Wednesday, April 4, 2007

10 STEPS TO SUCCESS IN DIRECT SALES

Every year thousands of men and women across America sign on with direct selling firm-Tupperware, Amway, or a cosmetic company-hoping to make money enough for new draperies, a new davenport, or some new clothes. They sell a little merchandise to a few relatives and close friends. Then they are through. They quit before they give themselves a chance to learn the basics of success in sales. "I am simply not a born salesperson," they often say.

No one is born a salesperson, any more than one is born a doctor or born a lawyer. Sales is a profession. To be successful in any profession one must learn not only the basic techniques, but also how to apply those techniques. Success in sales makes use of all the abilities one is born with, plus all those acquired through education and experience.

If you are looking for a career opportunity or "extra income" to help with the family budget, direct selling offers you dream-fulfilling possibilities. However, you must give yourself time to learn the techniques of sales. Ask yourself. "How long does a doctor to be study? A lawyer to be study?"

WHAT IS DIRECT SELLING?

Direct selling is marketing a product directly to the consumer with no middleman involved. Most reliable firms are members of the National Association of Direct Selling Companies. They bring to the public fine products that are modestly priced in order to insure mass consumption.

Most direct selling companies furnish their representatives with a starter kit and essential supplies below-cost prices. In many instances the investment is under $100.

There is an old adage which says "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Many of them were able to change their lives for the better. They took their families on nice vacations. They purchased a piano or an organ and provided music lessons for their children. They saved money for college education. They redecorated their homes, bought needed furniture. One highly successful saleslady built a new home.

The rewards of direct selling are many

1. You can be your own boss. 2. You can set your own hours. 3. You can own your own businesses with little or no investment. 4. You can pay yourself more than any boss would ever pay you. 5. You can give yourself regular raises as your business grows.

It is only fair to tell you that there are failures, too. There are people who will not work for themselves. When working for a boss, they rise early, are well-groomed, and get to the office on time. However, when they are their own boss, they are still in a bathrobe, drinking one more cup of coffee at 11:00 A.M.

If you can be your own boss and discipline yourself to do what has to be done when it has to be done, direct selling offers a most unusual earning opportunity.

THE TEN STEPS

Here are ten steps that will assure your success:

1. BE A GOAL SETTER. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to save for college education for your children? A new car? A new home? You can have whatever you want, but you must want it enough to do the things that have to be done to get it. Whatever your goal, write it down and set a target date for reaching it. Divide the time period into blocks of achievement that are reachable. Work consistently toward accomplishing each day, each week, each month what you set out to do. Goal-setting is a must in every area of life. Little is ever accomplished without definite goals.

2. BE A LIST MAKER. Each evening list all the things you want to get done the following day. That gives you an organized approach to each day. As each task is finished, mark it off your list. It is amazing how much gets done when one works with a "things-to-do" list. Also, have a notebook listing appointments, potential clients, repeat clients, and referrals, and keep it with you at all times. You will be adding to it constantly.

3. BE ENTHUSIASTIC. Enthusiasm is the high-octane "fuel" that salespeople run on. Enthusiasm generates its own energy. Energy and good health are synonymous with busy, happy people, people who are achieving.

4. RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAGIC WORD IN SALES IS "ASK." In direct sales we don't have to wait for business to come to us. We create our own business by asking for it. Ask for appointments, then you can do business. Ask for business, then you will close sales. Ask for referrals, then you always have a full list of potential clients. Be quietly, yet firmly aggressive.

5. EXPECT NO'S. Realize that no's are not personal. In sales, as perhaps nowhere else, the law of averages works. Every no gets you closer to a yes. Keep track of your ratio. It will help improve your techniques. Are you getting ten no's to one yes? Is your ratio five to one? Remember, the yes's are your income. Also remember that "no" does not necessarily mean "no." Often a "no" is simply a stall for more time to think. It may be a request for more information about your product or your service. What your client is actually buying is assurance. Assure here by your helpful attitude and your complete honesty, that you want what is best for her. She will most likely respect you and do business with you.

