Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Woman's World

Hey Ladies,
Woman's world will let you set up a display for free! I will get us in and we can alternate setting up there for sales! I will let you know soon!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Mystery Hostess

Plan a party at your house for Christmas. Invite your friends and family and tell them you will pick a mystery hostess from everyone that places an orde. Tell them they could end up going home with all their Christams Gifts for Free!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Trade Shows



Take advantage of these for good exposure!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The R Word

Subject: Recruiting Mindset – Part 1
When I got involved in party plan 20 plus years ago, we were taught that there were five basic reasons people got started in the business:
1) Money – and I want to work from home, flexibly!
2) Social – I want to make new friends & I love parties!
3) Recognition – I just LOVE to walk across stage!
4) Product – I LOVE everything in the catalog!
5) Mission driven – I LOVE how this company improves people’s lives!
To that list I would add a sixth reason (my reason for joining):
6) Need a life – HELP! I’m home with my kids – I love them, but I’m pretty sure my ‘grown-up’ mind has left my body!
Truth be told – reason number six is probably just a variation on reasons number two and three. BUT, the bottom line was that I got involved with my company to sell product – nothing more, nothing less. That first year that I was in business I wore a recruiting blindfold.
I sold product like crazy – and loved every minute of it. “But”, I told my recruiter/manager, “don’t even TALK to me about the ‘R’ word. I don’t want to ‘do’ that to anyone.”
An interesting attitude, wouldn’t you agree? It was birthed from an unpleasant experience with an overly ambitious consultant from another party plan company who – in her attempts to sign me – did lots of talking, very little listening and was more interested in advancing her status in her company than being sensitive to my needs and concerns. I had vowed never to be that party plan lady. I didn’t want people to run the other way when they saw me coming.
However, in hindsight, I realize that there were many friends who crossed my path that first year who were genuinely interested in joining me in the business. As I replay conversations with different individuals in my mind – I realize they were asking all the right questions and I was giving all the right answers. I never took it a step further and asked them if I could share business information with them. Because, you see, I didn’t do that part of the business.
Do you or your team members need help getting into a recruiting mindset? Don’t miss tomorrow’s Part 2 of this mini-series on The Recruiting Mindset.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Trade Shows

Here are 5 steps to help you have a successful show experience this fall:
1. (30 sec) Engage
Draw people to you by making eye contact, smiling and inviting conversation. Make a connection with the person. People connect with people first.

2. (2 min) Qualify
Not all attendees will need or want your product or service. Acting like what you have to offer is a fit for everyone is both disingenuous and turns off visitors. Present your product or service with a healthy dose of enthusiasm and a decent measure of objectivity. It is respectful to give people the choice to take advantage of what you have or not. Ask a question to help you decide if they are a qualified lead and part of your target audience. Your goal is learning quickly if the person has a need/desire for what you offer, can make a buying decision or if they can influence the person who makes the buying decision. Try to find out their needs by asking some strategic questions.

For example:
"Tell me what brings you to the show today?"
"What's your main goal regarding...?"
"How would you feel if..?"
"Can you tell me if ...?"
Once you ask a question to learn more about the person in front of you, LISTEN.
42% of attendees felt that the booth worker did not understand their needs because they did not fully listen - not because the attendee did not try to express their needs (Source: CEIR).
This requires concentration on your part because typically there are lots of stimuli and distractions during the event.
3. (5 - 7 min) Present
Give a brief overview of your top services or products that match your leads interest. Watch their reaction in order to determine their interest or resistance. By paying attention, you will be able to gauge how much information to share.

Visitors attend events for different reasons:
For recreation
To get ideas
To keep current
To solve a need or problem
To purchase
To identify resources
Because their job requires them to
While you are presenting a quick overview of your products or services (fashion show style-share the highlights), ask your prospect to complete a lead form or exchange business cards.

4. (1 min) Close
Thank them for their time. Determine what is the most appropriate way to respectfully follow-up with them. This provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to keep your promises and pay attention to their individual needs and wishes. For example, "I will call you tomorrow before noon and send you a link to my web site prior so that you have a chance to see our new items (or sales specials, gift ideas, new programs etc.)."

