MazimiIg Your Party Invitations

Let's Talk About Maximizing 

Your Selling Appointment Invitations!

Let's face it. We are in the Party Plan Business. We HAVE to have Parties for us to have residual selling opportunities, meet new people and as part of our main stream of income. Because we have parties, we need hostesses and those hostesses need invitations. Or rather they need to compile a guest list and WE mail the invitations. But you know what? Most of the party plan invitations I have received were post cards. Some of them were bland and unappealing. And some were uninteresting. And they got lost in the junk mail on the side table. One actually managed to get posted om my fridge, but it was covered up with some notice from the city about the parameters of garbage collection. And I really wanted to go to that party. And I know from experience as a hostess, I procrastinated to the point where I had to literally BEG a friend and a family member to attend. EEK! And I also received an e-Vite which I mistakenly deleted with the junk email in my box. Whoa! Now you don't want any of that to happen to your invitations do you? Well I don't. Not any more. So, with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you maximize your invitations.

Black Friday Blues

The Holiday Dollars are out there

What are you going to do to get 

your share?

So It's that time of year again and you can see Wilma and Betty grabbing their charge rocks and you can hear the "ta da da da ta daaaaaa" of the trumpets and then a resounding CHARGE!  

And They're Off

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Safe At Home Sunday (we can only assume that that means we are watching QVC and HSN or thumbing through all the catalogs that have come in the mail, and telephoning in orders), Cyber Monday, Mop Up Tuesday... All those named and un-named shopping days leading from Thanksgiving afternoon and leading up to Christmas Eve. That's a lot of retail and sales. So what do you do as a direct sales / party plan consultant? You Join in. You make sure you have the infrastructure to do business.

I Don't Have Time (Time Management 101)

Thoughts on Time Management

Time Is Money!

Adage 1: Time is What We Want Most, but What We  Use Worst.

Adage 2: Time Invested in One Area, is Time Taken Away From Another.

Adage 3: Take Your Time, But Hurry Up!

Adage 4: Time is Money

Everyday we use words like schedule, calendar, appointment, day, date, minute, month, hour, year.  And you know what? It's true. We are obsessed with time; too much time on our hands, the lack of time, not enough time, where did the time go? I don't have enough time! 

Creating An Office on the Go

Your Business Is Not Just 

At Your Desk or Computer!

So You are A Busy Consultant and You Can't stay home and be in your office. What do you do? You Create a On the Go Office. Keeping an On the Go Office in your car is a 100 % MUST DO! In this "office" you will keep everything you need to book selling appointments (also known as parties), warm chatter (make contacts), recruit and generally do business. You shouldn't over think this. You really want this to be simple, organized and most of all portable and reproducible. If you make it too complicated, you will never carry it or use it. Your On the Go Office can be carried in a portable file box or "milk carton"carrier on wheels, which can be purchased from Office Max or WalMart. Some of the portable file boxes even have places for pens and other useful accessories. That is convenient so you would never have to search for a pen. 

So... You Want to Stay At Home (Part 2)

Dealing with Fear

So, you have a few questions.

PartOne left us in the Limbo Land of FEAR. But, in order to deal with Fear,  we need to ask ourselves "What exactly is fear and what am I really afraid of?" Some say that fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. I really dislike this acronymic definition because it trivializes what we feel. It makes our concerns seem small and it makes us self conscious. Others say that FEAR  is a human's natural instinct of sensing danger and then having a great need for safety. And that is true. When we encounter things that we don't understand (ie. direct sales) we do feel apprehensive. This is  because we haven't had experiences with it, or we have  heard about negative experiences with it or we simply don't want to do it because "I'm not a sales person". and "I don't want to be pushy".  However, I rather think that Fear is a process of thinking things through, while addressing our concerns about a given decision or situation.

Party With A Purpose: A Book Review

So you are in the Home-Based, Direct Sales/Party Plan business and you are wondering what types of books you should have as personal growth and business education on your book shelf. And you are wondering what types of books you should be recommending to others. Well here is a book for you:

Party With A Purpose

The Psychological Secrets to Recruiting and Retaining Party Plan Partners 

by Pat Pearson  -  MSSW

Your Parties are not just for showing off your products!

According to the author, the key to success and longevity in the Party Plan Business is recruiting.  Sharing the Marketing Plan of your Party Plan Company is a must. Because this business is a people business, and people are emotional creatures, "life strategies" must be developed. This book gives the Party Plan Consultant a Psychological Blue-Print  that will help her/him recognize and deal with the emotional issues  that always come up in this business. This book is designed to help you understand the major emotional roadblocks that keep people from coming into or staying in the business. You will learn to empower yourself and your team members in the Art of gaining new business associates. You will learn how to enjoy the benefits of the business: Making a Difference in the lives of others, while you are Having Fun and Making Money!

