Time Wasters or Money Makers?

If you feel like you put a ton of effort into your direct sales business and you are getting very little in return, then it’s time to evaluate your business habits. It has been proven over and over that the success of your home party plan business depends directly on specific action steps that produce results. Are the actions you spend your time on TIME WASTERS or MONEY MAKERS?

Taking a good, long look at where you spend your time may be an eye-opener. 80% of your time should be spent on income-producing tasks and 20% on management tasks. Are you spending all of your time planning for success instead of actually succeeding?

Money Making Actions

Money- making actions do just that, they directly produce income either immediately or in the very near future. Obviously the best money making task is holding shows. However, any tasks directly related to generating income, such as making booking calls and customer follow-up calls, are money-making actions as well.

Time Wasters

There are several time-sucking activities that can cleverly trick you into thinking you are actually working your business when in reality you are wasting several hours preparing for what you need to do. “Office Work” is imperative in running a successful business but if you are spending 90% of your time filing, organizing, making customer lists and deciding who to call then you have fallen victim to the time wasters.

So take a few minutes to reflect on your actions. Remember to stay focused on what will bring the greatest return for the time and energy you put in. Stay tuned for some great time management tips that will help you stay on track!

Hold Successful Catalog Shows and Boost Your Business

Think catalog shows are a waste of time? You couldn't be more wrong! There is no dispute that holding live shows is the lifeline of your business. However, catalog shows can bring in some huge sales if you take the time to coach your hostess. Simply asking someone to pass out catalogs and collect orders won't get you much of a response. If you haven't had much success with catalog shows in the past try these five tips.

Generate Excitement
Treat your catalog shows the same as if your hostess had booked a live party. Build excitement in your hostess and let her know you will work as a team to make her catalog show a success.

Set Clear Expectations
Give your hostess a sales goal to shoot for and the approximate number of orders she will have to collect to reach that goal. Make sure she has a solid understanding of the hostess rewards. Building her wish list together will be one of the most important things to do because it will keep her focused on her goal.

Give Clear Instructions
Don't forget that your hostess may not know all of the shipping charges, how to calculate tax, who to make checks out to, etc. It is a good idea to explain these things to your hostess or provide written directions to follow on how to complete an order. You want to make it as easy as possible for her to reach her goal, so giving good instructions will save you both numerous phone calls and hassles.

Set a Closing Date and STICK TO IT!
Catalog shows can get away from you quickly if you don't set a strict closing date for your hostess. To stay in control of our schedule let her know up front that you expect all orders and payments by X date. Just as with a live show you don't want your customers waiting forever to receive their orders.

Don't Forget About Booking and Recruiting
Inform your hostess of extra incentives if she can get anyone to book a show. If you put together a binder for your catalog shows include information about the hostess program and the business opportunity.