Your Ultimate Marketing Plan: Four Key Areas

There are several strategies you can use to grow your business, but they all fall under four general categories:

• Attract new customers.
• Increase the average sales amount from each sale.
• Entice your customers buy from you more often.
• Keep your customers for life.

The first and last are obvious for reporting in your marketing efforts. But the two in the center are just as important in the overall growth and profitability of your business. If a small business is receiving a significant potion of its new business from referrals, they are probably not spending enough time attracting new customers from the marketplace.

But referrals are the best kind of customers, you say. Yes, they are great, but if you spend the majority of your time and money trying to get them you may be neglecting a whole group of new customers that are waiting to buy from you. Also, if a small business spends all its time marketing to new customers and ignoring existing customers, you may be missing out on a lot of ripe fruit. As I mentioned, there are many ways to leverage your marketing efforts in these four categories. Here are just a few ways to improve each of your areas of growth:

Attract more new customers…

• Select a niche market that you can easily contact and dominate it.
• Develop a CONSISTENT marketing strategy that compels your prospects to
  contact you to learn more about how you can help them.
• Establish an active referral program.

Increase the average sales amount…

Upsell your customers

Suggest add-on items and services that complement your customer’s purchase.

• Sell in sets at a savings from separate item prices.

Make your customers buy from you more often…
Establish CONSISTENT communications that present enticing, reactive offers.
Follow up with your customers after the sale (what a concept!) Answer questions and suggest other product that may help them.
Track your customer’s usage and buying patterns to suggest purchases right
before they actually need them (this also helps keep the competition away).

Hold on to your customers for life…
Deliver STELLAR customer service by going the extra mile.
Give your customers the opportunity to “go on record” by giving you testimonials
about your great customer service.
Survey your customers from time to time to gauge their level of satisfaction.

How do the top direct sellers get where they are? They build a strong team!

If you are interested in recruiting, you sometimes need to recruit beyond the obvious. In addition to money, career, etc., many are driven by an emotional need. The following are a few terms to use to pepper your recruiting conversations.

“Imagine the feeling of this:” (Name a Benefit…)
“Imagine the feeling of complete freedom to do what you want and live where you want?”
“Imagine the feeling of being in a position to have the resources to help a friend or family member in need. How would that feel?”
“Imagine the feeling of accomplishing your goals and having the power to help others accomplish theirs? How would that help you?”

These ideas may help spark you to look at your business practices a bit differently. Give them a try and see how they can help you develop not only your sales, but your team and downline as well.

Learn more about how to develop your direct sales business with our Direct Sales Power Series at http://www.isellmoretoday.com
K. Moehr, president of Moehr and Associates, a specialty marketing and publishing firm.

Need Leads? Get booked solid! Triple your direct sales, leads and recruits. Visit: http://www.isellmoretoday.com

Mary Kay and Avon got the ball rolling. They broke hallowed ground in the business world where only men had previously tread. What exactly is meant by ‘direct sales’? Why is it a strong venture possibility? Why now? This article will ‘break it down’ for you.

Direct sales means earning a percentage commission from selling directly to an end user. There is no ‘middle-person’ as when a manufacturer sells to a local merchant who then retails the goods in their store to the end user.

There are major benefits to direct sales for women:

1) Work from home: Business costs associated with your home office become tax deductions. Gas money is no longer a consideration. You can work while your children are napping. Personal satisfaction can be obtained from helping others succeed at the same time you do.

With a laptop computer, your business can be portable. Take it to the sidelines of your child’s soccer practice.

2) Scheduling: Your schedule is divined by your priorities, not dictated by someone else–huge! You can determine how many hours you want to work per week. You can work late at night, after traditional business hours or on weekends if you choose to.

3) Earning potential: The sky is the limit! It is your efforts, your creativity and your dedication that fuel your success. Presently, direct sales exceed $29 billion in the U.S. and $114 billion globally (Source: Direct Selling Association, 2010). Not small change.

4) The Internet: In addition, many, but not all, of these businesses have no inventory requirement. Online ordering expedites direct mailing.

The internet also mitigates some of the negatives that have kept women from pursuing this kind of venture in the past. Many women do not want to approach friends for anything other than pure, old fashioned socializing.

