Team Time-Getting ready to build your team in 2017

One of the biggest struggles people in direct sales face is team building.  One of the biggest road blocks in building your team is perception.  It's not only the perception that a direct sales company is a "real" job, but it's your own perception that you aren't qualified to lead because you don't yet believe in your business.

In order to effectively recruit, you have to shift that perception.  

In this photo, I am surrounded by incredibly successful women.

I had this realization a while back when I decided to join a networking group.  I got dressed in my business best and slunk into the back corner of the meeting because I did't feel like I deserved to be there.  These were women who had created products that were in every store from Walmart to Costco, women who owned realty groups, successful coffee chains, salons, and marketing firms.  I didn't feel like I fit in because I was just a mom trying to grow a Damsel in Defense business.

I am the owner of a direct sales business with more than
30 hard working girls who are constantly growing, and they
believe in me.

When I was evaluating why my business was at a stand still, it was painfully obvious.  I didn't believe I was an expert in my field.  I believed that everyone looked down on my business and saw me as another mlm scam.  

Well guess what?  I am the owner of a direct sales business, which is not the same as an mlm.  I have a team of more than 30 hard working girls who are constantly growing, and they believe in me.  The moment I realized my value, I started projecting myself as a successful business owner, and things began to change.  People began to shift their perception of what I did, but it first took me shifting mine.  Now, I can waltz into a networking meeting and know that I have just as much worth as the women there.  They start to see the value in my business and take the time to connect me with people in their networks to do business with, and my business begins to grow.

For me, 2017 is going to be the year of shifting perception.  I will be doing a series of challenges on Tuesdays to help others break out of the mindset that direct selling isn't a "real" job.  No matter what your company is, join me in claiming your place as the CEO of your business and power building the company of your dreams. The first challenge will be  January 3rd, 2017.

If you have no idea what a direct sales company is, but you're looking for a way to work from home, in your own hours, and make a great living, contact me at Sunshine@YourDamselDiva.com or go to my website StunGunCrew.com and let's talk about it!

Are you ready?

Tips from the top-What to do when someone in your network unsubscribes

I just came across something that I’m sure you’ll come across in your direct sales business, if you haven’t already.  It can be a mood killer and suck the business right out of your day, but you have to learn how to let it go.  It has nothing to do with you.

So you love a company.  You've sent people to them, you use their services, you've sung their praises to everyone who might remotely want to know who they are.  Then you start a business, and you’re sure that you’ll get business from all of those great local companies you supported.  Besides, you put in all of that free time posting, tagging, spending your own money, and sending others to spend their money, right?

Then you send out a campaign.  Whether you send out a Facebook blast, emails, or a newsletter, and you’re waiting with anticipation to see what comes back, and one of the first thing that does is an unsubscribe from one of the businesses you've sent everyone to and used several times yourself.

You feel it.  It hurts.  You’re angry, and you want to find all of those posts and take them down and un hashtag everything you've ever done, right?  Wrong. 

There are a couple things to remember with a direct sales company.  Businesses get newsletters, junk mail, and inquiries at every turn.  Most companies get to a point where they hire an office manager that all inquiries have to go through, and one of the jobs of the office manager is to be the gate keeper.  No one gets through to the owner.  Why do you think so many telemarketers lie about personal business?  It’s to get past the gate keeper, who is specifically designed in the future and sent back to never let anyone get to the person it’s in charge of protecting.  After all, the future of mankind depends on them….

Well, if they are protecting John Connor.  But you get the idea.

Instead of getting mad, pick up the phone.  Set up a lunch date with them.  Build that relationship because it can’t be built through newsletters alone.  For everyone who unsubscribes, there are three people reading what you have to say, so make sure your content is good.

Another thing to remember is that business owners are busy.  Aren't you busy?  Maybe they haven’t make the connection that you are the person behind your business or newsletter.  Maybe they have ten emails from different people representing the same company sitting in their inbox.  Wouldn't you stand out a little bit if you sent them a card in the mail?

There are so many ways for you to stand out, don’t let one little unsubscribe get to you.  It doesn't mean the end of your relationship until they specifically say, “Take me off your list,” and if you've developed any sort of a relationship with them, they won’t do that to you.  Do you know how many people unsubscribe from newsletters every day?  It would blow you away!

So keep your chin up!  I see an unsubscribe as the face of Number 5 from Short Circuit saying, “Need more input.”

Take these steps to save the relationship:

• Make sure your newsletter or email is factual, well put together, and useful.
• Send a nice handwritten card in the mail
• Set up a lunch or coffee date
• Don't be a repeat offender by sending them another email or adding them back into your newsletter list.
• Find a way to stand out