WAHM Forums

I'm hosting my first Arbonne party this Sunday. Any tips for a newbie?


Lisa

Lisa,


This might sound like a pushy approach, but it really works well for me. I learned it from my upline after I told them I had totally blown the closing at my first party. Anyway, while everyone is still seated, I pass out a consultant app to everyone. I tell them that I will help them with their orders individually, after they have signed up for the 35% discount. I do let them know that if they are spending under $80, it will be fine for them to order retail, but that if they go ahead and get their card they can get a free RE9 night cream...etc. and so on. Almost everyone at my last party just sat their and filled out their consultant agreement. So, it worked for me!


Sarah

If everyone signs, how does the hostess get credit? What are you giving for hostess credit?

I always give the hostesssome sort ofgift, regardless. Whenever my orders total enough, I buy a hostess gift, so I'll have them on hand. I total the consultant orders though, and if they total enough I give them whatever they are entitled to. Does this make sense?


Sarah

Just make sure that everyone knows that this IS a consultants agreement. This really matters to some people, you don't want them to feel like they were not given enough information about the "wholesale account", they may ask later, "why do I have a consultants account?" Just let them know it's the same thing beforehand. It can make a difference for others in direct sales companies-- if their company doesn't allow them to sign on with another direct sales company for example.

another thing, you always have to make sure your hostess gets her benefits and rewards, don't let them feel "jipped". Whatever the final total of sales from the show, you'll have to work it out so she gets her rewards. You want to make your hosts very happy so their friends/family will be "enticed" to host also. They'll see her excitement over all the products she got and they'll want to host!I've thought about doing this-- take a picture of all the products the host earned, and at the hosts permission, place a copy of that picture into the guests product bags to show them how much she earned! I don't do parties much anymore, but when I do one, I definitely will do this! Edited by: cassandra

I agree about making sure they know what they are doing. My sister in law is prohibited from signing up for any other sales company from her job.


Also, I have SO many stinking people that refuse to sign up becasue they have to put their Social Security number on it. It is so aggravating. I almost feel like not even giving the option...

the ssn issue depends on the age range of your guests. people in their 20s and 30s usually don't mind.

Are you presenting the biz at your party Lisa, or just focusing on the "spa" aspect?

arbonne babies, I have had people from 20-65 tell me no becasue of the SSN issue. But the majority are in their 30s, like me, andone was 40. it is the strangest thing,no one else seems to have the problem.

oooo, how interesting about the ssn issue. I thought I was the only one with the problem. For those who sign on though, I tell to think about it like they do theirCostco or BJ's membership. That seems to drive the point home for some folks.


And Lisa, I would try to have folks sample a number of different products. As a simple example, I happened to grab from my medicine cabinet the Herbal Muscle Massage Gel as I had just bought it for my husband. He was impressed with it and being a builder, he's usually out doing his share of hard work so I figured he'd be a good testimonial. I slapped on a TESTER label,demonstrated it at the party and told about my husband's experience. Well, I had several people purchase one! So from then on, I tried to have a representative product from as many ofour product groups as possible.

Anet,


Now that you mention it, I have had some people my age have trouble with giving me their social on paper. But most of them seemedfine with doing their app online.

Online apps definitely seem to bebetter. But I'm always concerned about losing the person in the interim. Has anyone had trouble with that?

Thanks for all the advice. I just hope the snow isn't too bad here so guests can drive safely to and from the party.

So how did your party go???

i dont believe its until tomorrow..

On-line registration is the way to go. Let them do it in their own privacy. Follow-up in a couple days and even salk them through whle they are on-line.

No more parties for me. It turned out to be a business meeting instead since only two guests showed up. The rest were afraid to drive since we got an inch of snow. I have 4 appointments after work today and I'm reconsidering this Arbonne business. I may just go back to being a wholesale buyer.


My other business is doing much better and isn't MLM.


Lisa

Hey Lisa,


I'm so sorry that the party didn't go as planned. That's pretty common for a first party though, snow or not. I think you can still do great at Arbonne w/o doing parties though. It seems that most of theAMs and up aren't doing many parties anymore, at least in my upline. I'm seriously considering dropping the party aspect too,after the holidays are. But I'm not dropping Arbonne!:) Of course, I don't really have the option of another job either. I have to make this work!! I hope you'll keep it up too!