This slim volume is a fast paced, easy-to-read  must read for anyone who wants to understand the ups and downs of a party plan business. You will find insights and have "Ah-Ha" moments that are valuable for you and your team members. This book is for the rank and file consultant as well as the seasoned leader. Chapters Include:

• Gratitude Recruiting
• Retention the Elephant in the Room
• Cycles of Change
• Stopping Self Sabotage
• Balancing on the Emotional Teeter Totter

among others. Have pen and paper available and be ready to Recruit, Recruit, Recruit!  Get your copy TODAY!

This book can be found on Amazon.com or on PatPearson.com

So... You Want to Saty at Home (Part 1)

Would you like to stay at home?

You're tired of your job...You can't stand your boss...You miss your kids...You hate getting up in the morning...You have too little time and waaaay too much to do...You have waaaay too much month at the end of your money...You are busted, disgusted and you don't know who can be trusted... So...You Want to Stay at Home? And I don't blame you. But, you can't make any of your ends meet, so you'll just walk away from your dream, forget it and contimue to work a boring job, with a boss you hate, for not enough money, while getting up way too early, trusting your children to someone else and having way too much to do that it seems you don't get anything done and the thought of catching up is just simply too ridiculous for words. I say to you "Not so Fast".

The Wizard of Oz: A Business Parable

No, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Dorothy! In fact, I don’t think we’re in Oz either. Where we are is at a crossroads in life and we have to make some very important  decisions if we are to survive. Because, the days (and ways) of doing business (or creating an income stream to earn extra money) are changing rapidly and we just can’t sit around and wait for someone else to make something happen or to  make choices for us. As Mary Kay once said "You are either going to make things happen, or watch things happen or you are going to wait until it's too late and ask 'What Happened'" So, we have to adjust and grow  WITH the times or we are going to be left behind! (I’m not saying that there are flying houses or monkeys in your future, but you get the picture, right?)

Direct Sales: The Great Equalizer

I recently read an article entitled Coping with Being Disabled, Disadvantaged and Discouraged in The Braille Forum a monthly magazine from The American Council of the Blind. The article starts out with the premise that people who are well-educated, financially fit, physically attractive and upbeat have better coping skills when it comes to lifes little problems. Conversely, those of us who are struggling with a disablility have a tendency to be more discouraged because of certain disadvantages. True the world is a “sighted”, “hearing” and “physically ambulatory” world, but I say that those of us who do have disablilities, learn coping skills because it is an imperative to do so to get along in a world that is “hostile” and far less tolerant than it should be.

Finding the Correct Direct Sales Company: A Six Point Checklist (Pt 2)

Finding the Right Company Becomes
Simple Onec You Do Your Research.

After cautiously scrutinizing and pain staking examination of many companies that had a  solid reputation for long term vision for growth and success goals  for their Independent sales force members, and some “fly by night” companies, I have assembled a list of 6 areas that would  help you find the company that could be right for you. With literally thousands of Network Marketing, Direct Sales and Party Plan companies to choose from, it is really important that you ally yourself with one that will be advantageous for you once you sign on. We learned that the first step begins with you. You have to evaluate your purchasing, passions and presentation style. This takes you from “thousands” to Hundreds. From there, it’s all about the “possible” company vision and the leadership within.  This will narrow the field from “hundreds” to a “few” dozen and it also makes the search easier. Now we look at the last 3 criteria which will take the field of a few dozen down to about a handful and will make your ultimate decision simple. As Jerry McGuire said, it is now time to “show me the money”.

Missed the Boat and Caught a Ride

Well hello and Good Morning. It's Monday and it’s time for the Monday Mingles Business Edition MEME, bought to you by none other than Lynsey Jones, The Party Plan Coach.  The MEME has already started as of January and I am doing some backtracking. Today's topic will explain how I got started in Mary Kay Cosmetics. It may be a long story, but I can tell it with a little humor (I hope) and a feeling that overall, I did the right thing.  I am what you call a second timer.  I have been a member of the Mary Kay Sales Force twice!  Why? That's a story that I will re-tell here.

Finding the Correct Direct Sales Company: A Six Point Checklist (Pt 1)

With literally thousands of Direct Sales and Party Plan companies to choose from, it is particularly important to that you align yourself with one that will be beneficial for you once you partner with it.

