WAHM Forums

I wasa rep and had to cancel my COTM shipment a few months ago, because I was having a hard time selling them, and money was tight. I really want to start back up, because I love the candles and know I can make money. My problem is finding customers. I have done several flea markets and fairs and sold nothing but a few votives. I have told the benefits, and I hear "a candle is a candle" and "they are still so expensive". Once I get someone to buy, they come back. But I am having such a hard time getting them to make that first purchase. What do I do?


Terri

Terri,
I know how you feel. Where I am at in Michigan, the economy is really horrible. Right now the only big businesses left here are the hospital and walmart. 13% of adults over 18 are unemployed. However, there are still a lot of people buying candles and do so every single day. The best thing is to get out there and do it. Go to small businesses to see if you can set up a small display. Go to large businesses and see if you can do a lunch by candlelight party. See if they need baskets for Christmas. Sell out of your area if possible, that is what I am trying to do. My sales have been really slow. So my next step is to put on another open house and try to do a Christmas in July party with other vendors. I hope this helps you.
Scent-cerely, Nicole

Hi Terri,
You really have to believe in your product and you have to make others believe that these are the best candles around. How do you do this? Smell and Sell and give a few votives for people to try and tell you their opinion.
There are slow days and excellent days and you just have to roll on and go with the next person.

Do you have a sign on your car? Do you talk candle talk to everyone you see?I talk Candles to everyone I see, I have a big sign on the back of my car and Im not afraid to goout of my way to meet people and introduce the candles.

My team knows that I will be the first to goup to someone and introduce myself. Start up a conversation about what they do and then slowly introducethe candles. Be prepared to hand over samples or a brochure.

I also bring a basket to work with wrapped individual votives and everyone comments and buys.

Dont be afraid to try new things, if you see something doesnt work go on to the next thing.
Never ever give up!!!!

Deanna
http://www.DeannasScentedCandles.com

I agree...
To get people hooked fast -- you have to find those people who are already burning candles...

I don't give a "spill" about all the benefits -- All I let people know is that I believe the Mia Bellas they have the best scent-throw of any candle on the market -- they are a natural vegetable wax and that they are non-toxic and virtually soot free!

I also like the idea of a loaner candle....

"Trying is Buying" in this business!

Oh...I do give one other benefit that I have found...

I don't think Mia Bella has promoted this benefit -- but for me I have found it to be true...

The Mia Bella scent seems to not only cover odors -- but many times to remove the odor for quite a while even after the candle has been blown out!

That is a huge benefit for people with pets or other odor causing things in their home!

Ialso stress the odor thing. The reason I will mention this to some, is because my BIL who is a smoker, tried the SOCP candle over a year ago and he swears that it coversmost of the smell. We don't smoke at all, so I can't say exactly how well that works. But I got another customer at his place of business who also smokes, that never goes without a SOCP candle.
I keep the SOCP at home at all times for other various odors. Especially after frying fish, this does wonders for the fishy smell.

That has helped to get a few customers. As well as the fact that the scent throw is awesome. I have hadtwo ladies who thought there was no way a candle could cover most of the house with scent. I said oh boy, you have to try a Mia Bella then. I gave these ladies candles of mine that were already halfway used, on loan. It only took one day later for one of the ladies to be convinced she had to purchase! She is now a steady cusotmer of mine. The other lady called me a week later and she still purchases also.

Mia Bellas will really sell themselves to doubters once they get one lit and going for a few minutes. I took a Chili Vanilli into our insurance company when I had to update some stuff there, and our regular lady who takes care of us wanted to know what I had for her, LOL! It was that months COTM, so I asked her if I could light it for the few minutes while I am there.

Oh the reason I took the candle inside in the first place, is because I noticed previously that all the ladies had a candle of some sort on their desks. So I noted to myself that I would bring a Mia Bella in the next time I had to go see them. It worked! I sold that candle on the spot 15 minutes later. I also sold 6 other candles to the other ladies that day. I had 4 more candles left in the car with me. And got an order for 2 more Chili Vanillis.

They are the best!

Hi Terri,

I know how you feel, I've been with the company for 3 months now and I already experienced some ups and downs. I sold our candles to my co-workers, family, and have a booth at various events. There was time that I didn't make any money at all in an event, but there are times that I made a pretty good income out of it. If people told you the price of the jar is too high, maybe you can do multiple jars discount price. What I do at an event, I always told my customer that my retail price usually is $20, but I'm running a special for this event, so 1 jar will be $18 or 2 for $30. Since I don't pay any sales tax in Oregon for my candles so I still make a pretty good profit, not HUGE but as long as I get new customers and they are happy with our products, that's all that matters for me. Good luck!smileys/smiley1.gif

Great suggestions!

I would like to remind everyone here that the new school year is just around the corner too. This means FUNDRAISERS.

I have had huge success with my fundraisers. What I do is contact all the schools in your area to find out whom you need to talk too. Get our wonderful candles under the nose of the people that will be making the decision on what fundraisers they are going to have this year.

Fundraiser are one of the quickest way to reach many people. People buy because it is a fundraiser, but after they get them home and experience how wonderful our candles are, they want more. I have had lots of repeat orders come from my fundraising efforts.

lacy,

Thank you for bringing this up. I'm thinking of trying some fundraisers. What time of year do you usually start approaching the schools? Do you start as soon as school is back in?

Thanks a bunch!

Terri,
I don't know where you live but there are many ways to build your business. Retail is a good way to make money right away but have you considered fundraising like Lacy mentioned? Or real estate agents or businesses?

Did you try to build a team or were you trying to do retail only? I have found that a lot of people don't know about our great products and we need to spread the word and let them know! I also have a weekly online vendor party and am gaining customers and networking with other WAHM's from different companies. As fellow network marketers they know the quality of our products and what a reputable company we have!

Don't know if you have tried to have an open house or do home parties but that would be a good way to gain a customer base as well. I have to agree with the ladies that our products doa great job in getting rid of odors. I gave my mom a simmer pot and Victorian Rose melts since she loves roses. Every time she cooks fish she uses it and she can't beleive how it covers up the fish scent and leaves her apartment smelling like a garden! And this is coming from a woman who was always negative about what I was selling previously.http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

You know how great the products are you just have to step outside the box and introduce them to everyone you come across! Be passionate about your product and people will see what a great candle you sell!

Yolanda in New York

Happy,

Just as soon as school starts get with the PTA or different clubs. All will be looking early in the year to make decisions as to what fundraisers they will have this year. So start early.