The thought of using friends for referral business in unacceptable to these women. The thought of home parties with a sales agenda is even worse.

Through various online marketing techniques, all of these drawbacks can be curtailed and even eliminated. All contact is made from home.

Communication skills, particularly the written word, are still necessary. This is not an automatic business. It is still powered by human brains, creativity and drive.

The ability to converse intelligently on the phone is needed as well. Not galling issues for adults who do these things daily.

The internet has exploded marketing businesses from home. Put the old negatives on the shelf. Do your research and find a coach who will guide you in duplicating what is tried and has proved successful.  The time has never been more ripe for women to pursue direct selling opportunities. If not now, when?

To find out more about exciting direct selling opportunities for women, hurry to http://www.maestromom.com 
To check out a mom who works from home and loves it, please also visit http://www.maestrocasa.com

As a direct selling party plan business coach, I deal daily with people who are trying to get their business off the ground: getting more bookings, higher sales and more recruit leads. One of the most important things you can do for your business is simply to touch it daily. Do something, every day, to move your business forward.

Many people do not realize what business building work is. Cleaning your office or getting organized is not business building work. It’s housework. It’s getting ready to work. Cleaning your office is gong to give you a nicer space to work in. Getting organized is going to free you from searching for the piece of paper you need. But that is not work in the direct sales industry. Working in the direct sales industry means you are doing something to create bookings, increase your sales or developing recruit leads.

Some of the things you could do are:

To get more bookings: using your list of former hostesses and guests that attended parties in the past, develop a special (either one of your creation or one from your company) and call that list of potential hostesses. Make sure you have developed the wording you are going to use to encourage people to book to get the special for free or reduced prices.

To get higher sales: think about the parties you have had this month and analyze the presentations you did. What worked? What did not work? When did you “have them” and when did you “lose them”? Develop ways you can show your highest priced items and wording to encourage people to either buy it or book to get it at a discount or for free.

To get more recruit leads: go through your former hostesses and clients and look to see who has been a hostess more than one time, and guests who have purchased multiple times. Call them and talk to them about your company’s opportunity.

Creating a strong, growing direct sales business is not a matter of luck. It’s an issue of working your business. This is a business. Most people treat it like a hobby and then wonder why they don’t make any money.

The other issue is consistency. When you have a hobby you do it when you have time or when you feel like it. That’s okay when it’s a hobby. That is not an option when you have a business. A business is a job. It needs to be attended to daily. Do something daily, even if it’s just for fifteen minutes, to move your business forward.

Ruth Fuersten is the author of HOW TO BOOK, SELL, AND RECRUIT YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS, and co-author of Direct Selling POWER. Sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.booksellrecruit.com/sq

If you are thinking about becoming a home party consultant there are many benefits. The benefits include the type of income and possibilities, the freedom in your job, meeting new people, and having a lot of fun.

The income possibilities of being a home party consultant are unlimited. You can hold a party everyday if you want to. This could give you the opportunity to make hundreds of dollars a day. If you are looking for a supplemental income then you may only hold a party once a month or so. The potential of income is entirely up to you.

Freedom in your job is one of the biggest benefits of becoming a party consultant. You will travel around to different locations and go to parties. Your job is to hold parties. Not only is that fun but you have total freedom in your job. You are free to work when you want to and for how long you want to. You may schedule parties for entire day events or just for a couple of hours. You are in total control of your time and your schedule. Plus, you don’t answer to anyone at any given time. No one will tell you what to do but you.

Meeting new people is a very big benefit of being a home party consultant. The great thing is that at each party you hold new people will come. As you land new and more hostesses, you will meet even more people. Not only will you build a network of customers and hostesses but you will also gain new friends in the long run. Long term friendships come out of relationships like this all of the time.

The best part about being a home party consultant is that you have a lot of fun in what you do. You get to sell a really cool product. You can choose the products you sell and if you don’t believe in them then you don’t have to sell them. You can have spa home parties, sell jewelry, clothing, lingerie, and so much more. You can design the party the way you want it to be. You are in charge and you are the boss. It may seem as if you have your own traveling store. However, the business is viewed, it is yours.

