4 Services you will eventually need in your direct sales business if you continue to push the envelope, your business continues to grow, and you’re seeming overwhelmed.
Let me just say first…I gain nothing from these 4 recommendations. The reason I am telling you about these 4 services is because I appreciate things and people who make my life easier. I appreciate good people with good intentions to share their gifts in a way to lift others up. These are 4 instances that I have personally come across with…in business and in person. In order for me to recommend something or someone, it takes a tall order and an insane amount of trust. I do not hand them out lightly. These people and businesses have touched my life. And I know they can touch yours.
You may not use these people or companies in particular. But my hope is that you recognize and give yourself permission to seek these services out when you get to the point that you are feeling overwhelmed. An NED with Thirty-One reached out to me recently and gave ME permission to spend more on help. She said someone once told her…if more money does not give you more TIME…then it’s not worth it. Now I probably just totally butchered what she said and her exact words…but it resonated with me. So I gave myself permission to delegate more tasks to people who are insanely capable of my high standards for my own business. So again, I simply want to give you permission to reach out for help when you get to that point.
These are 4 things that have moved my business to the next level. And I’m going to bore you to death explaining each one. And the ways each one changed my life.
- Personal Coaching
- Virtual Assistant
- Graphic/Flyer Designs
- Social Media Scheduling
1. PERSONAL COACHING:
Now I will be 100% honest with you and let you know I have never paid for an outside coach. But I have always had one with Thirty-One. I have had at least 7 different coaches and cherish 3 of those relationships. The others I kind of gave up on. You definitely have to find your match. You have to find someone who gets you. Who gets your personality and your life and is REAL. And GENUINE. And they’ll be worth every penny. As soon as I get a handle on this fall, I will personally be taking on some coaching with Angilee. Because I’m ready to get to the next level in my own business. And I know she can help me do that.
My very first coach was Angilee Myers. I started coaching with her as a Senior Director. The thing about Angilee is that she was a sounding board. She was my accountability and my focus. And she quickly became my friend. You can have all the ideas, the want, the passion, and the drive in the world. But if you can’t FOCUS that energy into a meaningful plan, it will end up driving you in circles. She walked me through my promotion to Executive Director and truly made a difference in my life. Whether it was family issues, work issues (non 31 related), or Thirty-One related…she walked me through it. And a good coach, has this amazing way of making YOU figure out your own plan. She brings out the best in you.
The great thing is, she’s officially coaching now. And if you need that focus, if you’re so overwhelmed you can’t think straight…it’s time to invest in a coach. I have never had anyone to refer people to, but I do now. Because I believe in her and what she can do for you. Because I saw it first hand.
Or maybe you’re looking to reach towards the next level in your career. Whether you’re scared, you’re excited, or you don’t know where to start…Angilee can help you walk through those waters!
Here is a little more about Angilee Myers and how you can contact her for your own coaching sessions, if and when, you ever feel like you’ve reached that point where you need help. Because we all need help sometimes. And this business is no joke. Direct Sales changes lives. And before you give up, or get so overwhelmed that this business becomes a burden instead of a passion, you need a coach to help you get your fire back and get back on the right track:
Angilee was a top performer in sales and recruiting when she was in the field. She sat on the Presidents Advisory Council for 2 years (max allowed) and helped develop countless training programs. She’s had years of corporate direct sales experience but fell in love with the marriage between coaching and performance. She is a certified Direct Sales Coach and a credentialed coach with the ICF. She currently has her ACC and is applying for her PCC this fall. (PCC requires over 700 logged hours of coaching – so she’s coached quite a bit!). She also helped launch the coaching program at Thirty-One and believes strongly that success in this business comes from family, work and life working together in harmony. “It can be simple easy and fun if we stay focused and go to work everyday! Personally, as you know, I have 5 big kids (4 in college this year), our bonus baby Will (2.5) and Aidan (1) who we will soon be adopting. 🙂 They are my joy and my why. I think I’m the best coach for DS leaders because, like you, I understand the chaos of life and the importance of getting a lot done effectively.”
Angilee Myers contact information:
Email: angilee@mac.com
2. Virtual Assistant:
First of all, what is a virtual assistant and why would you need one? And when would you need one? And how would you find one? I simply want to help you understand a little more of my world. You all see me doing amazing things in my business, but I’ve never really laid it all out there. I have help. I have chosen a path of serving others. Of serving my team. And that passion takes a lot of my time. So in order to do that, I had to have help. I am blessed with two amazing assistants. And I also have my team newsletters done through a newsletter service.
