Start a Business 101 – Direct Sales Company
By Kay Green,
www.MyPreciousKid.com
Copyright 2009
I have decided to start a home based business.
I picked a DIRECT SALES company to join. Now what? Here are some suggestions
that I have taught to others. They key is to start your momentum right from
the beginning. That means budgeting some time each day for your business. If
you work another job then that might mean 1-2 hours in the evening and then
3-4 hours on the weekend. If you do not work another job then you could
commit 3-4 hours each week day. Set up a schedule and make a plan.
1. Select a "PHRASE" that you will be known for.
This is in lieu of a registered business name since you are doing a direct
sales company. It can include your name and the kind of products you will
sell. See if your direct sales company allows you to use their name in it.
(Such as: AvonByKim Or CookingWithSherry Or AmandasMakeup) Then use this key
phrase on for all your business.
2. Open a CHECKING account for all business income
and expenses. Get a debit card for this account. Make sure ALL income gets
deposited here. And ALL expenses are paid from this account. Keep receipts
for all expenses. You want a paper trail.
3. Apply for a small limit CREDIT CARD for use
only for business. I suggest getting a reward cards so you earn points or
miles when you use it. I do not recommend paying online with a debit card. A
credit card is more secure if there is an issue. You can use it to buy your
products and then pay it off each month. This gives your points/miles plus a
paper trail. Find one with no yearly fee. Check Capitalone
4. Set up the WEBSITE if your company provides
one. In today's world a webpage is a key factor. Most direct sales companies
provide one for a fee. Make a label for your catalogs with this address and
your contact info.
5. Set up an EMAIL address just for your business
dealings. If you cannot get one from the parent company or that matches your
website then I recommend gmail. I suggest something like this format
yourname-comapnyname@gmail.com or KimsPamperedChef@gamil.com
6. Set up a BLOG at
https://www.blogger.com/start
I would name it the same phrase you used above for consistency. Write a post
once a week about some aspect of your business. It could be a special, new
products, or a new way to use the products. Link to your website from the
blog.
7. Open a TWITTER account at
http://twitter.com/ with the same
phrase for your name. Post something every day about your business. Follow
others with like interest. The key is to get followers. Enter conversations
with people, not just posting ads. View mine at
http://twitter.com/MyPreciousKid
I have been on twitter a year and do get new customers there. Link to your
website from your twitter account settings.
8. Create a FACEBOOK fan page at
http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?pages with the same phrase.
See mine at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Hillsboro/My-Precious-Kid-LLC/107676393693?ref=ts
9. Order BUSINESS CARDS from
http://vistaprint.com/ Add your
contact name, phone, business email, and website address to these cards.
Select from their FREE ones and only pay shipping.
10. Create a potential CUSTOMER LIST. List
everyone you can think of that might be interested in what you are selling.
I then recommend contacting them each to see if they would like to be on
your customer contact list? If so then put them in your file with their
contact information. This first list will be your priority right off. Make a
few of these contacts each day. An email is fine, but follow-up with a phone
call. Ask if they would like to: have a catalog, hold a show, join the
business, or be a customer?
11. Join a GROUP at
http://groups.yahoo.com/ with
other reps from your company. Do a search and you will find them. They can
help you learn the ropes. Join a couple of home business groups where you
can network and introduce your business. Here are 3 that I belong to. You
can search for many others. Be sure to read the rules for each group. They
all have different rules for advertising.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1ChristianWAHM/ ,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/themompack/ ,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OurCEcommunity/
12. If you company has CATALOGS you could start by
making a packet with your catalog and a sample and a letter introducing
yourself and your business. You can give these away to everyone you meet.
You could even canvass an area in your neighborhood and leave them on doors.
13. Open a SAVINGS account. At the end of each
month put in 25% of your profits for taxes. Then at the end of the year when
you do taxes and owe you have money set aside to pay it. Anything left over
after taxes are paid gets moved to your personal saving account.
14. Get a calendar planner NOTEBOOK for tracking
sales, expenses, and other important information. Write down all mileage you
drive to do anything in business. If you are going to the mall for
something, find a place to distribute some catalogs so you can write off the
miles on your taxes. Mileage is a huge tax write off. Do not miss this.
15. Create a database of your CUSTOMERS. This may
be provided by your parent company within the website back end. Or you could
use excel or another software. Or you can have a 4x6 index card file. Add
their names and contact info. Then add a note each time you contact them or
they order. I keep notes to know when to contact them again.
16. Create a free MERCHANT CIRCLE listing at
http://www.merchantcircle.com .
See mine at
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/MyPreciousKid.com .503-693-2832
17. Create a free listing at GOOGLE Business
Center
http://www.google.com/local/add You can view mine at by typing
into google.com "My Precious Kid Hillsboro OR"
18. Have an "EVENT" for your products. It could be
a home party, or a networking event with others in different kinds of
business or.....
19. Purchase BOOTH space at many of the holiday
fairs, home shows or other local fairs/shows.
20. Create a "COUPON" or flyer that you can print
and distribute. Swap them with others in a different business. Put them up
at local market bulletin boards. Offer them to groups or organizations where
there are people in your niche market?
So this list should keep you busy for a while. When you have completed these
things then move on to my other articles at
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/#BUSINESS The key is to make
a PLAN and to work some on your business EVERY weekday. Consistent,
persistent, intentional work on your business will bring you the success you
are looking for.
PS If your business is not with a direct sales company many of the above
list, still applies to you. The one exception is you need to get a your
“BUSINESS NAME” registered with your state, and buy the .com website space
for that name, and create a website.
Copyright Kay Green,
http://www.MyPreciousKid.com 2009
Articles written by Kay Green, Child Safety Expert, and Christian mom to Melissa 26, Jordan 24, Allison 21, Haley 9. Kay and Russell, her husband of 30 years live in rural Oregon.
Kay's first granddaughter Madison
Kay was born December 2006. Twin grand sons Micah & Mason
were born
May 2009
http://www.MyPreciousKid.com
Child Safety & Baby Gear Store
http://www.PreciousKids.org
Adoption & Homeschool Resources,
http://www.KayGreen.com Author and Family Site
COPYRIGHT 2000-2009 My Precious Kid, Kay Green.
All rights reserved. Reprinting is only with permission and with this author's box and copyright intact.