6. SCHEDULE TIME WISELY. A schedule is the roadmap by which salespeople travel. It takes the frustration out of the day. It assures that the necessary things get done and get done on time. Plan your work then work your plan.

7. BE POSITIVE IN YOUR ATTITUDE. Success in sales, as in all areas of life is 90 percent attitude and 10 percent aptitude. All of us must work at developing habits of constructive thinking. I am proud to be a salesperson. Sales make the wheels of our economy turn. Bernard Baruch, advisor to several presidents, is quoted as saying, "If every salesperson sat down and took no orders for twenty-four hours, it would bankrupt our country!" Every company that manufactures any kind of product depends upon salespeople to move that product. Without salespeople business would be paralyzed.

Remember, sales is one of the highest paid of all professions. Statistics show that good salespeople enjoy incomes far above the average.

8. HAVE AN OFFICE AREA. Most direct salespeople work from their own homes, but it is essential to have a place where you can work in a organized and efficient manner. An office plus a strict working schedule gives you dignity. Both are absolutely essential for efficient operation and accurate record keeping, so important to the success of any business.

9. BE INVOLVED. Most sales organization offer contests to stimulate production. Include winning contests as part of your business goals. Contests make your business fun as well as adding considerable dollar value to your income.

10. LEARN TO HANDLE MONEY INTELLIGENTLY. A regular nine-to-five job usually means a paycheck at the end of the second week. Direct sales "reps" handle money constantly. Direct sales is instant income and constant income. Therefore. it is absolutely necessary to become an efficient money manager.

Deposit every penny collected from clients into a checking account set up especially for its business. Since bank statements show an exact record of all monies collected, and business expenses can be verified by canceled checks, record keeping becomes simple and accurate. Everything except a few "petty cash" transactions can be directly taken from bank statements.

Money saved regularly and put at interest, soon develops a second income in addition to earned income. A long-term goal, which is realistic in direct sales, is to be able to live in retirement off the interest earned on savings.

Would financial security mean a lot to you? If so, ask yourself these questions: * Am I honest? * Do I really like people? * Am I willing to learn? * Am I willing to work? * Am I capable of being my own boss?

If your answers are yes, to find a good product for the direct sales market, one that you like, one that fills the need of a lot of people, and go to work for yourself! .You can turn dreams into reality.

About the Author

Welcome to EZUnsecuredCredit.com run by Patrick Zanders the real estate investors premiere source for obtaining unsecured business lines of credit. We are the #1 source for real estate investors because we know the real estate business. We have over 15 years experience in active real estate investing and marketing and we stay on top of the every changing real estate world.

New Construction Homes: Things To Remember

There is an amazing amount of new construction happening in the Tampa area. This has presented home buyers with an amazing amount of opportunity to cash in on the building boom. However, take care to remember that not all new construction homes are perfect, though they may look so. Buying a new construction home should be just like purchasing any other home, regardless of age. Don't allow the fact that the home is new to be the sole reason for purchasing the home.

Many buyers have found themselves looking at new homes and developments that are advertised extensively and have one of the most potent marketing tools available; the model home. Model homes are typically the best of the best. The developments premier home model, showcased with high-priced landscaping, custom interiors done by a top-level designer and expensive furniture. All of the "additional options" are usually shown in the model home so essentially, what is being shown is the best of all worlds. Buyers can be easily overwhelmed by the opulence of a model home, but they sometimes fail to remember that their home will not look quite the same. Change the furniture and add people on a daily basis and a model home loses some of its sterile charm.

Another mistake that some buyers make is assuming that everything is perfect with a new home. It would be great if this was true. No matter how old a home is, it should always be subject to a home inspection. This ensures the structural integrity and correct functioning of all the home's systems such as plumbing, heating, and gas. It is always a good idea to investigate the reputation of the builders involved with new construction projects. Find out what other projects they have been involved with and what the owners of those homes have related. It never hurts to be a smart consumer, do your homework and your home purchase will be that much more secure.

About the Author

Calum and Kathy MacKenzie are experienced and professional Tampa, Florida real estate agents who specialize in helping families relocate to the Tampa area.

