Business Opportunities in the Direct Sales Industry

Many different people from many different backgrounds, nationalities, economic and household situations start a business in the direct sales industry for many different reasons. Some mothers and even fathers may want to stay home with the kids and make their own hours, give themselves a promotion when ever they see fit, be their own boss, earn trips and cars and so much more.

Statistics show that 50% of Americans will start their own business at one time or another. There are many tax benefits of owning your own business as well as the feeling of accomplishment.

Just like starting any new business, it is an exciting time. Direct Sales is a relationship building business. Athough technology has advanced many people's businesses and exposure, it is the basic relationship that will help determine a person's success or falure in direct sales.

There is NO sugar coating it and do not allow anyone sugar coat it for you. Just like any business it involves work, determination, passion and a willingness to be coached. Companies have already developed marketing tools for you to use. Re-creating the wheel is not always the best way to succeed in direct sales. Use their tools that they have put in place for you. Also, make sure you have a budget set in place. Many new people who try direct sales get caught up in spending too much too soon. Then when they don't see money being made, they give up and claim that direct sales is a scam. The enticement of new products and sales offered can be tempting. But it is not necessary to keep inventory and many companies do not want you to keep inventory. The concept of starting a business is to make money, not go broke.

In direct sales you can start at a very low cost, for free or up to hunderds of dollars. Needless to say, it is much less than opening up a traditional business which requires thousands to millions of dollars at the initial start up. Understand your compensation plan. Maximize it. Understand when you would earn bonuses and trips.

There are direct sales companies that carry many different products and services. From jewelry to auto care, pets, toys, clothing to handbags, technology services, personalized items, greeting cards, cosmetics, skincare, food and nutritionals and more. Every company claims they are the best, and yes, they all offer amazing, high-quality products. It is important to find a company and product YOU are passionate about and go for it.

This is one of the many reasons why I started Home Party Divas- To help others find opportunities, locate reputable consultants who can help those who want to begin their venture and to definately not sugar coat it.

Here are a list of the members in Home Party Divas and the companies they represent. There are many other companies out there. As we grow, we hope to have at least one member of every home party based business represented. In the meantime, you can visit www.dsa.com (Direct Sales Association) for a list of reputable companies.

Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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Stop Losing Business

Change these scary statistics with a simple solution...

· The average company loses 52% of its customers every 5 years...Cost of replacing them can be 6-7 times more expensive. The number 1 reason for leaving us is they forget about us, the second reason is that they feel we took their business for granted.

· We potentially lose up to 19% of additional business because we don’t ask for referrals. Opportunities are never lost, they just go to someone else.

· 66% of your business within the next 12 months should come from your sphere of influence.

· 5% increase in customer loyalty will yield 20%-80% to our bottom line profit...Much wiser to spend money on customer retention than acquisition.

· For every month that we don’t contact or communicate with our client, we lose 10% of our influence...if 10 months go by without communication then you lose 100% of your influence!

· Studies show that the average person won’t take action until they’ve heard or seen your message at least 7 times. It is vital to our business to have a systematic way for keeping in touch.

· Most businesses lose 10-17% of their business every year.

· 62% of your clients aren’t taking advantage of all of your products or services.

· 91% of our customers say they would give us a referral. 80% haven’t been encouraged to do so!

· Just saying thank you to our clients - particularly new clients - to do nothing more than saying thank you (do not try to sell) will increase your business by 17%.

· 95% of our customers will purchase from a competitor on an impulse even if you provide a great service. This just shows the importance of staying on the top of your clients mind.

· Only 3% of our mail is personal...how do you feel when you walk out to the mail box and see a personal card addressed to you? Your clients & prospects are no different.

· Of all the leads that are generated at trade shows, 67% of them are never followed up with. When you consider the cost of doing a trade show (time, cost to rent the space, cost for booth display materials), this is a huge waste of an opportunity.

· REAL ESTATE: 87% of all For Sale by Owners will eventually list with a realtor...how are you staying in touch?

· REAL ESTATE: 82% of all homeowners can’t tell you the name of their Realtor if they bought their home more than two years ago.

· REAL ESTATE: 90% of all people who used a realtor were happy with their experience but only 11% used the same realtor the next time they needed one.

So how do you do this? Simple start a personal relationship by sending people cards to show them you care about them. All from the comfort of your office/home right from the computer.
Go to www.unitedwesendcards.net and click #2 and send a card on me. It's fun and easy. show somebody you care about them.

Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront
954-667-9762
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What to Say When You Appreciate Someone

Words of appreciation can sometimes come across as banal and trite.  After all, is there a more tired sentiment than a quickly scrawled “you are appreciated”?  Yet for employers and employees, businessmen and clients, family members and close friends, associates and lovers, expressing appreciation for everything a person means to you is absolutely necessary.  When you find yourself lost for words, try some of these words of appreciation from the heart.  They’re not all sentimental or sappy (though some are), but each phrase expresses something about that special relationship that lifts your heart and makes the day to day stresses that you face more manageable.  Take the time today to tell someone “I appreciate you.”

Casual Words of Appreciation

These phrases are appropriate for business relationships, casual friends, and acquaintances who have gone the extra mile for you.

• I just wanted to let you know—the things you do for (me, the company, our group) do not go unnoticed.  You’re a necessary piece to this puzzle.  I appreciate your dedication and service, and I know others do too.
• Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment.  You are not only a valued member of this group, you’re a dear friend.  I can’t imagine working without you.
• You’re the heart and soul of this team.  I appreciate your dedicated commitment.
• I only wish to aspire to the things you’ve achieved.  Telling you that you’re “appreciated” does not do your service justice.  You’re the best!
• You do such a great job!  Keep it up.
• Let me encourage you today: you’re not only on the right track.  You set the course for the rest of us.  I appreciate you.
• The difference you make is nothing short of legendary.
• I can’t imagine the world without you.  I only know it would be a much different, much less comforting place.
• God bless you for always being there to cheer and to guide.

Appreciation Quotes
Try some of these special quotes from some of the world’s leading philosophers, actors, and businessmen to convey your deep appreciation for another person.

• Frederick Koenig once mentioned that happiness comes not from getting something we lack, but from the recognition and appreciation of what we do have.  I agree—I don’t know what I’d do without you.
•  “I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.” – Elbert Hubbard
• According to the Dalai Lama, the roots of goodness are in the soil of appreciation for goodness.  You’ve been too good to me, and it is deeply appreciated.
• To truly appreciate life, we seek companionship.  Thank you for being my companion.  I appreciate you.
• “Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the gratefully and appreciating heart.” – Henry Clay
• Goethe said, “treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”  You’ve treated me as though I were capable of reaching the stars.  Because of you, I have.
• When I read that Dickens said, “reflect upon your present blessings,” you came to mind.
• Proust urged his readers be grateful to people who make them happy.  I am grateful to you.

Relationships
Do you want to tell that special someone they’re appreciated without saying “I love you”?  Try a few of these on for size.

• “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire
• Your love and support will always be remembered, fondly in good times, and as encouragement in bad.
• Someday I hope to give to you a fraction of all you’ve given me.
• No words can express, no act of gratitude can relay, no gift can represent what your love and support have meant to me.  Please accept this note as an indicator of my heartfelt appreciation for everything you are.
• I can’t imagine five minutes without you.  Thank God I’ve got the rest of my life to spend with you.
• If I tried to tell you how much I appreciate you, I’d be talking the rest of my life.  I hope that, in some small way, you realize how much you’ve meant to me, and how truly I desire to give back to you.
• You’ve bent over backwards for me.  Please let me repay you somehow, if only in a note telling you how much I appreciate your love and support.

Referenced from YourDictionary.com

Remember sending cards will help re-connect with those you lost touch with, develop new relationships and maintain existing ones. Who do you know that does not like to receive a card?
Happy Card Sending,
Debbie and Kerry Your Referral Specialists
Send A Free Card
Storefront

954-667-9762

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SOC IPhone App Review

I was so excited about the news for the new SOC iPhone App! I downloaded it for free, logged into my account and started to send cards!!!

I thought to myself- how is this possible with over 14,000 cards, images and my contacts? Well, they did it. It is very simple.

I logged in and the screen shows my address, points and expense I have in my account. I select catalog at the bottom of the screen to start creating a card. The categories are listed just like in your regular account on the computer.  I select Holiday and Occasions to send a birthday card. I go through selecting the card for a friend. The images on the front of the card are clear and colorful. I click next at the top of my screen. I can edit the left and right sides of the card.

I can insert images from my SOC account or take a photo from iPhone!!! Instantly it goes into my card.

I can also add an existing contact from my Send Out Cards account, my device's address book or add a new contact.
It validates how many points and expense I am going to use and then SEND CARD!