Hi Lisa! Please don't give up! It takes time and things will get better! We are all here for ya! smileys/smiley4.gif

Oh, definitely, Lisa, don't give up. There's a lot of research out there suggesting that those who stick with network marketing are ultimately the ones who do the best. So I wouldn't let one party discourage you. Arbonne is experiencing incredible growth so you don't want to miss out on that!

Me and my team mate ended up getting another party this Tuesday. Hopefully, there won't be snow!


One appointment went well last night and I've got two more on Saturday. I work full-time during the weekdays as a software engineer and the Arbonne meetings/parties are starting to take up time I could be spending with my husband and kids. That is the main reason I'm thinking of going back to wholesale buyer. It's bad enough I miss time with my family with my regular job and my kids are growing upfast. I'd hate to look back and think of all the time I missed with them.


Lisa

Lisa, my RVP just shared with me that she works her Arbonne business an average 15-20 hours a week. That includes everything, every aspect of the business- phone calls, paperwork, parties, emails, one on ones. She made it to RVP in10 months. I understand why you are reconsidering this, but just think about how much more time you could have with your family in the near future- I'm not talking years from now, but by the time next school year comes around, wouldn't it be nice to be able to volunteer at your children's school during the day? chaperone on every field trip? be there when your kids get off the bus? You could very feasibly replace your income by that time, and work less hours. It does take time away from your family now, and tons of hard work, don't get me wrong, this is not a get rich quick scheme, but I believe that you have what it takes to reach vp status in a quick amount of time Lisa. You can do this.

Cassandra,


Thanks for the words of encouragement!


My goal with Arbonne was to be able to spend more time with my family and I know hard work now will pay off later. I guess I may not be ready for that right now, the hard work it takes to get my team built. Maybe things will change in another month or two. I always get a new burst of energy when the spring comes.


Lisa

Hi Lisa, When I had started my Mary Kay business over 4 years ago, I was very pregnant - 8 months - and was working full time. I knew I wanted to be able to stay at home with my baby, but financially, it just was not an option at the time. For the first year that I was in Mary Kay, I worked a full-time job, took care of a newborn, did Mary Kay appointments consistently 2 times a week (usually one night during the week and on Saturday or Sunday), and spent a couple hours one evening a week making booking calls. It was very hard and stressful at times. But I only had to do it for one year. It really is short term sacrifice for long term gain. I did a little bit more for a year, but have been able to be home with him full-time for the past three years! Now, I am excitedly beginning my Arbonne business and can't wait to see the results!!


I would recommend putting a picture up of your family in your office - or wherever you spend the majority of your time. That way, your eye is always on your goal of being able to spend more time with them. It will help you get through the hard times! Best of luck to you!! :)

Don't give up! You started this for a reason!


My first question is: Why did you sign up? What was your WHY?


My second question is: When you signed up, how many hours per week did you initially plan on investing in your business?


Now, take a calendar and put it on the frig for all to see.


Mark the times you and your family have things.


Now, let's say you want to work your Arbonne 5 hours per week.


Find two blocks of 2.5 hours on that calendar and write it on the calendar for all to see.


If you have Tuesday and Wednesday night open, write Arbonne. If you have Saturday at 10:00 and 2:00, write Arbonne.


Let your family know that you are booked for those 5 hours.


Now, what about phone time? Swiss cheese it into your day. When you are out and about, meet people. Ask for their opinion.


Make calls when you have a minute here and a minute there. Take 15 minutes at lunch to make your calls.


It's do-able! Success will come your way if you're a find a way, make a way kind of person.


Was your family excited about you starting Arbonne? About the chance for your to work from home?


Don't give up on your dream. Take emotion out of the equation and work the numbers!!! You go girl!smileys/smiley2.gif

Lisa, I completely understand. It is hard work. Especially when you get started. I know this week. I thought what am I doing.But then I remember that I am doing this for my family. It is hard to remember that when people disappoint you or turn you down. Be positive and stick with it.