Need More Bookings?

Hi. At our Believe Regional Meeting this week, I was asked to train on how to get more bookings.

I decided to focus on the basics: 10-3-2. There are more advanced ways to get more bookings, but I think most of us want to know what we can do better, not what else we can do.

How Long Does It Take You To Do a Show?

Most people would answer this with about 3 hours.

I don't.

It takes me 5 hours to complete a show. That's because I consider all of these steps to be a part of completing a show.

1. Showing up, setting up, doing my "presentation," offering a show to each guest, taking orders and payments, spoiling my host, packing up, leaving. Approximatelyely 3 hours.
2. Putting the order into the online ordering system. Approximately 30 minutes (less for repeat clients).
3. Calling 2 leads to offer to give them more information about the business. Schedule appointments if yes. Approximately 15 minutes (less if they say no).
4. Contacting the host (by phone, email, and/or post) about her order status. (3 contacts: it's been ordered, it's been shipped, and did you receive everything and was it all good). Approximately 15 minutes.
5. Sending out 1,2, or 3 host packs, thanking new hosts for booking, following up to make sure they have everything they need, and hostess coaching for their shows. Approximately 30 minutes (that's for everything and ALL follow-up calls).
6. Calling all 10 clients to make sure they are happy with their orders and to see if they need anything else from me. (I remind them that they don't need to have a show to order, but that if they do, they can get all the host rewards. I also say something like, "if your friends comment about your new candles or how great your house smells, don't forget to tell them about Wendy the Candle Lady.") Approximately 30 minutes.

And that's when a show is complete.

Do you see how that process would generate bookings? Do you do all of those steps? Do you want to try it out and let me know what your results are? You can see my results in Reflections. :) It works.

To get bookings, I certainly could have talked about many more things. Things like:

• Have pretty host packs as part of your display.
• Hand out bonus hostess vouchers to every guest.
• Hand out bonus hostess vouchers to people you meet outside of shows.
• Host home shows (well... I did touch on this a bit - I'll write more).
• Make your show fun, relaxed, interactive, and informative.

There are lots of ways to get bookings, but the most important thing is to keep offering. Offer for everyone to host a show. Be proud of your products, your presentation, and your host rewards.

Be proud to be a candle lady (or a candle man). I am.

Now get out there!

Little Things Mean A Lot

Did you know that the Signature Reed Diffuser oil refills DO NOT fit in the Tropical Reed Diffuser? The bottle is shaped differently. My customer solved that by using an empty oil bottle from another fragrance.

Thinking of you!

March Madness

Hello. Did you know that I use my Wendy's Candle Website Facebook page to communicate short and sweet ideas, hints, and tips? If you like that idea, then 'like' that page. :)

"March Madness" is a US term for an annual college basketball tournament which reaches its frenzied conclusion during March. The whole country seems to go basketball crazy during that time. Football (grid-iron) season is over, baseball hasn't started, and pro-basketball and hockey are only mid season. So College basketball gets an exciting spotlight for a month.

I thought it would be a good description for my business: March Madness in Wendy's candle land means that my business is accelerating, growing, and changing to meet my aggressive goals for the year. I certainly intend for that to be the case.

Here are a few hints and tips I've gained since January.

1. Keep learning. I've been listening to the free tele-seminar series at The Mind Aware. I listen to these one hour interviews and learn from every one of them. It's not too late to get involved. And it's free. You just have to prioritise your time. FYI, this is their vision:

At The Mind Aware, we have a vision. Transforming network marketers' lives. Every moment. Every single day.

2. Keep listening. The best way to find other people who would benefit from their own candle business is to listen carefully to what people say. Finding 2 leads at every show means listening to every guest and finding out what is important to them. Ask questions. Then ask more.

3. Keep learning. Every training opportunity and every meeting available to you will help your business grow. (I prioritised, prepared for, and paid to attend our annual Leader Summit in Maroochydore in January. I prioritised, prepared for, and paid to attend our Quarterly Regional Recognition and Training Event. I prioritised, prepared for, and paid to attend Terry Hawkins LEAD seminar in February.)

4. Keep listening. Stop thinking about what you are going to say to other people at networking events, and start actively listening to what they are saying. Be generous with your knowledge, contacts, and attitude and it will come back in spades.

5. Keep learning. I have three business mentors: Angela, Eliana, and Janelle. They give me great advice, super coaching, and training when I need it. In case you don't know, they are my upline. And it's free for me to engage with them. Just like it's free for the Rainbows to engage with me (and Angela, and Eliana, and Janelle). Uplines are GOLD. Use yours.

