Direct Selling July 2008

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Karen Phelps, Direct Selling Expert teaches you to "raise the bar" for yourself and your team! To hire Karen for your next event e-mail: Karen@Karenphelps.com

Karen's Monthly Audio Message

Quote for the month: "Patience and Perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams

In this Issue:  "Dream Big - Work Hard" - Direct Selling Doctor - Whole Enchilada - Fantastic Fall Sales Teleseminar - Share this Newsletter

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Dream Big - Work Hard

"Dream Big, Plan Well, Work Hard, Smile Often and Good Things will happen." ~ Unknown

During my travels I came across this saying on a cute little cosmetic bag that of course I had to purchase. This morning as I was reaching into my cosmetic bag I stopped and read it two or three times. I pondered the saying while I styled my hair and I realized "this is what is so incredible about Direct Selling."

Can you think of any other industry that has such an incredible opportunity to allow you to "dream big, plan well, work hard, smile often and watch good things happen?" I cannot think of anything better which is why I spent 25 years actively working my direct selling business!

People who begin their own direct selling business often get frustrated and give up too soon. They may leave the business because they are having a hard time getting bookings while the next person they meet could be the Hostess who knows tons of people, has a $1,000 party and gets 3 bookings that will revitalize their business. Someone could be one recruit away from earning a contest or a promotion to another level, become frustrated and leave the business not knowing that the next person they come in contact with has been looking for a way to supplement their regular income.

This industry has so many people that have experienced "miracles" in their business and several of these people who have a "miracle story" will probably tell you they were one step away from leaving their business, decided to work a little harder and then a "miracle occurred." I want you to remember "your miracle" could be right around the corner. In the meantime here are a few things you can do to increase your chances of having a miracle happen to you.

DREAM BIG! I do not know of any dreams that are too big I only know that there are many people whose dreams are too small. When you joined your Direct Selling Company you probably had a few dreams about what you could do if you had the extra income consistently coming in. Then when you experienced your first cancelled party you began to doubt if your dreams could really come true. You decide it's easier to change your dreams than it is to replace the booking and so you begin to settle for less. 

It is time to DREAM BIG again! You can earn $10,000, $50,000, $100,000 or more each year! But you will never reach $100,000 when you only dream about $10,000! What do you want? Do you want a vacation home? Do you want to remodel your current home? Do you want to have a college fund for your children? WHAT DO YOU WANT?

PLAN WELL! There is no dream that is too big for you to achieve as long as you create your action plan! The first step in creating your action plan after you decide what you want is to decide when you want it by! Then you need to know what the total cost is. As soon as you have these two factors you can begin your plan.

Let's use the example of a total makeover of your current home. If you had an Interior Designer make recommendations to you she would present you with the total cost of the makeover project. Then you would need to decide when you want the makeover to take place. Is this a project that you would like to make now and take out a home equity loan for or would you rather set aside the cost for the project over two years so you can have everything paid for when the project is complete?

Let's go for the second option and you have decided you want to save enough to pay the entire project cost of $75,000. You will need to save $37,500 each year or $3,125 each month for the next 24 months. The good news is YOU CAN EARN THAT MUCH  IN YOUR DIRECT SELLING BUSINESS IF YOU WANT TO! You are the person who controls how much you earn in your business! How are you going to earn $4,000 each month so you can set aside the $3,125 you need each month?

Your plan could and should include holding parties because this is a great way to build your business and will help you grow your business faster and stronger than any other means. If you plan to hold 2 parties per week and you earn $150 per party PLAN TO SET ASIDE $100 from each party and you will have $800 per month. This will leave you with $2,325 that you must earn from sponsoring and growing your team.

If you plan to hold 12 parties per month you can set aside $1,200 each month from your parties and then you will need $1,925 in overrides and bonuses each month from sponsoring and growing your team.

Your PLAN is to hold parties, sponsor at least 4 people each month and help others become leaders. You may find when you begin that you need to hold more parties to make up the difference in your overrides and bonuses and then later as your team bonuses grow you may need less from each of your parties.

Why do some people earn over $100,000 per year in their business while others earn $10,000 or less? It's really quite simple, they CREATE A PLAN that will allow them to earn over $100,000 per year! Make sure your PLAN is in direct proportion to what you want to earn. You can't earn $100,000 a year with a $10,000 a year plan of action!

WORK HARD! Nothing good will happen in your direct selling business if you do not work your business. This business will not work if you don't work! That's it, Case Closed! It really tries my patience when I speak to people who want to make a lot of money in their business but only want to invest about 4 hours per week.

Do you want the facts? If you want to work 4 hours per week in your business you certainly may, however, don't expect to earn the same amount as someone who is working 20 or 30 hours per week in their business. Now, I know some of you are already complaining you don't have time to work your business because you have a "real job." I'm OK with that as long as you are OK with it.

Your earnings in direct selling will be in direct proportion to how much you work your business and HOW EFFECTIVELY you work your business. You can be spending lots of time on wasted, meaningless tasks that are not producing income for your business. You need to WORK HARD at holding parties, holding interviews, training your recruits, mentoring your recruits and building your team. When you WORK HARD at doing these activities you will notice a dramatic increase in your business.

SMILE OFTEN! As a frequent guest speaker at company conventions and leadership events I often take time to just observe the attendees before I am introduced and they discover who I am. I often sit in the hotel lobby and "people watch."  I am often amazed that attendees can be so solemn faced in an atmosphere that is fun, upbeat and full of recognition and celebration. I must admit I am drawn to speaking to people who have a big SMILE on their face.

