Boost Your Bookings: The Power of Making Calls for Your Direct Sales Business

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around the experiences of participants making phone calls to secure bookings for their direct sales businesses. Many share personal stories about their successes and challenges with making calls, as well as their feelings about the process.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared their excitement about making calls and securing three bookings after initially struggling with motivation.
  • Another participant expressed that overcoming the fear of making calls is a significant hurdle, but they also noted the importance of consistency.
  • Several users mentioned their experiences with making calls, highlighting both successes and the difficulty of starting the process.
  • One participant noted their strategy of not leaving messages on machines to avoid feeling like a "stalker," while another disagreed, advocating for leaving polite messages.
  • Another participant shared their success in making calls during a specific time, resulting in multiple bookings, emphasizing the importance of timing.
  • One participant expressed a need for encouragement due to challenges in getting responses from calls, while another mentioned running out of leads and seeking new ones.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the approach to leaving messages when calls go unanswered, with some participants advocating for leaving messages and others preferring not to. Overall, there is no clear consensus on the best practices for making calls.

Contextual Notes

Participants are primarily consultants sharing personal experiences related to making calls for bookings in their direct sales businesses, reflecting a range of emotions from excitement to apprehension.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to consultants looking for motivation and shared experiences regarding making calls for bookings in their direct sales efforts.

kam
kam
Staff member
Messages
3,655
I really needed to sit down and make calls. I wasn't whole-heartedly into it the past few weeks - but last night I knew what I had to do!

I made calls and I GOT 3 BOOKINGS!!! Yea!!!

These 3 were leads from a Women's show in October and when I called after the show - they didn't want to do anything right away and asked me to call in January. Well, they are interested!! I added a show to Feb and 2 shows to March!!!

I am new and it has been hard to make calls (esp. working full time - it is hard to get motivated when I get home at night). I have needed to get out of "my circle" so to speak - and it is finally happening!

Now all I need to do is make some follow-up customer care calls and get those bookings!!

Just had to share!! Making calls works!
 
Great!Yes, getting over the fear of the phone is a biggie! Great Job!

I can do it, just not consistantly! I'm sure I'm not alone on that one!
 
kam said:
I really needed to sit down and make calls. I wasn't whole-heartedly into it the past few weeks - but last night I knew what I had to do!

I made calls and I GOT 3 BOOKINGS!!! Yea!!!

These 3 were leads from a Women's show in October and when I called after the show - they didn't want to do anything right away and asked me to call in January. Well, they are interested!! I added a show to Feb and 2 shows to March!!!

I am new and it has been hard to make calls (esp. working full time - it is hard to get motivated when I get home at night). I have needed to get out of "my circle" so to speak - and it is finally happening!

Now all I need to do is make some follow-up customer care calls and get those bookings!!

Just had to share!! Making calls works!
Click to expand...


That is awesome! Nothing like some successful calls to get you pumped up! Yea You!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
I really hate making the calls, but once I set aside time and make the first call, I can usually continue with the calls. It just takes me FOREVER to start. Especially after the holidays. So I was so pleased I made myself do it! After each booking I ran into the other room to see my husband and clapped and cheered! Yea!

So anyone who is putting off those calls - just do it!
 
I 2nd this! I had calls to do and only got 3 done last yesterday, but got 2 shows booked for February & one for March (she wanted Feb, but someone is passing a catalog at work this week!!). Back on the phone tonight!!
 
I need some encouragement. I keep getting machines and no call-backs!
 
I think I'm going to stop leaving messages on machines and just hanging up and calling back later or the next day. That way I don't feel like I'm a stalker.
I made calls two nights ago and got 2 bookings! Yay!
I'm due for something to happen, I have an empty January, so Feb has got to come thru!
GL everyone!
keep callin!
 
riggs62 said:
I think I'm going to stop leaving messages on machines and just hanging up and calling back later or the next day. That way I don't feel like I'm a stalker.

keep callin!
Click to expand...

Please don't do this! Even though I don't have caller ID, I think I'm in the minority.

Leave a short, polite message identifying who you are (Pampered Chef, where you met them) and telling them that you will try them again later but if they want to call you back first your number is ... And then feel free to call them back the next day.

