| If you're a brand new consultant and trying to figure | | | | you can right now, and it's a great way to get your |
| out just how to wrap your brain around everything that | | | | name "out there". |
| came in your starter kit - you're not alone, thousands | | | | 4. Make sure your contact information is prominently |
| of people are starting their own direct sales | | | | displayed on every piece of material that leaves your |
| organizations every month. Most companies have a | | | | hands, from samples to brochures, recruiting |
| starter period during the first three months of business | | | | information to hostess packets. Rubber stamps can |
| that focus on selling, booking and recruiting, but there | | | | be messy, and can't usually be modified once they're |
| are three other activities you need to focus on first to | | | | made. Address labels are inexpensive, and a quick and |
| see success over the long-haul: organization, time | | | | easy way to make sure everything looks professional. |
| management, and product knowledge. | | | | 5. Get a coach. Whether it's online forums, your upline |
| It is true, that these things can be learned over time, | | | | leader, local training meetings, or friends in other |
| but personal research has shown that these 7 tips can | | | | companies, it pays to mastermind with coaches to help |
| help you shorten your learning curve and realize | | | | you grow your business more efficiently. Find |
| success more easily during your first three months in | | | | someone quickly, partner up with them to bounce |
| business: | | | | ideas, get feedback, and practice your demo with. |
| | | | You'll be amazed at how quickly you learn with a |
| 1. Schedule time to work. Mark off specific days and | | | | coach to guide you. |
| times in each of those first 3 months that you will | | | | 6. Maximize downtime. Standing in line? Waiting to pick |
| focus on working your business. Your first task is to fill | | | | up a child from an activity? Use that time efficiently by |
| those dates with parties. When parties cancel, or if you | | | | reading up on product knowledge, putting labels on |
| don't have parties scheduled for those days, study | | | | catalogs, reading skill building books and articles. Carry |
| product literature, practice your demo (even if the | | | | something with you that you can "work on" in short |
| room is empty), and rehearse your closing techniques. | | | | bursts during these waiting times. Not only will you be |
| Treat your business like a job for the first 3 months | | | | more productive, you'll also be able to talk with people |
| and you'll learn your company background and | | | | about your new business if they ask what you're |
| products more quickly. This, in turn, boosts your | | | | doing! |
| confidence, making selling easier. | | | | 7. Don't try to be all things to all people. Friends and |
| 2. Save 10%. Carve out 10% of your profits and time | | | | family will know you're new at this, so be reasonable |
| to reinvest in your business. If you make $100, set $10 | | | | and honest with them. This is not permission to be lax |
| aside to buy business tools, product samples, etc. In | | | | and unprofessional, however. Like a new server at a |
| your calendar give yourself 10% flex time to keep | | | | restaurant, everyone has a learning curve, and the |
| stress levels lower. If you're spending 10 hours per | | | | expectation is that you won't be perfect, but you'll do |
| week doing shows, give yourself 1-2 hours of office | | | | your best, work hard, and be personable in the |
| time for follow up calls, paperwork, etc. Plan for these | | | | process. Gaining the emotional support of family and |
| things now, to help you stay organized as you build | | | | friends - even if they never buy a single product - |
| your business. Remember, most new "brick and | | | | goes a long way toward building confidence. |
| mortar" businesses don't make a profit for the first 3 | | | | Like any new job, it pays to focus on learning the |
| years - because every penny is reinvested into | | | | business in the first few months. Like any new |
| business growth. You're only reinvesting a minimal | | | | company, you've got a lot of hats to wear early on. |
| amount, and if you plan for it now, you won't even | | | | Direct Sales is a hybrid of the two, which requires |
| miss it later. | | | | many hats and much learning all at the same time. |
| 3. Use your catalog as a business card. You already | | | | keeping a perspective, and understanding your |
| have to invest in catalogs, save the expense of | | | | limitations is just as important as spreading the word |
| business cards for later. Your catalog will speak more | | | | and learning as much as you can. The key is to strike |
| knowledgeably about your product and services than | | | | a balance and prepare for success in the process. |