WAHM Forums

I'm terrified of the phone. But moving to a new state and not having any bookings has really made me test my fears.


I've been making as many calls as it takes to talk to 5 people a day. I started with my existing hostesses and customers from California to continue my relationship, tell them they are still precious to me and keep them informed of sales, promotions, and the opportunity to still do a catalog party or refer they're Texas friends and relatives to me. My goal is to have a Southern Living At HOME door basket on every door in Wylie and of course I want my customers to think ofme when they hear Southern Living.


Last week, two of my hostesses though of me. One was approached to attend another party not by me, she declined and said I was her consultant. How noble! The other hostess saw the magazine and thought of me...how sweet! That's my goal. And I never would have known that they though of me unless I kept in touch!


Build relationships first, they'll always reward you later. If they trust you and know you're serious about your business, they may consider joining you later when it's their time. This process is helping me get used to listening to people first and developing my skills with those I'm friends with, then I'll feel more confident, less tongue tied and no be so afraid to hear no. Because my friends saying no hurts more than strangers!

Hello Henna,


Welcome to Texas. I'm also a native CA girl who moved to TX. Just happened a while back. (1992). Where's Wylie? I'm near SA. It's great that you're getting on the phone. I love the phone for personal, and team support, but hate it for bookings etc. I thought I might recommend to you that you get out and meet some people. Stop by your neighbors houses and introduce yourself. If you tell them you're new and looking to meet people for your business and for another reason (kids, social, etc.) then you can let them decide if they want to hear about your business or not. That way you can still make friends with the ones who aren't necessarily interested now, but might be later.


Also, find yourself a group to join. Maybe MOPS, or something. I used to go to McD's or BK and sit in the play area with a stack of catalogs orinvitations to stamp. I gota lot of leads that way, and my kids got to play. It showsstay at home moms that you're a WAHM and if you can do that, why can't they? Another idea is a booth.If you can find one in your area, they are great for fresh leads. I did them a lot with my previous company because it was harder to get shows booked. Iwill tellyou that follow up is a pain because there is a lot of phone time, but if you're new, you need somethinglike that. Fall is the best time for booths, but they still have them the rest of the year, just notvery crowded. I did one the other dayat a high school fora fund-raiser. Not many people passed through, but I met a lot of the other vendors who were very interested. You're with a great company that'sstill fairly new and I don't see why a low turnout would hinder you much.


One other idea I tell my team is to let your director challenge you. If your director says you have to talk to 3 moms 1 week, or a redhead, a brunette, and ablonde the next week, you can approach them with this challenge and say, "I hope you don't mind if I ask you a question, but I've been challenged to ask one redhead today, and you're the only one I've seen so far. I'm with SLaH and wondered if you would be interested in taking a look at our catalog?." Then, you don't seem like the crazy lady chasing people around the grocery store, you're just on a mission to fulfill your challenge. I even use a flyer that they can initial to say they were asked by you.


Hope you meet some new leads!

Thanks Devon. I'm in Collin County about 35 minutes Northeast of Dallas between Lake Lavon and Plano. I've joined a few moms clubs and I believe in getting involved with the community through my local chamber of commerce. I have been meeting people, but no luck on bookings. I have a booth this weekend at our Spring Fest event to grow our local park. It's going to force me out of my comfort zone again. But I'm realizing being a business owner, I'm going to have to get out of my shell. It's so amazing how much my spirit has grown. My director is very supportive. I have already made the top 25 of 800 on our team for the month. I have the numbers from individual sales, but not the bookings for next month to grow my business through sponsoring. I've been in Direct Sales for 1.5 years, but now looking at it as a career opportunity instead of a moms night out/hobby or just entertainment away from my son!

Henna,

I am glad you posted what we all have "issues" with!

Sounds like you are doing everything right, so no advice from me! Just a
word of encouragement. Okay, three.

YOU GO HENNA!

My best,

Nondy

Henna,


Wow! You're doing AWESOME! Feel like I wasted my "breath". Glad to hear you have a great Director. A good support system is necessary for a successful business. I don't know how SLaH works, but with my previous company we had hospitality directors for our long distance consultants. That way they could still attend a meeting and get the motivation and recognition they can't get in person. You might ask your director if that' s a possibility.


I'm with you on the team building aspect of the business. That's always been my focus. A night out to party once a week is great, but who wants to be doing 3-4 shows a week when you can build a team and make the residual income that will be there even when you don't want to do 12 shows a month. My favorite thing about team building is the relationships you have with your team and helping them reach their goals. I love my motivation calls, meetings, recognition, etc. The women who I've worked with over the last 7 years have been the best perk to my WAHbiz.


Devon

Devon,

You bring up somethng I have been thinking about for awhile now. With
my NWM company (Nu Skin), I was doing great, and then my two biggest
supporters (upline from me) left. They both asked me to go with them,
but I am SOOOO glad I decided to stay put. Eventually one came back,
but had to start over again, and one did not come back.

It's what we do when we are kind of left all alone that we find what we are
made of. I am now convinced that I could be dropped anywhere in th
United States, and become successful. It' about having confidence in
ones abilities that will save the day. At my most successful, I would say I
have the ability to create a business that operates independently of my
tendency to micro-manage every aspect! LOL!! I'm workin' on that!

Nondy

You must be incredibly confident. I think I could be successful now because of my experience over the last 7 years, but I couldn't have done it before. I used to be very dependent on my upline to motivate me and keep me going. Without them, I would have never made it. In fact,most of us aren't in that biz anymore, but we're still very close friends and speak almost as often as before.


I love when I have a self starter like you join my team. They bring so much to the team that everyone can learn from.


Devon

Thanks Devon,

That confidence grew after years of being in this business. One of the
things this business will do, is make one face one's true self if they are
willing to stay long enough. Also owning my own tradtional business has
been tremendously helpful in terms of learnng how to do businss
especially the person-to-person interaction that is a necessary.

I credit my upline's escellent training for my unshakable confidence in the
company and product line. That held up for me when they all left me
high anddry! LOL!! By that time, I had a group of my own to lead, so
"TAG!", I was IT!

Have a great day everyone...

Nondy

When I was in California, I did the business with the mindset that it was about me, that I was doing the business for my benefit and no one elses because I never gave anything to me. Now that I see what this company has the potential for, I've learned it's not about me, but everyone else. It's about learning what they need and offering them help. It's so amazing to think I could change someone else's life, just like someone changed mine. A sponsor is so important in the role of a MLM rep. I'm not happy unless they're happy. right?

You got it!!! Hold on to that, and be dedicated to your company and you'll be highly rewarded down the line.