Consulting and Networking on MySpace: Advice Needed

[randis]

I have started branching out to people on myspace and seeing if anyone in my area are interested in becoming a consultant or doing a show. I have gotten a few good leads with it, but I just started this the night before last, so we will see how it goes.

My mom and Husband are now concerned about me doing shows for people I meet on the internet. They feel I should either do catalog shows, or bring someone with me, because they feel that I will get raped and killed. I have not thought of this, because I am only searching women between the ages of 25 and 37 (its the highest age I can search).

What do you all think because I need some further advise...

 

[DebbieJ]

What about revisiting your list of 100 or calling past customers first? I feel that contacting people on myspace is akin to soliciting and that's not really the way our business works.

 

[crazy4dabug]

Myspace can be a dangerous place, IF you let it.
I think it's actually a decent idea...but I would go about it in a cautious way if I were you. I think the catalog parties are an EXCELLENT idea for you to begin with...then if a person turns in a show, has lots of orders and goes thru with decently you can talk to her about a cooking show.

 

[randis]

I have done my list, and redone my list trying to branch out. my problem is, I recruited a lot of my sources so I don't have much else to go with.

I have joined a few groups on meetup.com to meet some new people, but I am still at a loss.

 

[DebbieJ]

Try www.eventlister.com for local craft fairs and vendor fairs. Then you can actually meet people.

Bridal fairs are good, too.

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I have started branching out to people on myspace and seeing if anyone in my area are interested in becoming a consultant or doing a show. I have gotten a few good leads with it, but I just started this the night before last, so we will see how it goes.

My mom and Husband are now concerned about me doing shows for people I meet on the internet. They feel I should either do catalog shows, or bring someone with me, because they feel that I will get raped and killed. I have not thought of this, because I am only searching women between the ages of 25 and 37 (its the highest age I can search).

What do you all think because I need some further advise...

If it were me, I would google other DS companies and offern party exchanges...... instead of myspace.

 

[randis]

If it were me, I would google other DS companies and offern party exchanges...... instead of myspace.

my problem with this is, I get horrible turnout at my own shows that I hold. i mean horrible, and I find myself to be a pretty good host since i am constantly host coaching. plus I already have a slumber sister, a scrapbook sister, a candle sister and a tupperware sister....

 

[randis]

Try www.eventlister.com for local craft fairs and vendor fairs. Then you can actually meet people.

Bridal fairs are good, too.

I am already registered on that site. The next bridal fair is already taken by another local director. The next two craft fairs that are coming up, one wants $1500 for a booth and the other hasn't responded

 

[randis]

I mean I am getting a pretty good turn out on the myspace thing. i have emailed about 35 people just saying I was in their area, and if they were interested, and got two people saying they want to do shows, and one interested in selling.

Now with their concerns, I figured I would just meet them up for coffee somewhere to give them their host packets so I can meet them first.

I told my hubby, that doing that is no different than finding people at fairs or what not....I have done three fairs so far and got one show out of the whole thing....and this is after calls and mailers and emails and more calls....

 

[DebbieJ]

Is your director around? Does she have any suggestions or want to share any fairs with you?

 

[gilliandanielle]

I also have to side with this being soliciting. If you list yourself as a PC consultant then you are breaking the specific rule about not listing PC on internet profiles. If you just e-mail them blindly then it is borderline spamming IMO.

I would focus your time on calling the customers you already have and go from there.

 

[chefmelody]

I'm the opposite on popular opinion here. I booked my show off a girl who posted on a Kansas City community in LiveJournal, which is somewhat similar to MySpace. She said she'd just become a consultant and wondered if anyone wanted to do a show. I had been thinking about doing a show already, so I said sure, and I was her first show... and first recruit.However, I would say that as far as safety goes, it might be good to bring a friend along for your internet contacts' shows.

 

[randis]

I'm the opposite on popular opinion here. I booked my show off a girl who posted on a Kansas City community in LiveJournal, which is somewhat similar to MySpace. She said she'd just become a consultant and wondered if anyone wanted to do a show. I had been thinking about doing a show already, so I said sure, and I was her first show... and first recruit.

