2 Booking Challenges

Friday is Booking Day! I have put together two challenges for you today! First, let's talk about booking! If you are in Direct Sales (DS), your business is probably supposed to run on a specific party/show/tasting plan. In that case, BOOKINGS are the heartbeat of your business. With each show that you hold, you are pumping brand new blood into your business.

By spending 20-30 minutes each Friday(or any specific day of the week), you will increase your bookings immensely.  There are a few things you should begin with each week. These tasks don't take long, and then you can move to something creative!

First, if you have received any new contacts in the last seven days, follow up. CALL them or TEXT them, personally(I find that speaking directly with the customer on the phone is the best way to accomplish this). DO NOT send a group or mass text or message through FB. You can use Red Stamp. Find them online or download the app. Super easy to use and they have gorgeous designs. Many companies have their own collections through Red Stamp, but even if yours doesn't, there are plenty of other lovely cards that you can send.

Begin your conversation by introducing yourself and where you met/obtained their info, ALWAYS. "Hi Sally, This is Sherie Rowe, Independent Ambassador with *****. Lucy Jones gave me your name as someone who she thought would be interested in *****. DO you have a minute to speak with me?"  Next flow into your booking script, whether you fly off the cuff or use a script that your company recommends. Give her choices, such as "Which day is better for you, Thursday or Saturday?" If she declines, move on into asking her if you can deliver or mail her a catalog.

Next,..FILE this contact. Enter it into your Contact Book or other filing system. You should NEVER lose these contacts. They will become valuable to your business at some point in time.

Now. On to the fun stuff! Remember, this Power Hour is not meant for you to sit in front of FB, scrolling mindlessly, posting on your page until no one likes you anymore. This Power Hour is meant for YOU to GET UP and do some WORK! That being said, neither project for today involves FB. WHAAATT?!?! That's right, its not on Facebook.

PROJECT 1-Go through old orders and send 5 previous CUSTOMERS a catalog or flyer with a booking special. There are several steps here, so here we go:

1. Find a beginning point. Alphabetically, this month last year, your choice. 
2. Pick 5 customers. For me, beginning with this month last year, I take the first 5 customers of the month. 

Get your catalogs ready. There are several ways to do this. Here are a couple examples: 

Send a catalog, order form, business card and promotional items, and a flyer with a booking incentive along with a candy bar wrapped in an old catalog page or promotional flyer. Who doesn't like chocolate?

Ever thought of recycling your old catalogs into envelopes? Sara Nicole over at Life Of Sara Nicole has a great tutorial on how to do this. 

Or, just use cutouts to decorate your envelopes. 

Most important here, make sure ALL catalogs have your name and contact information!

     5. Choose your booking incentive. There are many, many booking incentives to choose from. Just Google or go to Pinterest. Here are a couple that I like!

These, designed by QT Office, are a super idea! Print on sticker sheets or address labels, and stick them right on the front of the catalog. Not only does your customer see it, anyone ELSE that she shows the catalog to sees it!

***QT Office works exclusively with Mary  Kay. You can find them here, or take yourself to Google Docs and design a few for your company.

Another super awesome idea is this:

If you're partying, you SHOULD have a booking board. Build one. For mailing catalogs, take a photo, send to Walgreens from your phone (YES! There's an app for that), pick them up on the way to the Post Office, drop on in the envelope in which you have already placed the instructions...Once date is booked, she gets to come over or call and choose a prize!

     6. Address and mail! That's all there is to it! Super simple!

PROJECT 2-COLORING CONTEST

Take some holiday or seasonal coloring sheets to a daycare for a coloring contest.

Make sure there is a spot to fill out the information(I generally put it on the back). Bring a related prize for the child winner,

PUT A COUPLE OF THESE CUTIES FROM DOLLAR TREE IN A SAND BUCKET!

and mom gets a small prize as well, from your company.

A nail file, a lip gloss, samples, etc.

 Leave a few catalogs, business cards, flyers, etc. Return in 1-2 weeks to pick up entries. I have been bringing a poster with a spot to add the name and artwork of the winning child to post at the front desk. I of course make it colorful for the kids and add my name, contact info and company to a corner. Repeat this process with other holidays, as well as letting the manager of the daycare know that you have fund raisers available and are available for any vendor shows or donations that they need...GIFT CERTIFICATES, etc!

These simple GET UP AND WORK IDEAS will give things a kick start! I can't wait to see what you come up with!