| The Party Plan business model has been an effective | | | | elevator speech which is a commercial to promote |
| method for success in direct sales for the last 50 | | | | your business. Some groups require their members to |
| years or so. The premise is, you find a hostess who | | | | give referrals to the other members of the group. If |
| invites all her friends to watch your product | | | | you are the only person in your category selling your |
| demonstration. You then book more parties with all the | | | | product, they will come to you when the need arises. |
| guests and your business takes off. This works well | | | | This is a wonderful way to build a strong customer |
| for many direct sales representatives but for others it | | | | base of regular clients. Networking takes time to |
| does not. Your success depends on honing your | | | | develop. The more you get involved with your group |
| booking skills, learning scripts and being willing to travel | | | | and are visible, the more business you will receive. If |
| to the homes of strangers if necessary. What do you | | | | you show up once or twice and never come back, do |
| do if you are not having great success doing parties or | | | | not expect this method to work for you. The dues |
| simply do not enjoy that form of marketing? Below | | | | required to join a networking group will pay off |
| are some alternative methods of marketing that will | | | | handsomely in the end if you attend regularly. |
| bring you equal success and enjoyment in your | | | | 4. Catalog sales are a perfect way to work your |
| business. After all, you are the party in your party plan | | | | business if you work full time in an office. Each time |
| business. | | | | you wish to place an order, pass your catalog around |
| If your company tells you that you must book 2-5 | | | | and ask your co-workers if they need anything. If you |
| parties per week to be successful, do not feel like a | | | | do this at regular intervals, such as once per month, |
| failure if you do not. Your success in booking may | | | | your co-workers will be ready for you with check |
| depend on the weather, your location, your clientele or | | | | book or credit card in hand. Send a catalog around to |
| you. The important thing is to work your business in the | | | | different offices and ask a friendly person who works |
| way you most enjoy because when you are having | | | | there to act as a silent hostess. She will collect orders |
| fun, your customers will have fun as well. | | | | for you for a hostess gift. |
| | | | 5. If you are creative, you might want to consider |
| 1. If you do not enjoy or fear packing up all of your | | | | offering your products as gifts for special occasions |
| supplies and bringing them to the home of strangers, | | | | and holidays by making gift baskets. Many |
| offer to schedule your appointments in your home. It is | | | | representatives have thriving businesses by marketing |
| easier for you and your hostess. You have everything | | | | to corporations and providing executive gift services. |
| set up and your hostess does not need to clean up | | | | 6. If you are a busy mom whose children are involved |
| her house. If you have room, create a studio for | | | | in dance classes, soccer games or any other group |
| yourself. Give your hostess an extra incentive for | | | | activity, market your business in the waiting room or in |
| bringing her friends to your home. You can also invite | | | | the bleachers while your children are busy. That way |
| individual guests to your house to meet and make new | | | | you are available for your children when they need |
| friends. | | | | you and you are making money at the same time. Just |
| 2. Schedule one on one appointments with clients. This | | | | be careful to do this in a manner that does not put |
| method allows you to create a closer relationship with | | | | pressure on the other moms. |
| your customer that may lead to parties down the line. | | | | 7. Developing an online marketing system is the way |
| Give her all of your attention and ask open ended | | | | big business is being done these days. The more |
| questions to determine what her needs are. If you fear | | | | automated you can make your business, the easier it |
| getting in front of a group to make a formal | | | | is for you. Train your customers to go to your online |
| presentation, a one on one appointment is much more | | | | shopping site especially when they run out of |
| casual and less stressful. Throw away your flip chart | | | | something. You can even create online shopping |
| and simply carry on a normal conversation with your | | | | events with hostess gifts for anyone who sends their |
| client. | | | | friends to your website. Send your customers email |
| 3. Business networking groups are an excellent way to | | | | newsletters or tips with links to your shopping site. |
| establish higher end customers. Develop a 30 minute | | | | |