It's been over two months since my last post. Since that time, my business has had its ups and downs. December was a slow month for all of us, but January rocks and February is going to be even better!
First of all, we have three new members on our team:
Sara Bendler (mom-Lisa Wells)
Amy Riddle (mom-Dawn Kesler)
Lu Macnider (mom-me!)
All three have activated, so I will be giving each of them $25 in Free Product. Lisa will also get $25 in Free Product for signing up her new recruit, and Dawn will get $100 in Free Product as she was the winner of my recruiting contest. (When two of my daughters left Pure Romance, their daughters rolled up to me, leaving me a gap in my 2nd downline, which caused me to lose my Director level. As soon as Amy activated, I regained my Director level, and Dawn won the prize.) My next goal is to become a Senior Director, with a buying discount of 50%.
I also had an incredible weekend for parties. My Thursday party had over $500 in sales, with three possible recruits and one party booking. Friday night was only $200 in sales and no bookings and no recruit leads. Then came Saturday - my afternoon party (which was for a previous hostess who remembered me and called to book this party) had over $1,200 in sales, two bookings and one possible recruit. Saturday night was Lu Macnider's party (see new recruits above). This was a corporate lead, the 15 guests she expected turned out to be 32, one party was booked, the sales were $1,585 before Lu's order and, best of all - Lu earned her starter kit and has become a Pure Romance consultant! She has already placed her activating order, and I'm confident she will become one of the PR stars.
This time of year is the busiest for our industry. The holidays are over, winter is setting in and romance is in the air. Valentine's Day is our big holiday, and everyone wants a Pure Romance party. Remember, in order to increase your business you should be booking three more parties at every party - one to replace that party (breaking even); one to increase your bookings (getting ahead); and one for just in case one of the other two cancels (so you don't end up only breaking even). As you may have noticed from the previous post, I am not always successful at this, but I keep trying and so should you.
And don't forget to cross-sell in the ordering room. No one gets upset when the waitress asks if we want dessert - your customer won't be upset when you suggest a lubricant for her new toy. Or if she is already getting a lubricant and Come Clean, does she want an arousal cream? One of the biggest mistakes a new consultant makes is in not asking if your customer wants a toy. If one is not already marked on her order sheet, it does not mean she does not want one. It could mean she is on the fence and only needs a little prompting from you. Or it could mean she wants one but can't decide which one. If you don't ask her, she may forget she was planning on buying a toy, and you've lost a potential sale. Plus, once she gets a toy, she'll need lubricant and Come Clean.
If you suggest a product to a customer and she does not hesitate to add it to her order, suggest something else. As long as she readily adds items to her order, keep asking. She'll let you know when she needs to stop. At that point - DO NOT PUSH! Add up her order, take her money, thank her for her business, and ask if she would like to buy her next products at 35% off. The biggest buyers make some of the best consultants.
My goal for this blog is to post something every Monday, letting you know how my business went the previous weekend. To my daughters and granddaughters - please call or email me when you have done something for which you are proud. I'll be sure to mention it in this blog so that new recruits as well as seasoned consultants can see what a great business this is. And if you've had a bad party, tell me about that, too. Hopefully I will have some words of encouragement for you and help you see it in a new perspective so you can use what you've learned from it to grow your business.
Happy Selling!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Two Weeks Condensed
It's hard to believe that after writing almost daily in this blog that I haven't written anything since Oct. 31st. Looking back on the last two weekends of parties, I see a pattern - my Friday night parties usually suck, my Saturday afternoon parties are pretty good, and my Saturday night parties have been above average. Is this just a coincidence? Unfortunately, this has meant not as much money coming in as I had planned. I'm dealing with that, hopeful that I will have a bunch of really good parties in the next few weeks to make up for it.
