Special Feature Post: Julie Anne Jones

You’ve probably heard that it’s difficult to get bookings during the summer. You may even believe it, but I’m here to tell you I know it’s not true. If you approach bookings with the right attitude and you focus on being creative, you’ll find your schedule for this summer filling up with enthusiastic hosts in no time.

Here are my best ideas for “jump starting” the bookings on your calendar, especially if you don’t have many to start with. Choose one or two out of the seven ideas below and watch what happens!

1. Get Your Catalogs Out There. Your company spends lots of money creating your most important marketing tool – your catalog. Get it out there and it will bring you bookings. Here are some ideas:

• Send a catalog to a friend, neighbor or co-worker who has moved.
• Put a catalog in the teacher’s lounge at your child’s day care.
• Put a catalog in your employee lunchroom.
• Give a catalog to the receptionist at your doctor or dentist office.
• Put current catalog in your neighbor’s door.  Include a 10% off coupon.
• Have your spouse or friends take a catalog to work.

2.  Throw Yourself a Party. Find a reason to celebrate something (your company’s new products, your business anniversary, a promotion, working on a new incentive trip, the fact that it’s summer) and invite everyone you know to come help you celebrate. Offer incentives if they bring a guest and host it as an open house to increase attendance. It could even be a fund raiser for your favorite charity.

3. Get Yourself Out There! If you’re face to face with people, they’ll get your enthusiasm and want to share in it. Here are some ideas for getting out there and meeting new people:

• Work with other consultants in your downline or area and host a booth at your local county fair or summer bazaar.
• Check out local job fairs – they’re filled with people looking for work!

4. Advertise. Get the word out to people who need to know about you. Here are some ideas for where to advertise:

• The service area of your local newspaper
• Your church bulletin
• Your college alumni newsletter

5. Think of New Places and Environments to Host Parties You can do your presentation in some interesting places – not just a host’s home. If you can do an open house format, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas:

• Host an office party during lunch or after work. Attendance will be automatic!
• Host a restaurant party – the host doesn’t have to do anything except invite people and show up!
• Hold a “multiple host” event, holding several shows in the same place on the same night.

6. Make your Party a Booking Event!

• Create an awesome booking “commercial” which highlights the benefits of booking a show with you
• At the beginning of the party mention your host’s goals. Have the hostess tell why she decided to host a party.
• Offer a gift-wrapped gift to the host at your show; one booking, she takes off the bow, two bookings, she takes off the wrapper, three bookings, she gets to keep the gift!
• Offer “instant booking gifts” as a bonus for hosts who book on days and/or months you need to make a goal.
• Make your parties fun so your guests will want to book!

7. Use One of These Other Awesome Ideas:

• Include a business card or flyer with ALL your bill payments
• Wear clothing with your company logo on it.
• Have your business information printed directly on your checks
• Call your realtor with suggestions for “new home packages”
• Carry a notepad to jot down names of potential hosts as you think of them.

Do you have any ideas I missed?

 

Julie Anne Jones is a direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read more blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.

 

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