Have you ever heard of direct sales referred to as a “Party Plan” business? That’s because the party – whether at home, online, or catalog based – is the heart of this business. Large events are wonderful for spreading the word about your business. One on one appointments are amazing ways to build individual relationships with your customers, but when calculating earnings per hour, you’ll likely find that the biggest return comes from an intimate gathering of friends. So let’s talk about booking parties!
Talk with the people you meet every day. If you find yourself discussing your business or even sharing a business card with someone, be sure to mention the hostess opportunity with that person and plant that seed. Be sincere, honest, and relatable. Listen more than you talk, and then present the hostess opportunity as a solution for whatever their need may be. Perhaps someone shares that she is looking for gift ideas. As a party hostess, she would have access to hands on experience with multiple products to choose from. Maybe someone absolutely loves the product but is a little short on funds at the moment. By hosting parties, these people would be eligible for hostess rewards. Just by having a few friends over for an evening they could potentially get a great amount of bang for very little buck.
Once a party has been scheduled, use that opportunity to book some of those guests as your future hostesses. Be yourself and have fun. Guests are likely coming out after a long day at work and looking for a way to laugh a little and relax. Give them that opportunity to unwind. Present your product, but inject a little of your own personality into the presentation, too. Don’t be afraid to share a personal stories and anecdotes with them where appropriate. This builds trust, and trust is a cornerstone of relationship building. Be confident and purposeful. Practice your presentation at home if you have to. Try doing a dry run in front of family or a few close friends to get a feel for how things will go once you’re in front of people you don’t know as well.
Be mindful of the fact that you are going to talk to a lot of people, and as a result you will get people who say no along with those who say yes. Remember that every no puts you one step closer to your next yes, and don’t let it discourage you. Also remember there are always options. Your apartment is too small for a home party? Why not take some catalogs and collect orders from your friends! Your friends don’t have time to get together and some live hours away? Let’s book a virtual party using Facebook or Periscope and we’ll connect everyone for some online fun!
The glass is half full, my friends. There are hostesses out there just waiting to help you with your business and reap the rewards. All you have to do is keep talking, keep smiling, and keep asking. If you don’t, someone else will! Contact me today for more tips on booking parties!