There are a lot of new consultants on my team, and at our team meeting last Sunday, it was only new consultants. For one reason of another, the more seasoned consultants could not be there. This was one meeting for which I was fully prepared, but we did wander from the agenda and it did not seem as cohesive as I had planned it to be. In the week before the meeting, I printed out the Online Consultant's Guide and made ten copies, which I put in ring binders, for my downline. The first two or three years I was a consultant, we were given the guide in printed form along with our planners, and I referred to it a lot. It is not as easy to use the online guide, and I wanted my downline to have easy access to all this information. In addition, I made up ten copies of documents about booking parties and hostess coaching, examples of holiday specials, and three large documents from Leslie Zay. Hopefully they will read them and use the information to grow their business. We also decided that we will discuss the consultant's guide at meetings. When I send the Evite for the meeting, I will designate the topics that will be discussed so that everyone can read them ahead of time and note any questions or comments they have.
I have been getting quite a few outside orders and referrals for parties. This is the second stream of income that Tonya Grimes describes. I've had about one order per week for the last several weeks. I am looking forward to when these will be more forthcoming.
Along those lines, I have a friend helping me catch up on entering email addresses so when I send my monthly sale flyer more women will get it. I got two orders from the last sale flyer and would have probably gotten more had it not been a 24-hr. sale. Or maybe not. I will do another one with gift packages next week, this time giving them a little longer to place their order. The reason the other one was for only 24 hours was that it coincided with a half-price, 24-hr. sale that Pure Romance was having.
I'd better stop now - I have hostess packets to compile and send out and hostess coaching calls to make. I have three parties again this weekend - I hope they're good one!
There are a lot of new consultants on my team, and at our team meeting last Sunday, it was only new consultants. For one reason of another, the more seasoned consultants could not be there. This was one meeting for which I was fully prepared, but we did wander from the agenda and it did not seem as cohesive as I had planned it to be. In the week before the meeting, I printed out the Online Consultant's Guide and made ten copies, which I put in ring binders, for my downline. The first two or three years I was a consultant, we were given the guide in printed form along with our planners, and I referred to it a lot. It is not as easy to use the online guide, and I wanted my downline to have easy access to all this information. In addition, I made up ten copies of documents about booking parties and hostess coaching, examples of holiday specials, and three large documents from Leslie Zay. Hopefully they will read them and use the information to grow their business. We also decided that we will discuss the consultant's guide at meetings. When I send the Evite for the meeting, I will designate the topics that will be discussed so that everyone can read them ahead of time and note any questions or comments they have.
I have been getting quite a few outside orders and referrals for parties. This is the second stream of income that Tonya Grimes describes. I've had about one order per week for the last several weeks. I am looking forward to when these will be more forthcoming.
Along those lines, I have a friend helping me catch up on entering email addresses so when I send my monthly sale flyer more women will get it. I got two orders from the last sale flyer and would have probably gotten more had it not been a 24-hr. sale. Or maybe not. I will do another one with gift packages next week, this time giving them a little longer to place their order. The reason the other one was for only 24 hours was that it coincided with a half-price, 24-hr. sale that Pure Romance was having.
I'd better stop now - I have hostess packets to compile and send out and hostess coaching calls to make. I have three parties again this weekend - I hope they're good one!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
And the weekend begins....
It is late Thursday night (actually, early Friday morning - but I've yet to get to bed) and I am procrastinating from cleaning all my toy demos for this weekend. I think I carry too many demos. I only show 12-14 at each party, and some of those vary from party to party, but there are still some toys I never demo. I think I am up to about 60-65 toys, and I have at least one in stock for every demo that I have. The demos take up two rifle cases, and I am trying to cut down on how much stuff I am dragging into the hostesses' homes. All my stock is now in four pink compact rolling carts (17" x 15" x 16") and my lotion demos fit into two small pink & black duffle/tool bags (16" x 6"). If I can get my toy demos into one gun case, then all I have left is my miscellaneous stuff, which I have yet to find the exact right container for. Plus my Las Vegas bag from convention in 2007, in which I carry my ordering room things, including hostess and recruit packets, clipboard case with calculator, calendar/planner, money bag and my purse. This bag stays with me in the front seat in case anything happens (like an accident) and I can only grab one thing. My business could probably survive the loss of stock and demos, but my calendar and my customers' order sheets are the lifeblood of my business, so they stay close at hand.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with my "oldest" daughter. I have had recruits come and go, but she is the first one who really stuck with it. She only does PR part-time as she has a full-time job and is going to school (how does she do it?), but she is often top in sales of my downline. I think she is an inspiration to her PR daughter, who seems to be following in Dawn's footsteps - attending more trainings, going to convention in March, recruiting.
