"Buyer's Market, Seller's Market - It's always a Realtor's Market"
These are the words my trainer said to me when I was studying for the Utah Real Estate Licensing Exam over 10 years ago. The same holds true in any niche where you're offering services, and that's one of the reasons I strongly encourage you to take a closer look at your business right now.
In this slowing economy, lots of folks are looking for a little extra income. Just keeping the bills paid can be a challenge - but when you throw in layoffs, rising mortgage rates, and let's not forget the ridiculous gas prices these days, it's not just about extra income - sometimes it's a complete income replacement!
Now it is the perfect time to share your business opportunity. You've heard the adage, 'buy low, sell high'? The same holds true in Direct Sales. Many companies are offering some tremendous savings and incentives for recruiting this summer. You owe it to everyone to share the benefits of your career. Now, I still maintain that Direct Sales isn't for everyone, but you'd be foolish not to share your opportunity at a time when many people are literally STARVING for an income.
Here are some great tips and facts to share with your customers to let them know what a difference a network marketing career could make in their lives:
* 96% of adults ages 25 to 44 are very interested in owning their own business.
* 21% of baby boomers need to save at least $2 million for retirement and many have not saved enough.
* 90% of women will assume total financial responsibility for herself at some time or another. Every woman owes it to herself to be prepared!
* 85% of bankruptcies could be avoided with only $300 in additional monthly income.
* More than 50% of adults in the US have purchased goods or services from a direct sales representative.
* BusinessWeek Magazine says direct selling is a growing $30-billion-a-year business.
* According to a poll conducted by the Direct Selling Association, additional income was the #1 reason people gave for becoming a direct selling representative.
When you have a passion for your work and love what you do, you will naturally be more successful. This holds true in every industry, not just Direct Sales/Network Marketing. There is a growing disillusionment with corporate America as downsizing continues, ethics scandals abound, and they are perceived as being too focused on the bottom line. Those that aren't turning to private small business (solopreneurs, etc.) are still looking for help.
You have the perfect business opportunity that will allow your customers to improve their quality of life, while having a support system (fellow consultants) around them to motivate, inspire and applaud them for their hard work. When you share that opportunity with others, you are opening the door to a world of possibilities they might not even know about!
YOU are your company's best product. You are that thing that distinguishes your products and services from every other company in the world. In this "crunch time" it is even MORE imperative that you focus on how you can 'deliver the goods' in a distinctive way that encourages repeat business, raving clients, and strong positive impact on your bottom line.
Are you sharing about your business? What are you sharing and how are you sharing it? What makes you remarkable?
Get out there and tell the world!
You Have a Choice and You Chose Me. Thank You!
I've traveled a lot in my 33 short years on this planet. Not as many places as I'd LIKE to go, but I've been on many of our wonderful highways and byways here in the U.S.
And I've passed many a "Waffle House" along the way.
I never gave them much thought, really. They looked like dingy little "hole in the wall" diners from the road.
The yellow and black sign looked so generic that I wasn't sure it was a chain until my recent trip to the Carolinas.
See, my friend, Ruth, LOVES Waffle House. She gets as excited about eating there as I do about new books to read. She even squeals a bit with delight when you suggest going there for a meal. In fact, I now can't say "Waffle House" without trying to imitate her joyful squeal, and it's become a little inside joke between us.
For her it's the grits that makes her swoon. For me it's the customer service.
This company is a marketing machine. Over the grill, there's a sign that reads "You have a choice, and you chose us. Thank You!"
What a concept.
And as I looked around, the place was clean, cozy and busy. There's a sign on the door that read "hope to see you: Soon, Often and hungry" or something like that.
They know what they do well, and they market the heck out of it. Even the background music is songs about Waffle House.
This family business really "gets it".
What about you? Are you remembering that your customers have a choice? Even if you're the ONLY place they can get a product or service (which is rare anymore), they STILL have a choice - either do business with you, or go elsewhere, or go without.
Then, are you remembering to be grateful? So many businesses choose to look at the transaction value and forget about the lifetime value of a customer. You need to remember that good customers are like good friends. You won't always get a long, but you'll be invaluable to each other over the years - if you build the relationship.
It begins with gratitude. Waffle House gets it. Do you?
============
Win a spot on my next teleclass if you can correctly identify the two ingredients that make Waffle House grits Ruth's favorites. Post your answers here or sign up for my weekly newsletter and submit your answer there!
And I've passed many a "Waffle House" along the way.
I never gave them much thought, really. They looked like dingy little "hole in the wall" diners from the road.