However, I would say that as far as safety goes, it might be good to bring a friend along for your internet contacts' shows.

See I figured I could bring one of my consultants as like a refresher show, so if one gets killed the other does too j/k

 

[janetupnorth]

I would agree with whoever mentioned to talk to your director about help/ideas too...you need to branch out but that can happen in a small area...carry a season's best with you to the grocery store...etc...

I'm personally not too keen on my space, and depending how you search, post, or contact, you have the potential of violating company policies...

At least you're contacting within your area, but be careful please.

 

[Trish1953]

I would urge caution too. However, I also like to remember that everybody is a stranger until you get to know them. And, that, just because they're on your List of 100, or a referral from a friend, etc., it doesn't mean every one you know is 100% safe. Weird things happen, even in the best of circumstances. When we go into people's homes, or talk to them in a grocery store, or meet them at a fair, there has to be an element of trust there. I guess I exercise caution, while using my intuition (and keen observation skills) to check out potential hosts or consultants. It's better to be safe than sorry. But, no one builds a business without talking to people they don't know (to expand their customer base).

Trish in Texas
Future Director

 

[randis]

I would urge caution too. However, I also like to remember that everybody is a stranger until you get to know them. And, that, just because they're on your List of 100, or a referral from a friend, etc., it doesn't mean every one you know is 100% safe. Weird things happen, even in the best of circumstances. When we go into people's homes, or talk to them in a grocery store, or meet them at a fair, there has to be an element of trust there. I guess I exercise caution, while using my intuition (and keen observation skills) to check out potential hosts or consultants. It's better to be safe than sorry. But, no one builds a business without talking to people they don't know (to expand their customer base).

Trish in Texas
Future Director

I agree. Some of the people I have met at fairs are pretty shady, and I just toss their tickets afterwards because they freaked me out in person. I am a horribly friendly person and MUST talk with everyone, it just seems that when I mention PC some people start to back away, and I even do it in a very suttle "oh yea, I do PC" on with the next topic. But, I am eager to get to London so I am going down every avenue possible. I don't have PC listed on my Myspace page, just in the emails I send and they are the same emails I email to people I have met in person as well. I dont see the difference in sending emails thru myspace about pc as being any different than cold mailing real estate agents for them to use me as a consultant too. So thats where I came up with the idea, and it saves me in stamps!

I will email my upline director on it tho and talk with her about it.

 

[ughubug]

Just an FYI...if your husband in concerned...bring him along...My boyfriend and I do the majority of the shows together...It improves show attendance because men feel more comfortable

 

[lauraP2000]

Has anyone ever tried advertising on Craig's List?

 

[randis]

Has anyone ever tried advertising on Craig's List?

I have wanted to do that! However I see Craigs List like many see Myspace, a danger in the making..

however, next to my very near robbery tonight, I am a little weary of people in general.....

 

[Chef Diane]

OMGoodness!?!?! What happened??? Are you alright

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

Has anyone ever tried advertising on Craig's List?

You can not advertise on the internet.

 

[randis]

OMGoodness!?!?! What happened??? Are you alright

I stopped off at the store last night on my way home it was like almost 10 pm, when I was walking to my car some guy started walking up towards me. by the time i got in my car and locked my doors he was like two feet away from my truck, and it just scared the **** out of me. I had a horrible dream last night about it too, and now i am horribly tired..........

but I am fine....just a little shook up

 

[beepampered]

I know nothing about myspace so I can't say about safety. I think if you meet them in a public place then you can get good/bad vibes. I would also ride by their house to see the neighborhood. Of course, this can't tell you everything but a 3500 square foot house in a new neighborhod doesn't exactly smell of bad intentions. Let your husband see their house.

I think it's awesome you are thinking outside the box and with computers being so common, it's a more "natural" way to meet people than 10 years ago....

 

[Pampered_Marcia]

CraigslistI have had success meeting people on Craigslist.

I did not advertise, I just simply responded to ads of people who had a customer service/replacement question or were looking for a consultant.

My very first $1000 show is from a Craigslist gal. I'm submitting it today!

Best of luck, and be careful! Always trust your gut instincts.