I’ve been brainstorming a new niche site which I’m very excited about. My goal is to launch it next month and I’ll share more soon.

As for this blog, if you haven’t noticed a slight drop in my weekly posts here, I’m taking a temporary hiatus from writing for this blog. With my new niche site and a few other side gigs, I’ll be posting once a month instead of my customary weekly posts.

But you can find me and more internet marketing tips, specifically writing and creating content online on http://janettestoll.com. Writing articles is my favorite method of sharing quality content and generating free traffic. At http://janettestoll.com is where I share content creation tips to help you grow your business online – free.

So if you’re a frequent reader here and miss my weekly blog posts , check out my other blog, subscribe by email and get free internet marketing tips, follow me on Twitter, get LinkedIn with me … go ahead, feel free to stalk me online (in a good way, that is).

I’ll post something new here later this month.

’til next time,

Janette

The other day my neighbor and I went for a walk and she told me that she was looking for something part-time to do at home. A few years ago, I would be all over her with this kind of opportunity to “share” my business, but I know better these days.

Not because direct sales isn’t a good business to get started in but without knowing anything about what she’s *interested* in, I don’t make any assumptions.

In doing so, I’m not making the decision for her, but using the opportunity to listen. This is a tough one for some networkers to understand because they’re more interested in talking about their opportunity instead of listening.

Seasoned direct sellers are not surprised because they know direct sales isn’t for everyone. But newbies are when people don’t rush to join their business. Remember, only you think you have the best products/business.

It might surprise you that most of the time, people are NOT interested in starting a network marketing/direct sales business. More importantly, they don’t think you have the best products or even business. The more you ramble the more ridiculous you sound to them.

During the walk, I felt like a career therapist in a way, listening to her talk about what she did before she stayed home with her kids, and what her current interests are. I must admit listening intently is still a work in progress for me. Most people think they’re good listeners but really aren’t that good, including me.

I’m not sure if I was of any help to her but I know listening to her, without waiting for an opportunity to tell her about what I do, ended up helping me.

At the end of the conversation, she asked “what do you online anyway?” I mentioned I work online but didn’t offer any specifics. Perhaps that was enough to  intrigue her.

Whether or not she starts a direct sales/network marketing is not the point because people will do what want. The point is, it’s a good feeling to know that you’re able to listen and hear someone else out, without an interior motive to gain something from it.

Maybe it’s not a good recruiting strategy on my part and some of you might even think it’s idiotic NOT to use the opportunity to tell my friend how awesome direct sales/network marketing is. But there’s a way to tell others about what you do without losing friends.

Besides, we don’t need another person to think network marketing is a scammy business. It can be a great business but it starts with the networker.

It’s time to do more listening, whether you get anything from it or not, and stop with the incessant business sales pitch which also includes spamming other people’s Facebook walls and social networks.

What do you think?

’til next time,

Janette Stoll

P.S.  Let’s use our time and build real friendships with others.

In my last post, when direct sales companies discount their start-up fees,  the ease of entry is ridiculously easy that it often creates a throw-away mentality. Easy in, easy out is my take on the free and dirt-cheap start-up fees. 

Along the same lines, some direct sales and network marketing companies make it too easy to be a consultant without much effort … a free website, no monthly sales volume, etc.  Can you think of a regular sales job that requires zero sales quotas? Probably not.

You can argue that it’s not the same as a regular sales job because it’s your own business. Nevertheless, the parameters are similar. You’re in direct “sales” to sell products. Or you’re in “network” marketing to recruit a network of people.

If you don’t sell products or sponsor a team of distributors, you won’t grow your business.  This is where I think it’s good to have sales quotas. If you’re serious about building your business, it helps to have a system to keep you accountable.

It’s not always enough to want the business badly enough because plenty of people start out that way. Or believe in what you’re doing because sustaining that level of self-motivation long term isn’t easy.

We’re all plagued by periods of let down and self-flaggellation. The determined ones understand the challenges of entrepreneurship and what it really takes to run a business. And there’s no business until you sell something.  

This is why you need accountability. A sales quotas can help grow your business i.e. you need to sell x-amount to maintain an active consultant. Many direct sales companies have some type of sales requirements either monthly or quarterly.

Whatever the metrics are, whether set by the company you represent, or yourself, you need some type of sales quotas to help grow your business and keep you accountable.

Without real numbers to keep you accountable it’s too easy to be complacent. I mean, who’s going to fire you? No one. And that is my point … easy in, easy out.

