No one ever calls back!
Dear Debbie:
I make calls like I'm supposed to and it seems like no one is every home. I leave messages, but no one ever calls back. I'm calling them because they asked me to. Did they change their mind or are they avoiding me?
Molly
Hi Molly,
This is a pretty common "problem" and it's one reason many people give up. Most likely they are not avoiding you, but life happens.
Here are 10 reasons they may not call you back. Most often, it has nothing to do with you:
1.) Everyone is always busy. They may have thought about it, but not had a chance and then forgotten. I often remember calls I need to make at midnight and then I forget to write it down and don't remember again. I still need to call the AC person to come. It's not like I don't want to, it's just not at the front of my mind. I wish they'd call when I'm home so I don't have to look up the number.
2.) Not everyone gets their messages.
3.) Family emergencies.
4.) Family visiting, so they figure they'll call you when life calms down.
5.) They lost your number.
6.) They are sick, so it slips their mind.
7.) They are on vacation.
8.) Their kids have them running in circles with camps, lessons, and playdates and they figure they are too busy and the thought of booking right now is too overwhelming. They'll wait until life calms down.
9.) They are in the process of moving or remodeling (huge summer thing), and again, hosting is not a priority.
10.) They figure you will call them back.
Remember, it's our job to call them and they know that. Most people think, "If it's important they'll call me back."
It may take you 5 to 10 calls before you reach that person.
Keep a tally and notes by their name on wether you left a message, got an answering machine or busy signal, etc. When you have tried 10 times without a contact, leave them a message that you are sorry you missed them and will remove them from your list. If they would like you to remain on your list, please call back at 555-5555 and you would love to service them.
Remember to try calling at different times of the day.
A great way to avoid this as well is to ask them how late you can call them. That way you have permission to call them after hours you may not feel comfortable calling otherwise.
Don't give up! Often times right when you are ready to quit, everything is beginning to fall into place.
How do I find my passion?
Deb,
I would like to work from home, but I don't know what my passion is. How can I find this out?
ncwahmof3
Hi!
First, start with what you like. What do you enjoy doing? What or who do you focus on?
Some examples, my focus is my kids, I love to play so I started selling toys. If you love to cook, start with a business that puts you in the kitchen or near food. If you fantasize about accessorizing, purses and jewelry might pacify that need.
Who do you want to help? Do you enjoy working with kids, older people, men, women, animals?
What are your skills? What are you good at? Do you have a certain experience that will benefit others?
What do you enjoy doing? If you had 24 hours to do nothing, what would you do?
Some questions to help you: Do you love to cook, give makeovers, clean, organize, talk on the phone, walk dogs, read, teach, craft, dress others, pick out gifts, decorate, party, drink wine, create, other?
Once you identify the above, it will help put you a little closer,
Debbie
How can I build a downline when I don't have one yet?
Debbie,
I currently have no downline, I am working my business hard, and am new to the company. I know I will make an excellent leader, because I really care! I want everyone to be successful and I am willing to help them come up with a plan, answer questions, and really support them. I know I will make a wonderful upline, because I am constantly helping other members of my team, on our team message board whether it is answering questions, or by providing support. My question is how do I handle that dreaded question when speaking with a possible new team member, "How many people do you have in your downline."
Thanks,
Melissa- Independent Taste of Home Entertaining Consultant
Hi Melissa--
Congrats on taking an important step towards helping others succeed! The key to recruiting is to focus on their needs.
If the question doesn't come up, not a big deal, there is no reason to address it. Everyone starts somewhere. How many recruits you have has nothing to do with being a great leader. (I've seen people recruit 4 to 10 a month and have very low team sales.) What does make a difference is being coachable.
If it does come up, be excited. Let them know you just started (or in some cases you just realized that this is such a great opportunity that you wanted to share it with others), and that you plan to be a leader in x amount of time. If you have previous experience in direct sales, let them know that this isn't your first company and you have so much to share with them. Then turn it back to them. ask them what their goals are, what appeals to them about the company, or who they know who they can't wait to share the products with. As long as you don't dwell on this, they won't either.
