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Blogging for Business

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New to blogging but don’t know what to write about? You’re not alone.

Those who have been blogging for some time know how beneficial adding new content can be to your business. Just two of the basic benefits of blogging include helping to drive traffic to your direct sales website as well as develop a following of loyal customers.

One of the most common mistakes I see with new bloggers is not updating their content frequently enough. Daily would be ideal; a couple times a week would be great; but anything less than once per week is not going to help a great deal.

Sure time is always a challenge for business owners. Yet when it comes to blogging, more than finding time – the bigger obstacle seems to be finding topics about which to write.

Here’s my secret to finding blog topics: [Read more…] about Blogging for Business

Drama in Direct Sales

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You Don’t Have to Like Your Coworkers

Being at the highest rank of my direct sales business is a wonderful thing “¦ usually. Though along with that title are also opportunities to hear about all the drama that goes on within my group. Drama in direct sales is not unique to my group or my company. It happens within every downline in every company out there. Some scenarios aren’t as dramatic as others, but conflicts do arise. It’s the nature of the beast.

Not to let the male direct sellers off the hook, but generally the drama occurs between or among women. I get to hear She said/She said or She did/She did. My role as a director is not necessarily to moderate, as I rarely have any evidence to support what has been accused; but rather to listen, advise and encourage particular action on the part of the individuals involved.

Our company does not allow any changes in sponsorship. I suspect other companies have the same policy. This is another reason why I encourage everyone to take their time and carefully select a sponsor before enrolling. Because you’re generally stuck with the person you signed up with, it behooves everyone to figure out a way to get along.

As is more common due to the internet, my entire team is long distance. I have met face to face with very few team members. I don’t have the ability to sit across the table to look each in the eye and determine who is blowing smoke up my skirt. I can only go by gut instinct and by listening carefully to what I am being told by each caller. It’s my role to remain impartial. [Read more…] about Drama in Direct Sales

Factoids about Direct Selling

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Those on my team know I am a numbers junkie.   I’ve always enjoyed analyzing data. I firmly believe that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.  It’s been said before that “In God we trust, all others bring data!”

The information contained below was snagged from DSA’s Direct Selling 411 Website.  I found some of these statistics interesting – and hope you do too.

  • 77% of sellers have been with their company 1+ years
  • 80% of sellers say direct selling meets or exceeds their expectations
  • 85% of sellers report a good, very good or excellent experience with direct selling
  • 74% of US adults have purchased products from a direct seller
  • 15.1 million people in the U.S. are involved in direct selling
  • $29.6 billion in total US sales
  • $114 billion sales worldwide

What is the primary reason you became a direct seller?

  • To earn supplemental income (51%, 4,231 Votes)
  • To earn full-time income (34%, 2,768 Votes)
  • To buy the products at a discount (9%, 729 Votes)
  • I like to be recognized for my accomplishments (4%, 292 Votes)
  • I like to meet other people (2%, 208 Votes)

Direct sellers report a positive experience with direct selling: [Read more…] about Factoids about Direct Selling

Where to Leave Samples

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sam’ple
[sam-puh l, sahm-]
a small part of anything or one of a number, intended to show the quality, style, or nature of the whole; specimen

Yup, talking about the use samples yet again. First was the article addressing the importance of using samples to market your business. Then I showed you detailed instructions on how to make samples. That covers the Why and How, so it stands to reason, there must be a Where.

Where Should You Leave Samples?

Keep in mind that the cost of a sample (pennies) is minuscule compared to the return on investment you can reap. With that in mind, don’t be stingy with the samples. I’m not referring to spewing handfuls all over the place, but rather strategically placing samples here and there. Before you accuse me of soliciting, remember you’re leaving free samples – something that someone can actually try before they buy.

The list below is not meant to be inclusive, but merely to stimulate your creative juices.

1. On your table when you leave a restaurant
2. In public restrooms – in stalls and/or near the sink
3. On the bleachers when you get up from a sporting event
4. In the self-pay credit card slot at the gas station
5. In every envelope that you mail
6. In library books that you return to the library [Read more…] about Where to Leave Samples

Is That Business Idea Really a Good Idea

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When you start a direct selling venture your sponsors and fellow consultants can provide wonderful ideas to build your direct sales business. No sense reinventing the wheel. Take the experience from veterans and learn from them.

Sounds like pretty sound advice, yes? It certainly can be wonderful advice. However one word of caution: Test Everything.

Not all business ideas are good ideas. Some ideas may be obsolete – what worked in 1989 probably won’t work today. Other ideas may work well in one geographic area but would flop where you live. Still others may initially sound like a good idea, though after further consideration may create a threat to your personal safety.

For example:

Good Idea? One idea that recirculates every couple of years within the direct sales community is to affix business cards or catalogs to the outside of your car while you are parked in public. Some suggest using a magnetic locker caddy; others prefer using suction cup shower caddies. The idea behind it is that while you’re in the mall or grocery store, other patrons will walk past your vehicle, take a catalog or business card and then potentially be your next customer or recruit.

Bad Idea. I emphatically discourage any home based consultant from employing this tactic. Do you really want complete strangers knowing what kind of vehicle you drive or that your vehicle at that very moment could contain the candles, jewelry, or kitchenware that you’re promoting? How easy would it be for someone to lie in wait, and then follow you home – because surely you may have some inventory at home and possibly even a stash of cash from a recent party? Instead of “Take One“ or “Free“ you might as well hang a sign that says “Follow me home if you want to burglarize me; I have a stash there!“ Or “Expensive Inventory on Board“

It’s also a waste of your marketing collateral. Kids or competitors would love to take your catalogs and business cards. They’ll end up in the round file or scattered all over the parking lot. Then perhaps the facility manager can give you a personal phone call – no not to place an order, but to inform you about their no solicitation policy and fine for littering.

Good Idea? Approach at least three people a day about your products or opportunity. [Read more…] about Is That Business Idea Really a Good Idea