I invest in education. I buy books and audio recordings, I go to networking events, and I read blogs. You are investing in your business by reading this blog. Keep it up. And then add more....

How have you been learning and listening lately? Why not comment and let us all know.

P.S. Don't forget to find Wendy's Candle Website Facebook and click the 'like' button. If you like me, that is.

10 Things to do Before the Holiday Break

Before you tackle these things, make sure you've identified and separated work time and holiday time. We don't want you or your family thinking that you are not taking a well-deserved break.

1. Unfinished business - Check all orders in the CBC and follow up with deliveries that have happened in the last fortnight. Make sure everyone is happy and correct any issues that arise.
2. Take stock - Empty your kit, bring together all of the candle accessories and candles you've accumulated over the past year, and organise them.
3. Clean - Whatever needs to be cleaned... clean.
4. Decorate - Put out nice pieces to make your home look fabulous.
5. Clear out - Create a pile of items you no longer want for your own use or your kit.
6. Price - Make a list of the items you no longer want and note the retail price (I suggest using Excel). Decide how much you would sell each piece for. I usually sell used items for 40 to 60 percent off retail.
7. Plan a home party in January - Pick a date now and let people know about it over the holidays. Sell your unwanted items to people who attend your home show.
8. Organise your January kit - Include a few items being discontinued so you can promote the discontinued list at your shows. (I sometimes use only items being discontinued to create a sense of urgency.)
9. Hostess Coach - Write a "thank you for booking" note to each of your January hosts and include a printout of the discontinued list.
10. Hostess Coach - Email the January specials to each of your January hosts (once they are released).

I will be taking December 23rd through January 4th off, so I won't do these things then, but I have 3 days this week to get this list done. And I will....

Employee Review

Today I should do a video blog because I feel like having a chat, but then I'd have to do something to my hair and I'm not in the mood. :)

Our PartyLite year is almost over. Was it a good one for you? Did you accomplish everything that you wanted to? Have you added it all up and taken stock of what you did accomplish? If you're striving for more, never forget to celebrate the victories you've had so far in your journey. They will help push you through tougher times when they occur.

One thing I absolutely love about working for myself is that I do not have to give or receive an employee review. It was one of the elements I hated most about the corporate world. I like immediate feedback and immediate corrections.

That said, I do see the benefit of a periodic look over time. A retrospective course check. Am I headed in the right direction? Am I achieving the goals I set out to achieve? Am I performing to my expectations, below them, or above them?

We start New Consultant Training with a look at your personal vision and goals. It's sometimes hard for a new consultant to do, because she doesn't yet know the potential of her business. But once you understand what is possible, you may start to increase your boldness in setting goals. I certainly did.

I revisit my goals when I need to; usually after I've accomplished a lot of what I had set out to do. This month represents an amazing crescendo of completion for me. On the 30th of March 2009, I made a vision board for my goals. It's been above my desk since I created it (see picture). Here is what the pictures represent:

• Wen & Bendy (music): Get more gigs and play
• Home: Replace the windows in my sunroom
• Home: Add a deck
• Home: Upgrade the outdoor bathroom
• Home: Upgrade the outdoor laundry
• Home: Get a jacuzzi
• Home: Buy a new car
• Travel: Ski Copper Mountain in Colorado
• Travel: Take Alan (let Alan take me) sailing off the northern Queensland coast

Before the end of 2010, I will have accomplished all but the last of these goals. I will carryover the sailing to my next vision board and start again. I know a few other things I'll be including:

• Travel: Take a trip to Spain and Italy in 2012
• Home: Refurnish and decorate the house
• Home: Complete the garden
• Work: Promote two leaders before Conference 2011
• Music: Be an important part of an amazing original band

I'll give it a lot of thought over the next few weeks and share the updated vision board with you.

My candle business is enabling me to achieve all of these goals. I use the goals everyday to motivate me to make the calls, to invite others to come on the ride, and to help the Rainbows to succeed.

Now is the time to take a look at your vision and goals for the next year or two. Will your candle business enable you to achieve your goals? Only if you let it....

ANNOUNCEMENT: At 7:30 on January 12th we will have a great Unit Meeting. I've asked Rebecca Wells, a business and life coach (among other things) to join us for some fantastic training on visions and goal setting. She is wonderful. I have room for about 30 people in my house, so if you're in Sydney on the 12th and want to come, please pop me an email. Rainbows will take top priority, but I'm sure we'll have room!