[I couldn't figure out where to post this, so I figured I'd put it here. Hope that's okay.]
I don't really want to entertain discouragement, but I think that my problem may be something that I can change. I feel like I'm not taken seriously when it comes to my business. When I coach my hosts, it seems like they don't take me seriously. They don't work for outside orders and I have to /battle/ to get contact information from the guests. (My last host refused to give me her home phone number -- I got lost on the way to her house for the show, as she didn't give me any directions to her place, and without the luck of finding a woman who lived near her at the gas station, I would have had to just drive home and wait for her to call me.) I tell them that it's for business purposes only but I get order forms with no last names or no addresses and I rarely get a phone number! I've had to call the host and get a last name because PP won't let you put in an order without one (duh!), but when I tell them I need an address as well, they refuse and say the guest does not want to give that out. Is the address a necessity to have a product warranty? I tell the host/customers I need their FULL contact information so I can keep in touch with them to make sure their products are working correctly and help them if needed. Without phone numbers or addresses, I cannot make CCs, and cannot secure any further bookings, which leaves my schedule completely empty and me totally frustrated because I've hit a bunch of dead ends from not having anything to follow through with. I know that some people don't want to be heckled with phone calls soliciting a product. But why are my customers (and hosts!) so averse to giving me their full contact information? If they ordered a product from any company, online or through the mail, they'd have to give full contact information, so why do they neglect to follow through when placing an order with me? I don't have money lying around to "give a prize" to everyone who fills out their name and information - that's like the desperate teachers who used to give students 10 points just for writing their name at the top of the paper! lol Last October I did a fair and when I brought home my drawing slips, over 3/4 of them had no phone number. Some of them had just an email address and a name. I do understand that there are freaks out there that get people's information and steal their identity.. But if you don't want to give me your last name, address and a valid phone number, then go to Wal-Mart to buy your (crappy) spatulas! (Sorry.) Have I just had a string of lazy hosts or is there something I'm doing wrong? I really want to earn a trip in 2007, but if I'm doing something wrong, that will NEVER happen until I fix my problem. Part of my problem is that I don't feel confident sometimes in my business. I often feel discombobulated, disorganized and unknowledgeable. I know some people see me as this teenager (I'm 24, but I guess I look young for my age) and maybe they don't take me as a serious businesswoman. I'm trying to learn more about the products, and to get myself organized. If anyone has any tips about anything I just rambled about, I'd REALLY appreciate it. I struggle so much with this, and I don't know why it's not something I can't just fix and move on.
I don't really want to entertain discouragement, but I think that my problem may be something that I can change. I feel like I'm not taken seriously when it comes to my business. When I coach my hosts, it seems like they don't take me seriously. They don't work for outside orders and I have to /battle/ to get contact information from the guests. (My last host refused to give me her home phone number -- I got lost on the way to her house for the show, as she didn't give me any directions to her place, and without the luck of finding a woman who lived near her at the gas station, I would have had to just drive home and wait for her to call me.) I tell them that it's for business purposes only but I get order forms with no last names or no addresses and I rarely get a phone number! I've had to call the host and get a last name because PP won't let you put in an order without one (duh!), but when I tell them I need an address as well, they refuse and say the guest does not want to give that out. Is the address a necessity to have a product warranty? I tell the host/customers I need their FULL contact information so I can keep in touch with them to make sure their products are working correctly and help them if needed. Without phone numbers or addresses, I cannot make CCs, and cannot secure any further bookings, which leaves my schedule completely empty and me totally frustrated because I've hit a bunch of dead ends from not having anything to follow through with. I know that some people don't want to be heckled with phone calls soliciting a product. But why are my customers (and hosts!) so averse to giving me their full contact information? If they ordered a product from any company, online or through the mail, they'd have to give full contact information, so why do they neglect to follow through when placing an order with me? I don't have money lying around to "give a prize" to everyone who fills out their name and information - that's like the desperate teachers who used to give students 10 points just for writing their name at the top of the paper! lol Last October I did a fair and when I brought home my drawing slips, over 3/4 of them had no phone number. Some of them had just an email address and a name. I do understand that there are freaks out there that get people's information and steal their identity.. But if you don't want to give me your last name, address and a valid phone number, then go to Wal-Mart to buy your (crappy) spatulas! (Sorry.) Have I just had a string of lazy hosts or is there something I'm doing wrong? I really want to earn a trip in 2007, but if I'm doing something wrong, that will NEVER happen until I fix my problem. Part of my problem is that I don't feel confident sometimes in my business. I often feel discombobulated, disorganized and unknowledgeable. I know some people see me as this teenager (I'm 24, but I guess I look young for my age) and maybe they don't take me as a serious businesswoman. I'm trying to learn more about the products, and to get myself organized. If anyone has any tips about anything I just rambled about, I'd REALLY appreciate it. I struggle so much with this, and I don't know why it's not something I can't just fix and move on.