Learn about how to get bookings, marketing, recruiting and more at our Online Party Plan Chat every Thursday at 6pm EST.
Have you ever wondered about all the Direct Selling Companies out there? There are over 300 different companies that offer a business opportunity to Moms and Dads who want to work at home or supplement their income. You can pick a company by the product you would like to sell, how much commission you would like to make, and also by how much you have to invest in their start up kit. You are probably asking, "Well, there are so many how can I possibly choose one?" Which one is right for you? Only you can be the one to answer that. But you should do all of your research about the company and products before you make any decision.
I know many people who have started with 2 or more companies or have added them along the way so they have a variety of products for their customers, not just candles or food for example. Then again there are new Direct Sales and Party Plan Companies popping up everywhere, and many are offering a variety of products all in one company. That is nice in many ways, but you must be vary careful of any new companies with a ton of products. You want to make sure the product is outstanding and be the best it can possibly be with the products they do have. Like Mary Kay, even though they have many products now, they probably only had a few products when they first start their business years ago. Pick a company that you can count on to be around in the next 20 years because they have awesome products.
In your search to find the right business for you we suggest finding something you are passionate about. Write down your hobbies and interests. Do you currently use a product that is from a Party Plan Company you really enjoy? Have you attended a Home Party that you just loved? Visit our Party Plan Companies or Party Plan by State pages to visit a wide variety of Direct Selling and Party Plan Companies.
2. Send a catalog to your Tupperware, Discovery Toys, Etc. Reps or Exchange Shows.
3. Post a catalog in the teachers lounge at your child's school.
4. Post a catalog in the employee lunch room.
5. Hold an Open House
6. Have a booth a school fair
7. Advertise in your Alumni newsletter and or local newspaper
8. Give a Catalog to the receptionist at your doctor's or dentist's office
9. Include a wrap or flyer with your bill payments.
10. Call past hostesses
11. Put current catalog or wrap in your neighbors door. Include a 10% off coupon.
12. Ask friends to have a show
13. Advertise in your church bulletin
14. Take a recipe to every potluck. (That has something to do with your business)
15. Host an office party or brunch.
16. Host a show before or during a PTA meeting.
17. Mail out samples, catalogs, and a wish list
18. Host your own show. Could even be a fund raiser for your favorite charity.
19. Get a list from welcome wagon. New people may be looking for a consultant or a new job in your area.
20. Set up a display at a craft fair
21. Participate in a school fund raiser
22. Have your Husband or significant other promote the products at work.
23. Have you and your family members wear at shirt or sweatshirt promoting your product.
24. Hold a Christmas shopping show for men.
25. Offer a Christmas wish list to your guest and then call the gift giver.
26. Set up a display at a mall.
27. Put an ask me button on your purse or coat.
28. Ask past hostesses at shows to talk about their free products.
29. Hold an opportunity night.
30. Random mailings. Open a phone book and randomly choose.
31. Mention Hostess half price gifts and other benefits at least three times per show.
32. Hold up higher price products and mention half price products to encourage bookings.
33. Mention how much your average hostess gets in products.
34. At the beginning of your show mention the hostess goal.
35. Share upcoming specials at shows and during phone calls.
36. Tell your hostess how much she saved by having a show.
37. Encourage frequent customers to regularly plan shows.
38. Encourage Hostesses to rebook a show in 6-9 months. She'll be the first to see and try new products.
39. Treat Hostesses to a special Hostess appreciation tea.
40. Encourage relatives to book a show.
41. Call your realtor with suggestions for new home packages.
42. Offer to do a class for your local grocery store.
43. Start an email address book of customers who want to know what the monthly specials are, Don't forget to mention the hostess specials, if there isn't one create one.
44. Encourage your hostesses and guests to refer potential hostesses to you.
45. Offer a bridal registry.
46. Promote the bridal shows.
47. Describe and highlight the hostess plan during shows.
48. Be friendly and enthusiastic.
49. Follow through on every booking lead.
50. Ask, Ask, Ask
51. Use open ended questions, especially when dealing with bookings.
52. Use your products and samples at home, office, camping, parties, etc..
53. Read sales, self improvement, and positive thinking books.
54. Call at least two potential hostesses every night.
55. Dream and imagine the possibilities
56. Set goals and review them constantly, post them where you can see them.
57. Ask friends to help you get started or reach a certain goal.
58. Use hostess flyers.
59. Use postcards and or newsletters to continue to spark interest.
60. Follow up phone calls to particularly interested guests. They may decide later to have a show.
61. Have the hostess tell why she decided to have a show.
62. Give products as gifts or donations.
63. Don't be shy talking about your products or business.
64. Smile when talking on the phone.
65. Review orders from the past shows--who have bought frequently, etc.
66. Be prepared to answer questions about your work.
67. Write down names of people who owe you a favor and then follow up.
68. Call the most familiar people first.
69. Call potential hostesses who postponed or never booked.
70. Spend time every day working on some aspect of your business.
71. Be willing to share the business opportunity.
72. Call anyone who has said maybe or sometime.
73. Contact schools.
74. Leave your business cards on bulletin boards or in local businesses.
75. Talk about upcoming specials with everyone.
76. Keep a list of special requests and let those guest know when that product is on sale.
77. Suggest hosting a show to do Christmas shopping with out leaving home.
78. Offer a bonus for hostesses who book on days or months you need and extra show.
79. Give extra service and time to good customers-they will be repeat hostesses and potential consultants.
80. Carry a note pad to jot down names as you think of them.
81. Let guests keep a catalog or sales brochure to keep on hand or pass around work.