One…is not for hire:) Her name is Brenda. And that poor woman has enough to handle with me. I recently decided to unload A LOT of work on Brenda. Why? Because I was drowning. I maintained my business with minimal services from my virtual assistants for a long time. But in this past year, my PV (personal sales volume) has doubled. And my team hit million dollar team (because they’re awesome like that). And I made PAC (Presidential Advisory Council). And my amount of home parties and hostesses has doubled or really tripled. But in all that success, I was slipping. I was missing things. I was dropping the ball. And I was miserable in all my success. And then that NED gave me permission to use my profits to give me more time to do the things I am so passionate about. To do the things that only I can do. And it is not easy giving up control. But man was it worth it. Brenda is good people. And a good friend. It’s amazing how God brings people into your life that you could never do without. She helps me run my personal business while I concentrate on our amazing team.
Now, Jackie Abrams is also an assistant of mine. And dear friend. We have been friends for about 7 years I think? This poor woman lives about 5 blocks from me. And she was my main assistant for years! Then she began her own career as a full-time virtual assistant. Jackie is simply what I call “good people”. And that’s a pretty elite group in my world. Not many people get that “token” 😉
So anyways! Jackie has a client base where she runs various tasks for people all over the country. What does she do for me?
She makes and sends hostess packets. I book a party, I email her and say here ya go, and she puts it together and mails it. She sends my happy mail and my birthday club post cards each month now too. And she rescues me when I’m drowning with just about anything. She knows this business inside and out and can help in so many ways.
But how do you know when you need an assistant?
~When you’re miserable. when you’re dropping the ball and missing things that you shouldn’t be. When your team is getting left behind because you can’t keep up with your own business. Or maybe you just want to step your business up a little. Relieve some of the work you do, so you can step things up a notch on recruiting and sales and booking. I was ok managing 6-10 parties a month. Once I started hitting more…I could not keep up personally. And maybe some women can. But I cannot. I work on too many other projects that require my time also. Not to mention my 5 kids and my husband who would all like to see their mother/wife every now and then:)
And what can they do for you?
Anything that doesn’t require personal attention. Hostess packets, invitations, newsletters, stats, surveys, emails, scheduling things, flyers, events, labeling catalogs, going to the post office, mailing things…these are things that can be done by someone else. YOU need to be doing things in your business that will result in booking, recruiting, and sales. And those things require your personal attention. If you’re so busy dealing with things that could be done by someone else, that you’re dropping the ball…it’s time to get an assistant.
Or maybe you’re simply not consistent. Find someone who is GOOD at organization and a good assistant will whip you into to shape and make you like like a million bucks;)
How do you go about finding one?
You ASK. I found Jackie by asking my friends and my team. I found Brenda by asking my friends and my team. And I couldn’t live without either one of them at this point. And if they can put up with me, they’re worth their weight in gold;) Some can come to your house if you want them to, others can work completely online. You simply ship them the materials they need to support your business. Maybe you could start delegating tasks like hostess packets and labeling catalogs to an older child of yours, a local teenager, or a family member. Whatever you do, I promise you’ll be glad they helped get you on track.
How much are you going to pay for a virtual assistant?
It depends entirely on what you need. They go by services. My advice to you is to start SMALL. Take one task and find someone to help. And then as you feel comfortable and build that trust and relationship, you can add more. You would be very surprised to find how affordable good help is. I encourage you to look into it when you start to feel like you are drowning.
Jackie Abrams has my golden seal and provides these services and much more. Her contact information and list of “help I’m drowning” is below. This is a list of the basic services she (or any virtual assistant if you train them) can help you with:
Jackie Abrams:
Email: jabrams66@yahoo.com
Create Monthly Newsletters : to Gen 0 and /or Directors
Sending Birthday Postcards and Anniversary postcards monthly (using yours or mine)
Making recruiting packets (can do via long distance thru e-files and post office) monthly fee applies but will charge you for postage
Making hostess packets(can do via long distance thru e-files and post office) monthly fee applies but will charge you for postage
Making guest packets(can do via long distance thru e-files and post office) monthly fee applies but will charge you for postage
Labeling all catalogs and mini’s(can do via long distance thru e-files and post office)
Making goody bags for marketing(via mail)*
Taking t-shirt orders( collecting money and shipping)*
Special projects/mailings*
Event planning- i.e.: Director Powerhouse*
Analyzing Down line stats ( I send you a Monday update )
GO Analysis (send at beginning of month)
Weekly update to team (“Wednesday Woo-Hoo”)
Tracking team incentives and mailing postcards/ gifts to winners(Qualified/Start Swell/VIP)
Planning for Celebrate and Connect Meetings (can do e-vites)
Tracking/Categorizing tax documents/receipts
Facebook shout outs to incentive winners, VIP’s, $1000 above sales, etc.