Tonight was the debut party of one of my new recruits. There were about 15 women present to support her, and she did very well for her first party. She was nervous, but I could tell she had done a lot of prep work prior to the show. She knew what she was going to say every step along the way. She did not just learn her products; she planned her whole show. So even if words failed her at times, or she stumbled through an explanation, I knew she had the "right stuff" to become a good Pure Romance Consultant.
Tomorrow I am going to a PR Halloween party, and still need to come up with a costume. It has to be comfortable enough to wear to do my demo, and I want it to be fun. OMG! I have my Pink Ladies of Pure Romance hot pink and black 50's retro bowling shirt! Perfect! Maybe I can find a cheap pair of shoes that look like bowling shoes, and I'll be all set. Whew! That's one less thing to worry about.
I guess the toy cleaning will have to wait until after lunch tomorrow - I'm off to bed.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with my "oldest" daughter. I have had recruits come and go, but she is the first one who really stuck with it. She only does PR part-time as she has a full-time job and is going to school (how does she do it?), but she is often top in sales of my downline. I think she is an inspiration to her PR daughter, who seems to be following in Dawn's footsteps - attending more trainings, going to convention in March, recruiting.
Tonight was the debut party of one of my new recruits. There were about 15 women present to support her, and she did very well for her first party. She was nervous, but I could tell she had done a lot of prep work prior to the show. She knew what she was going to say every step along the way. She did not just learn her products; she planned her whole show. So even if words failed her at times, or she stumbled through an explanation, I knew she had the "right stuff" to become a good Pure Romance Consultant.
Tomorrow I am going to a PR Halloween party, and still need to come up with a costume. It has to be comfortable enough to wear to do my demo, and I want it to be fun. OMG! I have my Pink Ladies of Pure Romance hot pink and black 50's retro bowling shirt! Perfect! Maybe I can find a cheap pair of shoes that look like bowling shoes, and I'll be all set. Whew! That's one less thing to worry about.
I guess the toy cleaning will have to wait until after lunch tomorrow - I'm off to bed.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Kudos to Me
Last week I received the following email. This, along with the great money, is what makes being a Pure Romance Consultant worthwhile:
Hi Marcey,
I don't know if you remember me but my wife had attended one of your parties last January and purchased some products. Then I ordered some from you in February for her for Valentine’s Day. I ordered the Humbelievable for her. I have to tell you she has thoroughly enjoyed it. Your recommendation was great. We use it together and she also enjoys it herself often. She never wanted to masturbate before and now I think she looks forward to the opportunities to pleasure herself. She had never experienced an orgasm until getting your products.
Anyway, I would like to order some more Pure Pleasure lubricant for her as our anniversary is coming up. Also, I was looking at possibly ordering a male stimulator for myself. Wonder if you have any recommendations. In looking at the products it looks to me like the Vajayjay would be the most comfortable in the form of softness and firmness around my penis. If I do order the stimulator I would also need to order some Whipped Cream lubricant.
If you could let me know your suggestions and then when a good time to call you would be and I will get my order into you.
Thank you very much.
Hi Marcey,
I don't know if you remember me but my wife had attended one of your parties last January and purchased some products. Then I ordered some from you in February for her for Valentine’s Day. I ordered the Humbelievable for her. I have to tell you she has thoroughly enjoyed it. Your recommendation was great. We use it together and she also enjoys it herself often. She never wanted to masturbate before and now I think she looks forward to the opportunities to pleasure herself. She had never experienced an orgasm until getting your products.