After careful observation and research  of companies that have a strong and solid reputation with a long term vision for growth and success for their Independent contractors, versus the fly by night companies, I have assembled a list of 5 areas that you should consider to help you find the company that is right for you, BEFORE signing with any company.

Great Teachers Lead to Greater Business Skills

Hello and Welcome to today's Post. It just happens to be a part of the MEME, Monday Mingle Business Edition hosted by the Party Plan Coach, Lynsey Jones. This post is part of a weekly Blog Hop where I get to tell you a little about our businesses as well as a little about ourselves.  We become one big happy community where the doors and windows to our inner selves and our respective businesses. You as the reader gain insight to how Home Based Business People Operate and Think. If you are new to this process and are not quite sure as to how all of this works and how it relates to business, you may want to check out Lynsey's video explaining it all  right here.

Direct Sales: Fact or Fiction (Part 2)



Find Out What Gets
Asked Often!



To help give you insight, more questions are answered about the Direct Sales/Party Plan Industry.  These responses may help you share accurate information and help you deal with the many false impressions about the business.  Since negative statements are passed from one person to the next, it is time to address any misguided information.

Some frequently asked questions that are often posed are:

Re-Boot: Monday Mingle Business Edition

I am re-introducing Party Plan Divas, Monday Mingle Business Edition. This is a MEME hosted by Lynsey Jones, The Party Plan Coach . What is a MEME? A MEME, as defined by me (so it is not necessarily a definitive definition) is a series of poss by unique individuals who congregate around a topic and write their truth about that particular topic. Once written, the posts are read by members of the group and others. So… Why Bother? Because this MEME will enable me to share my business,  My Products and give you a glimpse into the way I think on many topics. Because I am backtracking to catch up, the conversations will be business related.

Direct Sales: Fact or Fiction (Part 1)

What are the Answers?

Over the years, common misconceptions about the party plan business have mounted dramatically. These negative assumptions have been passed on from one inexperienced network marketer to the next, adding more fuel to the fire. So how are these incorrect notions different from the truth?

To address these challenges, some of the most common questions that many people have regarding the industry will be answered.  

5 Great Benefits to Joining a Direct Sales Company

What's In It For Me?

Joining a Direct Sales or Party Plan Compapny may seem scary at first. You may be apprehensive or feel a little trepidation. Feeling this way is normal because this is a big step.You may even ask yourself, “Do I really want to do this? Is this really right for me? What do I have to gain from joining a particular company?” These are all good questions that should be considered and addressed before you take on an undertaking like a Party Plan (Direct Sales) Business no matter which company you choose. Here are some answers to the question “What do I have to gain from joining a Party Plan/Direct Sales company?”  The answers may give you some clarity and help you in the decision making process.

Do You Have What It Takes?



Build Your Business on These 7 Keys to Success



Are you considering a home based business in the party Plan industry? Here are The  7 Kesys to having a successful and Lucrative Business:

1. Be Trustworthy. Trust is important. You should  want to know the members of your organization and I want them to know and trust  you. You should especially want your clients and potential cliens to trust you. Which leads me to #2.

How To Find the Right Party Plan Company For You

There are many types of party plan companies that offer great opportunities to earn excellent money. The arrival of the industry helped to make people more motivated about being in control of their financial future. Party Plan companies  are everywhere, selling everything from candles and home décor to dkin care and color cosmetics.




Find the Company that is Right for you!

 

There are hundreds of thousands of companies that pop up every day, presenting limitless possibilities and ideas of instant gratification and living the dream life. The downfall to this business model is that there are a multitude of companies that exist today and  you have to sort through many of them to see the true businesses from the frauds. Distinguishing the real from the sham is daunting but it is the difference from making money in a legitimate business to doing something illegal like hosting a pyramid scheme. For your information, a legitmate party plan business offers great products for sale whereas a pyramid scheme only offers the opportunity to make money by selling the opportunity to make money. 

What is The Party Plan Business?

Are you interested the Party Plan Business and a little curious about the industry? Or are you thinking about joining a business like Mary Kay, PartyLite or Premier Jewelry soon? Before you make a decision, let’s cover a bit of the basics and thoroughly define what the Party Plan Business really is.



How is this a Business?



The Party Plan Business (or Direct Sales), is a legitimate business model whose method of selling is by distributing a company’s products or services, like skin care or home decor, through a network of independent distributors who are usually called consultants. These independent consultants use direct selling and network building to market the products and services to potential customers. They act as a franchise (like KFC or McD’s)  to the company and earn commissions based on the volume of merchandise sold as well as team building and leadership.