Didn't make your sales quota? You lose!

It's about that time of month when I start seeing tons of people freak out about not meeting their sales quota's for the month, and start begging for sales. This has become quite the humorous show to watch. 

I sit here and wonder.... Why on earth are you in a business that will punish you if you don't make a sales quota. Life often gets in the way, and if you were truly in business for YOURSELF, you'd not have to worry about making hundreds and thousands of dollars in sales each month if it's not reasonable for you to do so. 

Also, why are you continuing in this business if, each month you have to beg everyone to help you. If your business had a product that produces genuine sales and income for you, you wouldn't have to beg to make it happen. Are your products too expensive for your target market? 

And, if you had worked all month long, and tried to hit your quota in the first 2 weeks of the month, you'd have significantly more success and less stress all month long. Are you dedicating enough time to your business every day? 

If this sounds like you right now, it's time to re-think your business and your plan. If you want a better way- let's talk about this and find a solution. 

Today, I'm living with #nostress, because- I work for myself, have no quota's to worry about, my product price point is $5 and that means I appeal to a large target market from doctors and lawyers to stay at home mom's and the grocery store clerk, and I have dedicated time every single day to my business, making goals to talk to new people each day, and further my reach beyond my comfort zone. I have found a better way- and, it's working!

Overwhelmed? Don't stress!

I know a consultant who is about to lose her consultant status, simply because she became overwhelmed with her business, and did not reach out to get help.  My heart aches for her, because I know she loves her business and wants to do well at it.

Have you ever felt like, you can't keep up in the race? That the demands of direct sales are  too high? Too competitive? Or simply, just too hard to comprehend? I want to let you know, that- you do NOT have to keep up with everyone else. Think about why you joined the company, what did you love about it? What intrigued you, inspired you?  Let's go back to that. Let's keep that in mind daily.  It's absolutely OKAY not to make a million dollars in direct sales. It's okay, if you just want to make a little cash, or even no cash. I'm going to give you a situation based on the company I am in, on how to make a little profit, without carrying a large inventory and getting completely overwhelmed.

We are going to start with our $299 starter kit, which has 120 pieces of sell-able inventory. Let's say, you just love doing this business, you've maybe hosted several successful parties and wanted in on the action, to get a little extra spending cash for yourself. Maybe, you just want to keep you're cell phone on each month, or pay one bill, or treat your honey to a date night.  So the goal here is not to sell out your entire inventory, but rather, maintain it and make a profit, right?

So, you invest in your business with a kit, and get yourself 120 pieces. The next week, you learn about a program that will automatically withdraw funds, and ship you 25 pieces (and two free pieces) of inventory each month. These are super cool items, that will automatically keep you active each month for commissions (in case you accidentally build a team), and in turn will keep your consultant status free from jeopardy each year. You realize this is a fantastic deal, and will be worth the investment each month, and you sign up for this amazing offer.

So here is your goal: Sell 27 pieces in the first 18 days of each month. On the 20th, your new 27 pieces of inventory will be billed to you and shipped. So, here's the deal, how are you making money?

In reality, based on your 45% profit margin, you only need to sell around 18 pieces to cover the cost of the new 27 you will get. When you sell 18 pieces, put that money into your business account, and leave it alone. The last 9 you sell, will be your profit. ($5 price point) Around, $45 a month.

$45 a month will pay for these things based on where I live:
My cell phone
2 months of water bills
Car Insurance each month
Garbage and Water bill each month
A night out with my family, dinner included
A mani/pedi
3/4 of a tank of gas
A weeks worth of groceries for 2 people
A new haircut, and lunch with a friend

Now wait a minute, you can get even more profit with this deal, with just a little more effort, and absolutely zero investment. 20 of the 25 pieces you just got in your monthly shipment, will be available to order online for your customers, after the 1st of the following month. So, say you take your pieces to work with you, and sell them. You have pictures of your items you just sold, that you can show off like a catalog all month long, if you show them off to your friends, and family and co-workers and encourage them to order online, you will begin to get a regular commission check! That is even more profit for you!  In the video below, I briefly talk about how to make your Fashion Fix into a "catalog" type book.

You will be able to maintain your 120 pieces of inventory, and be able to rotate pieces out every month, keeping your stress level at a minimum and your profits, while not in the millions, very useful!

I would recommend, to get a cute bag, and carry your inventory with you always. If you sell more than 27 pieces, that's fantastic! You will be able to place an additional order, to replace those sold pieces.

