Back on Track

Sometimes we hit that tough spot when we question "Is this business right for me?" That's a normal stage to hit in business. The answer though, usually lies in the action you're taking effecting the results you are (or are not) getting. Are you doing what it takes to move your business forward? Really?

Are you attending meetings monthly and participating on the conference calls?
Are you making customer care calls?
Are you following up with prospects?
Are you hanging around positive people?
Are you reviewing your company manual and training material?
Are you listening to inspiring and educational CDs?
Are you reading self-help and business books?
Are you scheduling time for your business?
Are you consistent with your time in your business?
Are you connecting with your team members?
Are you connecting with your upline?

If your answer is "YES" to all of the above you need to have a heart to heart with your upline and ask her to help you evaluate your business. Maybe it's time you were observed in action. When a consultant of mine was challenged, she video taped her demo and sent it to me to review. It was so insightful because we discovered the vocabulary she was using was letting her customers off the hook from booking or buying. Changing her vocabulary resulted in sales and bookings.

If you need an accountability partner, someone to help you unlock your potential, it may well be time to invest in a coach, and that I can be for you. Connect with me and we'll visit, it costs you nothing to find out if a coach is the direction you need to go. Take advantage of the upcoming free "When You Lose Your Focus" Tele-Seminar March 10. Gain some insights and steps you can use to get back on track and moving toward your goals again.

In the meantime, take one step today. Pick one of the above to do. Call your upline, listen to a CD, call a customer, or read a chapter of a self-help book. Take SOME action and you'll start to feel the momentum coming back.

Continuing Education Rocks Your Business!

In January, I attended the DSWA Coach Excellence Certification Program and loved it. It was energizing to learn new ideas and concepts, reinforce and affirm what was good, meet new people, and advance my business to a new level. What was really exciting, was hearing my coaching clients comments after my training. They felt more empowered, energized, and excited about benefits I am adding to our time together. In the words of one client "Our coaching calls were always good before, but this is the best ever!" and another, "This is awesome! I love these new reviews!"

Any time you attend a workshop, conference, or seminar, you learn new ideas that enable you to help others. Your customers benefit when you learn how to service them, your hostess benefits when you gain new skills in hostess coaching, your team grows when you learn key steps in leadership. Investing in your growth benefits everyone.

What if I told you I know for a fact that one event will radically change the way you do business and give you amazing results?

This event my friends is the DSWA Celebration 2009 and I invite you to join me and hundreds of other direct selling professionals in Los Angeles April 17-19, 2009! The DSWA has invited top speakers and authors, who will empower your life and your business! Together with Beth Jones-Shall, I'll be presenting "Bookings You Can Bank On" during a breakout session. I invite you to introduce yourself when you get there. Let's share a cup of coffee, take pictures together and talk about your business.

The DSWA Celebration has earned the reputation as a "must-attend" experience for all direct sellers and network marketing professionals! If you are looking to truly "Build it Big" this year, then plan on attending this life-enhancing event!

I look forward to meeting you in Los Angeles!

How to Make Your Direct Sales Business Profitable in Your First Year

The key to making your direct sales business profitable is to run it like a business, not a hobby. Often times I hear consultants telling prospects "you can work whenever you want to" which is true - if you want a hobby. In which case, you won't care if you make money. If however, your goal it to make money, here are some tips to help you do so.

1. Work your business consistently. Two shows a week should be standard.
2. Invest in yourself with continuing education, ie: attend meetings, workshops, conventions, tele-seminars, etc. And USE what you learned!
3. Improve your sales skills and master hostess coaching.
4. Sponsor right from the beginning, don't wait to become a "success" first!
5. Write out your goals and a plan of action.
6. Invest back into your business. You need a sufficient amount of product samples to create a strong business. When new products come out, you should have some of those on hand as well.
7. Have a separate checking account and credit card and ONLY use it for business.
8. Pay yourself from your profits each month or twice a month.
9. Don't use up all your profits on product for yourself that you want just to have and don't need. Those personal items should be purchased with your personal, not business, account since they will be for personal use and you want to be able to see your profit fairly.
10. Work with a CPA who KNOWS the direct sales industry and can advise you on how to maximize your profit through wise tax management.
11. Be patient! It takes time to build a client base and repeat customers while you're learning the business. Expect to learn the business the first 6 months, and make money the next 6 months. Year after year remember that you are the determining factor if your business is making money.
12. Have fun! Watch your attitude. Get help when you are challenged and realize that there is always someone else who has been through what you are experiencing and fortunate for you, they're willing to share the info with you. Never take a complaint "down-line," always take a concern with an optional solution to your leadership and then, listen to their advice.

Share with me your top ideas for making money the first year in the comment box and help others!