Why January is The Best Time to Book Home Parties

by Tracy Ralph, National Sales Director
Adapted from a post by Industry Expert Julie Anne Jones

The holiday selling season is winding down and I’m sure you are, like me, looking forward to spending some down time with your family during the second half of this month.

Since it’s only the middle of December, you still have plenty of time to focus on January bookings so you step into the new year with a strong business. Here are my best arguments for getting out there and getting bookings now.

While a new year is all fresh and shiny and new, it can also seem daunting to direct sellers. Too often you’re coming off of at least a two week break (if not longer) and facing a long month with few bookings. It doesn’t have to be this way and there’s definitely still time for you to turn your business around before you usher in a new year. In fact, many times January was the best month of the year for me when I was working my party plan business. Here’s why I loved January as a direct seller.

People Need a Reason To Party and You Party For a Living

Think about it. There are no real holidays to celebrate in January. People are coming off of the let down of the biggest holiday season of the year and what do they have to look forward to? A long, cold, dark month! If you’re making phone calls to book home parties, offer them something to look forward to with some fun themes. Remind them that your parties are all about fun and connection.

A Girl’s Night Out is Definitely In Order

Just like in September, January is a great time for moms to take an evening and do something just for themselves. Think about how much the average woman does for other people from Thanksgiving through the Monday their kids go back to school after the holiday weekend. A break is overdue for you and your women friends and you can capitalize on that to book parties as an excuse for a girl’s night out.

Your Company Offers Great Incentives in January to Get You Moving

Because January is historically a slower month for direct sellers, chances are good your company is offering some awesome hostess incentives to help you book parties. During this time of year, your corporate office tends to “give away the store” and you can certainly take advantage of that to get more parties on your schedule.

If Funds are Short, Hosting a Home Party is A Great Solution
I hear often that “people don’t have any money in January.” If that’s the case, invite them to book a party to earn the items on their wish list. If they tell you their friends are all broke, let them know that your parties aren’t about asking people to come to your house and spend money. They’re about a chance to get together and have some fun. Focus on that and you’ll most likely find that your host didn’t know her friends’ financial situation as well as she thought she did (and lots of them will find a way to order something from you).

The Credit Card Bills From Holiday Shopping Start to Arrive

This is not just for you, but for the majority of the people you’ll meet at your parties, your hosts, etc. And wouldn’t an extra $500.00 – $1000.00 each month come in handy to pay those bills? I found, during this time of the year, people were very open to learning about how to earn some extra income and my sponsoring numbers soared. I planned an opportunity event every January so I had an event to which I could invite people who were interested. Even if only five people actually show up and you only sponsor two, would that really be so bad?

Hopefully you’re inspired now to get yourself moving and get some parties on your calendar prior to the end of the year. Even if you only book a few at the beginning of the month, January is a long month and you’ve got plenty of time to book home parties from those parties so your business takes off in 2015.

*Julie Anne Jones is a direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read her weekly blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.

Versatile Vessel for the Holidays

I was looking back at some of our past holiday blog posts and thought I'd repost this one from 2012. I've had a lot of comments recently about how easy it is to create a variety of looks by investing in just a few Vessel pieces.

If you're like me, you probably have a few holiday parties scheduled this month. Coming up with various outfits and accessories can be challenging (at least for me!) both creatively and monetarily. Instead of spending a lot of money to buy separate jewelry pieces for each party, why not purchase one Vessel set, and change out Charms and ScentSpheres to match each outfit.

Here are some perfect examples of how the Alexa 30" Chain and Teardrop Locket in rhodium plating can work for any holiday party - whether fun, festive or formal.

FUN

First, you've volunteered your home for the family party and, even though you're beginning to feel overwhelmed with your holiday to-do list, you want to look holly and jolly for the relatives. You need a fun piece to wear with the holiday sweater grandma gave you last year. Insert a mix of Apple Green and Red (heart) ScentSpheres, and include a Ruby, Peridot and Star Charms and you're all set for family fun!

FESTIVE

Then, you've got your neighborhood party, and you know all the ladies on the block are eager to see the amazing ensemble you'll arrive in. You need a beautiful look with festive flair. Change over to a combination of White, Light blue and Blue ScentSpheres with Aquamarine, Sapphire and Snowflake Chrms, and you're ready to revel!

FORMAL

Finally, for your formal work party you want a gorgeous piece to wear with that little black dress. You need an elegant accent that guarantees all eye will be on you as you make your entrance. Select White w/Black Flowers ScentSpheres with Pearl and Heart Charms, and you'll dazzle your coworkers with your stunning style!

