WAHM Forums

I clearly must be doing something wrong. I cant get anyone interested in BC! Not for a spa party, Not to buy and certainly not to recruit! I own a salon so I have tried inviting clients to an open house here at the salon. No one is interested in coming. When I try to recruit people the look at me like Im crazy and say something about it not being for them. The only people who have bought anything is my family. Im getting frustrated! Im excited about the products so its not that. Ughhhhh!!!!!

I think you're doing a great job! Sometimes you have to warm people up! What about having an open house at your house. Invite friends, family, coworkers, etc. Tell them that you need their help to get your spas going. Tell them that you have great things to give them for free if they will host a party for you. If they say it's not for them, tell them that you REALLY need them. See if that works. Another idea may be to call some of your really great clients and tell them that you'd like them to come in for a spa escape with your favorite clients.

I'm having that problem too...My family helps me, but I'm having a hard time getting friends or other people interested, even AFTER I tell them about ALL of our hostess gifts and benefits. Why don't people want a COMPLIMENTARY spa at their HOME? I don't get it. I'm going to start handing out samples, though, and see if I can build interest that way. Good luck!

I have an idea, although sometimes my ideas aren't so great (ha)

Anyway, when you are done working on a client, why don't you just say "I've got a complimentary instant manicure for you. Step over to my sink and it only takes 30 seconds" or something similar.

Maybe if you start with just offering them that, they will like it and wonder what else you have ?????

Or make them feel really special by saying "You are the 3rd (or whatever) client to day, and every 3rd one gets a free instant manicure". Maybe do that before you do the hair, then while you are working on their hair, you can talk about other products and doing in-home spas.

I am having the same issue. I work in retail (cellular provider) right now and can loose my job by advertising my personal busines to customers. My husband has put a cap on my spending for advertising. he supports me to the fullest and sees the potential of the business. I previously was with anothe company that tanked just as i started to make lots of money. I have seriously cried about this my family cannot afford to spend the amounts they are spending they are doing it out of love. Please how do I build

People like to feel special. It's just human nature. They don't want something that just anybody can have, so try to make it sound exclusive. Maybe put a draw box out in your salon and have 5 names drawn each month for a spa night with their friends plus a gift basket with the neckwrap and a skincare starter set and gift certificate for their full-size at 40% off. It sounds so much more enticing when there's only a limited number of spots available.

Also, it's important to stress that we are so different from the normal home party people are used to. For example, I've been invited to 15 home parties in the last 2 weeks (10 were party lite!) I refuse to go anymore. But if it's something different than just sitting around listening to a sales pitch, you're actually experience spa treatments and relaxing with your friends, now you're talking! Make sure it sounds fun when you talk about it.

Finally, you need to get rid of your desperation. People can smell that a mile away and they run the other direction. When I started, I would beg people to have spas and it never turned out well. I even offered to pay for my friend's beauticase if she'd have a spa for me. She never did and ended up giving me most of the products because it had no value for her. This is the totally wrong approach.

We need to show people the value. I tell them, wouldn't it be cool if Sephora opened its doors one night, put out comfy couches and said "come on in, bring your friends, and try whatever you like! We'll have professionals on hand to help you do it right and provide some fun spa tips. And it's free! Plus we'll help you shop afterwards to make sure you get the right stuff for your needs." That's basically what our spa is like, only the shopping part won't cost them as much.

Or tell them microdermabrasion is the #1 requested treatment at the spa. Have they tried it? It costs $100 per treatment and they'll get to try it for free! Put a dollar amount on everything so they know it has value.

HTH

You're not doing things wrong just need to go at it alittle different angle. I like what the other lady said above to offer an Instant Manicure while they wait, give them a special treat while they wait for their hair to dry or whatever. How about do the Instant Manicure, Extreme Repair and then put on baggies on the hands with heated mitts or gloves to soften their hands while you do their hair. This is like the foot treatment at the spa escapes except for the hands. Make it a special treat in addition to their hair appointment. Offer the Lip Apeel while you wash their hair,when itdries , then have them or youself remove it and add the lip balm. Offer the eye pads while you wash their hair, and so on. You can do lots of things to "show" your products....once they try it then you can offer the spa and free products or sell it right there. Make sure when you recruit it is because they have stated a need that BC can fill, you can't push it on someone who doesn't know they have the need yet.....and when they are saying "That's not for me" then all that means is they don't have enough information about the opportunity and the benefits. it's the same as "I'm not interested".

oh and I totally forgot....THE NECKWRAP!!! put that baby on them!! and when they fall in love with it....tell them how they can get it for free....

Now I'm wishing I had a salon so I could do all that!! HA!!!

This sounds like good information to me! I'd go for it!