The yellow and black sign looked so generic that I wasn't sure it was a chain until my recent trip to the Carolinas.
See, my friend, Ruth, LOVES Waffle House. She gets as excited about eating there as I do about new books to read. She even squeals a bit with delight when you suggest going there for a meal. In fact, I now can't say "Waffle House" without trying to imitate her joyful squeal, and it's become a little inside joke between us.For her it's the grits that makes her swoon. For me it's the customer service.
This company is a marketing machine. Over the grill, there's a sign that reads "You have a choice, and you chose us. Thank You!"
What a concept.
And as I looked around, the place was clean, cozy and busy. There's a sign on the door that read "hope to see you: Soon, Often and hungry" or something like that.
They know what they do well, and they market the heck out of it. Even the background music is songs about Waffle House.
This family business really "gets it".
What about you? Are you remembering that your customers have a choice? Even if you're the ONLY place they can get a product or service (which is rare anymore), they STILL have a choice - either do business with you, or go elsewhere, or go without.
Then, are you remembering to be grateful? So many businesses choose to look at the transaction value and forget about the lifetime value of a customer. You need to remember that good customers are like good friends. You won't always get a long, but you'll be invaluable to each other over the years - if you build the relationship.
It begins with gratitude. Waffle House gets it. Do you?
============
Win a spot on my next teleclass if you can correctly identify the two ingredients that make Waffle House grits Ruth's favorites. Post your answers here or sign up for my weekly newsletter and submit your answer there!
Mark Joyner Gives Away The Irresistable Offer as a Marketing Experiment
This one has really "cooked my noodle."
Mark Joyner is running a rather controversial experiment that
has already sent the marketing experts into a tizzy.
You've probably heard of his book "The Irresistible Offer" - it's
what some call "one of the top 5 marketing books ever written"
and has been one of the best-selling marketing books of the last
3 years week after week.
Mark thinks that by giving it away in ebook form he is actually
going to boost sales of the book:
Is he right?
Only time will tell, but he makes some really good arguments -
even if they seem to fly in the face of what many people have
been saying over the last few years about the relationship
between digital downloads and print media.
I'll be watching this one closely, and so should you.
Meanwhile, you should also definitely grab the download.
Dr. Joe Vitale said that the book is "the first breakthrough in
over 50 years" and it seems the entire pantheon of marketing
gods are in agreement.
It's a deceptively simple read, but well, that's what Mark is
famous for.
Mark Joyner is running a rather controversial experiment that
has already sent the marketing experts into a tizzy.
You've probably heard of his book "The Irresistible Offer" - it's
what some call "one of the top 5 marketing books ever written"
and has been one of the best-selling marketing books of the last
3 years week after week.
Mark thinks that by giving it away in ebook form he is actually
going to boost sales of the book:
Is he right?
Only time will tell, but he makes some really good arguments -
even if they seem to fly in the face of what many people have
been saying over the last few years about the relationship
between digital downloads and print media.
I'll be watching this one closely, and so should you.
Meanwhile, you should also definitely grab the download.
Dr. Joe Vitale said that the book is "the first breakthrough in
over 50 years" and it seems the entire pantheon of marketing
gods are in agreement.
It's a deceptively simple read, but well, that's what Mark is
famous for.
15 Things Will Show You Success
A regional sales manager that shared an idea with me, that was so simple, I couldn't believe it would work.
But it does. Like gang busters.
Women are notorious for making horrendously long lists, and in the process, we never complete them, never feel accomplished, and never think about making their lists SHORTER. Imagine how much more unruly these lists are when you're a Mom, Wife, Author and Network Marketer!
Yep, I'm busy. But there are days when I feel like I'm going in circles, chasing my own tail.
So my manager said, "Take a piece of paper and divide it into 3 sections. Label each section: Family, Home, and Work. Then, list 5 things in each area you need to accomplish for the day, and work on those first. START with the item you dread the most. Think of how much happier you'll feel when you get the toughest job out of the way first."
I could end the article there, and you'd have plenty to keep you busy. But I like to write, so I have a couple of additional thoughts to share.
I struggle with doing things for myself. Between writing, doing my party plan business, the kids and my husband, I rarely take time out just for me. I can always find SOMETHING that needs to be done. So when I was scheduling my "family" activities, I would forget that I, too, am part of the family. So I created more sections on my paper and added more things to do.
Bad idea.