Business Property - A Look At The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Buying

Nearly every type of business needs a premise from which to operate - In the case of a small business it may be possible to work from home however as most things do eventually grow and expand, it may be necessary to obtain larger working facilities.

The majority of businesses will require their own premises and are generally faced with the option of either renting or buying. The obvious choice for many would be to buy, finance allowing however there are advantages and disadvantages to both sides.

Advantages Of Buying

Retention of ownership - most businesses will need to take out a loan in order to purchase property. In the case of taking out a mortgage, the business is able to raise the capital without resorting to selling a share in the company, either to an interested party or by way of issuing shares.

In this case the original owners will have retention of both ownership and control. The mortgage lender will have the right to charge interest on the loan amount outstanding however it will have no interest to a share in the business or its profits. The lender has an interest solely in the property and is only permitted to call in the loan in the event of borrower default.

Taxation - Businesses are permitted to make mortgage interest payments with pre-tax money that is deductible for tax purposes as expenses.

Cost and cash flow management - A commercial mortgage allows a business access to finance that would not usually be available. They can offer a degree of flexibility in designing a repayment scheme to suit the needs of the business, which may include fixing the repayments for a set period of time.

Mortgage repayments tend to work out lower than rental payments and the borrower in this case will know what the payments will be in advance - this fixed payment can often aid the business with cash flow and managing costs. Businesses that rent a premise can be exposed to market conditions which could result in payment fluctuations on review.

Security of tenure - Businesses and individuals that rent have very few guarantees beyond the end of the current agreement.

Asset appreciation - This of course is by no means guaranteed however property has long been viewed by many as a very sound investment. The business or individual will have an asset which can potentially grow in value, just like residential property - this could subsequently increase the value of the business.

Financial flexibility - Taking out a loan by way of a mortgage to buy a business premises can free up money held in the business for other purposes. Borrowing money outside of a mortgage could prove to be more costly. It may also be possible to remortgage in order to raise finance in the future by using the available equity.

Retirement - Many people decide to hold property in a pension plan which can offer a tax-efficient way of buying the premises and boosting pension benefits.

Disadvantages Of Buying

Financial difficulty - Like any other mortgage, the mortgage lender will hold a legal charge over the property. Nearly all businesses meet financial difficulties at some stage which could potentially result in mortgage payments being missed. In the event of default the lender may take steps to repossess the property - if this happens then it would leave the business with nowhere to operate from.

Relocation - In the event a business needs to relocate, it is relatively easy to terminate a rental agreement. In the case of an owner occupier, the process is of course far more complex.

Flexibility - A business that rents has a far greater amount of flexibility that a business that is tied to a mortgage. Buying would only make sense if the business is confident over its future which encompasses two main factors - relocation & business expansion.

Drain on Capital - When it comes to getting a deposit, this can mean a huge drain on the business capital as this is usually taken from the profits or reserves.

Maintenance and upkeep - The owner of a property has management responsibilities that a tenant would not usually have - maintenance and upkeep of a property is a constant process and can prove to be very expensive.

About the Author

James Copper writes on all areas of finance. He works for Any Loans who specialise in commercial mortgages and business loans.

Being A Conscious Shopper

When you're shopping for gifts for holidays, the latest electronics and appliances or just grocery shopping, what you buy can make a difference in the world. From supporting causes to saving energy to protecting your health to supporting fair wages for the people who make your clothing, there are choices you can make while shopping that will accomplish and promote these things. Here are the most popular ways you can be a conscious shopper:

Organic Buying organic food means that no antibiotics, pesticides, fertilizers or hormones were used in the farming process. Food that is certified organic has not been genetically modified and often have the most humane practices concerning farm animals. In addition, organic foods and other organic products are created or raised in a way that is healthier and safer for the environment. Organic foods, organic clothing and other organic products are now becoming more commonly available. Looking for the organic label and choosing to buy organic products is one way to be a conscious shopper.

Fair Trade Fair trade means that the goods that are produced as fair trade are purchased at a fair price to the farmer or producer, that environmentally safe processes were used and that working conditions are safe and fair. There are many fair trade products available, including clothing, textiles, foods, home decor and handicrafts of all sorts. When you choose a product that is labeled as fair trade, you are making sure that the creator of the product was adequately paid for their work and they and the earth were not exploited in any way.