Anyway, I would like to order some more Pure Pleasure lubricant for her as our anniversary is coming up. Also, I was looking at possibly ordering a male stimulator for myself. Wonder if you have any recommendations. In looking at the products it looks to me like the Vajayjay would be the most comfortable in the form of softness and firmness around my penis. If I do order the stimulator I would also need to order some Whipped Cream lubricant.
If you could let me know your suggestions and then when a good time to call you would be and I will get my order into you.
Thank you very much.
Catching Up
I hate being sick! I don't mind the occasional sniffle or sore throat, but being down for a week puts everything but the most essential parts of our lives on hold, and it takes forever to catch up again.
I had three parties booked for last week. One of my downline was able to take the Thursday party (thanks, Michelle) and I thought I would be able to do Friday's party, but come Friday morning, I realized that even though the symptoms were gone, I was wiped out and did not have the energy to drive 1 1/2 hours to do the party. I called everyone in my downline except the newest who were not ready to do a solo party, with all of them already booked (yea for them!). I then posted the party on the Forums as well as calling a sister consultant who lives closer to the party to see if she or any of her downline could take the party. She gave me the names of five of her daughters and I called each of them. Still no luck. I was not about to cancel a party three hours before it was due to begin, so I began to call my three newbies, one of whom was available. She drove to my house, and then drove my car to the party, where she helped me unload, setup, fill orders, etc. She was a godsend (thanks, Lisa)! I could not have done the party by myself.
Saturday I rested all day in preparation for my Saturday night party. Even though I was still tired, I did not want to disappoint my hostess. The party went well, with average sales. Sunday I took the entire day off - no phone calls, no paperwork, none of the things I was behind on. My husband and I reconnected (we had not slept together for over a week to make sure he did not catch what I had) and it was absolute heaven to touch and hold him again [explicit scenes left out].
Monday I started to plow through all that had accumulated on my desk - nearly a week's worth of mail, packets of guests' order sheets that needed sorting through, bank deposits to be made, emails to answer. I placed my PR order, then packaged up the few backorders that had come in the order I received last week and got them to the post office. I'm glad I always tell my guests 7-10 business days for backorders, so that if something like this happens I still have some leeway to get them their products within that timeframe (they usually get them sooner).
Last night I finally did it - I sent out a sale flyer using Constant Contact to advertise a one-day sale. I was putting off sending out anything until I was caught up on entering emails into the system, but as another consultant advised me, I can always add more people later. So the notice of the 50% off sale went out to 470 women, one of whom called me this morning to place her order and she booked a party! Even though a bunch of the emails bounced (the list was started two years ago and I'm sure people have changed their email addresses since then) and four people opted out, it is still worth my time to send out a sale flyer. My goal is to send out something once a month, but now that I saw how easy it was, I need to be careful not to do it more often than that.
I had three parties booked for last week. One of my downline was able to take the Thursday party (thanks, Michelle) and I thought I would be able to do Friday's party, but come Friday morning, I realized that even though the symptoms were gone, I was wiped out and did not have the energy to drive 1 1/2 hours to do the party. I called everyone in my downline except the newest who were not ready to do a solo party, with all of them already booked (yea for them!). I then posted the party on the Forums as well as calling a sister consultant who lives closer to the party to see if she or any of her downline could take the party. She gave me the names of five of her daughters and I called each of them. Still no luck. I was not about to cancel a party three hours before it was due to begin, so I began to call my three newbies, one of whom was available. She drove to my house, and then drove my car to the party, where she helped me unload, setup, fill orders, etc. She was a godsend (thanks, Lisa)! I could not have done the party by myself.