Stick to 15 things. When I created 5 sections instead of 3, I put 5 things in each area, but found I wasn't getting everything done. That left me feeling frustrated, disappointed, and disgruntled. Now my 5 sections have only 3 items a piece. And it feels SO good when I cross everything off on my short lists. It motivates me to finish up more quickly. Then I have the choice of adding more items to a list, or continuing with other activities in my day.
Instead of a piece of paper, I use Mark Joyner's free Simpleology program, and just write down my "to do's" in there. Plus, I help protect the environment, because I'm not using all that paper every day. The Simpleology program keeps track of everything - no misplaced lists to worry about! Plus it archives my lists, so I can review my accomplishments over time - which really helps me feel better about my work.
Burden lifted. Missions accomplished - and usually with time to spare. My kids and my husband are enjoying the "kinder, gentler" me, now that I've got a handle on my schedule and my once-unruly lists.
Go give it a try and tell me how it works for you.
But it does. Like gang busters.
Women are notorious for making horrendously long lists, and in the process, we never complete them, never feel accomplished, and never think about making their lists SHORTER. Imagine how much more unruly these lists are when you're a Mom, Wife, Author and Network Marketer!
Yep, I'm busy. But there are days when I feel like I'm going in circles, chasing my own tail.
So my manager said, "Take a piece of paper and divide it into 3 sections. Label each section: Family, Home, and Work. Then, list 5 things in each area you need to accomplish for the day, and work on those first. START with the item you dread the most. Think of how much happier you'll feel when you get the toughest job out of the way first."
I could end the article there, and you'd have plenty to keep you busy. But I like to write, so I have a couple of additional thoughts to share.
I struggle with doing things for myself. Between writing, doing my party plan business, the kids and my husband, I rarely take time out just for me. I can always find SOMETHING that needs to be done. So when I was scheduling my "family" activities, I would forget that I, too, am part of the family. So I created more sections on my paper and added more things to do.
Bad idea.
Stick to 15 things. When I created 5 sections instead of 3, I put 5 things in each area, but found I wasn't getting everything done. That left me feeling frustrated, disappointed, and disgruntled. Now my 5 sections have only 3 items a piece. And it feels SO good when I cross everything off on my short lists. It motivates me to finish up more quickly. Then I have the choice of adding more items to a list, or continuing with other activities in my day.
Instead of a piece of paper, I use Mark Joyner's free Simpleology program, and just write down my "to do's" in there. Plus, I help protect the environment, because I'm not using all that paper every day. The Simpleology program keeps track of everything - no misplaced lists to worry about! Plus it archives my lists, so I can review my accomplishments over time - which really helps me feel better about my work.
Burden lifted. Missions accomplished - and usually with time to spare. My kids and my husband are enjoying the "kinder, gentler" me, now that I've got a handle on my schedule and my once-unruly lists.
Go give it a try and tell me how it works for you.
Gettin' Schooled by Mark Joyner
Did you know that over the last two months a select group of people picked Mark Joyner's brains about everything he knows about becoming a bestselling author (something Mark has done 4 times now!) and that these sessions totaled over 20 hours?
They were 4 sessions lasting 5 hours each.
I was in on those calls. AMAZING stuff.
I don't know how Mark kept up with it (probably something to
do with Simpleology!), but here's what's really cool:
Each and every minute of these calls was recorded!
Can you imagine? 20 hours of the man some call "the Tiger Woods
of Internet entrepreneurialism" answering every question
imaginable - and you get to be a fly on the wall!
To get access to all 20 hours of these recordings, all you have
to do is purchase the "Simpleology Bestseller Blueprint."
Funny, huh? These recordings are a *bonus* on top of something
even more amazing.
Here's the skinny, though: because of this new addition the price of the Blueprint is going up to $1,497 in a week, but you can get it at the old price now.
I *highly* recommend it - not only does it cover everything you'll need to know on the road from "no book" to "#1 bestselling author of ...", but it also teaches you more about "launching" a product of any type than just about anything on the market.
I'm about half way through the program, and I can't tell you how valuable it's been for me in creating my next book launch.
This is a *mission critical* weapon on your business arsenal!
When you're talking about opening doors, nothing establishes credibility like being a best selling author. I STILL can't believe I got this whole course for peanuts. You'd better too if you want to save $500!
They were 4 sessions lasting 5 hours each.
I was in on those calls. AMAZING stuff.
I don't know how Mark kept up with it (probably something to
do with Simpleology!), but here's what's really cool:
Each and every minute of these calls was recorded!
Can you imagine? 20 hours of the man some call "the Tiger Woods
of Internet entrepreneurialism" answering every question
imaginable - and you get to be a fly on the wall!