If you are very busy, and don't find that you have time for parties and events, this method will work wonders for you. It's a little extra cash, without the expense of big displays, event fees or the cost of building a large inventory. But, you can clearly see the benefit of this!

If you do want to build your inventory, you could simply do this, slowly and diligently- by simply promoting the online sales, and using that profit to purchase additional inventory each month, rather than an extra profit. You can do this as many or as few times as you are comfortable with.

If you have found this article helpful, please share it with your friends!

Congrats! You just built a team!

Congrats! You have just added your first team member under you! How very exciting! Let's explore what this means and does NOT mean!

First of all, it does not mean that you now have reliable residual income. You did not just secure your future. You need to now duplicate what you just did, over and over and over again- for a long time!

You just promoted yourself into a leadership roll. This means you are responsible for teaching your team all the things you learn, and being open to learn new things from them! You are now their parent and yes, you will have to hold their hand!

Welcome to the new world of leadership. You will quickly realize, that you need to lead by example. Be duplicate-able. You will still make mistakes. You will still need to look to your up line, and other leaders in the industry, and continue to learn every day! Then, find out how to pass that on to your team. And then, teach them how to learn and teach their teams as well! All while still doing what you just did to get your very first teammate! Seem overwhelming?

You will definitely have moments of overwhelming feelings. You will get tired, you will get scared- you will still need to move out of your comfort zones. Maybe there are fears you will need to conquer. But, you can do it!

I was scared to get on a conference call and talk to potentially hundreds of people! But, when one of my leaders asked me to share my story- I took the time to write out my story and practice it out loud a hundred times. When it came time for the call, I called in- and, soon they were introducing me. I then had the most embarrassing moment of my career. I could not un-mute myself, and missed my chance to talk!  They quickly moved on to the next person. I was mortified. I swore that night, I would never go on another call.

Nearly a year later, my team was growing. And, it came time that I needed to provide training to my team, and I knew, I needed to be the  leader and do the calls. So, I did. I learned all I could about creating and talking on conference calls. I wrote down what I wanted to say, and I just DID IT. And you know what, it all worked out great. Am I a pro? Heaven's no! I still need a lot of work! But, I'm doing it. And, I know, I am capable!

No matter where you are in the leadership phase, whether just starting out or a well established big wig- you will always need to learn something new, apply it and teach it to those who look up to you. Do not let them down! You can do this!

Next step....getting up on stage....but, that's a topic for another day!

Basically, you just started- so, don't go broke!

This morning, I put this on one of our team pages- and was encouraged to also post it here. :)

We have lots and lots of new consultants! It's so very very exciting! I love this business more every day! I wake up just as excited to work as the day after I signed up! Every day is like Christmas- we come across so many new faces, new experiences and of course it's like accessory heaven when our beautiful pink boxes come! 
But, on my heart this morning, are the newest of the new. The brand new consultants! I just want to encourage you this morning! 
While excitement and joy are huge right now- you probably have that twinge of doubt, fear, overwhelmed feeling in your chest, a bit of "buyers remorse" as you sit in anticipation of your starter kit. You may be wondering just what to do now! If I can just offer up some thoughts...
If your sponsor has not contacted you, please- call her. Introduce yourself, and ask her all the questions you are having, express whatever feelings you have, joy, fear- anything. As sponsors, we care about you! 
You just spent a good deal of money on your starter kit. So now, you might be overwhelmed with the thought that you need all these fancy new displays and tables and and and OH MY! Take a breath darling- we are not in the fancy display business- it's perfectly OKAY not to have everything right now. Don't spend a lot of money on those things- over time, you can build up. Focus on your business, focus on meeting people and offering them the opportunity to experience Paparazzi. Get creative wit' yo' bad self and look around your home, and see what you might have. Look at everything like this: "How can I use this in my business?" I've included a picture from my first home setup. Believe it or not, I used paint rollers covered in a scarf that I cut up. I used an old laundry cart that fell apart.... A pink sand bucket.... and some other "junk". Upcycle! 
As you build your inventory up, and begin to get busier, your profits are going to grow as well. In that time, add something here and there. I didn't even buy pegboard for 2 months! 
Also, don't feel like events are the only way to go. Events are wonderful- don't get me wrong. Some of them will be amazing for you and you will walk away with a wad of cash you never would have expected. But, they cost money! It's very easy to become burnt out when you are constantly trying to put out money to make money. Paparazzi has so many ways to party- focus on the free ones first! Not only will you build a solid customer base, and a foundation for your business- but you will feel better, too. Events can be scheduled during a slow time or a time of growing beyond your comfort zone. A time when you need fresh leads- new eyes, and new adventures. Right now, everything to everyone is new! Plan your two launch parties and reach out to your friends and family (but don't rely on them only!), reach out to your neighbors, coworkers, church family... 
I highly recommend making a list of people you know- a resource list. Just write down names of everyone you know! Old classmates, past co-workers, etc etc.... and, contact them in some way. Via Facebook, a snail mail letter, a phone call....whatever works for you- reach out to them and tell them about your exciting new adventure. Don't be salesy, and don't be a creeper- just be excited about your life! 
Take time to read all about the business. Read through this group or other team pages you are on. Read the policies and procedures, read the corporate website. Look up training videos on youtube (Paparazzi Accessories has a youtube channel with a plethora of training and inspiring videos!)- learn ALL YOU CAN now- while you are waiting! Many many questions that new consultants have, can be answered within the policies and procedures- so while it may seem boring and tedious to do- it's well worth your effort! 
And finally, it's perfectly natural and normal to feel both excited and scared. This is a new thing. And we are ALL here for you! But, we won't know you need us unless you ask! We are your support group, your sisters and brothers, your teammates, your friends! We don't believe in competition, we believe in success- and everyone can have it! 
I hope you all have a great day! 