There are so many benefits of becoming a home party consultant. You get to hold parties for a living selling fun products that you choose. You can have a party selling different products each time you end up at the same person’s house. This will give returning customers a variety of products to choose from too. There is a lot of freedom in a job like this. Your income potential is unlimited and a very big benefit. You will appreciate the fact that you get to work when you want to also. You get to meet new friends and expand your network of customers and it is so easy to do. You don’t have to be an expert at sales when you are a home party consultant. You just have to have a good time.

For more home party consultant business ideas and tips on increasing sales, visit http://www.craft-selling-parties.com for great advice on making money from home in your own home party business.

Why should a person get into doing direct sales? Really, any reason is a good reason, but here are some of the more common ones. Do you see yourself in one of these?

Money – One of the big reasons is a person needs more money in their life. Maybe they were laid off; maybe they are saving up for something, etc. I haven’t run into too many people that say they have enough money.

Get Out of the House – For a lot of work at home parents, they crave the time to get out of the house and do something with grown ups. This is one great way to do that, what is better than earning money and getting a social outing?

Self Esteem – Some people feel the need to feel good about themselves. Getting your own successful business going can be a wonderful way to build up self esteem. How great it is to show people that didn’t think you were worth anything that you are making money?

Use Your Skills – You may have a skill set that you don’t feel is being used by whatever you do currently. There are many companies out there that may fit in with your expertise. Make sure you find one that fits your needs if this is your reason.

Fun – What a great reason to get into sales! You want to get out there, party, and just have a great time! There are definitely people that get into direct sales for this reason, so don’t feel this is not a valid reason.

Passion – This goes along with fun, but you really believe in the product and want to show it to the world. Again, another wonderful reason to get involved, and these people can do amazingly well!

Everyone has their reasons for getting into direct sales. There is no such thing as the wrong reason, as we don’t know what goes on in others lives. It is simply our job to offer the chance.

Sharon Katzman is a Manager with Gold Canyon Candles. Through her business, she is able to help women to make an income and feel empowered. To find out more, visit http://mygc.com/skcandles. In her downtime, she enjoys crafting, reading, harassing her cats, and being lazy. You can find out more about Sharon visit her blog at http://thescentsationals.com.

Direct Sales: Products and services that are marketed to customers by independent salespeople (gasp! there’s that awful word, ’salespeople’) Yes, you are selling some type of product or service when you are in business.

Representatives might be called distributors, consultants or reps, it just depends on the company, but they mean the same thing. Products are sold primarily through in-home product demonstrations, parties, one-on-one selling or via the Internet.

Sounds simple enough, right? You’re eager to make some extra money, you love a certain product line and you sign up.

Then, what happens? Well, unless you’ve been in business before, your next question is going to be,  “What do I do next?”

I don’t know how long you’ve been around, but I can remember a time when people thought “Direct Sales” was something people ‘did on the side’. My, how times have changed!

Today, direct sales is one of the fastest growing industries and with good reason. It is a great fit for military families who want to make extra money now and who also want to set themselves up for financial independence later.

While women still account for most direct-sales consultants, that is changing as more men join the scene. Typically, many product lines were geared toward a female audience, such as health and beauty products. This is changing as more men jump on board with companies that have neutral, non-gender specific product lines such as greeting cards or candles.

Can you be successful in direct sales ?

In all honesty, the answer to that question depends on you. You must do your research before joining any company.

Here is a list of questions that you should research:

• Is the money you’re going to make come primarily from building a team, selling a product or both? Team-building is generally part of direct selling, as well are retail sales. There should be a good balance of both if you want financial success. If the company is only discussing recruiting – be suspicious.
• Do you risk financial loss by being involved with the company? Remember, this is a business. All businesses have start-up costs, including direct sales. Most are under $500. Watch out for schemes where people make money solely from selling start-up kits without a real product line.
• Does it sound too good to be true? Be wary of get-rich-quick schemes, such as making a million dollars in 6 months. It doesn’t happen that way. Again, this is a business. Be realistic about what it takes to have success. Think long-term success.
• Don’t confuse “simple” with “easy.” Most direct sales companies have fairly simple training and business plans to follow, however, it is a business and you will have ups and downs just like any business.