To get access to all 20 hours of these recordings, all you have
to do is purchase the "Simpleology Bestseller Blueprint."
Funny, huh? These recordings are a *bonus* on top of something
even more amazing.
Here's the skinny, though: because of this new addition the price of the Blueprint is going up to $1,497 in a week, but you can get it at the old price now.
I *highly* recommend it - not only does it cover everything you'll need to know on the road from "no book" to "#1 bestselling author of ...", but it also teaches you more about "launching" a product of any type than just about anything on the market.
I'm about half way through the program, and I can't tell you how valuable it's been for me in creating my next book launch.
This is a *mission critical* weapon on your business arsenal!
When you're talking about opening doors, nothing establishes credibility like being a best selling author. I STILL can't believe I got this whole course for peanuts. You'd better too if you want to save $500!
STOMP out loud
My 11 year old and I went on a "date".
Naturally, I paid, drove, parked, and all that, but we had a blast at STOMP.
This international sensation stems from century old street performing traditions in England.
My son could care less about all that.
In his own words, "I like to make noise and hit stuff". So this show was the perfect bit of culture for him.
As a musician, this show was a thrill. I've always wanted to create a "toy band" of my own, using toy instruments to create some sort of child's symphony, so the idea of taking every day items like lighters, brooms and trash cans to create a rhythmic tapestry of sounds and movement is pretty exciting to me.
But STOMP is also a marketing machine. They get it. And they market well.
The merchandising display features trash can lids that have been spray painted with pricing. VERY clever.
The performers are keen on audience interaction. They involve you from the very opening until the very closing of the performance - and even in the encore. Few shows engage the audience in such a personal way. And we all know that the personal touch makes us more endearing to our audience - whether we're in a theater, doing a home party, or teaching at the head of the class.
And the best part? I was leery about shelling out my hard earned cash for a night out with an 11 year old that could have spelled disaster. Then when I arrived and saw there would be no intermission, I thought the performance was going to be even SHORTER and LESS worth my money.
I was wrong. When I left the theater, I was just another crazed fan of STOMP. I didn't even flinch at the ticket price. I got my kid the best seats available for the show, and I had no qualms about plunking down the coin to get them. I knew they had earned every penny for that show each performer was on the stage at least 80% of the time, and all of them were working up a sweat jumping, slamming, thumping, snapping, clapping, and creating sounds with some of the most unlikely objects. My kid is STILL trying to figure out how they made all that noise without tap shoes.
I didn't tell him they miked the floor.
Disbelief suspended, these performers were not just musicians or dancers, they were characters in my world. No dialogue to guide them, but a whole lot of entertaining sweat and old-fashioned work.
And I gladly paid for every minute of it.
Naturally, I paid, drove, parked, and all that, but we had a blast at STOMP.
This international sensation stems from century old street performing traditions in England.
My son could care less about all that.
In his own words, "I like to make noise and hit stuff". So this show was the perfect bit of culture for him.
As a musician, this show was a thrill. I've always wanted to create a "toy band" of my own, using toy instruments to create some sort of child's symphony, so the idea of taking every day items like lighters, brooms and trash cans to create a rhythmic tapestry of sounds and movement is pretty exciting to me.
But STOMP is also a marketing machine. They get it. And they market well.
The merchandising display features trash can lids that have been spray painted with pricing. VERY clever.
The performers are keen on audience interaction. They involve you from the very opening until the very closing of the performance - and even in the encore. Few shows engage the audience in such a personal way. And we all know that the personal touch makes us more endearing to our audience - whether we're in a theater, doing a home party, or teaching at the head of the class.
And the best part? I was leery about shelling out my hard earned cash for a night out with an 11 year old that could have spelled disaster. Then when I arrived and saw there would be no intermission, I thought the performance was going to be even SHORTER and LESS worth my money.
I was wrong. When I left the theater, I was just another crazed fan of STOMP. I didn't even flinch at the ticket price. I got my kid the best seats available for the show, and I had no qualms about plunking down the coin to get them. I knew they had earned every penny for that show each performer was on the stage at least 80% of the time, and all of them were working up a sweat jumping, slamming, thumping, snapping, clapping, and creating sounds with some of the most unlikely objects. My kid is STILL trying to figure out how they made all that noise without tap shoes.
I didn't tell him they miked the floor.
Disbelief suspended, these performers were not just musicians or dancers, they were characters in my world. No dialogue to guide them, but a whole lot of entertaining sweat and old-fashioned work.
And I gladly paid for every minute of it.
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