Vessel jewelry is so versatile, that just a few simple changes create a perfectly custom piece for any occasion. You won't want to party without Vessel this holiday season!

Love,
Karen

The Elevator to Success Is Out of Order....

by: Dioni Morales, Director of Stylists Services

About three weeks ago I was at a Conference listening to top leaders of the direct sales industry. So many things resonated with me, and I really want to share some in the next few blogs I will be writing.

Today I will share some important things that I heard from a man who used to be a policeman before someone presented him an opportunity to join this industry. After learning from many people and from his own mistakes, he's currently extremely successful.

His presentation was about focus and perseverance, doing what you have to do to make it and keep going.  Here are some of the most interesting points about his presentation:

1. This is NetWORK Marketing not NetTALK Marketing, you have to WORK it! Don't just talk, Do it!

2. Many years ago, after finding only a little bit of gold, a mining company decided to stop mining the gold and to sell the equipment to another company. The new company hired a geologist who used his skills to help the miners find a great deal of gold just three feet away from where the old company had stopped mining.  The new company went on to make millions of dollars. Many times we give up right when we are about to find our Gold.

3. Instead of just writing goals, he suggested writing everything we are dissatisfied with, as well as everything we want out of life. Doing it this is much more effective, because 80% of our success in this industry is based on our mind-set.

4. "The elevator to success is out of order, you have to use the stairs, one step at a time." If we are constantly moving and working toward our goals and dreams, imagine where we will be a year from now.

5. "There's a lot of room on the top, but the bottom sure is crowded."  Sometimes we get comfortable where everyone else is.  We don't do what needs to be done.  Like most other people, we don't make the extra effort to get to the top.

It's always great to hear from other leaders.  It's always great to read relevant and helpful information.  However, don't forget that you need to put everything to action!   You have to work.  You have to persevere.  One step at a time, you will not only find GOLD (like some Stylists already have), but with Vessel you will find DIAMOND!

Living a Life of Gratitude

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself reflecting on the many blessings in my life - and upon the subject of gratitude in general. 

Of course I am completely grateful that I have been given the joyous experience of having the family and friends that I have.  That I have a house to live in, food to eat, a car to drive.  I could go on and on and on about all that (especially the grandkids ... don't get me started!). 

But what I want to express in this post is my complete and sincere gratitude to Karen for including me on this crazy, fulfilling, fun ride that we call Vessel. 

I make no secret of the fact that Karen is the brain behind this utterly amazing concept, and that I am lucky enough to have been in the right place at the right time and in the right circumstances to be able to get a ticket for the ride.  I am grateful every single day for the kind of person Karen is - loving, supportive, creative, and a whole long list of other adjectives.  To keep it simple - she's an amazing woman and we're all pretty darn lucky she was born!  Thank you, Karen, for all that we have shared these past few years.

I am also in awe of and thankful for Dioni and Tracy.  I am overwhelmed that such talented women would believe in us and believe in Vessel.  They are both true partners and the most avid supporters one could ever hope for, and I am indeed thankful we found them.  In both cases, it was a somewhat serendipitous way in which we met or reconnected, which leads me to have faith in all that we do.  Fate, or destiny, or whatever you choose to call it, has led us all to find each other.

And of course, I am grateful for each and every Stylist who has found her/his way to us and believes in us enough to join our efforts.  Vessel is nothing without you.  Your success is our success. 

I am a true believer in the power of gratitude in one's life.  One of my favorite quotes: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.  (Melodie Beattie)

Let us each resolve to live a life of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan

Last Minute Holiday Sales

by Tracy Ralph, National Sales Director

In case you haven't noticed, it's the Holiday shopping season.  So how do you get holiday shoppers excited to buy from you?  Here are a few suggestions:

#1) Mystery Holiday Hostess Party!  Kick off the shopping season by having a Holiday Mystery Hostess Party at your home! Have plenty of holiday themed products available for them to see and touch, along with a lot of holiday gift ideas, and make sure you set them up in a festive holiday display to get your guests into the holiday spirit.  Play holiday music in the background and serve holiday-themed refreshments. 

Your invitations should state, "This is a Holiday Mystery Hostess Party! Everyone who attends gets one entry.  For each guest you bring, you earn another entry! For every $20 you spend, you get another entry.  And for every party you book at this party, you get THREE entries! At the end of the party we will draw a name...the winner then becomes the Party Hostess! The Party Hostess earns all of the FREE hostess gifts & credits for this party!"  This is a great way to gear them up for the Holiday season, and a great way for you to get sales & party bookings!!! 

