Business Tip- Sending Thank You Cards to Customers

ANMSRBSJGXDE

I was talking to a woman today in the direct sales industry for 33 years. Her name is Gina with The Selling Divas. It was fascinating. She is a card sender with SOC (not one of my customers or downline) and understands the importance of sending cards.

She has placed many orders with a particular person who is also in direct sales. One order was $400, another month it was $300 then following months were from $50-$100. One would think a constant and good customer like this should receive a Thank You for Your Business card. Well, that was not the case.

Why do we have to teach business owners, sales reps, independent contractors etc. the common etiquette to send a thank you card? We teach our children to send thank you cards to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. for when the kid's get gifts. Or am I the only person who still teaches this to my kids?

Common etiquette is to say thank you. This all goes back to when I talked about the cost of finding a new customer compared to the cost of keeping an existing one happy through appreciation.

Let's think about the cost of .99 cent card plus postage compared to the cost of an ad in a local paper...hmmmm....hundreds! I don't think this needs to be explained. It is common sense.

I see this all the time. I have done business with many direct sales consultants and very few have sent a thank you card for hosting a show.

Direct Sales is about Relationships. If one does not want to build relationships- then direct sales is not for them.

In conclusion, please think of the hostesses/ hosts/ guests who bought from you. Send a thank you card or place a phone call to them. That little token of appreciation goes a long way.


Happy Card Sending,
and
Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card and Biz Opp www.unitedwesendcards.net
Storefront- www.unitedwesendcards.com
helpwithsoc@gmail.com
954-667-9762

ANMSRBSJGXDE

How to Find the Right Direct Sales Company for YOU

I have to tell you this story of my sister. She worked at an office for a couple of years and like many of Americans today, she found herself in the administrator's office and was told they had to cut back. After serious talks, they had to let her and others in the office go; including her boss.

After many months of searching for another job, she found the job of dreams at a well-known law practice in Palm Beach. We were all so excited! However, the lesson of the story is this- always have a PLAN B. When your employer has to cut your salary or let you go, will he still pay for the lifestyle in which you are accustomed to? NO!

By finding the right Direct Sales Company for you- you control your hours, you control how much you want to earn. And if you do have to accept a pay cut, you know that you have an extra $200, $400, $1000 or more a month to make up the difference. If you are let go, you know that if you can work harder on your PLAN B, you can make it your full time career or at least for awhile until you find another job.

When searching for the right Direct Sales Company make sure you are passionate for what you will be selling to your customers. Make sure you are comfortable with your up line. How long have they been in the business? Make sure you understand the compensation plan. Understand any and all of the requirements that are set in place for the company. Every company is different. Don't let anyone fool you. It does take work and determination to make your business succeed. It will not happen over night. Keep yourself on a budget. All companies have a maximum spending budget. Keep track on how many events you can afford to do and how much inventory you can carry. Otherwise the company will be getting rich and not you.

There are many links out there to help you research the right company for you. Every direct selling company offers the same thing- more money for you can be made, more time for your family, travel more, a great product or service. Make sure it is not a scam. Above all else do not allow anyone to sweet talk you into their company. This is your decision and if anyone does push you into a distributorship- I would be wary.

Best of Luck to you and your endeavour.

Kerry and Debbie

Storefront- http://www.unitedwesendcards.com/

Send A Free Card and Biz Opp- http://www.unitedwesendcards.net/

*****************************************************************************

That's ok, I don't want your referral.

The person who needs to read this is the one who wonders why they don't receive referrals from clients and/or other business professionals. The other type of person who reads this, like myself and my partner, will probably laugh in agreement.

How many times have you found someone at a networking event you thought about referring too? It is a great experience. They are a person who will fit in your circle of contacts, help each other with referrals, a nice compliment to the services and/ or products you have. Whatever the reason, you hit it off (or so you thought) and poof they don't FOLLOW UP!

You know that there lies interest. It is obvious from the other party. You make that phone call which is basic in nature. "Hello, how are you? I would like to know about you and your business? Give me a call."

You don't hear back, so the next day you send an email and wait...still no response. You think- are they on vacation? Are they hurt? Now, this is not just a one way street you truly want to know about them and their business, so you can refer your clients to them. There isn't an automated e-mail response saying they are out of town, nor a message on their voicemail. So, do they want the business or not? You even think to yourself- do they even know how to network and follow up?

I ask myself, does this person really want my referral? How can I be an effective referral generator to someone who does not return my call or email in a timely manner. If this is how you treat me, then how will you treat my client?

