Tip #3 - Get a Jump on January:
Do some business planning in December to get ready for business
in January. January is the single best month for doing business. Get
a special mailing together for your prospects and customers and have
it ready to go in the mail in early January.
Tip #4 - Keep On Doing What
You've Been Doing: Don't abandon your business during the
holidays. Try to stick as closely as you can to your regular schedule
-- and if you just can't keep up the pace -- at least decide to accomplish
something every week that keeps your business humming. It'll be a
lot easier to gear up in the new year if you do!
Tip #5 - Say Thanks!
Be sure to send a holiday greeting letting your customers and downline
know that you appreciate them. It takes some time to do this but the
results are well worth it!
Linda Locke, Editor MLM Woman
"Just
Be You"
By Sharon Kaye Lee
Have
you ever sat in the crowd and watched someone on stage and wished
you could be them? What do they have that you don't? Do they seem
to have all the answers? Do you wonder how could you be just like
them?
You can't! That's a mistake a lot of us make at one time or another.
You can model their successful behavior. You can do everything they
do. But you can't be them. To be truly successful, you have to let
the "you" come out.
Here's an example. Do you use a call script? I used to try, but it
wasn't me. I would be trying to follow the script all the time thinking
"Boy does this sound Hokey!" I am a real down to earth person.
The "scripts" just did not fit my style of talking. Do I
say never use a script or some people are not good at using scripts?
No. I have listened to some of the masters use scripts and they pull
it off. It works for them because it is natural for them. They sound
good. I didn't. That's my point. Be Yourself. Do what works for you.
Don't worry about following the "experts" all the time.
Many times in Network Marketing we have mentors. That's good. Mentors
are important influences in our lives, but one thing you have to remember
is to retain your individuality. That's what makes you unique and
special.
Use the training and the coaching? YES! But be you! You have something
special that only you can give. What is that? You have to find that
out. What are your strong points? What are your weak ones? How can
you build on your strong points and become the YOU you were meant
to be? Look at yourself honestly. Everyone has a gift, find yours.
Remember when you were a kid? You didn't care what others thought
most of the time. You did what made you happy. You liked making others
happy. Remember making your mother smile? I do. That was so special.
That big loving smile of approval. My mother passed away several years
ago and I can still see that smile. That's what I love to remember
about her most. Did my mother care about all the mistakes I made,
or did she care about what I did that made her smile? I think the
latter.
That's the secret to Network Marketing. Love what you are doing, Love
the people you are doing it with and Love your product. It is really
that simple.
Be a part of the Team. Network Marketing is a Team Effort. It's not
important that you "the team leader" are successful, it
is important that your team members are! That's what it is all about.
Be YOU. Be a True Friend, in ups and downs, help others find themselves
and nourish them. You are someone special and you have something valuable
to give. Give it and watch your seeds grow into wonderful blossoms.
Do I mean hold their hand and do everything for them? Certainly not!
Teach them to be self sufficient, but not so much that each member
does not recognize the significance of the Team Effort. Teach them
to CARE.
Get to know people. Let them get to know you. Build
that relationship. Find out what is important to them. Find out what
makes them "tick". Get to know them, before you discuss
your business opportunity. This type of approach is what I do best.
I truly like people. I want to know more about them. I want to help
them achieve their goals. I want to help them FIND their goals. Whether
they join my business right away or never join is not what is important.
What's important is they find value in their life. It's not about
ME, it's about THEM.
I'm just a country girl from Oklahoma. There are a lot of things I
haven't done. I grew up in Oklahoma and except for a few years in
Tennessee have lived here all my life. Nothing special from the outside.
I feel most comfortable in my jeans and workshirt. I love being a
"country" girl. I love living the simple life. Being special
from the inside is much more important. Treating people with the respect
and dignity they deserve. Being a true friend. MONEY does not make
you special. PRESTIGE does not make you special.
What makes me special? I have plans for my future and for the future
of my friends. I have special causes that are dear to my heart. I
love to talk to people. I love to help people. This is why I love
Network Marketing. It's not about making money, it's about making
a difference! Being the best you can be and helping others do the
same.
I used to worry about how I fit into this business of Network Marketing.
I'm not the perfect Leader, I'm not the perfect Salesperson, I'm not
the perfect organizer. Why couldn't I BE like THEM? I found out, I
don't have to! What a RELIEF! I can just be ME. Look for what's special
about the people you meet in your business. Help them see what they
have to give. Once you have helped them find their own "power",
you will have a friend and business partner that will amaze you.
Don't try to be someone else, Just Be You. It's so much easier and
you will be more successful than you ever thought possible.
"You" will amaze YOU!
