Friday, October 30, 2009

Never Ass-U-Me (Assume)

A few years ago I was doing a home party show and was doing my Hostess Coaching with a great gal!

I knew she had done a few other different parties with other companies, but even knowing this I made it a point to set a coffee date so that we could sit down and go over the hostess package!

I met her at her home, brought the package and proceeded to go over the details.

We went over some key things that I do for every hostess:
  • Brainstorm for guest names
  • Discuss that if someone cannot make the show, they can definitely place an order
  • I always tell my hostess's that they know their guests better than I do, and how I do not like to "push sales on anybody", so with this in mind if she has a guest who is on a 'fixed budget' this would be the ideal person that she could talk to...to host her own party!
  • We also discuss how the hostess will contact people, and a 'warm way to invite them'
My hostess was ECTASTIC and over the edge with happiness!

She gushed on how "no other consultant had set out clearly" about having a party!

UH???  I was stunned. 

I had "ASSUMED" (ya know the old saying...it makes an ASS-Out-of-U-and-ME) that because my friend had several other parties with other companies, she would know all the fun details about being a hostess!!!

I was also pleasantly surprised by her warm "thanks" about how to even "invite her guests"...this was always something she had dreaded doing in the past...and she mentioned such things like:

  • I never knew Exactly what to say when I invited people....so I'd usually say something stupid like "oh just come...have fun...I don't expect you to buy anything" ((uh, even tho she did want them to buy a little something))
  • Sitting down and making a list was always daunting and I put it off...but now we've done it together..thanks!!
  • I never thought of keeping the food simple...I had no idea about giving people too many choices..I always thought I had to put together a huge COSTLY spread..thanks for simplifying it!
  • I'm looking forward to this party, you have made it fun!
It just goes to show ya all....never assume that people who have had tonnes of other parties know even just the basics of having a Successful party...sure you mite get the seats filled...but filled with people who have no INTENTIONS of spending anything!!!

Think about it & I'd love to hear some of your most fun Hostess's!!!

JODY :))


Jody Maley is Motivational Speaker & Trainer, mom of six,retired entrepeneur, ToastMaster, Queen of the Home Party Plan Biz!
http://www.DesignedforDivineDestinations.com
"Where its not just about the Destination, it's the Journey to Get there!"

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Stay at Home Moms vs. Working Moms

I watched Dr. Phil the other day and this was his topic! Wow!

I couldn't believe how strongly against working moms, some of the stay at home moms were.  Well, probably just one in particular.  She shared that staying at home was the 'be all' for moms, and anyone who chose any differently should be ashamed!

Now, I love my children (4 natural and 2 stepsons), but I distinctly remember when my oldest ones were 4 1/2 and 6 mths old my thoughts and feelings.

I'm a smart person who's life revolved around changing diapers, potty training, cleaning up puke...and although I love my life the question kept nagging "Is this really all I'm meant to do???"

Entered my first business, and the need for ADULT conversation.

I chose a Home Party Plan biz because of two factors: I chose when I worked & it enabled me to be at home as much as possible for my kids!

I loved getting 'dressed up' and talking to a 'few adults'...without having to intervene in between toddlers fighting over a toy, who's feelings were hurt and the many things we moms take on.

What a gift I thought I had been given.  Even better, I left for most of my shows at 6:30 and my kids went to bed.  So, on top of making a great income....yup in the 6  digits people...I did around 12 shows per month and since my kids went to bed at 7 I only missed 1 1/2 hours of their awake time.

Plus here were some great benefits of having my own business:
  • Getting out with other moms/women
  • Being the center of attention (ha ha not really, but I just wanted to see if ya were really reading)
  • Definitely more $$; in fact, I was soon making more than my ex...who at the time resented that..oh well
  • Great tax savings! It's true, when you have your own home business, you get a tonne of tax breaks!
  • I felt like a woman! (to quote Shania)
  • Plus my kids NEVER saw the inside of a daycare
If someone years ago had JUDGED me based on my decisions, I would've felt very very sad.


After all, what I have learned the most is that being a Happy mom is truly the best gift I could ever give to my children!!!!


Speak up moms, let's hear your side!


Sincerely
Jody In Beautiful BC


Jody Maley is Motivational Speaker & Trainer, mom of six,retired entrepeneur, ToastMaster, Queen of the Home Party Plan Biz!
http://www.DesignedforDivineDestinations.com
"Where its not just about the Destination, it's the Journey to Get there!"