Depending on the number of people gathered around your booth, read their email and phone number out loud to confirm their details, if you can. This one step helps me to remember the conversations I had with leads and connect their business card (or contact info) with them. It is a reminder to make sure you have the contact information you need to provide service.

If they hesitate to give you their phone number, look them in the eye and try this word choice, "May I please have your phone number? I will be courteous with your contact information." You might even add if there is further hesitation..."and if at any time, you prefer not to hear from me, please let me know and I will take you off my call list. I want to provide service on your terms."

5. (Within 48-72 hours after the event) Follow-Up
When you complete an application to participate in a booth or fair, block your post event follow up time in your planner. Make a firm appointment with yourself for follow-up. By connecting shortly after the event, you will make a memorable impression in their mind. Remember, they met a lot of vendors at one time. To set yourself apart, follow up by phone, mail, or email.
80% of attendees receive no followed-up! What a waste!
Follow these five steps to make your fall festivals, shows, and booths more fruitful.
1 Chicago: Why Train?, http://www.creativetraining.com/train/docs/WhyTrain.pdf (accessed October 6, 2009).

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Attention: Catalog error

Hi Gals!
I just wanted to post a quick update because they still haven't updated the Thirty-one Website yet. But, if you have received your new 31 kids catalog preview then you will notice that the activity pad is listed as $5.00. This is not so though.The activity pad is still only $3.00 so if you have purchased any of the new catalogs please double check them and make corrections. Good luck to all on the new October incentives! YAY! US!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Use your customer specials

Don't forget, if a customer does not use their special...give it away. If you have a couple of the monthly customer specials that a customer qualified for and did not use, you can use them yourself or let your friends and family know. Since you can split payments with credit cards, just add it on to an order and divide the orders up when they arrive. It will boost your sales and everyone loves getting a good deal. September's monthly special is a good example. If someone qualifies for it and does not take advantage, offer it out to other customers!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mystery Hostess

Trying to generate a show? You can either host one at your own home or on line, and tell everyone who places an order, they will be eligible to be entered to win! What can they win? THE HOSTESS REWARDS!

Do it at home and tell your friends that you invite- Everyone who orders will be going into a prize drawing to win whatever hostess rewards are generated that night.

OR

Do a catalog show and for every $20 in orders their name goes in the pot and you draw a name once you get to $200 in orders. I have done this a couple times and it DOES work. Tell friends and family out of town they can just ship their order separately, but to play along!

give it a try....

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Love my new samples







I love the new utility organizer. It is huge! It would be a great garden tool organizer, baby changing station orgaizer...tell me your ideas. The new thermal totes are really solid! great quality. YOU will love them. I also got the new pleated purse. Not very big, but a cute accessory.







The purse organizer is a little disappointing. I thought it was a "bucket" but it just wraps around the bottom of a large bag. Not that helpful to me. (YOur thoughts?)






The hard wallet is thin. Not a huge amount of space. But great for the trendy mom. I would use it. But if someone has a ton of c cards or thick check book, it may not work.












Love the collapsible boxes. Great for travel.
Now you share your favorite products with me via e-mail and I will post it for you.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Check your Thirty-One today

Don't forget to visit the http://www.thirtyonetoday.blogspot.com/ often. They try and keep you updated as much as they can there. let me know if you have any questions.

I will be gone for a week. PLEASE call my cell if you need me. 850-545-5153 Leave a message if I don't pick up and tell me to call you right away. I will do my best! I won't have e-mail, so you must call if you need me.

Don't forget to share thoughts and idea with me. I will post them for you here! Christmas is coming....May your commission checks be fat!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Money Game


Pick something that you want to give away. As the evening is going on, randomly hand out fake money for showing excitement, asking good questions, showing interest in booking a show...anything you want. Don't tell them what the money is for and at the end of the night, tell them to count their money. The one with the most money gets to take the prize home. (last week I gave away a retired sample from my kit)


You can get fake money in any toy aisle.