About the Author
Sharon Kaye Lee is the owner of a successful home based business.
Her mission is to coach others to success. She can be reached at her
web site at: http://athomeworkonline.com
Image Tips
for Homebased Businesswomen
By Daphne Johnson
As
a homebased business owner, you may not have to "Dress for Success"
every day. Working at your computer, you are able to still earn an
income with your robe on--if you want to. But, there are times that
you have to meet clients, or simply get out and prospect. It's at
that moment, you wonder "what on earth do I wear?" Don't
let the idea of "image" scare you. Here's a quick head to
toe to help you cover all the bases where your image is concerned:
Hair - whether long or short, get a good haircut.
Minimize hair accessories, although there are great clips available
that work fine in long hair.
Skin and makeup - regular maintenance program (whatever brand
you choose) will keep your skin looking healthy. There are many companies
that offer free consultations. You can bypass the makeup counter and
have a private lesson in your home or that of the consultant. I even
offer a facial in the mail, where you tell me your skin type and I
send samples for you to try. Put your best face forward by using makeup
colors that are natural while adding the polish that pulls your image
together. I'll be glad to make suggestions if you'd like (email personally).
Unconsciously, women that are well groomed send a message of competence
to clients and potential clients.
Clothing - when going out to market your biz, I would suggest
that you ask yourself if your clothing says that you're in business.
With the popularity of "business casual" you could get ONE
or TWO (not a whole closet full!!) outfits that look great and make
you feel confident wearing them. The best colors to mix and match
are neutrals (khaki, beiges, browns, black, navy). Shoes should be
neat and polished, style may vary based on what you're wearing. You
should carry a tote or business brief (there are nice looking ones
that double as handbags) to avoid carry a lot of "stuff."
Taking a moment to dress in a manner that makes you feel confident
will allow you to be confortable being "seen." You'll even
be more likely to get out of yourself and use your outing and errand
time to network.
How many of us ducked into another aisle at the market to avoid running
into someone that you do business with because you felt unpresentable?
Your banker, dry cleaner, post office clerk, florist, etc. should
all know you're in business. Whether they are potential clients or
not, they will remember and refer others to you when the need arises.
It's your image and confidence that will get you remembered.
*Note: If you're dressed in a manner similar to your client's employees--you'll
portray an image that "fits in." The key is to keep it simple,
and identify the outfits that are especially for your meetings/outings
that you know look great and make you feel like a million dollars.
Your image will help send the message that you're a professional business
woman. Image will not keep the customers coming back though, if you
aren't delivering quality services or products. You deserve to give
at least as much attention to your personal image as you would to
the marketing materials you use to promote your business. Customers
buy you as part of the package!
About the Author
Daphne Johnson is an Independent Beauty Consultant
and Human Resources Director. She has two children and they live in
Wisconsin. As a former model and retail manager, Daphne has had many
years of image training. If you have specific questions about your
image or would like a facial/makeover in the mail you may contact
Daphne Johnson by email at ulookfabulous@yahoo.com
Visit her website at http://www.marykay.com/daphnejohnson
Attention
Please -
May I Have Your Attention?
By Gary Lockwood
Why do some things catch your attention and others don't?
Remember the last time you decided to buy a car? Once
you decided what kind of car you wanted, all of a sudden, you started
seeing more of that kind of car on the streets. Were they there before
and you just didn't pay attention to them? A pregnant woman will start
noticing
other pregnant women. Your new house is close to railroad tracks,
yet after a few days, you don't hear the trains anymore.
What is it that provokes your attention? At the base
of the brain where it connects to the spinal chord is a region known
as the Reticular Activating System (RAS). The RAS acts as a newspaper
editor. Editors make decisions regarding which stories get big headlines,
page one treatment, and which items wind up buried with the ads on
page sixteen.
The RAS receives thousands of messages each second.
Everything you see, hear, smell, feel and touch is a message entering
your brain. The Reticular Activating System filters through all these
messages and decides which ones will get page one treatment - that
is, arouse the brain.
The largest portion of the brain is the cerebrum. This
is the center for cognition or thought. Deep within the central portion
of the brain are the subsystems that are triggered by emotions. When
a signal gets through the "editor" (Reticular Activating
System) and arrives at the cerebrum, the brain turns on thoughts,
emotions or both.
Even though the cerebrum is the center for high level
thought, it is unresponsive unless the reticular formation sends a
signal to begin the data processing. Here's the hard part. What causes
some messages to get through the filter and others to be blocked out?
