Networking 101 - or how to get business!

Great short article from SCORE on networking....

“I hate networking!” Get over it. Networking (be it actual or virtual) is the least expensive and most effective marketing tool for small business.

“But, I am too shy.” That’s actually best — shy people make great networkers since they spend most of their time listening.

Women love to talk and if you are sincere in listening to the focus of their companies and how they got into business, you are a big step closer to developing a client and a friend. We do business with people we know and love. By listening and using eye contact, you show you care about them and want to know more. After all, the point of networking meetings is to get to know people and build relationships.

What networking tips have you discovered?

-Betty Otte

EOY Reminders

Just a few End of Year Reminders:

1) This is your biggest sales time - get out there and advertise your availability for last minute shopping - you have the stock - offer gift wrap!

2) Online ordering to receive for Christmas delivery is December 13th

3) The CL corporate office is closed after December 21st!

4)  Time to order new catalogs - partner with a team member if you don't need all 125.  But remember the more catalogs you give out the more you are known as the local Cookie Lee Jewelry gal.

5) Who's coming with me to launch in Baltimore?  Remember I will help pay based on sales!

6) Now is the time to make calls and book January/February shows - use the new catalog as incentive.

I want to THANK each and everyone for being a part of Penn Jersey Jewels - we are a team and I just want all of you to be successful!  Let's build a strong 2013!

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas all!

Booking Ideas

1. The telephone is your best friend, use it. Make at least 5 calls per day for bookings and recruits. Do this faithfully and assure yourself a full date book.

2. A walk-in or open house. To acquaint neighbors and your community with you product, send invitations to friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Advertise that there will be refreshments and a chance to see your product.

3. Mystery Hostess Party. The consultant has a party in her home and awards the hostess credits to the guests. The credits can be divided up or given in different ways. For instance, name goes in for each $25 bought.

4. Trade shows, fairs, expos, events. Check on local activities and reserve well in advance. Consult your up-line on methods and set ups.

5. Advertising. Carry your tote bag, newspapers and online.

6. Brochures/Pages from a recent Catalog with a note. Leave them everywhere that makes sense.  Distribute at dentist, doctors, or anywhere you do business.

7. Business referrals. Real estate office, model homes, flower shops.

8. Bridal registry/bridal showers. For the bride where the guests may purchase gifts. (This can get expensive - watch your costs!)

9. Show on the go/Booking in a basket. Excellent for the office. Place several small items in a basket and one larger one. When an order of $30 is placed, the customer can select a small gift. When all the gifts are gone, the hostess gets to open the bigger gift. (suggest 10 gifts)

10. Delivery Day Special. Offer the hostess, at the time of delivery, a special gift from you when she picks up a booking or two as she delivers her guests items.

11. Offer the hostess an additional gift when she re-books herself with-in 3 months. You may want to offer her an extra incentive for holding 3 shows within a year.

12. Offer a free product of their choice to people who take the brochure home, share it with friends and family and get 5 additional orders resulting in a certain amount of dollars.

Some Tips on Running Late

We all run late once in a while and while it's never good to do that for a party or a show, here are a few good tips for dealing with it when it does happen...

http://dianegottsman.com/2012/09/running-late-etiquette/

Enjoy!

Don't forget this is our best selling season, you should be out there at shows, fairs and calling everyone you know to host a show - persistence pays!

You have to give at least an hour every day to your business to make it successful - set a time and do it in 15 minute chunks, make calls while waiting for your kids at practice or talk to the other parents at their games....every contact may open a door!

A Must Do List for A Successful Fall Selling Season

You've been hearing it for a few weeks now, like the theme song from "Jaws"playing in your head…Dah dum…dah dum… dahdumdahdumdahdum…getting faster and faster. The fall selling season for direct sellers is sneaking up on us and you better be ready! Take a deep breath. There's still time to get set up for success in your direct sales business before the crazy holiday selling season hits you right between the eyes. Here's a must-do list that should help you get ahead of the game and be prepared to take advantage of all the momentum you can during the 4th quarter of the year: Make a plan – This is the place to start if you're serious about your business. I'm getting ready to sit down and create my quarterly plan next week, so when October hits, I have a step-by-step vision and clear projects I know are planned. Take an hour and set your goals for the 4th quarter of the year. Click here to download my "Goal Setting Worksheet" taken from our "Powerful Tools for Your Direct Sales Business: Leader's Edition." It will help you make a strong plan.   Create a contact list Include people you haven't contacted recently – I guarantee, there are at least 50 people with whom you could follow up but haven't. Think about your customers, guests from your parties, previous hosts, and any other leads that may have fallen through the cracks. Make your goal to actually come up with 100 names and 50 will seem easy.   Throw your own celebration party You have lots to celebrate th is time of year in your direct sales business (and lots of awesome new products to share). Invite all of those people on your list of 50 and everyone else you can think of. Choose a fun theme and offer lots of great give-aways to compel people to want to attend.   Think about who needs help This time of year, as we head into the holidays, people are wracking their brains trying to come up with great gift ideas. If you've worked with someone they need to give a gift to, you've got some great ideas! If you don't have contact information for spouses or significant others, contact your customers and let them know what you're up to. They'll be happy to provide the information for you. Consider setting up a special "shopping" night in your home for husbands, have the gifts shipped to you, and deliver them wrapped and ready to give once they arrive.   Give back This is a great time of year to do fund raisers, which also generates greater interest in your business. You can make a difference while growing your business.   Make sure your customers know they can shop with you online If you don't have an e-mail list with your customer's information, work on that now and then be sure you e-mail them at least once mid to late November with clear instructions about how they can "shop from their chair" with you on your webiste. 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 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

Happy Sunday & Happy June

Let's kick off June with a bang!

We have graduations, wedding season starting and the anticipation of a new catalog in August to help us get our summer selling season rolling.  So what do we need to do?  Here are five quick tips:

1) Get on the phone with your past hostesses to get them scheduled for an August show for the new catalog.

2) Get on the phone and schedule with those parties with all your leads and contacts.

3) Call all your "maybes" and offer them an incentive to book over the summer.

4) Look to leave catalog in nail salons and highlight the anklets and toe rings (it's pedicure season!)

5) Share the love, carry your tote and talk about your business - it can only lead to good things!

Do you sense a pattern here?  Well, there is!  Talking about Cookie Lee, wearing the jewelry and making the calls are what makes your business successful...and puts the cash in your pocket.

I am here to help...call, Facebook or e-mail me anytime.

I see big things for us in June...let's rock!