Shannon,
Your situation is different. With not being able to advertise your business at your J.O.B. that is difficult. But as an idea, you may need to go to lunch away from your JOB and advertise. Go have lunch some place where there are people and strike up conversations. Do this outside the JOB. As for your family's support, that's great...but ask them to have a spa for you and invite people you don't necessarily know. Also, have them advertise for you too... they could be on the lookout for stressed people, people needinga spa, people with skin care issues, etc....all the things you would look for as a consultant. Train them to be your sales force. Here's a list of 82 things you can do to get bookings. maybe it can help:

82 Ways To Get Bookings

1. Send a catalog to a co-worker that has moved.
2. Send a catalog to your Tupperware, Discovery Toys, Etc. Reps or Exchange Shows.
3. Post a catalog in the teachers lounge at your child's school.
4. Post a catalog in the employee lunch room.
5. Hold an Open House
6. Have a booth a school fair
7. Advertise in your Alumni newsletter and or local newspaper
8. Give a Catalog to the receptionist at your doctor's or dentist's office
9. Include a wrap or flyer with your bill payments.
10. Call past hostesses
11. Put current catalog or wrap in your neighbors door. Include a 10% off coupon.
12. Ask friends to have a show
13. Advertise in your church bulletin
14. Take a recipe to every potluck. (That has something to do with your business)
15. Host an office party or brunch.
16. Host a show before or during a <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:stockticker>PTA</st1:stockticker> meeting.
17. Mail out samples, catalogs, and a wish list
18. Host your own show. Could even be a fund raiser for your favorite charity.
19. Get a list from welcome wagon. New people may be looking for a consultant or a new job in your area.
20. Set up a display at a craft fair
21. Participate in a school fund raiser
22. Have your Husband or significant other promote the products at work.
23. Have you and your family members wear at shirt or sweatshirt promoting your product.
24. Hold a Christmas shopping show for men.
25. Offer a Christmas wish list to your guest and then call the gift giver.
26. Set up a display at a mall.
27. Put an “ask me” button on your purse or coat.
28. Ask past hostesses at shows to talk about their free products.
29. Hold an opportunity night.
30. Random mailings. Open a phone book and randomly choose.
31. Mention Hostess half price gifts and other benefits at least three times per show.
32. Hold up higher price products and mention half price products to encourage bookings.
33. Mention how much your average hostess gets in products.
34. At the beginning of your show mention the hostess goal.
35. Share upcoming specials at shows and during phone calls.
36. Tell your hostess how much she saved by having a show.
37. Encourage frequent customers to regularly plan shows.
38. Encourage Hostesses to rebook a show in 6-9 months. She'll be the first to see and try new products.
39. Treat Hostesses to a special Hostess appreciation tea.
40. Encourage relatives to book a show.
41. Call your realtor with suggestions for new home packages.
42. Offer to do a class for your local grocery store.
43. Start an email address book of customers who want to know what the monthly specials are, Don't forget to mention the hostess specials, if there isn't one create one.
44. Encourage your hostesses and guests to refer potential hostesses to you.
45. Offer a bridal registry.
46. Promote the bridal shows.
47. Describe and highlight the hostess plan during shows.
48. Be friendly and enthusiastic.
49. Follow through on every booking lead.
50. Ask, Ask, Ask
51. Use open ended questions, especially when dealing with bookings.
52. Use your products and samples at home, office, camping, parties, etc..
53. Read sales, self improvement, and positive thinking books.
54. Call at least two potential hostesses every night.
55. Dream and imagine the possibilities
56. Set goals and review them constantly, post them where you can see them.
57. Ask friends to help you get started or reach a certain goal.
58. Use hostess flyers.
59. Use postcards and or newsletters to continue to spark interest.
60. Follow up phone calls to particularly interested guests. They may decide later to have a show.
61. Have the hostess tell why she decided to have a show.
62. Give products as gifts or donations.
63. Don't be shy talking about your products or business.
64. Smile when talking on the phone.
65. Review orders from the past shows--who have bought frequently, etc.
66. Be prepared to answer questions about your work.
67. Write down names of people who owe you a favor and then follow up.
68. Call the most familiar people first.
69. Call potential hostesses who postponed or never booked.
70. Spend time every day working on some aspect of your business.
71. Be willing to share the business opportunity.
72. Call anyone who has said maybe or sometime.
73. Contact schools.
74. Leave your business cards on bulletin boards or in local businesses.
75. Talk about upcoming specials with everyone.
76. Keep a list of special requests and let those guest know when that product is on sale.
77. Suggest hosting a show to do Christmas shopping with out leaving home.
78. Offer a bonus for hostesses who book on days or months you need and extra show.
79. Give extra service and time to good customers-they will be repeat hostesses and potential consultants.
80. Carry a note pad to jot down names as you think of them.
81. Let guests keep a catalog or sales brochure to keep on hand or pass around work.
82. Love what you do! Smile