As a Scentsy consultant, do you look forward to or dread the question when asked “What do you do?” as it pertains to your work or profession?
If you love this question, I venture to guess you’re doing well with your Scentsy business. You’re realizing success because you have the passion and drive to make it work, or you’ve simply figured out a way to respond to that question in a way that is contagious so that others want to know more.
If you dread this question, it’s probably because you’re just not sure what to say. Am I right?
Let’s say for the past x years you’ve been a stay at home mom or you work at an office or a store. Now, in addition to that you’ve also started a Scentsy business. You may not even look at it as that. You may be thinking, “I joined Scentsy, but I didn’t start a business.” If any of the above applies to you, read on.
This mindset may be part of your problem.
If you joined Scentsy as an independent consultant, you actually did start a business – whether or not you think of it that way and regardless of how many hours a week you put into it or how much revenue you’re bringing in. You’re a business owner.
You need to market yourself. That doesn’t necessarily mean advertising. The direct sales industry is built on building relationships and referrals. You may get some business if you pay for ads, but the brunt of it needs to come from your marketing efforts.
Others need to know about you and about your business.
If you meet someone new who asks “What do you do?” or “How do you spend your time?” and you answer with “I’m just a mom” then shame on you. Just-a and Mom should never go in the same sentence. Being a mom is the most rewarding and difficult honor bestowed on mothers. But I digress – that is a topic for another post. The point being, you missed an opportunity to share your business. The same goes if you respond “I’m a dental hygienist” (or whatever employment you may have).
I’m not suggesting that you go overboard with a sales or recruiting pitch at that very moment. That type of ‘bull in a china shop’ behavior tends to turn people off. There are a number of ways you could respond. You need to find one that “fits” for you. Here are a few suggestions. Take what you like, and discard the rest.
Q: “What do you do?”
A1: “I have a candle business.”
A2: “I am a Scentsy consultant.”
A3: “I party for a living.”
A4: “I help others work from home.”
These aren’t the only possible responses, and any of them are better than not referencing your business at all. I have my opinions about what answers I like best and which I won’t use. These are strictly my opinions and you may think otherwise. I like independent thinkers, so you certainly are entitled to your opinion as well. Just hear me out a moment:
A1: “I have a candle business.”
This is my personal favorite and what I typically use. I refer to myself as a business owner. It gives enough information to satisfy the question; and it also gives enough of a tease that it could naturally and easily open the door for further conversation to elaborate. Nothing awkward and doesn’t send anyone quickly away from the conversation.
A2: “I am a Scentsy consultant.”
This could work for or against you. In some circles direct sales is still referred to as “one of those things” or as a pyramid scheme. Direct sales is a bona fide career choice and is merely exchange of product for money, that happens to include a two tiered compensation plan. You could take the opportunity to educate others about the validity of direct sales, but in some instances it won’t be the time or place.
They may be excited to learn that they can get Scentsy from you. If they’ve never heard of Scentsy, you could leave them bewildered what you’re talking about. In this case you’d be better off using a version of A1 – and respond with the type of products instead of the company name.
Lastly, if you respond that you’re a consultant for a company it could be viewed by some with less credibility or as a hobby or as one of those things. You want to convey that it is absolutely possible to earn a full time income with direct sales and that it is a “real” career choice. You should always be aware of the message you’re sending about your business because your next recruit could come from anywhere.
A3: “I party for a living.”
If you respond with this one, it certainly may elicit more questions about what you’re referring. I don’t personally care for this because I take such responses as a plea for me to ask more questions. It’s supposed to be intriguing, but I prefer a more direct approach. Just tell me what you do, don’t make me play 20-questions to figure it out.
A4: “I help others work from home.”
See above. Same deal. I either don’t know what that response means which will frustrate me, or I do know that it’s some sort of mlm/network marketing/direct sales business opportunity. Don’t play cat and mouse, just tell me what you do.
I trust you joined Scentsy because there was something about it that you liked and felt you could stand behind or wanted to share with others. Don’t lose sight of that next time someone asks “What do you do?”
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” – Zig Ziglar
Please Like, Share or Post a Comment!
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, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Germany, Ireland, UK, France, Austria and Spain. 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/
Be sure to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
Leave a Reply