How do I get outside my circle of friends?
What are some fresh ideas to promote myself and my business outside
of my circle of friends? Nikki
Hi Nikki--
This is a great question, and one area many people struggle with.
1.) Ask for referrals. Give a small gift to your friends for helping
introduce you to new people.
2.) Go to the park. Be sure to have business cards and flyers.
Introduce yourself to new moms and network. The question, "So what
do you do?" is a great transition into them asking you back.
3.) It's summer! Set up a booth at fairs, parades, and neighborhood
picnics and carnivals! Offer a drawing for a free product. This
gives you their name and number so you can call them and follow-up!
4.) Have an open house. Give a progressive discount for each guest
they bring; 5% off for the first guest, 10% for the second, and so
on.
5.) Set out lead boxes at places like restaurants, hair saloons,
daycares, and other locally owned businesses. Be sure to do a
drawing. Take a box and attach a pen. Paperpunch a corner of the
lead slips, throw a ribbon through the holes and attach them to the
box as well. Be sure to keep the box small so it doesn't take up too
much space.
6.) Let everyone you meet know about your new biz!
7.) Go door to door and leave a flyer with your neighbors. Invite
them to your open house!
8.) Be creative. Look at your business, what else can you offer? If
you do something with food, offer a free cooking class! If you sell
make-up, offer to do makeup for weddings. If you sell toys, do a
summer playgroup.
9.) Leave business cards and catalogs everywhere you go: Dentist,
hair salon, with tips, in bills. Be creative, you never know!
Someone may just be looking for you.
10.) Keep your eyes open! You never know who you might meet or what
event is waiting for you.
How do I find the right sponsor?
I have just completed my search for a company. I know I have the right company, but how do you go about finding the right sponsor for you? I know that having the right sponsor can help you succeed in your business. How do you go about interviewing the right sponsor for you? Do you have to go with the first person who offered the opportunity and/or sent you information?
Thank you,
Irene
Hi Irene--
That is a good question. Often, we sign up with the person who gives us the information. They spent the most time with us, and it is a way of being loyal or saying thanks. However, if you feel that they are not the right fit, you may want to look further. Find a new sponsor if they are slow to respond to you (unless of course they have a family emergency) or are unhelpful in answering your questions.
Here are some great questions to ask:
- How close are you to me? This can be important if they do team meetings, but it's not a necessity for some. Look at your personality and what your needs are.
- What type of training do you provide? For example, I work with my team weekly with one-on-one training.
- If they are long distance, what type of team training calls do you provide?
- How long have you been in the business and what milestones have you reached? (Someone new may be awesome if they hit the ground running and reached success. I have a new team member who is an amazing trainer with her first recruits. I wish she'd train me! If they are new, don't be afraid to ask about their upline. A good upline reaches down.)
- What type of newsletters or emails do you send to your customers and are you willing to share?
Look at how your personalities mesh. Do you have empty silence? Does she listen to your questions? Does she repeat back your question to make sure she understands it? Does she talk about how she will benefit or focus on you? Did she ask you questions or just spew out a script? Do you feel comfortable calling her with what you might be afraid is a silly question (we all know there is no such thing).
Remember, picking your sponsor is important for your growth, but things happen. When researching a company, be sure to find out what the company has to offer as well.
Can I help increase sales per guest at a party?
To what extent can a Direct Sales Consultant affect sales per attending party guest? A lot of times, it just seems like a person has a set idea of what they will buy - either by dollar value or by number of items - and nothing can be done to increase that, no matter how much fun they have, or how much they rave about the products.
Thanks
Cindy
Cindy,
This is a great question! There are many things you can do. First, build a rapport with each customer.
