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!