One of the things we've learned from working with entrepreneurs
is that we tend to pay attention to the things which are important
to us at the time. If our currently dominant thoughts are about creating
a new brochure, we'll start seeing other brochures. We'll hear
conversations about brochures. We'll pick up ideas relating to brochures
and even notice colors that would be attractive for the new brochure.
In other words, the Reticular Activating System will
pass through anything even remotely related to the important issue
- the brochure. From a practical point of view, this means that, if
we want to solve a problem or achieve a goal, keep it at the top of
your mind. Think about it, talk about it, write about it and imagine
it completed. This is one of the reasons why affirmations work so
well and why it is important to review your goals frequently.
Some people will keep an idea at "top of mind"
by creating a notebook of pictures, cut from magazines, that reflect
their idea or their desired end result. This "image book"
helps the visualization process, keeps the brain focused on the important
issue and triggers the RAS.
If it's possible to turn on the brain, is it also possible
to turn it off?
There are three common situations where the brain is
more than likely to shut down. Conflict... One of the ways to turn
off the brain involves the use of conceptual conflicts. Ironically,
conceptual conflict can also turn on your brain and stimulate creative
thought, but only if you have been successful in resolving small amounts
of conflict in similar situations. Such a background will have provided
you with a reservoir of confidence you can tap regarding the new question.
However, the insecure person may look at the difference
between the expected outcome and the real result and sigh: "I'm
wrong again. I can't do this." If the problem appears unsolvable
or out of reach, we may just give up before we ever get started.
Overstimulation... Have you ever decided to clean the
garage, but after inspecting the area, decided to take a nap? Have
you ever committed yourself to a night of preparation for a big presentation,
but once you scanned the material and noticed how overwhelmingly difficult
it seems, decided to do other tasks that were long overdue?
These are classic examples of flight behavior. Despite
your good intentions of cleaning or preparing, you gave up before
you started. The tasks were so large that you didn't know where to
begin. Was your brain stimulated? Yes, but it was so overstimulated
that it shut down, and the outward behavior may have been physical.
You find yourself very tired: "I'll clean the garage after I
take a nap." You might even get sick: "I was so nervous
about the presentation that I got nauseous."
To avoid shutting down your brain from overstimulation,
break a large or difficult into several steps, then tackle the project
a step at a time.
Understimulation... The more popular term for this condition
is boredom. Whenever a behavior is repeated to the extent that it
is habitual, the brain shuts down. Shouting at a child to "Sit
down and shut up" will grab their attention and they will respond
for a while, but if you choose to begin every day with that command,
the child will suddenly "go deaf" and not even hear you.
Closely allied with the repetition of behavior is the
familiarity of the subject matter. When you announce to your team
that the next day will be devoted to smile training for customer service,
they greet you with a moan, "smile training again!"
The familiar is usually not a great motivator. Perhaps
the key to interest is making the familiar seem strange. For example,
setting up role play situations where your team members get to act
out the part of customer and service representative in a variety of
situations. Try something new. Don't fall asleep in your comfort zone.
As we have seen, there is a thin line between the actions
that turn the brain on and off. By taking advantage of how your brain
works, you can increase your creativity, reduce boredom, boost recognition
of opportunities and accelerate achievement of your goals.
Where do you start? Write down the five most important
outcomes you want to achieve in the coming year. Put this paper in
a convenient place where you can read it every day. This affirmation
of your preferred future will keep your Reticular Activating System
working for you, filtering in the sights, sounds, ideas and people
to help you get there.
In other words, it will get your attention.
About the Author
Gary Lockwood is Increasing the Effectiveness and Enhancing the
Lives of CEOs, business owners and professionals. Get the Free BizSuccess
newsletter at: http://www.bizsuccess.com/newsletter.htm
or send any blank email to subscribe@BizSuccess.com
Email: Gary@BizSuccess.com
Web: http://www.BizSuccess.com
Ask NOT What Network
Marketing Can Do For YOU, Ask What YOU Can Do For Network Marketing!
Copyright © 2001 by Sue Seward. All Rights Reserved.
Many
times we've all heard this before............. Network Marketing is
all about building relationships! How many times have you heard that
one?
It really is about PEOPLE and what they WANT! When you
stop seeing it as a cash machine and instead start to focus on the
PEOPLE.........something remarkable begins to happen.
People begin to seek you out. In other words be a giver
not a taker. Think about what you can do to help other people. Believe
it or not this is also a smart way to really find out if they are
the RIGHT ones you are looking for to partner up with in your business!
Sometimes it seems all you do is give, give, give and
nothing is coming back. But with patience, persistence, consistent
efforts and genuine caring for people......... all of a sudden............people
start to contact you and you begin to build relationships which eventually
forms into a very solid foundation in which you can build on!
Building strong relationships is also possible to do
on the internet. I know because I've done this very effectively in
the last five years I've marketed online.
What I've seen many people do is sign a lot of people
up in their programs online and then never really have any other form
of contact with them.
What I mean is no one ever speaks with them on the phone
or meets them in person. I have been able to form relationships online
because I stay in constant contact via email, the phone and have even
met people in my network at business conferences. This really helps
people get to know you when they meet you in person.
Networking can be a lot of fun when you're genuine purpose
is to get to know people.
When meeting people on the internet or off the internet,
find out what they are interested in before you go babbling on about
you and your company, products, etc.
Afterall, some people believe it or not, may not be
interested in your fabulous company or your great products until you
show them that you genuinely care about them and what's interesting
to them. They might be in the middle of a huge crisis in their life
and the timing just may not be right for them and they may really
need a shoulder to lean on and someone who really cares for them at
this time to understand.
Now don't get me wrong here....I'm not talking about
getting into the Mother Teresa syndrome or becoming a Social Worker!
I've done that enough times! It will get you nowhere! Trust me I've
been there done that many times....I've learned my lesson! <smile>
Listen very carefully and find out where a person is
in their life and then see how you can be of help to them. Sometimes
they could be having so many personal problems that you just have
to move away from them. So listen carefully and try not to get stuck
in the above scenarios!!
No matter what a person's situation though they still
may not be interested in what you're doing. But that's OK, it's nothing
personal! The important thing is to be respectful of their decision
and where they are in their life right now.
Remember that timing thing! Just stay focused on them,
find out what they want and stay in touch periodically to see how
they are doing and how things have changed for them.
Also remember too that owning a business isn't for everyone.
Let's just cut to the chase here..... Not everyone has what it takes
to be in business for themselves.
If someone gives any indication that they think they
will get rich very quickly or that you are going to do all the work
for them then they just may not be cut out for the hard work and dedication
that owning your own business really does take.
Focus on finding the RIGHT ONES, positive people not
whinners and complainers. Spend your time and energy on them! Trust
me folks, this is the better way!
My granma used to say "You would complain if you
were hung with a new rope"! My granma was a very wise woman!
So how do you find out if what you're doing is right
for someone you meet on or offline?
You ASK them questions! Ask what you can do for THEM
and then really listen to see if they are the RIGHT one and find out
what they're gonna DO!
Find out what they do for a living.
What are their hobbies?
Are they satisfied with their life as it is?
What would they like to do?
How would they like to change their life?
What's important to them?
Where do they want to be in the next 5 years?
What have they done so far to move closer to their dreams
and goals?
Do they have a vision? If they do great, if not help
them put their vision down on paper. If they keep doing what they
are now will they reach their goals?
Are they coachable?
Are they positive about life?
Do they want to do good things to help others too?
Do they want to learn and grow or just stay where they
are?
Are they willing to do what it takes no matter what?
Find out if they have experience in Network Marketing
and if so find out all about it. Ask them what their thoughts are
about the industry. Were they successful before and why or why not?
What do they need to succeed? How can you help? Are they willing to
help you too?
Here are some questions to ask:
*What attracted them to this opportunity?
*What sort of business are they looking for? Are they
interested in financial or legal services, taxes, nutrition, health,
fitness, telecom, computers, Internet, E-Commerce?
*Tell them you are looking for ambitious, outgoing,
friendly, positive people who want to earn a serious stream of long
term income.
Does that describe them?
*Do they have experience in direct sales, network marketing,
or have they ever owned a business?
*Ask them if training and support are important to them?
*Are they a team player?
*What is their time table for taking action?
*Do they have a budget in mind to start their business?
*How much time are they willing to commit to their business
during the week?
*Are they coachable?
*How do see themselves building their network marketing
business?
*WHY do they want to do this?
Sometimes people may not show an interest in your company
or products but they may just be interested in YOU when you show a
geniune interest in THEM by asking not what Network Marketing can
do for YOU but what can YOU do for Network Marketing!
About the Author
Ms. Seward is an Internet Business Consultant, entrepreneur,
wife and mom, and has been earning an income for five years from home.
She is also a writer and speaker. She is a member of PANM "Professional
Association of Network Marketers" and also a member of the Brazosport
Area Chamber of Commerce. She resides in Lake Jackson, Texas with
her husband and two sons. To find out more about how to earn an income
on the Internet: Contact Sue at http://www.netmarkpro.com/promarketer
or email her at: SSeward930@aol.com
She also publishes a weekly Network Marketing newsletter. email to:
suespowerteam@lb.bcentral.com
Five
Holiday Business Tips For Network Marketers