#2) Hire some Santa Sales Helpers!  Give your friends and family members some of your business cards and a party packet.  Have them gather orders for you from their circle of friends, co-workers and family.  (You can put these items in a "Christmas" basket, along with a Party Pack.)   This approach works well for those who don't want to host a party.  Then reward them with a FREE  helper gift and a hostess benefit shopping spree as a thank you for helping you out! 

#3) Hold an open house party for charity! 'Tis the season for giving!  Invite your guests and tell them the profits or proceeds from this party will be donated to a charity of your choice.  This is great to do year after year.  Many people donate to charity during the holiday season, but this way they get something in exchange for their donation!

#4) Contact ALL past party hostesses and customers.  Suggest that past hostesses hold a party now.  Make sure you tell them to SAVE their hard earned money and earn their GIFTS for free with a party!  Offer customers gifts with our holiday set discounts.  A lot of people are tired of fighting the mall crowds! 

#5) Contact all the Senior Citizens or shut-ins in your town/city.  It's hard for seniors to GET OUT and do holiday shopping. Offer them your personalized service! Show them your catalogs.  You can even offer gift wrapping service to them. A lot of seniors get depressed at this time of year because they are not able to get out like they want to, so they can be GREAT sources of extra business for you. You are offering a GREAT service for them, and they appreciate the companionship too! 

# 6) Offer gift wrapping and shipping services to your customers for a FEE. Men really like this service.  Try going to "male" service stores, such as tire, body shops, mechanics, etc.  (WE all know they save their Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve...they will appreciate your shopping service!)

#7) Make it a mission to leave your contact info & business info with everyone you come in contact with this holiday season. Maybe they don't need your services right now, but when they do, they will know who to contact! 

#8) Holiday-Themed Home Parties!  Offer a themed party to your holiday hostesses. One that I love is the Secret Santa Party. Invite all of your girlfriends to your Secret Santa Party.  Hold your party as usual, but tell your guests they are NOT buying for themselves! Have them all write their names down and then each guest draws a name.  They then have to buy something from your party for the guest whose name they had drawn.  Set a limit for the gift at an economical price point.  Of course they can also decide to purchase for themselves too! When the delivery comes in, wrap the gifts and label them .... from their secret Santa ... but include with the gift the name of the person who was their secret Santa.  Invite all your guests back for a cookie exchange or a little party, and hand out the gifts! When the guest opens their gift they will see who their secret Santa was and they get to keep the gift. 


These are but a few ways to make this Holiday shopping season fun and profitable! Be creative.  Don't offer the same old thing as every one else. Do your own FUN and creative parties! 

Our Pampered Pets

Daisy is wearing the Pet Paw Locket
with Red Heart ScentSpheres

They're our companions, our best friends, and part of our families. We carry them around, we stroll with them when we're out and about, and we take them with us on vacations. We give them presents for their birthdays, holidays and special occasions. We dress them up, pamper them, and show them off. Our pets are special and bring such joy into our lives.

A recent survey by the APPA (American Pet Products Association) revealed that 62% of US households own a pet, which equates to 73 million homes. The survey stated that we, as Americans, spend well over $50 billion a year on our pets. The survey also showed that more and more companies traditionally known for human products are branching out into pet products, including pet accessories.

Pet Bone Locket with Hot Pink ScentSpheres,
Bone Charm and Pink Tourmaline Charm

Vessel Pet Lockets are a fun, charming way to add a bit of bling to a pet collar. From the scruffiest of mutts to the perfectly pampered pooch, from that big ole tomcat to the pretty little kitty - every pup will feel (and smell!) like top dog and every kitten like a fat cat when wearing a Vessel Pet Locket.

Pet Paw Locket with Purple ScentSpheres,
Mouse Charm and Amethyst Charm 

Our Pet Bone and Pet Paw Lockets come with a specially designed swivel clasp to attach to any collar. Include ScentSpheres in any of our 32 colors, fragranced with one of our scents or use your own fragrance or
essential oils.

Don't forget gifts for your pets this holiday season. Show your pets love and affection with these chic collar accents. 

www.vesselscentsofstyle.com 
store.vesselscentsofstyle.com

At the Forefront Again With the Preferred Customer Program

by: Dioni Morales, Director of Stylists Services

As most of you know by now, less than two weeks ago we launched Vessel's Preferred Customer Program. We know that it potentially can make quite a BIG difference in your business, as the new Stylist Kit Program is already doing.

The Preferred Customer Program is a unique offering that once again sets Vessel apart from other direct sales companies.  Very few companies are offering anything like this. 

It has become more and more mainstream to be part of some sort of shopping club or frequent buyer program.  When the time for shopping comes, customers will very likely look at whatever club they belong to first. 