Wow!!! Talk about acting on a prompting. You are out with clients and can send a card right after a meeting without going to your office! BRILLIANT!

BOO!!! Halloween Treats

Send a Treat to your Friends and Family.

SendOutCards has some really cute gifts to brighten someone's day this Fall.

All of the flavor of Pumpkin Pie without all the work.

Just add water, butter and a can of pumpkin. It only  takes 5 minutes to prepare. The dish is oven, dishwasher and microwave safe. Use it as a candy dish or decoration. Perfect as a Hostess Gift.

We have so many Halloween and Fall Gift ideas that can be sent with a card.

To send your card and gift out to someone you care about, visit our storefront @ http://www.unitedwesendcards.com/. If you need assistance give us a call 954-667-9762.

Thanks
Debbie and Kerry
Send A Free Card and Biz Opp http://www.unitedwesendcards.net/
Storefront- http://www.unitedwesendcards.com/
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Direct Sale Reps Give You a Bad Taste in Your Mouth

Direct Sale Representatives usually get a bad wrap. There are many people, for many reasons who are left with a bad taste in their mouth when they hear about direct sales or MLM. They associate it with scams or a person who was pushing distributorship way too much. Now while there have been a few scams out there and pushy people. There are many that are not. Companies are only as good as its distributors. Many of the most successful distributors are ones who understand this. I know I do not want to be known as the distributor who throws up all over my contacts.

Like in traditional business, I have been scammed by plumbers, electricians, car salesman, and stockbrokers who took my money and didn’t finish a job or invested in the wrong stocks for their own financial gain. Many people were scammed by Madoff. Yet, we still invest. We still have our checking accounts. There are many good companies out there, with good morals and values with incredible products and services. Keep that in mind when someone offers you an opportunity.

In our SendOutCards business, we have come across customers who were told there was only one package-the Entrepreneur package. We have gained these people as customers, because we listened to THEIR needs. They did not want to do it as a business and did not want to invest over $300.00. And with our honesty, we have built a trusting relationship. We have also had people who were customers who upgraded down the road to a Distributor when THEY were ready.

Direct Sales is not about us. It is about the customer. It is about the team we build and their goals. Once they identify what they want, it will ultimately help you as their upline.

As a rep in the direct sales industry, do what you feel is comfortable for you- your style, your manners, your attitude. But always remember it is the person you are talking to whose opinion matters the most.

Debbie Shulman and Kerry Lynn Palmieri
Send A Free Card and Biz Opp- http://www.unitedwesendcards.net/
Storefront- http://www.unitedwesendcards.com/
E-mail- helpwithsoc@gmail.com
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The Right Way to Act

When I send a card out to a client or friend, I think to myself am I sending out to Give or sending out to Get?


Kerry and I love the fact that even as we grow our business we are learning to grow within ourselves.


When one sends out to GET, the Universe just takes. Now, maybe this is a bit of a far out concept for some of you, but I think this concept is very simple to understand for most. For example, how many times has someone contacted you and says the following. Now, keep in mind, I have had this happen to me often in the past, but have learned from it so I stay away from people like this.

     "Hey, Debbie, I wanted to call to see how you are and find out if we can meet for coffee. I would like to hear more about your online tool that can help my business."


     "Ok, when and where do you want to meet?"

So we meet up at a local coffee shop and I get to introduce my service and find out how they need it for their business. Then the conversation switches.

     "You know, Debbie, I think that you can use my service/ product in your business as well. We have a ground floor business opportunity that blah blah blah..."


That is all I hear.Why does someone think this is a good way of meeting people, building a team or sell a product/ service? Basically, I felt like the person was throwing up all over me about their business and wasted my time meeting up with them. I could have made an appointment with someone who is truly interested in me and my resources.


Don't get me wrong. I was interested in what they do, but I was not there to be solicited to. They asked me for coffee and then they did a switch. Probably because I would not have met up with them if they were honest.


This contact was obviously out to GET. So what happens, the Universe just takes. Nothing is given back. If the contact was truly interested in my service then I would of been more open to hear about theirs.


Yet, if they were out to GIVE the conversation would of ended up a lot differently. Can we see how we can refer to each other? Let's learn and build a relationship so you can trust me and I can trust you. When you GIVE and open yourself up to truly appreciate and learn, then business can be generated. If not, I think you are annoying, wasting my time and start to think to myself- would I want to be a part of a business where this is one of their techniques; which is blindly meeting up with people to puke the business all over them?

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

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