What Do You Wish You Knew When You First Started?

[koima]

I'm out of my circle with my very first show - she's an acquaintance from Weight Watchers and I don't know ANY of her friends! She's been awesome - sent out an e-mail to her invite list talking about how great the stoneware is, and asked everyone to bring a friend!

 

[PChefPEI]

Not sure if this fits with your thread, but my advice is - Keep it SIMPLE!! I'm still working on that! I have been known to complicate things, and jump at every new idea I see, without much thought. I have decided to reassess my biz and make some major changes. I always seem to have too many ideas and other things on the go and end up feeling lost, depressed and overwhelmed about the whole thing.

 

[gailz2]

As far as other items for each show: DCB is a must, along with the stackable cooling rack (even if it is just used to display your items more), and I often take my tool turn around with some bamboo spoons, garlic press, scissors, pie server, etc -- fill it up, it is easy to take along. I've been bringing the bamboo bowl and holiday server plate and one of the small skillets to pass around.I'm happy for you being out of your circle of friends. I've been in this business for almost 2 years and my small business is getting huge. My challenge now is staying organized.

 

[stefani2]

I WISH I HAD SOMEONE TELL ME LOTS WHEN I FIRST STARTED!!!!!

1. HOW to be Organized
- Using the HOST INFORMATION form (get the Host to fill it out FOR YOU when you give her a Host Packet at a Show!)
- Use the POTENTIAL RECRUIT form to keep track of your leads
- Have MONTHLY tabs/dividers PLUS 1-31 tabs/dividers to keep you on track

2. You can be creative with your Shows
- Host Open Houses, clinics, classes/courses
-Mystery Host Shows
-different recipes
- catalogue walk-through shows

3. PWS
- HOW to use it (contacts)

 

[koima]

What is PWS?

 

[stefani2]

What is PWS?

personal website

 

[MandyK]

My bit of wisdom: Don't re-invent the wheel. Theme shows, 3-2-3 success plan, great recipes, ways to do your shows (interactive, etc...) are all proven recipes for success. Take online classes, make the most of what the PC has to offer you as a consultant- Everyone at home office, as well as the rest of us in this business really want you to succeed and are willing to help!

Amen to that! You have everything you need (i.e. don;t spend all your dough before you make it) with yur starter kit and this website. I tried to reinvent the wheel and found out that it was already perfected -- the hard and long way

 

[baychef]

DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE BUSINESS TO RECRUIT!

And with recruiting...it's all about the potential recruit and not about how nervous or uncomfortable it may be for you.:chef:

 

[PamperedSheep]

thanks for all the great ideas. love this thread and website!!!

 

[Chef Bobby]

I won't recruit someone without letting them do what the application says which is to plan a few shows before they sign so they can start strong.
I didn't have any and just made up some dates. It's very encouraging to earn those extra free products in your first 90 days.

 

[caraighan]

The one thing that I can say I wish I had done differently in the beginning is TRY HARDER in my first 30 & 90 days!!! I could have gotten a lot more PC bucks!
I still got I think $200 in my first 30 and another $100 in my 90 days but I could have done a lot more!!!

 

[salthechef]

I totally back up the statement to get outside your circle! When I started I assumed that everyone loved PC as much as me and that they would just line up to book shows. Totally ask every one, and break into new groups!

 

[murkey]

not to buy so much to start with! Also, that getting parties would be so darned HARD! Mmm and maybe to skip ALL but my fall harvest booths as they were all a complete waste of time and money.Also that I would LOVE PC so darned much and use it a zillion times a day! LOL

 

[murkey]

Make this your mantra (ala Deana McAlpin)

P-pick
U-up
M-My
P-phone
E-every
D-day

Honestly, I totally don't get this. I am a fairly new consultant. I could pick up that phone every single day of my life... and still have NOBODY to call I've burned out every contact I've had with unlimited specials, offers, news, recipes... everything. They all have given what they are going to give and that's that. I guess this applies when you have a large past client and guest list huh? :balloon:

 

[Sheleif]

Okay...I am still a newbie but I have one thing to pass along. I had been going to PC shows for more than 10 years. I rarely agreed to having a party and never ever considered becoming a consultant. My best friend even sold for a time and it still never interested me. I hosted a dismal show of $300.00 but was happy to get the skillet I had been wanting for a good price. I was looking through the paperwork that the consultant left with me and noticed that she had noted that I would have made $60.00 as the consultant. That was it...after years of no interest I signed up that week. My point is don't ever think someone won't host a party or become a consultant because in time they may come around.

 

[mscharf]

Mmm and maybe to skip ALL but my fall harvest booths as they were all a complete waste of time and money.
LOL

I would NOT agree with this one at all!!!! I did 3 booths from Oct-Dec and booked 12 shows, got about $300 in orders, and signed ONE NEW RECRUIT!! It is ALL IN THE FOLLOW UP!! I put a star on the drawing slips of people I had great conversations with and started with them when I made calls, I already knew they were excited, so they were "easy". This got me excited, so when I called the others I was excited and got more from those calls!!:love:

 

[murkey]

I would NOT agree with this one at all!!!! I did 3 booths from Oct-Dec and booked 12 shows, got about $300 in orders, and signed ONE NEW RECRUIT!! It is ALL IN THE FOLLOW UP!! I put a star on the drawing slips of people I had great conversations with and started with them when I made calls, I already knew they were excited, so they were "easy". This got me excited, so when I called the others I was excited and got more from those calls!!:love:

wow! that is awesome!! Congrats for you for sure!