Keep it......Simple!

So, you just spent your entire life savings on a starter kit for your new business. You are feeling, buyers remorse, right? A lot of fear, doubt, uncertainty.... And NOW, your sponsor is telling you: You need to have all these fancy new displays and tools and  you have to have things just right, and oh yeah- go sign up for every single event you can get into- to get your name out there!

Ok, stop.
Take a breath.
Now, call your sponsor and tell her to calm down.

Listen to me. Keep it simple!  You do NOT need fancy displays, unless you joined a fancy display company- stop worrying about it. Your customers do not know what you "should" have for displays or even inventory. They do not know what it's "supposed to" look like. So, use what you've got on hand! You will be so surprised at how creative you can get with the things you have laying around your house.  Take a day, and just figure out what the basic needs are, and then make that happen!

Events. Let's just think about this. They cost money. They are long, and exhausting. You do NOT need events!  Events are for networking, and prospecting new people for home parties and teammates, NOT for making sales. If you go into an event with the mindset you are going to clear $500 every time- you are going to burn out and get frustrated and mad.  Save events for when things are slower, when you need new  and fresh leads on parties.

To get your name out there, do some free activities. Have a launch party at your house- or, in a local community center- or a friends house. Somewhere FREE.
Pick up the phone and call people.
Talk to everyone!
If you can, wear your product- if you can't wear it, bring samples with you everywhere!

Get out there and do some legwork, after all- it's a head start on that bikini body you've been wanting, right?

Also, lets talk about recruiting.  One of the fastest ways to get burnout, is by expecting too much in too short of time. You do NOT have to get to the top of the company in 30 days.  You can make a goal to hit the next rank in that time, but let's break it down into actionable steps.
Say, you want to add 3 people to your team in 30 days. You might actually get that done, given the excitement you have when you join- it's highly contagious. But, let's not give up and quit if they aren't quite lining up at your doorstep to jump on with you.

Everyone needs to read/hear/see something up to 7 times before they really "get it". So, keep following up with everyone. It takes approximately 90 days to cycle, so, work  you do today- could see a breakthrough in around 90 days...IF you continue to follow up!  And, if this is a new company or a new product in your area, and you are one of the first in your community..keep this in mind. It can take up to 2 years for a brand/company/product to become "familiar" or "branded" in an area. So, even if your company is 4 years old, if you are one of the few in your area, give yourself a 2 year goal to get it out there and get people familiar with it. You want people to associate that product with you in 2 years- because, you know who they will trust and call, right? YOU!

So, keep things simple. Don't try to have the biggest and best displays right off the bat, use what you have, and add a little bit here and a little bit there until you are comfortable. Don't spend money you don't have on things that aren't going to make you tons of money. Focus your efforts on money producing activities. Focus on relationship building and creating a solid base for your business. Learn all you can about your company, and how to run it smoothly so that when you do build up and grow- you can teach others how to do it, too.