One needs to think about how they may be perceived if not returning communications in a timely manner. Communication is very important.

We are living in a society where people want instant gratification. If you don't call them back in an hour (maybe for some people it is even less) they WILL call someone else. Just Google a business and thousands come up. Everyone is not only in competition with the store down the street, but the ones all over the country.

My best advice is to offer you this. Reflect on how quickly you return a call, answer an email and evaluate the way you communicate to your customers and networking friends. If you are not available at this time then let them know you will contact them as soon as you return.

Ask yourself this- do you ignore a phone call on your cell because you don't know the number? Instead TELL yourself this, "If I DO answer this call, then I may gain a new customer. Because if I don't they more than likely will call my competition." I am not saying to be up at all hours of the night and being interrupted during family dinners. I am just saying to communicate more effectively and you may have more business than you know what to do with.

Debbie

Retail Store:  http://www.unitedwesendcards.com/
Send A Free Card and Biz Op:  http://www.unitedwesendcards.net/

********************************************************************************

Dating vs. Networking- What is the Difference?

I thought of this topic as I was lying in bed last night. For those of you who know me this is not an irregular thing for me to do. On top of three kids, a husband, two successful businesses and planning a Women's Expo and Fundraiser. One would think I just crash. But I had an epiphany.

So, what is the difference between Dating and Networking? My hypothesis says nothing. There is no difference.

Dating is the process of meeting a person of the opposite sex (or same sex in some situations). Dating is the beginning stage to find that man/woman of our dreams. To marry, have children, and live a long and beautiful life with.

In the past, before the Internet, we met people through our friends and family who knew us and knew the other person. Therefore, you hoped that it would be a good match. Sometimes it was and sometimes it wasn't. This way of matchmaking has gone by the wayside. Now, the majority of single people are using social media sites to find people quicker, easier and a bit safer. We are busy. We don't have time for a long drawn out first date. If we don't like them why torture ourselves for an hour and a half. We can have coffee instead and see if it can go further. (Am I the only one who dated like this?)

Unlike going to a bar, they may join speed dating groups, dances and /or social Meet Up groups. I actually met my husband on eHarmony and we did have a long drawn out first date for 6 hours!!! Ok, so maybe my philosophy was not working. :)

So now they got a date after finding the right person, with the right picture and profile. They dress up to make a first impression. First impressions always make a lasting impression. They meet the person at a local restaurant, coffee shop or something along those lines. And now comes the conversation. It is not as if the person is intentionally trying to repulse the other. It sometimes happens. One talks to much or the other's conversation is not appropriate for a first date.

The behaviour is not well received. Some people may want to relax, but they relax so much they drink too much. One wants to put paws all over the other one. Basically, it is just not happening.

Respect, honor and confidence are the attributes one should have when they first walk out there door. Not what shoes they have on. Yes, that is important. As I said before- first impressions do matter. But the qualities of a person shine over that. So when they wake up in the morning with you 20 years later you still see the beauty of them from long ago. You will NEVER remember the shoes they had on.

We can not expect that everyone thinks we are attractive. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I remember walking around the mall when I was younger, saying "What is she doing with him?" I may not find that person attractive, but she does and that is all that matters.

Just as in dating, we are not going to get along with everyone in networking circles. Networking is expanding. We network on social media sites. This allows us to find more people, more quickly, any time of the day and night and it does not affect our work schedules. We network at referral groups and chambers where initial person to person contact is imperative.

Many people think or expect that everyone to do business with them. We are like sharks trying to see who we can bite. We are looking for that quick sale. I know I am looking to build that relationship. Just as in dating. Build a long, lasting and beautiful relationship where refferals just flow.
We need to RESPECT the person's time and efforts. We need to HONOR ourselves and others around us. With HONOR comes RESPECT. And we need the CONFIDENCE within ourselves that a NO is okay. No does not always mean No forever. It can be No for right now.

When dating, one should RESPECT the person they are out on a date with. Respect their space, body and time. HONOR yourself and don't give it up so soon. That will never lead to a long, lasting, loving relationship. And CONFIDENCE. You should have the confidence within yourself to know that you are the best, you are well respected and you have qualities that are good and giving without sounding arrogant.

There. I can not find the difference between dating and networking. Make the process fun and enjoy it. When you do find the relationships you want in your life- things will just flow. No fight, no battle. Just a continual partnership that will last a lifetime.

Debbie

Retail Store:  http://www.unitedwesendcards.com/
Send A Free Card and Biz Op:  http://www.unitedwesendcards.net/

********************************************************************************