How does the Program work?

The Customer pays a $29.95 fee (renewed yearly), which entitles them to a 10% discount.  Please note that they have to sign up and have their application processed before they get any discount.  So if they're at a party, there would be no discount available then and there. 

OR

The Customer spends $100 on a retail order and has the $29.95 fee waived.  They then get their 10% discount starting with their next order.

There is no autoship or other obligation to buy monthly, it's whenever they want to place an order for the next 12 months.

Who should you talk to about this program?

- People who use Vessel's jewelry with unscented beads and add their own fragrances and essential oils.  They are probably looking for beautiful and fashionable diffusers, and no one does that better than Vessel. We believe this is a great market. Even if they are not interested in becoming Stylists, they will most likely be interested in becoming Preferred Customers. They will very likely want to have multiple jewelry pieces and will buy unscented beads on a regular basis.

- Those who already are, or you think might become, repeat customers.  These would be people who you know absolutely love our jewelry and want to buy more for themselves and/or for others.

Do not feel that you have to offer this to everyone.  It is a great tool for you to use - for specific customers. Get to know your customers!

How does this affect your business as a Stylist?

- The 10% discount will come from the Stylist's 30% commission, so the Stylist will make 20% of the Preferred Customer sales.

- This is a great source of repeat sales from very independent customers because they are more likely to place their orders in their Preferred Customer accounts without needing your involvement.

- The best part.... the Stylist gets FULL PSV (Personal Sales Volume), as well as TSV (Team Sales Volume)!  This means rank advancement, with all the associated bonuses, is easier and faster.

How does a person sign up to be a Preferred Customer?

- A Stylist can offer this option at a home party or other function.  It will be an upsell for the Stylist  and the Hostess because you will encourage them to buy $100 retail so they can get the fee waived.  This represents a 30% discount on their purchase, considering the $29.95 savings on having the fee waived.

- The Preferred Customer Agreement is available on the Vessel website (www.vesselscentsofstyle.com), under the Sales Aids or Stylists (password required) tabs .


We truly believe that Vessel's Preferred Customer Program will help Stylists retain consistent customers - customers who might not re-order because they don't know how to, they lose the connection or it's too inconvenient. We think it will be especially interesting to customers who use their own fragrance or essential oils. This program will enhance sales for those Stylists who take advantage of it and start presenting this option to the appropriate customers.

Once again Vessel is at the forefront, putting at your disposal a program that will help you achieve success!

Marketing Vessel

In my last post, I talked about how Karen and I made the initial decision that home parties would be the best way to market Vessel.  Our line is an experience that is best shown in person.  Home parties are also a great way for you to get your own Vessel business off the ground.  Everyone has a list (some longer than others!) of friends, family, neighbors, etc. who would be happy to host a Vessel party.  Utilizing Tracy Ralph's party scripts, you can then fill your calendar up to whatever degree you'd like.  Combined with a low entry fee (as little as $99), you can easily build a business that fits your life and your goals.

However, we have also utilized other marketing methods in getting Vessel off the ground.
One method we did in the early days was to attend various trade shows.  We found these shows valuable in getting Vessel's name out there and for contacts.  Some shows were more successful than others relative to sales, but we considered them a success in gaining market recognition for our concept.  We know that many of you are doing trade and vendor events, and hopefully will feel that your efforts are rewarded as well.

Getting some local media coverage is a bit harder to do, but if you ever have the opportunity to do ... don't let it pass you by!  We appeared on a few of our local TV talk shows and received some good traction.

Another fairly low-cost marketing method we have used, and probably the one method that has brought the most traffic to us, is the use of advertising on targeted websites.  We looked for websites that marketed directly to working moms, people who are looking for a business opportunity, people who are interested in direct sales opportunities specifically, working women, etc.  We are still advertising on the sites that we feel have been most beneficial to Vessel.

What I wanted to pass along to you today is that many of these sites offer extremely low-cost opportunities for Stylists to advertise in their states.  Most of these opportunities are around $10 per year.  If you have another state that you visit often, you might even consider reserving that state as well.  Most of the sites I've seen will let the first representative of any given company to buy the advertising be the only one listed for that company for that state.  Some will allow more than one.

As Vessel becomes more well-known, people are going to be going to these sites and specifically looking in their state to see who represents Vessel.  Many times this will be someone who wants to have a Vessel party, sometimes it will be someone looking to sign up as a Stylist.  If they are looking for someone in your state, why not make sure it's your name they see?

Here are a few of the sites I've found in my research.  I would welcome any other sites that you have found.  Please send them to susan@vesselscentsofstyle.com, and I'll make sure they get shared with everyone!