Smiling is not hard! Try it....yes I mean right now! JUST SMILE!!! SMILING MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, even when you feel bad! My daily habit is to smile and wave to everyone I see on my daily walk or bike ride. MOST WILL SMILE AND WAVE BACK! Some will ignore me, some probably don't see me as they are already busy talking on their cell phone even before they have left the neighborhood.

The most important thing is I FEEL GOOD when I smile. I smile to help or encourage another person and I also enjoy the benefits. People love to be around people who smile! Try it some time. Just sit at a coffee shop or your local mall and do nothing but watch people, SMILE and say HI! I guarantee 9 times out of 10 you will have someone come and begin a conversation with you. That's not all bad, especially when you are trying to meet and introduce new people to your business.

In fact one of the most important things you need to remember to do before attending a networking event, home party, training or meeting is to put on your "BEST SMILE" and enjoy the rest!

GOOD THINGS WILL HAPPEN! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that when you "Dream Big, Plan Well, Work Hard and Smile Often" the good things in life will happen to you. It the "law of attraction" in action. You are setting the stage for the events you want to happen in your life. You are dreaming, planning and working to make things happen. You are smiling and happy as you reach each new level or live each new dream!

Your Direct Selling business can be the vehicle for you to "live the life of your dreams." I Know you can do it! I believe in YOU! Do you believe in YOU? Sometimes it just good to lay around daydreaming and when you arise write down your dreams, create a plan and work hard to realize your dreams. You will find that it is not hard to SMILE when you are living your dreams. Smiles come naturally to those who are living and enjoying all that life has to offer. God has supplied you with the means and now it is up to you to make it come true!

So, "DREAM BIG, PLAN WELL, WORK HARD, SMILE OFTEN AND GOOD THINGS WILL HAPPEN."

"Hey Karen!!!
I have to say that I am an avid follower ever since you spoke at my annual At Home America conference a few years ago! I purchased your ENTIRE package & YOU CHANGED MY LIFE!!!
I am so busy doing parties that my months fill 2-3 in advance and  I am giving parties to my team! Last year at conference I picked up 5 awards including 1st place mentoring, 2nd place sales, and I was the first person ever in the company to achieve a $10K bonus for mentoring. I am going out to conference next week to get a few more awards (thanks to you!!!) including 1st place for sales! I am so excited!!!
Anyway, I say all that to say this. First of all - I LOVE YOU! Second, I am busy doing shows on weekdays  - my open dates (not weekends :0) 
I hope that this email has encouraged you and let you know that you are really doing a lot of people a fantastic service!!! I owe my success to you!" ~ Jennie Gailey, Bronze Star Executive, AtHome America

Don't have enough bookings? Try some of the simple and easy steps taught in the many programs in the "Never Run Out of Bookings Package".
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Are you ready to learn how to hold Presentations that "WOW" your guests, overcome your fear of recruiting and move toward "excellence" in your Direct Selling business, then you'll want to upgrade to the "Whole Enchilada" which also includes both new products "Put Your Big Girl Panties On" and "Time Management"
Only $257 + Free shipping until July 31, 2008

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"The Direct Selling Doctor" Membership Website

If you are feeling stuck in your business and are looking for something more you'll want to check out "The Direct Selling Doctor" website. Hundreds of Direct Sellers are finding out the answers to the challenges that are preventing them from realizing the success they desire in their businesses. There are 2 levels to take advantage of "Inner Circle" and "Gold Plus Tele-coaching". Some of the benefits include discounts on events and products and monthly teleseminars available only to members. Gold Plus Members love the group coaching calls and the personal coaching calls and are quickly learning how to implement these simple techniques to help their team members!

Karen, the "Gold Plus Group Coaching Call" was nothing less than SPECTACULAR! I have already implemented several suggestions and am seeing an immediate response! It was a much needed kick in the "skirts" and just what the "Doctor" ordered! I absolutely appreciate all the MP3's and CD's - I've turned my vehicle into a "Earning & Learning Annex!" I have an abundance of materials to use to inspire and educate our growing team. Thank you for sharing your vision with us all and being such a forward thinker! The "Direct Selling Doctor" system is absolutely BRILLIANT - and invaluable to my business! Julie Craft, Slumber Parties

To discover what you've been missing at the Direct Selling Doctor, Click Here.

Great NEW Software

Click on the link to take you to a new software that will help you track your leads and what actions you need to take next. I watched a demonstration of what the software can do and I think it's a great tool to help Direct Selling professionals keep organized.

The Whole Enchilada July - August Special Offer

Double Double Offer June 28 - Aug 15 You'll receive 2 FREE 2-CD Sets  "Put Your Big Girl Panties On" and "Time Management" when you order the Whole Enchilada. There is now a Total of $708.95 in Retail Products for a Special Price of ONLY $257 until August 15'th! HURRY SO YOU CAN BEGIN LISTENING, IMPLEMENTING AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS TODAY!

For more information on the Whole Enchilada click here

"Fantastic Fall Sales" Teleseminar

We have a Teleseminar Scheduled for Monday, August 25'th at 9:00 p.m. Eastern "Fantastic Fall Sales" - Check the Teleseminar Link soon for more details.

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This newsletter is copyrighted © July 2008 by Karen Phelps & Phelps Positive Performance  Inc. , www.Karenphelps.com Do you want to use this article on your website? You can as long as you use this COMPLETE CREDIT with it. Author and Direct Selling Success Expert, Karen Phelps publishes a "Direct Selling Success E-Zine" that provides simple tips and solutions for success! If you are ready to get faster results and bigger paydays click here to register for your personal free subscription!