How Do You Choose? – There are nearly 1200 direct sales companies to choose from today, so how do you choose?

• Well, would you buy the product independent of become a representative? If you don’t see a compelling reason to be a customer, you probably don’t want to sell the product either.
• If a company requires you to have a lot of inventory on hand for home parties, or requires a high monthly sales volume or high monthly personal volume, then it may not be the company for you. Frequent moves as a military family is challenging enough without having to worry about moving an office full of business inventory, too.
• Is there an audience and demand for the product and how is it different from similar products on the market? This about this. Why should I buy your product from your company if I can get it elsewhere?
• Is the company backed with strong leadership and solid financials? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen ‘fly-by-night’ companies come and go in the last 8 years. I’ve seen many people sign up for the ‘latest and greatest’ product without doing solid research only to be disappointed when the company shuts its doors within a year or mysteriously disappears into the night.

Investigate company literature, reputation, consultants and customers before you get involved with any opportunity.

Lastly, you may need to double check the rules about home businesses on your base, especially if you are overseas with an APO or AE address.

These questions are a good start. Make sure to register for one of our free, weekly home business workshops to learn more and get your questions answered.

Patty Gale is a proud Army mom who, in 2001, turned in her suits, heels and briefcase to work from home. Lisa Fowler is a proud Army spouse who has been successfully working from home since 2006. Together, their passion to make a difference can be found on www.ArmyCrossroads.com where they provide free home business information and workshops for military families at Home Business Information for Military Families.

DOVE Chocolate is Hiring!  With approx. 2000 chocolatiers there is room for growth everywhere!!

As a Chocolatier, you’ll lead Chocolate Tasting parties and see how rewarding it is to get friends together and introduce them to the lastest chocolate and entertaining trends. Even sweeter, you don’t have to choose between work and family.

You can make DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES™ into a part-time or full-time career that suits your own personal tastes. You decide when and how much you want to work, and how much you want to make.

Whether you’re looking to start your own business or make some money to take a vacation or buy a new car, the financial opportunities are enticing.

As a Chocolatier, your base commission is 25% of sales, with an opportunity to earn additional commissions up to 40% based on your monthly sales. You also earn bonuses and commissions on the sales of the Chocolatiers you recruit to your team. That’s a sweet deal.

Nicole Cowen
gotchocolates@aol.com
www.dovechocolatediscoveries.com/gotchocolates

Let’s face it, most women didn’t start out with direct sales as a career goal, I know I didn’t. I did not start my working life with a degree in direct sales. I had no idea it even existed but somehow the women in direct sales did discover it, saw the potential and love it!

Here are five reasons why I love direct sales.

1. It allows me to do my own time management. Exactly what does this mean to me? It means that I can get up early or late. It means that I can have lunch with my friends…for two hours. When my grandchildren would like to go to the zoo or the park, I can take them.

2. I can work from anywhere. As long as I have access to a phone and the internet, I can work. Imagine the freedom of not being tied to a desk, a time clock and an office!

3. I can use my own creativity. What do I mean by that? Well, if I have an idea I can use it! There is no boss to tell me it’s a bad idea, it needs work, or have you thought this through? Only to find the boss has used it as his idea. There are women in direct sales from all walks of life, the confidence that independent thinking and implementation of those ideas bring is very liberating and powerful.

4. I can set my own salary. I have no cap on my earnings. I determine what I make by how much time and effort I invest in myself. The potential is unlimited and only limited by me.

5. I can give back to the community and I assist many people achieve their own goals and dreams. What could be better than giving back, when you have so many riches… and not just monetary. I look forward to each new day knowing it will be filled with new possibilities.

Women in direct sales can be very successful because it allows the flexibility that is needed when you are dealing with a busy household. The family benefits because there is no need for day care for your children. We, the women in direct sales, love what we do.

Barb Hauge is an online business owner who offers new and experienced entrepreneurs the secrets of how to succeed and a comprehensive online marketing education. Apply directly to become part of Barb’s entrepreneurial team at http://barbarahauge.net. Learn more about Barb and how she can help you. http://barbarahauge.com.