• Home Party Plan Network: Great site!  They have other sister sites as well, but you buy the advertising separately for each.  Right now they are having a sale on the state listings at $10 per year per state (normally $15).  

• HPPN Sister Sites (there are others besides these, but the others allow only one company listing, and Vessel already has the spot):
• Find Party Plan Reps - state listing available for $10 per year.  
• Fundraiser Options - site listing for $30 per year.  
• Direct Sales Profiles: 1 year state listing for $15, lifetime listing for $25. 
• Direct Sales Moms: 1 year listing in two states for $25, or a 1 year listing in the Mom Shoppes Directory for $15 per year. 
• Party Plan Rep: 1 year state listing for $15, lifetime listing for $25. 
• Party Plan Companies: $20 for six months.  (By the way, we are their Featured Spotlight today!)

To your success!

Susan

The Power Hour

by Tracy Ralph, National Sales Director

Some of you have heard of the Power Hour, and are starting to use it.  This simple tool can kick start your business into high gear, and keep the momentum going.

To get the maximum benefit of the Power Hour system, you must allocate at least one hour a day to your  business. 

To make it more manageable, you can divide it into 15-minute increments.

Be consistent with this simple plan, Monday through Friday, and it will Change. Your.  Business.  WATCH IT HAPPEN!

Simple but CONSISTENT is the key!  Make it a habit.  A commitment of 60 minutes a day, five days a week will change your life!

Here is the basic composition of Power Hours:

• 15 Minutes:  Customer Care Calls -                   

Your objective is to build a relationship with your customer for repeat business.  Reasons to call: Thank them for their order, let them know about a special going on.  

• 15 Minutes:  Call Your Team OR Potential Recruits - 

Your objective is to follow-up with any existing potential leads and develop future leads  Who to call:  Anyone you have given information to.  Anyone you have met while out and listed in your notebook  Anyone you missed giving information to.

• 15 Minutes:  Call Your Hostesses –       

Your objective is to build a bond with your Hostess.  Use this time to Hostess Coach, answer questions, plant seeds about the opportunity and keep her excited about her party. 

• 15 Minutes: Call for Potential Bookings -

Your objective is to call people to book parties on your calendar.  Include those you met outside a party, referrals, and anyone else who would like FREE Vessel products!

Just a few of the benefits of committing to the Power Hour:

·         Power hours will help you achieve results faster than you ever thought possible.

·         Power hours will help you work less. In this case, less is more; you’ll work less, but achieve more.

·         Power hours will help re-energize you. Have you ever had that feeling after reaching a goal; the kind where you feel more focused, more alive, more motivated? That’s what power hours can do for you.

Bring On the Holiday Season

In the Unites States, a quarter of all personal spending takes place during the Christmas/Holiday shopping season. Close to $80 million will be spent preparing for the holidays, with well over $50 billion spent just from November 1st to December 16th.

Fragrance and jewelry are traditionally two of the most popular gifts.  In fact, of the countless options of possible gifts, fragrance is the fourth most popular purchase of the season, with almost half of the year’s fragrance sales occurring from October to December. Jewelry is the sixth most popular holiday purchase, with a third of the year’s jewelry sales occurring during this time frame.

Source: NPG Group, IDEX Online Research, JCK Online, Reuters 

Happy Holidays from Vessel

This Holiday Season, combine fragrance and jewelry into one beautiful gift with Vessel scented jewelry. From October through December receive a 15% DISCOUNT on each of these Locket and Chain sets. With six beautiful finishes to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for all the women and girls on your list. Plus, when your order is $50 or more, you also receive FREE SHIPPING.

Antique Silver
Purse Locket and Elodie 30" Chain
Regular Price $50.00
Holiday Special $42.50               

Antique Gold
Large Heart Locket and Rebecca 30" Chain
Regular Price $45.00
Holiday Special $38.25

Rhodium Plated
Sun Locket and Ashlyn 30" Chain
Regular Price $43.00
Holiday Special $36.55

Antique Copper
Leaf Locket and Kristen 30" Chain
Regular Price $45.00
Holiday Special $38.25

Gold Tone
Diamond Locket and Alexa 30" Chain
Regular Price $60.00
Holiday Special $51.00

Gun Metal
Teardrop Locket and Laura 30" Chain
Regular Price $65.00
Holiday Special $55.20

To order Holiday Specials go to store.vesselscentsofstyle.com

Holiday Specials available only in these finishes as shown. Choose any of our 32 colors of ScentSpheres fragranced with one of our 12 pure perfume oils, or select fragrance-free to use with your personal fragrance/essential oils.