CER: on Facebook or through mail
Send New Consultant postcards/Welcome emails
Send At Risk email each month
Mailing Hostess Thank you cards.
Big Contacts: Can Import Contacts, Do Task Lists, Send emails,
Newsletters start at $15 per month; Wednesday Woohoo’s are $5 per month. Most of the other services are $2.50 each or 2/$5. unless marked by an asterisk . I am pretty open to trying new things so if you have a service that you would like me to do to help your business out, please contact me. I am here to help you make your life easier!
I also have to give a shout out to Amy at Crown Virtual Services. She has been doing my newsletters for quite a long time. And she is FLAWLESS and AMAZING and AFFORDABLE. I believe her newsletters start out at $18 a month. And if anyone struggles with newsletters…Amy and her company are truly amazing! She does newsletters and various other things to help your business too!
3. Graphic and Flyer Designs:
You know…I’m not too bad at graphics. I can make what I need. But it takes me FOREVER. And it’s never as good as someone who does this for a living or holds this God-given talent. I can assure I do not hold that talent from God. I was not blessed with it. I’ve had to research and trial and error SO much. And I wasted a lot of time.
My dear friend and team-mate Bridgett Edwards is a Godsend. She is an amazing graphic designer who helps our team beyond anything I can ever repay. But she also works. And has a family. And a life. LOL!
So I made the decision to start shipping this task out. I found someone who I like, I trust, and I can give them a chicken scratch idea and they get my scribbles and my brain. Kim from Night Owl Custom Design is affordable, reliable, and well worth her weight in gold to me.
I can send her an idea for a label and it costs me $8. $8 for a label that i need right away. That i would spend hours doing myself and it still wouldn’t look half as good as hers when i was done. So why waste my time? Why not support another woman owned business? it’s a smart investment. Work smarter. Not harder. She can literally do anything with designs. Post cards, business cards, flyers, you name…she can do it.
So go check out her page and stop beating yourself up and making the EXCUSE that you don’t have cute stuff. Cause you CAN. And it’s affordable. She makes people look GOOD:
NIGHT OWL CUSTOM DESIGN: https://www.facebook.com/NightOwlCustomDesign?fref=photo
4. Social Media Scheduling:
If you are doing Facebook parties and posts to twitter and Facebook and your team pages and customer pages…and the list goes on and on…you NEED to be on CinchShare.com
This site allows you to schedule posts to your social media sites on YOUR TIME. I can schedule 15 Facebook parties in ONE setting. One post can go to 15 parties. You schedule the time and the date. And it posts for you. This site is truly a Godsend to my business. I can be eating dinner, or on vacation, or outside with my babies while Facebook parties are going on and making me $$$. There’s nothing more golden than time, right? Well, cinchshare gives you that time. It allows you to work on YOUR time.
And when I first started using it, I emailed the “help me” button simply to say THANK YOU. I feel in love immediately with the ease and burden it took off of me. And I quickly built a business relationship with a couple of the founders because they’re simply those “good people” I keep telling you about. They’re women entrepreneurs who were in this business and saw a NEED and answered it. And they’re rock solid. I have NEVER had a problem with this site. And it just keeps getting better and better. I highly encourage you to take a look at it and see what it can do for you.
Again, I receive no royalties or paychecks from them. I simply believe in them and their company and their mission. Their hard work has paid off in this amazing social media tool. And I’m very happy to spread that love of what they do. Because their company (and them) have blessed my life ten fold.
So there you go! I may look like Wonder Woman on the outside looking in. But I can assure you I am NOT. I know my strengths and I surround myself with people who are better at the things I am NOT. We all need help sometimes. Me, I need help ALL the time. LOL! But I simply wanted to give you permission and tell you it’s OKAY if you can’t do it all! You don’t have to! There’s some amazing people out there that can help you. And it may not be one of the people or companies above. And that’s ok. But know your limit and search for some help when the need arises!
XOXOXOX
~Melissa Fietsam, Ind. Senior Executive Director at Thirty-One Gifts
www.buymybags.com
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