This can start before the party even begins. Ask your hostess for her guest list and numbers, and let her know that as a service to her, you will do reminder calls. Not only do you get to know the guests beforehand, you can personalize the demonstration by bringing a specific product just for them that they asked to see.
Get your guests involved. Don't talk at them, but involve them by letting them demo the products. Ask them how they would use this item if they had it at home. Remind them of those in their lives with birthdays coming up and other events where your products would be appreciated.
If you have cash and carry, this can strengthen impulse buy. Give them a special promotion where if they spend x amount, they can purchase and take home a special item tonight.
Finally, thank you calls the next day are a great way to increase sales and book parties. Often a customer leaves thinking I should have bought. that item. This call the next day is quick. "Hi Cindy! This is Debbie with my company. I just wanted to let you know how wonderful it was to meet you and see what you thought of the products. If there is anything you want to add to your order, we are closing tomorrow." When she says how much fun she had, ask her who she knows who she feels missed out on a great time and ask her if she would like to invite them over and go on her own free shopping spree.
Help with Recruiting!
Hi Debbie,
I'm Virginia , joined yesterday on Yahoo! I need HELP in RECRUITING! I am a consultant with BeautiControl for 2 years now. I joined as part time and now I would like to work my biz full time. I do work a full time job as well. Before I can quit full time job I have to start making at least the same amount of money as I do a week. Any suggestions from you would be helpful!
Sincerely,
Virginia
Hi Virginia!
Recruiting is a huge part of our business. When I first started, I wanted nothing to do with recruiting. I thought it seemed like I was being pushy and I didn't want to be responsible for others. Then one day, I had a naggy hostess who kept asking me questions. I couldn't figure it out. The questions were:
--Are you having fun?
--Are you making money?
--Do your kids get to play/or how are you personally benefiting from your biz?
--Is it flexible?
--How do I start?
What? She wanted to do this? Why? Was I having fun? Yes, and I was making money while personally benefiting from my products and having a flexible schedule. Hummmm, why would someone not want to do this? My attitude changed!
I began sharing the biz with everyone! Then, I decided to really focus on recruiting, but suddenly I couldn't close!
Someone would ask me a question, and I gave them the answer, plus the answer to about 20 other questions they didn't ask me. I told them how to earn the trip and how to promote in rank! I told them how great the company was and how they could earn free products. I told them how they could build a team and about ways to find parties. But no one wanted to join?
It took a while for me to figure it out. I forgot to shut up. I told them what I thought they should know, but was scaring them away. I forgot about their needs and what was important to them.
Before I became good at team building, I had to learn a few important skills:
- --forget about me
- --ask questions
- --listen
- --follow-up
Now, let's change the pace and start with your attitude. How do you feel about recruiting? Why do you want to recruit? What will you gain? And most importantly, what will your new team member gain?
Once you identify your 'why', it becomes easier to approach others.
Don't be afraid to ask others, but be sure to listen to their needs and focus on showing them how your business will fit into their life. :-)
How do I meet customers?
Dear Debbie:
I want to start a business, but I don't know anyone in my area. Should I wait until I meet more people?
Ann
Hi Ann--
Starting a business is a great way to meet people, so don't let this stop you! There are a ton of ways to get your name out there.
--Set up a booth at an event. Read the paper and watch the PSA channel on cable for ideas.
--Set out a lead box at a place of business, daycare or office. Do a drawing for a free product and be sure to get their name and phone number. Ask a few simple questions which will give you talking points. For example, if you sell candles:
How often do you burn candles?
What is the most important feature of a candle? Smell, burning, decorative value
Are you interested in earning free candles by hosting a burn celebration?
--Find other consultants for different companies and network. They will be able to inform you of different events.
--Offer your services as a speaker. For example, if you do make-up offer a summer make-up workshop for a women's group. If you sell toys, do a what to look for in a toy workshop.
--Go to the park! Get to know others. Ask them what they do, chances are they will ask you back. Be sure to carry business cards.
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