I can't put my hand on my notes from Lynn C. (can't remember her last name either) but she is the one who taught me this method. She feels it's rude to hang up.
 
Last edited:
Ok, I'm going to pick up the phone now! Thanks for the motivation!
 
You ROCK! Congratulations! I have to do some more calling myself! Thanks for the encouragement:)!
 
I just sent out my news and distributed cards to Relay for Life collegues encouraging fund-raisers for their teams.About seven people responded in some way:* One wants to book
* One wants to order
* One is interested in a fund-raiser
* One said it "sounds like fun"
* One said she talked to her co-workers about it. She also offered me the opportunity to set up my brochures, sell cookies for my RFL team (or truffle brownies!) and promote HWC in April.
* And two asked me to send it to their home addresses. I am only counting those 7 on the 3-2-1. I also have a stack of contacts from my recent bridal show. My director is really pushing this and wants to give new products to those of us who do it, to make the others on our team jealous!
 
That's great! I really need to do this... for some reason I just can't shake the feeling and get on the phone! I think I'll just have to bit the bullet and get on the phone! Thanks for the encouragement...
 
My problem is, I'm running out of leads. I've called everyone in the last month or so and a lot of the other leads were friends of people I've already recruited. So, where do I get new leads?

And how late is too late to call?
 
She feels it's rude to hang up.
Click to expand...

Why is it rude to hang up on an inanimate object? Prior to caller ID, if you hung up, nobody knew you'd called anyway. Prior to call waiting, if the line was busy or no answer, you hung up. If I see a number on my caller ID and there's no message, I return the call anyway. I know most don't do this but my curiosity gets the best of me. lol Sorry, I disagree and don't get her point on that one.
 
Call For Bookings!!!I made an hour worth of calls tonight (you know, the "maybe later"s, the hosts who cancelled and didn't reschedule and the hosts who held one year ago -- your PC discount is about to expire)....

In one hour I got 6 bookings! I am returning calls to 2 others tomorrow(they had company).

Call while it's cold out! EVERYONE is home!
 
Well ... I have not made actual calls ... however ... I have used e-mail and personal contacts. I only count them if I got a response of some kind.

So far I'm up to 11 and only three have not given me interest at some level, whether it's a promise to book a show, a promise to order, a lead on a craft fair!
 
RebelChef said:
Why is it rude to hang up on an inanimate object? Prior to caller ID, if you hung up, nobody knew you'd called anyway. Prior to call waiting, if the line was busy or no answer, you hung up. If I see a number on my caller ID and there's no message, I return the call anyway. I know most don't do this but my curiosity gets the best of me. lol Sorry, I disagree and don't get her point on that one.
Click to expand...

I agree...If I try to call someone a few times with no message I may leave one, but I'm not going to leave a message every single time I call because I want to call them at different times throughout the week to try to get them. 5 messages in a week would seem scary!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of making calls in direct sales?

Making calls is crucial in direct sales as it allows for personal interaction, which can build trust and rapport with potential customers. It also provides an opportunity to answer questions in real-time, address concerns, and create a sense of urgency, ultimately leading to increased bookings and sales.

How can I overcome the fear of making calls?

Overcoming the fear of making calls can be achieved through practice and preparation. Start by scripting your calls to feel more confident about what you want to say. Role-playing with a friend or colleague can also help. Remember that rejection is a natural part of sales, and each call is a learning opportunity.

What are some effective strategies for making calls to boost bookings?

Effective strategies include setting specific goals for each call, personalizing your approach based on the individual you are contacting, and following up with leads who have shown interest in the past. Additionally, scheduling calls during peak times when your audience is more likely to be available can improve your success rate.

How often should I make calls to maximize my bookings?

Consistency is key in direct sales. Aim to make calls daily or at least several times a week. Setting aside dedicated time for calling can help you stay organized and focused, ensuring that you are regularly reaching out to potential customers and maintaining relationships with existing ones.

What should I do if I don’t see immediate results from my calls?

If you don’t see immediate results, don’t get discouraged. It’s important to evaluate your approach and consider refining your pitch or follow-up strategies. Building a customer base takes time, so focus on nurturing relationships and providing value, which can lead to bookings in the long run.

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