Have fun!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Earn free stuff...


There are ways to earn free stuff:


Host your own open house or catalog show!

1. Open up your home and get people to come and check out the new products.

2. E-mail your friends and ask them to place an order.

3. Make it a fund raiser and just use the rewards on yourself to build your kit and promise a portion of your commission to a special charity.

4. Do an open house with some friends who also sell products from a home based business and not only keep your hostess rewards but submit a "Trade show" form and get $25 for catalogs.


(Find this form on our http://www.thirtyonetoday.com/ consultant toolbox page)

Monday, July 27, 2009

I want to help you reach your goals...


Whatever I can do to help you reach your goal, I will do! Looking forward to a great Fall! Debt free Christmas...here we come!
click here if this is your first time at our blog:

Poem Game

I changed this and made it my own...I encourage you to do the same:

This is a rather peculiar game. It really does not have a name
It’s simple to play as a game should be.
You just do as you’re told, then you will see.
In the end, whoever scores the most, will receive a prize of which they can boast.
Now since you’re all fashionable girls,
give yourself 5 if you have on diamonds or pearls.
You may add 3 if your toes peek out.
And earrings will give you 2 more to shout.
Score yourself 5 if you show any red.
And 1 for each year that you have been wed.
Now before you think you are going to win,
Take away 2 for each safety pin.
Give yourself 6 if your pants are on tight,
Add 1 for a scarf which is just about right.
Add 5 more if your shoes are black.
And take away 3 for pockets in the back.
This may not turn out like you would think.
Take away 4 if you left a dish in the sink.
Add 3 for each child at home or away,
Add 4 for each grandchild that brightens your day.
Now count all your buttons, for each you get 2,
And take away 3 for each garment that’s new.
Give yourself 5 if your heels are high,
And why not take 10 for the green in your eyes.
10 more points for words on your clothes.
Take away 5 if you like to wear hose.
Add 9 if your husband or boyfriend you kissed today.
If you kissed them both, then it’s 10 take away!
This is the end for there isn’t anymore.
Let’s see who is the lucky lady with the highest score.

Encourage your hostess

Here is a note I put in my hostess' packet...get them to have a vision of a GREAT party!
Imagine your party…

In Fun for all…

Think of a room with one or two people…it’s quiet, and not many of them are talking or eating.

Now imagine about 10 people in the room…you hear laughter, talking and people are gathered around eating and sharing their day with each other.

Which one will you aim for?

In Rewards for you…

With only 2 or 3 people there, you don’t have very much in sales and you may only get something small from your wish list.

But with a room full of people, all in love with these wonderful gifts, you know you are getting EVERYTHING on your wish list...good job! And you know you already have outside orders from friends who said they could not come because you bravely ask them if they would like to see a catalog!
Your efforts paid off!

I look forward to seeing you. May you have a great response to all your invitations. Please let me know how I can help you. I will see you very soon…welcome to the Thirty-One Family!

www.mythirtyone.com/simplify (add your web site)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Welcome ladies

Well, I decided that I was going to do a private blog that our team could support each other with. My advice for you, is if this works, build a blog for you and YOUR growing team. This blog is for us to share ideas. If you have a great idea to share, then e-mail me and I will post your idea. Ideas on how to market products, good ideas for party gifts and other things you come up with that make your parties great.
This will be my version of our team meetings...since we are not all from Tallahassee! As my team grows, I look forward to having contest and motivation rewards for you guys.
If you have questions, feel free to call me or e-mail me ANY TIME. This blog will not replace our personal contact.
Can't wait to see all of us become very successful with our own Thirty-One Gifts business this year!

I already have one idea I want to share that Gina from Tallahassee come up with: The shower cady from the Direction catalog makes a great cup, crayon or snack holder for the car. I tried it out, it will stick in the window and stays put. Good idea Gina!

That's it ladies, looking forward to hearing from you!

Any time you want to add a comment, just click on the comment button below and put your 2 cents in!