Environmental When you're finishing or furnishing your own home, there are many products that you can choose that are more environmentally friendly than other products. For instance, choosing Energy Star branded appliances and electronics, you are helping to save energy and help the environment. In addition, you can purchase non toxic cleaning products, wood flooring and other wood products made from sustainably farmed trees, lightbulbs that use less energy but give the same amount of light plus flooring, insulation and accessories made from recycled jeans, tires, plastics and much more. Your choices for an environmentally friendly home are bigger than ever.

Charity There are now many apparel, food and other products that give all or some of their profits to various charities. By choosing these products, you are not only getting a product you wanted and were likely going to buy in the first place, but you are also helping a charity. Just look for specially marked products to make a difference by simply shopping.

Recycling You can now purchase many items that are made from recycled materials or that are easily recyclable themselves. For instance, when you are purchasing another ream of paper for your printer, why not purchase a ream of recycled paper? It usually costs just a tiny bit more than regular paper. Or when shopping for landscaping materials, why not buy blocks or timbers that were previously used somewhere else?

Nowadays, if you want to be a conscious shopper, you have many more opportunities than before, there's no reason not to be a conscious shopper.

About the Author

Lydia Quinn writes for SweatShopFree Clothing, offering Discount American Apparel Clothing

Building an Image with a Logo

Website design can be elusive to even creative individuals. Sadly some webmasters do not realize their incompetence and they post websites that have grainy graphics and turgid colors. If you are one of these webmasters and have seen the error of your ways, consider this. Your website is a sales tool. A professional layout and design can significantly increase sales and conversion rates, gaining you customers. Businesses can greatly benefit from a professional and unforgettable logo that sets them apart from their competition. Logos are not just fancy graphics that adorn websites or letterhead, logos are a representation of a businesses' philosophy. Logos are a critical component of brand development.

Many webmasters do not realize that all images on the web are copy written and it is in many cases illegal to use an image that you find on the web without properly licensing it. Fortunately, for the graphically challenged websmasters there are a whole host of resources available to assist with web and graphic design. There are logo websites where you can purchase a single logo for a fixed fee, or subscription websites that allow you to purchase a subscription and download multiple logos. The logo is often the starting point for web design. Many webmasters use the companies logo to develop the website, the rest of the design evolves around the logo.

Custom logo design can cost from $ 100 to over $ 1000 depending on the logos complexity and the number of revisions required. As a result, buying a stock logo can offers substantial savings, for a small business starting out.

Fortunately for graphically challenged webmasters there are a number of websites through which webmasters can purchase a logo:

Logo Search

On Logo Search, website visitors can navigate through the logos using categories. The Logo Search website also has a search function allowing visitors to use keywords to locate specific color logos or logo styles. Visitors can purchase a single logo or they can purchase a subscription allowing them to download an unlimited number of logos for a specified length of time. Each download contains the image in a variety of format allowing webmasters flexibility. Webmasters can subscribe to an RSS feed so they are notified when new logos are posted and available for download. http://www.logo-search.com

LogoStick

Logo Stick is a web based tool that allows webmasters to use logo templates and design software, to create custom individualized logos. After the logo is completed it can be downloaded from the website. The online logo design software lets website visitors select from a variety of symbols, fonts and colors, so that webmasters can create a unique look. Unfortunately if your issue is a lack of creative talent, this solution may not be a good one. http://www.logostick.com

LogoMaid

LogoMaid contains a selection of more than 3300 unique and non-unique logos. Logos are sold individually and vary in price from $ 25.00 for a non-unique logo to $ 200 for a unique logo. Subscriptions to the LogoMaid website are not available. http://www.logomaid.com/home.php

Check the Rules!

If you purchase a logo be sure that you completely read the licensing agreement. Some agreements may restrict resale of the logo and you want to be aware of that if you are a webmaster reselling your services.

Image matters by using an eye catching logo you will retain your website visitor's interest and instill confidence that you are a professional organization.

About the Author

About the Author: Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.