Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Top Ten Ways to Grow Your Direct Sales Business

I know I've mentioned this before (okay probably many times) but I am a Thirty-One Director.  I am a part of a great company that produces an amazing product that everyone can use.  I love this picture because it's the day I was recognized as a "Director."  There's nothing like having your name in GIANT PRINT to motivate you to succeed!
Direct sales work is a home-based business.  I am my own boss.  I get to decide if I succeed or if I fail.  I am basically self-employed.
And let me tell you, it's not easy to be self-employed.  You have to be motivated every day to be "out there" selling your product, yourself, and your business. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to grow my business.  I want it to be all it can be, all it should be, and so I think about, read about, talk about how to grow a direct sales business all the time.
So between all this talking, reading and thinking, I came up with my "TOP TEN WAYS TO GROW YOUR DIRECT SALES BUSINESS."  I hope this helps you get you re-focused on your business and all the potential it has! It sure helped me to sit down and write these things down and start doing them!

MY TOP TEN
  1. Make 7 phone calls a week related to new business.  In the case of Thirty-One Gifts, the company I work with, this means asking for new bookings. Remember, you will probably get about 1 yes for every 4-5 no's, so don't give up!  Because you won't get ANY yeses if you aren't asking!
  2. Write down your weekly and monthly goals and put them somewhere you will see them EVERY DAY!  I create a "note" on my iphone, then screenshot it and save it as my wallpaper.  So literally every time I get on my phone, I see my goals.
  3. Share the opportunity about your business with at least 4 people a month (this is for those of us that are trying to recruit people).
  4. Showcase your products...purses and totes? CARRY THEM.  Jewelry? WEAR IT.  Make up? USE IT. Whatever you have, use it daily so people see and want it too!
  5. Do a drawing via facebook or email once a month for a giveaway to all your hostesses and customers...it doesn't have to be something big. No matter what it is, people love to win something, anything!
  6. Hand out 5 of your business cards EVERYDAY! Dry cleaner, restaurant, your child's school, doctor's office, you name it! You never know where that business card or even a business catalog may end up! :)
  7. Offer to do a fundraiser for a local organization and giving back a portion of your profits! People always like to support their favorite cause and getting something in return is extra fun!
  8. Don't allow other people to run your business...book parties on days that are convenient for you.  After all, you are your own boss for a reason, right?
  9. Always, always, always send a handwritten thank you note the day after an event or party. Thank the hostess or customer for using you and supporting your business! People will always remember the business owner that had the "attitude of gratitude" and they will come back!
  10. Have fun! Enjoy what you do! People are drawn to positive energy and positive people!
From my side of the fence, I love getting to do what I do.  I can't believe everyone doesn't own at least one Thirty-One tote because they really are that good.  I hope you feel that strongly about your product or business! Oh, and feel free to check out my business here: www.mythirtyone.com/catherinehenry

Let me know how these things work for your business, I would love to hear back from you!
Cathy

2 comments:

  1. Great tips, and they do make a difference when you do them. Having a home based business is a gift, and I'm happy to support yours because I love my 31 bags :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Deborah! BTW, do you have any advice you want to share? :)

    ReplyDelete