Dazzle This Diva – July 1st Edition
Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!
This weeks question is courtesy of Catherine Trueman:
Dear Kim,
I recently discovered your website and e-newsletter after reading an article in an Ellevate Women in Business e-newsletter I receive. Your tips are fantastic! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas.
A challenge I am facing right now with my direct sales jewellery business is getting people to book parties. Prior to our economic downturn, my party calendar was full. Now, people keep telling me they are watching their pennies, don’t have extra money to spend, and don’t feel comfortable asking their friends to spend money when they know their friends are also watching their pennies. People are wanting to wait to hold their parties until they and their friends are feeling more financially secure. Any suggestions? I need parties now, not later!
Thanks in advance for any help you may impart.
Best Regards,
Catherine
Catherine Trueman, Star Stylist
Stella & Dot
http://www.stelladot.com/ctrueman
How are you handling changes in the economy? What’s worked for you? Share your advice with Catherine (and me!) in the comments of this post
We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)
Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!
Catherine,
Everyone loves a sell!!! Everyone wants to believe they are “saving” money!
Let your potiental hostess know you are having a “pinching pennies” sale!!
With respect to your profit level; place every item you SELL on SALE!!!
It’s a win win combination.
You still book parties and make money…..your customers will spend and save money!!!
Good luck to ya!
Sheri DeJarnette
Comment by Sheri DeJarnette — July 1, 2009 @ 7:04 am
It has been proven in past recessions that although we cut back and watch our pennies, we still want to look good. Our appearance is something we have more control over for a reasonable price. It may be one of our few – and affordable treats. For example, during one of our earlier and more devastating depressions, red lipstick sales went through the roof. It was the most cost effective way for a woman to look and feel prettier.
Try using that angle. Maybe have each of them bring or wear a particular outfit or piece that they want to update and refresh. Remind these women that it’s a very inexpensive way to update an old outfit and give it a new look and new life. They can get together socially, have fun and look at jewelry!
Once they start looking at your product, your intuition of reading these customers will be very important. Listen, watch and observe what product(s) appeal to each person so you can focus on those items when talking to them. Remind them how good they will look and feel when wearing it – and how much more mileage they will get from their refreshed outfit! You will then want to keep in contact with these people so when times do start to change and they have more money in their budgets, they will order more from you, have their own parties and invite more people.
Comment by Donna James — July 1, 2009 @ 9:45 am
I started selling Pampered Chef back in November. Did I start a direct sales business at the wrong time! I am faced with the same issue as Catherine, no one wants to invite their friends to come over and spend money right now. Add to that the H1N1 flu, and we have had a number of confirmed cases around my area, forget about booking a cooking party where everyone is participating using the gadgets and then sharing nibblies. So, I will be checking back here to see how anyone else is coping. Sorry Catherine, no great ideas here, but you are not alone.
Comment by Julie — July 1, 2009 @ 10:55 am
Hi Kim and Catherine
I am also in the direct marketing/party business. The first thing I do when sales seem to come to a halt is jump on my tramp or just walk around chanting ‘party, party, party” in a fun kind of schools out rhythm. I start imagining women having a great time at a party with me and connecting with them. This puts the positive back into what can be a very draggy and tense feeling.
Other suggestions – Team up for an open house. Look in the paper for events coming up that I could have a table at or look in the papers for women I could honour with a gift. I’ll run a stock sale and have a surprise hostess gift.
I know Kim will have many great suggestions for you as well.
Comment by Carla Janzen — July 3, 2009 @ 8:49 am
I have a question. I am working on a website finally and I have been looking at websites of women that sell the same product as I do. They all have links to endless companies that are ‘green’ related filled with the lists of nasty ingredients most commercial products contain and all that research stuff. This just doesn’t excite me although I’ve done the research myself. I want to keep my webpage simple with impact. Would you recommend that I have links for research information? I want to have utube or podcast videos of how to use the product and some fun ” before and after” clips.
I love all of your great ideas Kim. I think of all that I have read (and I read alot) as well as all the direct marketing promotional women I have listened to I still always revert back to your advice and it works. Not only that it’s much for fun.
Thanks Kim
Comment by Carla Janzen — July 3, 2009 @ 8:58 am