Saturday I rested all day in preparation for my Saturday night party. Even though I was still tired, I did not want to disappoint my hostess. The party went well, with average sales. Sunday I took the entire day off - no phone calls, no paperwork, none of the things I was behind on. My husband and I reconnected (we had not slept together for over a week to make sure he did not catch what I had) and it was absolute heaven to touch and hold him again [explicit scenes left out].
Monday I started to plow through all that had accumulated on my desk - nearly a week's worth of mail, packets of guests' order sheets that needed sorting through, bank deposits to be made, emails to answer. I placed my PR order, then packaged up the few backorders that had come in the order I received last week and got them to the post office. I'm glad I always tell my guests 7-10 business days for backorders, so that if something like this happens I still have some leeway to get them their products within that timeframe (they usually get them sooner).
Last night I finally did it - I sent out a sale flyer using Constant Contact to advertise a one-day sale. I was putting off sending out anything until I was caught up on entering emails into the system, but as another consultant advised me, I can always add more people later. So the notice of the 50% off sale went out to 470 women, one of whom called me this morning to place her order and she booked a party! Even though a bunch of the emails bounced (the list was started two years ago and I'm sure people have changed their email addresses since then) and four people opted out, it is still worth my time to send out a sale flyer. My goal is to send out something once a month, but now that I saw how easy it was, I need to be careful not to do it more often than that.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Goals Update 10.21.08
These are my goals for the year ending 12/31/08:
Board of Directors:
Retail Sales Goal = $60,000 Still Need = $11,674
Recruiting Goal = 12 Still Need = 3
Sr. Director:
Active 1st Downline Goal = 12 Still Need = 1
Active 2nd downline Goal = 6 Still Need = 1
4th Quarter Incentive Contest - Cove Atlantis:
Retail Sales Goal = $21,000 Still Need = $17,930.50
Recruiting Goal = 6 Still Need = 4
Board of Directors:
Retail Sales Goal = $60,000 Still Need = $11,674
Recruiting Goal = 12 Still Need = 3
Sr. Director:
Active 1st Downline Goal = 12 Still Need = 1
Active 2nd downline Goal = 6 Still Need = 1
4th Quarter Incentive Contest - Cove Atlantis:
Retail Sales Goal = $21,000 Still Need = $17,930.50
Recruiting Goal = 6 Still Need = 4
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Good party in Bloomington!
Yea! I had a good party in Bloomingotn IL today (Sunday). The guests were polite and the sales were over $500. No one booked a party, but the hostess is considering signing up.
I ran out of recruit packets, so the last two people I talked to about signing up were only given instructions as to how to find the info on my website. When I get my order in, I will make up 20 new packets and mail one to each of those two people.
After the party I had dinner with Dana, who I have not seen for over a year. She brought along her pictures from the European vacation she and Becky took last summer. It was great to see her and hear about their vacation. When I got home, hubby Tom was already there (he was gone for the weekend). I chose to talk with him and get caught up rather than place my PR order. After all, romance begins at home! My relationship with him is more important than the few dollars I would ahve saved. I am hoping the weekend sale will continue on Monday as they usually do. Got a call about 11:30 pm from Christy that the website went down. I checked and, sure enough, it is down. Hopefully we will all be able to place our orders tomorrow and still get the discount offered this weekend.
I ran out of recruit packets, so the last two people I talked to about signing up were only given instructions as to how to find the info on my website. When I get my order in, I will make up 20 new packets and mail one to each of those two people.
After the party I had dinner with Dana, who I have not seen for over a year. She brought along her pictures from the European vacation she and Becky took last summer. It was great to see her and hear about their vacation. When I got home, hubby Tom was already there (he was gone for the weekend). I chose to talk with him and get caught up rather than place my PR order. After all, romance begins at home! My relationship with him is more important than the few dollars I would ahve saved. I am hoping the weekend sale will continue on Monday as they usually do. Got a call about 11:30 pm from Christy that the website went down. I checked and, sure enough, it is down. Hopefully we will all be able to place our orders tomorrow and still get the discount offered this weekend.
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