What do you think? Can sales quotas help grow your business?

’til next time,

Janette Stoll

Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game. Service wins the game. Tony Alessandra (source: customerservicepoint.com)

I don’t know any direct seller or network marketer that doesn’t think their company has the best products. We get it. Let’s focus on something that’s more important than products and that is your customers and potential customers.

Here’s a recent experience of mine …

I emailed a consultant inquiring about her company product and it took five days, yes five days, for her to respond. Unfortunately for her, it was just easier to head on down to my local store to get what I needed. You see, it’s not about the products, because products are everywhere.

I wasn’t just buying products because truthfully, when it comes to products, there are more places that offer what I need than I could possibly do business with. My goal was to support another direct seller’s business because being in the business, it’s good karma. 

Not to mention, you generally (with the exception of this one), tend to get great service when you work with a direct seller. Most consultants are grateful for the opportunity to send you samples, a catalog, or whatever else you need to earn your business. But five days for a response? Enough said.

But it’s not about the products. It’s the experience you offer your prospects or valued customers, that keeps them loyal.

One of the reasons I love the direct sales business is the personal service you get. I love Target but there’s no one in the beauty area  to answer my questions or send me sample after sample to try.  The “personal service” is your unique selling position.

You need quality products at a reasonable price. You also need to go above and beyond because you’re a small direct seller.

There’s a reason people love Zappos, not because of their ”shoes” selection or thousands of other products they sell. People love Zappos because of their outstanding attention to personal service. I recall mentioning “Zappos” on Twitter and within seconds someone responded to my tweet.

If you don’t deliver outstanding, personal service and in a timely manner, you’re dispensable, as Seth Godin would say. You’re NOT going to be able to compete with millions of other companies that will be happy to take your customer’s business.

Instead of focusing on the products and how scientifically superior your products are, focus on your customers. Be responsive,  put a smile in your email, don’t send out a canned product script, be original, be you.

Your thoughts?

’til next time,

Janette Stoll

P.S. On a positive note, I have several friends that offer excellent service in skin care, beauty, home decor, if you need a referral. I’m not affiliated with their businesses or get anything for it, just pointing out some great ladies in direct sales .

I went to a fun Sunday afternoon at my neighbor’s. She hosted a casual “floral demonstration” to support her friend’s floral/catering business. It’s not a direct sales home business.

In fact, there was nothing to buy and no recruiting spiel waiting to be unleashed.  It’s a casual, come-and-hang-out-with-the-girls afternoon, and learn simple ways to arrange flowers.

During the demonstration, she shared tips on how to care for your flowers to get the most out of them; what to look for in flowers; where to get the cheapest prices in our local area, and common sense tips that I didn’t know about.

Did you know that by pulling back each rose petal you can turn it into a big bouquet?

It was refreshing (no pun intended) because the “experience” she created was educational, yet interactive and most of all, it was fun!

Her extensive knowledge and genuine passion for her business, exudes such warmth. It wasn’t phony so she could get more sales, booking, or sign up recruits at the end of the party.

She kept the audience engaged by asking us what our favorite flowers were. Did we know this flower or that flower grows the best in this area. It was definitely not a one-way demonstration.

By being thoroughly involved and interacting with the guests the demonstration was alive and fun. She encouraged us to arrange flowers with her and taught us hands-on techniques how to properly cut stems and so forth.

I was bummed that I left my iPhone at home because I thought my flower arrangement out of a teacup wasn’t so bad .

Creating a fun and memorable experience is incredibly important in a direct sales business because hostesses are the lifeblood of your business.

If your parties are boring and heavily focused on recruiting and selling why would people want to host and subject their friends to that kind of experience?

The take away from this floral gathering was the experience must be fun and interactive.

People will remember the experience they’ve had with you. When people walk away and they don’t have a feel good thought about you, there’s zero chance of any future business.

Naturally, the goal is to get sales and bookings and even find a new recruit but you need to give your guests that feel good experience first. Most people come to trunk shows with the understanding that they’re expected to buy so you don’t need to be salesy.

It’s not the products because you can go anywhere and get similar products, probably cheaper. People go to trunk shows for the fun experience with the girls.

If you have an opportunity to demonstrate your products, make it fun, interactive, and create a feel good experience for your guests.

Besides, aren’t we more likely to buy more products when we’re feeling good?

Your thoughts?

’til next time,

Janette Stoll

P.S. Quick survey: What is your favorite home party i.e. jewelry, purses, make up, home decor, etc.?