Making the Most of My First Holiday Season as a Direct Seller

[princessmeshelle]

ok, i started in june. this is my first holiday season and i want to make the most of it as well as the SAT. i just put in my kit enhancement order and i finally got around logging in my commission into P3 and out of curiosity i had it make up the income and expense report. to make this as short as possible, i have spent more than i have made already there is more that i would like to get from the supply order, like door prizes. i am planning a black friday sale, and the 12 days of chrustmas competition looked like fun. i know if coach well, i should make the money back on incentives, but is it worth it? i want to make money and so far i haven't. and for me my 7 week old is not an excuse to relax on my biz. i think PC offers great incentives for hosts, but with my list of 100, it doesn't seem to be enough. i feel like i have a big scarlet DS on my chest in most of their eyes. i mean, my family (usually VERY supportive) didn't even bother to do the usual pat on the back "good for you" responses they would normally give for ''hey i started something new''. anyway,let me stay positive, i have then next 4 weekends booked solid. (one is our retreat) i need to start booking up the rest of nov, dec,and jan. so, is it worth it to come out of pocket more for extra incentives to try to get those bookings and orders. if i hadn't taken a hard look and income vs expense i wouldn't be asking, i would be spending. any words of advice to get me back on track?

ps- sorry it was so long!

 

[jrstephens]

I have rarely given booking incentives but that is me. I know plenty of peole do it. I do not feel comfortable spending a lot of $ to get bookings. I have done a monthly competition before where I gave a prize to the top show for that month. That way you have host wokring off each other to beat the other and you are only out one prize.

I give my business to God and depend on Him to provide, so, I guess you could say He is my booking incentive.

 

[DebbieJ]

I tell my consultants never to spend money until they make money. You have to treat it like a business and pay yourself or you won't make money. It's very easy to justify spending it all on more products. I once heard a rule of thumb to pay yourself 50% and reinvest the other 50% of your income. That's what I do and it keeps everyone happy here. ETA: I rarely give booking incentives either. Our host benefits and fast, easy, and affordable recipes are incentive enough.

 

[legacypc46]

I agree with Deb. Solid host coaching and providing a great show are the best things you can give your host. PC is so incredibly generous with our hosts.

My thoughts are if you are buying products you personally want, that's fine. Otherwise, be selective in how you invest back into your business. The trifle bowl and DCB provide a great return. So do several other products.

As for doorprizes, keep it simple. I know it sounds cheap, but I generally give away the citrus peeler. I get genuinely excited about it...not because it's a citrus peeler, but because it's great for separating cakes from the sides of cakes pans and it's the perfect do-hickey for various tasks when working with the mini-muffin pan. I love that product. I also stock up on the SBs. I use the current one as a gift for the host and previous ones as doorprizes.

 

[chefsteph07]

For door prizes I give a Season's Best, although the citrus peeler is CHEAPER and is also a great tool...

I don't try to spend too much money either, unless it is on supplies and then I usually wait till the last minute to order! LOL

The MOST I ever spend on my business if for conference, and that has been so helpful that the money spent out is well worth it, but I do agree, don't buy products that you don't want or aren't going to use, don't put too much into raffle prizes or door prizes for events...this is supposed to be for YOU to make money...the benefits from PC are so great you really shouldn't have to offer anything. Now, of course, if there is a month that you NEED filled, offer to do something like provide ingrendients or something, but I'd make the few and far between.

 

[mrssyvo]

A thought I just had (is that an Ah-ha moment?) is that if we have to "bribe" people with incentives to book, what does that say about the company we represent and their hostess benefits? I think it de-values the company we represent, and their wonderful benefits.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I only give SBRC to my host at their show. For door-prizes I give old SBRC's, Quikut Paring Knife, Twixit samples (I make packs of 3 - s,m,l - and put them in a snack size zip bag.) When I have hosts that really work to have a good show I sometimes add something to their order - usually a spice or seasoning.

 

[rbvernon]

great input everyone, really loved reading this thread it will help me out with my future bookings/shows.

THANKS!!!

 

[gailz2]

I keep drawings/door prize gifts on the inexpensive side, as well. I use twixits, pairing knives, small bamboo spoons (open packet), SB's, and recently I've found some recipe card sets at Michael's for $1, which I think is a nice complement to PC.I've only been in the business for 1.5 years, and initially used about 50% of my income to "reinvest" in my business, but now I have so much PC I don't need to do that much anymore. People really do buy what you show them at sales, so make sure you get a few of the more expensive items each season to show and sell.

 

[legacypc46]

Oh, twix-its and paring knifes are great too! I get exicted about both of them and share why:

Twix-it: "Bet you think all twix-its are the same; not true! I've been using these on my brown sugar for two years and love them, because the sugar NEVER hardens."

Quik-Cut Knives: "These are phenomenal and stay sharp for years! And when they do dull a little, I have the perfect use for them. I keep a couple just for opening boxes...so DH doesn't go and grab a dinner knife or one of my forged cutlery knives."

Afterwards, I always get add-on orders for these.

 

[chefsteph07]

Oh, twix-its and paring knifes are great too! I get exicted about both of them and share why:

Twix-it: "Bet you think all twix-its are the same; not true! I've been using these on my brown sugar for two years and love them, because the sugar NEVER hardens."

Quik-Cut Knives: "These are phenomenal and stay sharp for years! And when they do dull a little, I have the perfect use for them. I keep a couple just for opening boxes...so DH doesn't go and grab a dinner knife or one of my forged cutlery knives."

Afterwards, I always get add-on orders for these.

HEY! My brown sugar doesn't harden either! How come the twix its have to do with that? I've had my brown sugar for EONS...and never had a prob w/ it!

 

[mrssyvo]

I use the small Twix-it for my strings on the tea bags, when I make Sun tea- Just clip them all in, before putting in jar of water, and I just have to pull out the twix-it, not fish for all of the strings.

 

[Chef Bobby]

My wife would love ya'll if she read this, because I usually spend more than I make. It has alot to do with only doing about two shows a month and giving away my commision if it's a fundraiser that I like.