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

reBlog from designedfordivinedestinations.com: Designed for Divine Destinations

I found this fascinating quote today:



There are so many ‘options’ out there today for business’s and ways to ‘grow your business’, ‘make money online’ etc… that many people get themselves into a state of “Overwhelment” and then the funny thing that happens is this…”Nothing” gets done/accomplished.designedfordivinedestinations.com, Designed for Divine Destinations



You should read the whole article.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

reBlog from designedfordivinedestinations.com: Designed for Divine Destinations

I found this fascinating quote today:



Being a “mompreneur” is the new logo for moms all around of one key essential, Balance.designedfordivinedestinations.com, Designed for Divine Destinations, Sep 2009



You should read the whole article.

The Power Of Empowering!

When you start a Home Party Business, the first thought is how to get people to have parties. Many coaches or "uplines" advise you to have your own party first and that is a great idea! You are excited about your new position as a distributor and you are excited about the product and you think everyone else should be!
Think about why you got into the business. Some become a distributor because of the discount and then think about making money with it.. if it happens. If you don't make it happen, it's not  going to. Be sure you know whether or not you really want to host parties or just enjoy the discount.
When you make the decision to sell, be sure that it's your decision and that someone didn't just talk you into it. If you have not accepted the role, you will not be successful no matter how good your coach is.
One of the greatest challenges that new distributors come across is how to get people to book parties. I know that many distributors feel they need to have a lot of product knowledge before they can start feeling comfortable with demonstrating. The beauty of hosting your own party first is that you are surrounded by friends and family, if you make any mistakes, they know that you are new at it and are very forgiving. Making mistakes is how you learn, go ahead and get them done with those who are most forgiving. Start with the products that you fell in love with and their questions will teach you what you need to know for the next time.
When you have your party, don't expect that people are just going to sign up to have their own party, you have to ask! Plant seeds through out the party (we will address this in another blog). Give them the idea to have their own party during the party. At the end when you observe how much they like your products or particular products... ask them if they would like to have a party of their own, so they can get a discount on the items they would like to purchase. I myself would generally say "when would you like to host your own party so that you can get more items that you like?" but you should ask with the way you are comfortable.
Be sure to have a calendar purchased before you have your first event. (We will also address calendars and booking later) and have it handy. Determine ahead of time what days you will have available. Being wide open looks desperate so schedule them with in both your and the clients parameters. Be sure to encourage booking within the month.
What to say when they say no... sort of... People will give you different kinds of "no-s" . Some will outright say, "no, I don't want to have a party", and your question to them is "you don't want to have one now, in the next month or the next year? or ever?". No is a different answer in every ones mind. Be sure you are clear on what "No" means. If they say no.. for now then ask permission to call them in a few months to check back in with them. If they say never, then respect that and ask if they can be on your mailing list for future order.
There are some who say no but may mean something else. I remember being with my upline when I was researching whether I wanted to represent this company. I had a friend of mine book a party and at the end of her party one of her friends answered the question with ".... no... I don't have enough friends who would come." My upline said "are you sure?" and her friend said "yeah". My upline was about to drop the ball and let it go...but I could tell she was interested in hosting a party to get more product at a discount and free stuff too. I piped up "Oh sure you do! Sara (the host of the party...not her real name) will come, won't you?" Sara says "of course I'll come" and another friend pipes up "Oh yeah, I would come too, I need to spread out my order". Then I asked her "Don't you have a couple of friends at work that would come?..or what about  a friend from the gym?". After I encouraged her to think of a couple of people and she felt good knowing that she had at least 2 firm commitments she decided to host and her party generated $800 in sales.  One of the girls at the party inquired about becoming a distributor herself.
Now, maybe $800.00 is not going to make anyone rich but.. the friend was happy, there was potential for more business and party bookings.. AND I got more experience. What was the secret? I figured out that some people want to host a party, it's always a good excuse to invite people over and have fun (who may not come otherwise) and that some people feel that they don't know enough people to make it worth your while. By assuring her that she did know people who would come and by letting her know that it's not all about how many people who come but it's about having fun, they feel more comfortable booking a party with you.
There are lots of people who like to have parties, there are lots who want to earn the free gifts. Take the time to genuinely talk to them without pressure and find out what it really is that they want. You have the power to empower them.
Charlotte Salafia
www.designedfordivinedestinations.com
"Where it's not just about the destination, but the journey to get there."
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Jody Maley is Motivational Speaker & Trainer, mom of six,retired entrepeneur, ToastMaster, Queen of the Home Party Plan Biz!
http://www.DesignedforDivineDestinations.com
"Where its not just about the Destination, it's the Journey to Get there!"