It must have been wrong times and places for me. I did about 5-6 booths this year and only had ONE (fall harvest) yield ANYTHING. I didn't even get people to sign up to win! They declined as they passed by. :yuck:

And I did several different approaches. Free shows, Free drawings, Freebies for booking shows dates... offering "outlet party" shows. I mean; everything. The most I got was "Oh, I love PC" some would stay long enough to answer what their favorite product was but most of them would say it as they passed by. I did everything I have ever read about - and got nothing but a total of about $150.00 of expenses for it all. :grumpy:

 

[Sheila]

Love several of the ideas I've already seen here.

I just wanted to add to invest in business cards. People will keep up with a business card better than your name & number scribbled on a piece of paper. And professional cards present a better business appearance than the ones you can print yourself at home.

 

[Evelynt]

In my experience, handing out a catalog with your information along with a recipe card is more effective that a business card. I have been a consultant for 10 years and have never had business cards. Now, if i earned TPC and got them for FREE that would be a different story!
Ask everyone!!! "no" is just a little bitty 2 letter word that gets you closer to the next "yes"!

 

[esavvymom]

I'd say a "wish I knew" thing would be that this business takes ALOT more time than it's made out to be!

 

[Curlyone]

I'd say a "wish I knew" thing would be that this business takes ALOT more time than it's made out to be!

My DH reminds me of that all the time!! But he loves to hunt and THAT takes up a lot of time, gas, money (dogs, food, tracking collars, etc) emotional (can't come home if a dog is still missing!!)

So, I guess we are even!!

Plus we both love to do it.:love:

 

[Evelynt]

I'd say a "wish I knew" thing would be that this business takes ALOT more time than it's made out to be!

The more experience you have the more streamlined your business becomes. You learn what is necessary and what is not for your business to be successful, you become more organized.

My director has always said that one show a week is easier that one a month, because if you only do one show a month it is like you are always doing your first show, and you don't have the smooth presentation you desire. This all helps you manage your time better.

I hope you all have a very successful 2009!

 

[cactus_flower]

The one thing I wish I had done was to keep my starter kit unpacked and in the kitchen, so I would use and appreciate our wonderful tools!! Forget about keeping things sparkling clean. The more I use them, the more I am eager to share how great they work with everyone!

 

[cwinter474]

bumping for all the newbies...

 

[pkd09]

Close the show the night of the show. I spend so much time trying to chase down hosts to get their show closed (still waiting for two in May).

 

[esavvymom]

another one I've had (after a few more months in the trench )....if I could go back and talk to myself when I started- I'd say "Do what they tell you!" Book LIVE Cooking Shows, not just what it takes to qualify. The LIVE Cooking Shows are key to getting your business going. I'm learning that now! What you do now really DOES impact your business 60-90 days....and for those new who don't understand what I mean....when you are calling people/customer care calls/follow-up, and booking shows now- those shows usually occur in the next 30-60 days (hopefully closer to the 30!). Ideally, THOSE shows will convert into additional shows by getting 1-2 shows booked at each show, and then you've doubled your calendar forward, and hopefully can keep it fairly full.Had I GOT THAT back in September, I might not be struggling as much today. BUT, I'm a slow learner. Also- as much as I LOVE this site, I wasted so much time in the early days trying to "reinvent the wheel" by incorporating all the fancy flyers and such everyone makes. As much as I love them, and value the input, I should have stayed away from that aspect for my first 60-90 days until I had the basic PC concept down. PC has a great system, and with just a few exceptions or personal tweaks- I am back to using what they provided in the first place! *doh!*

 

[Beth1170]

Honestly, I totally don't get this. I am a fairly new consultant. I could pick up that phone every single day of my life... and still have NOBODY to call I've burned out every contact I've had with unlimited specials, offers, news, recipes... everything. They all have given what they are going to give and that's that. I guess this applies when you have a large past client and guest list huh? :balloon:

I felt like that early on in my business after my list of 100 had been run dry. I had such a fear of the phone and felt lost but knew I had to do something if I wanted to be in control of my business. I picked up the phone book and started calling. Believe me, you will never run out of people to call.
Once you have a few months under your belt you will have customers to follow up with. Customer care calls are very important in keeping a positive image for them and can lead to further business just by being friendly and keeping your name in front of them.
No matter what your goals are it does get easier if you remember to just be yourself and have fun along the way.

 

[littlemaisyPC]

Also- as much as I LOVE this site, I wasted so much time in the early days trying to "reinvent the wheel" by incorporating all the fancy flyers and such everyone makes. As much as I love them, and value the input, I should have stayed away from that aspect for my first 60-90 days until I had the basic PC concept down. PC has a great system, and with just a few exceptions or personal tweaks- I am back to using what they provided in the first place! *doh!*

I know what you mean by this. I still consider myself a newbie and I signed back in Oct '08. I became so overwhelmed and felt like my buisness and shows needed to be perfect and I needed all these products. Then I sat back and read all the stuff that came in my kit again. I to am back at square one building my buisness like I should have in the beginning. I love this site though!:love: