list of things to ask the attendees. Everyone gets five points if they answer “yes” to your question or have the specific item you ask about. Examples of questions to ask:

• Who has a cell phone in their purse?
• Who has been to a home party before?
• Who is married?

There are thousands of easy questions to ask. The goal is to design questions that most people will respond to with a “yes.” You want everyone’s score to be similar. At the end, you will give anyone who books a party an extra 25 points. The person with the most points gets the grand prize; the prize needs to be an item that is good enough to motivate people to want to win. If you are in the adult toy business, this is a great game to play because the right questions can encourage plenty of wild fun. This game will increase bookings and help you succeed in the direct home sales industry.

Deb Bixler is a direct sales trainer who provides party plan education and training that insures that consultants never worry about where to find business again. Learn more effective home party games to increase bookings.

In the direct sales business, it is easy to fall into a rut. It is not uncommon to get complacent when your business is surviving and making a decent profit. However, if you want to pump it up to a new level, you might want to step out of your comfort zone and reach for the stars!

Many direct sales consultants get the majority of their bookings and new recruits from parties or advertising. Though this is often a great way to keep your business going, there are many other ways to locate potential bookings and recruits. Step out of your comfort zone and put your business on the fast track to success by finding unique ways to find new bookings and recruits. Don’t be afraid of something new. New can often mean fun, exciting, and profitable.

New ways To Find Recruits and Bookings
One of the best ways to find new bookings who may be interested in your business is to join community, school, neighborhood and church groups. There are hundreds of people in these groups and a few of them might be interested in what you have to offer. Involvement in these groups will expose you to more of your neighbors and community members. Make sure to have plenty of business cards with you when you attend any meetings.

Another way to meet with people in your area is to work with charity groups or donate your time. You can get to know a whole new group of people while volunteering your time to help people in need. This is a way to network that many business people often overlook.

Join a business group in your area and network. There are groups for women owners, direct sellers or just community business people. They often have meetings, gatherings, or parties where you can network with other professionals, hand out your business cards, and let a new group of people know about your direct sales business.

Offering to teach classes at a local learning center, school, church, or neighborhood facility is another way to promote your business. You can teach classes on direct selling, staring a business, or marketing. Many students in these classes are looking to improve their lives; your business may be just what they are looking for!
Stepping out of your comfort zone is not always the easiest thing to do. You have to get rid of your fear of the unknown and get off your butt and try new things. However, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out how profitable these new things can be.

Practicing will stretch your comfort zone and as you get more comfortable you will become better at turning a casual conversation into a direct sales business lead.