Buy Scentsy Online

Buy Scentsy Online

Personal Development

What Does It Mean to Throw Your Hat Over the Fence?

By Leave a Comment

Have you heard the expression ‘Throw your hat over the fence‘? If not, I’m glad you showed up today… you’ll learn something new.

It’s an expression about making a decision and taking some action. Perhaps your business needs you to throw your hat over the fence.

As the story goes, one day a boy came across a dead-end road, and all there was between him and where he wanted to go was a high fence. He didn’t know how to get to the other side. 

As he stood there, not sure what to do, a villager came along and saw that the boy was trapped. He grabbed the boy’s hat and threw it over the fence!

“Hey, why’d you do that?!” he shouted at the elder villager.

“Well, son. Your hat’s over there, and I can see that’s where you want to go. Now, you gotta go there.”

“But how?!”

“Your hat’s over there, so if you want to see it again, you’ll find a way.”

The wise man walked off, and the boy scratched his head. Sure enough, some time later he found a way to climb this hurdle before him.

What are you waiting for. It’s GO TIME! Throw your hat over the fence and get moving. Your success depends upon it.

See you at the top!

About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a Michigan work from home mom and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping men and women start and maintain a home based business in the US, Canada, Poland, Australia, Puerto Rico, Germany, Ireland and the UK. To download a FREE Start Up Guide which provides more details about how to start a home business as well as to learn about our compensation plan go to www.thrivingcandlebusiness.com/how-to-start-a-candle-business/ or for updates on Facebook LIKEwww.facebook.com/ThrivingCandleBusiness and twitter @directsalesblog

 

Why Are Some More Successful in Direct Sales?

By Leave a Comment

Ever wonder why some direct sales consultants seem to have more success than others? Why some make it look easy and yet you can’t seem to get one sale, booking or recruit? First of all, know that direct sales can be an easy sell, but it’s certainly not easy. If it were, everyone would do it.

Below are a handful of actionable items you can do that separate the successful ones from those who constantly struggle.

1. Don’t quit.
Many consultants quit their direct sales business after just a short time – far too early before they can become successful. Sadly some desperate to recruit new team members like to say: “It’s easy! It’s fun! You’ll make great money!” While all those are certainly possible, you won’t find it easy, fun and profitable without a great deal of work. This is true for all direct sellers. If you decide to give yourself just six months and if  by then you’re not rolling in the dough and have your calendar booked, you’re quitting … well that’s just unreasonable. Successful direct sellers keep on keeping on – even when they don’t feel like it and even when it’s hard.

2. Work hard.
See #1 above. Treat your business like a business, not like a hobby. If you want to work from home, you have to show up to work … and be prepared to work. It takes discipline to work when there are so many other distractions and there isn’t a boss monitoring your work. You wanted to be your own boss, so monitor your work. If you joined mainly for the purpose to get the host rewards of free or half off product, then perhaps business ownership isn’t for you at this time; and that’s okay. You can be the hostess with the mostess; your friends will look forward to your fun parties and you can still reap the benefits of the products without all the responsibilities of business ownership.
[Read more…] about Why Are Some More Successful in Direct Sales?

Independent Consultant or Dependent Consultant?

By Leave a Comment

reading_womanBeing in direct sales twenty five years, I like to say that nothing ceases to amaze me. Yet I still continue to see things that make me scratch my head and no-so-silently utter, “wow.”

If you’re in direct sales, it’s likely you are titled an Independent Consultant (or Representative or Distributor or Manager or Director). Synonyms for independent are “self-contained” and “self-sufficient”.

I’ve been accused of being harsh because I expect independent consultants to be independent. I’m certainly here to mentor and help and support. I enjoy helping others build their businesses. Keywords are help and support. That doesn’t mean I do it for them. Remember the adage about teaching a man to fish?

The Other Message

I found a Facebook message waiting for me in my Other folder this morning: “All I get are emails from you (which by the way, I only send when I have with helpful information to pass along or that may benefit team member’s businesses). I need help. That team Facebook page isn’t any help (yes it is if she’d read it). The Training Center isn’t any help (it’s loaded with every topic imaginable in a variety of platforms – audio, video, text, etc.) and the Resource section isn’t helpful (documents up the wazoo) and either is that book that came in my starter kit. (She’s referring to the step-by-step start up guide).  I need help.”

Hmm. Okay. Do I really need add any additional commentary here? I merely responded “What specific questions do you have?”   I have yet to hear back. Then I started thinking about all the quotes, phrases, saying about initiative and helping yourself. Here are just a few that came to mind: [Read more…] about Independent Consultant or Dependent Consultant?

Direct Sales Consultant Todo List

By Leave a Comment

Direct Sales ToDo ListNow that you’re a direct sales consultant or promoted to a direct sales leader / director / manager what are you supposed to do?

Below you will find a list of activities you can do. These are many of the activities that I do or have done.  Some activities you will want to do daily, others weekly and others less frequently. You do not have to do all of these. Consider it a menu of possible actions you can take.

  1. Check email
  2. Post on Group/Team Facebook & Fan Page
  3. Post on LinkedIn
  4. Tweet, RT and reply on Twitter
  5. Update pins on Pinterest
  6. Check Work at Home forum for opportunities to contribute
  7. Write blog post on your own blog
  8. Guest blog post for others
  9. Label/stamp   catalogs, recruiting brochures, envelopes, product, promotional flyers
  10. Makes product samples
  11. Compile business opportunity packets
  12. Review reports for team members sales, promotions, milestones, birthdays, anniversaries
  13. Send emails or snail mail to team members based on actions from #11. [Read more…] about Direct Sales Consultant Todo List

Are You Part of the Problem or the Solution?

By 3 Comments

Mom always said “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Sound advice? I tend to think so. With Facebook, Twitter and other public forums, it sure makes it easy for some to ignore my mama’s advice.

What I find interesting is what some consider a gripe, bitch, vent, complaint, or whine. For example – it’s no secret that I’m not overly fluffy in my speech. I’m very direct, don’t mince words and am sometimes unfiltered. Because I don’t often give sugary, sweet, lovey dovey comments, I’m accused of ignoring my mom’s advice. I’m frequently charged with being mean or not nice. I certainly beg to differ, but those who prefer a softer, gentler, delivery will continue to believe what they believe.

However, having a less than confectionery delivery is not the same as griping, bitching, venting, complaining or whining. I am referring to the people who feel it necessary to come into a public forum and spew negativity.   I’m sure it is a widespread problem, no matter what network or forum you frequent. I happen to see it most often in direct sales team forums.

Team and company forums are typically set up for independent sales consultants to network with each other, share ideas, ask questions and help fellow team members. For the most part they are a fabulous platform for this type of support and information sharing. The benefits outweigh the negatives. Yet still, some feel they need to come in with their cyber-courage and act as a wet blanket for all the good that is trying to be maintained in that environment. [Read more…] about Are You Part of the Problem or the Solution?