Creative Ways to Generate More Direct Sales
Obviously, generating sales is the heart of any direct sales business. Without selling product you may as well give up and go wrap presents at Sears. But finding new and innovative ways to gain new sales can be challenging. Here are some ideas to help you get your creative juices flowing and start finding added product sales.
• Start a fixed term membership site for your target audience. Jimmy D. Brown is the creator and expert on fixed term membership sites. Read his articles, visit his Websites and learn all you can from the master.
The idea is to create a membership site where you periodically send out messages via autoresponder to your subscribers offering them valuable information that they can’t get anywhere else–for which they pay.
This technique is often used by Internet marketers, but can easily be adapted to provide information for any target audience or niche market. Think about what you could offer, then get busy creating some great content to build your product sales.
• Start a monthly auto-ship program. Have customers sign up to automatically receive a new product each month without the hassle of manual reordering. If you sell candles, you can offer a different scent each time. If you sell scrapbooking supplies, you can create a new page kit each month. If your company already provides a monthly product, that’s great. If not, create your own so you don’t miss out on this profitable sales strategy.
• Offer free classes for people who purchase your products. Whatever you sell, you can probably come up with some kind of class that will tie in with your products. Home decor items–try home decorating classes. Kitchen products–opt for cooking classes. Books–host a monthly book reading club. Whatever you sell, put some thought into creating a free class and you’re almost guaranteed to sell more product to those who want to attend
• Create a Frequent Shopper Card. Use a business card template and print cards with your company name and information along with a row of dollar amounts. For instance, list $10 about 10 times at the bottom of the card. Every time the customer spends that amount, you punch or initial the card. When all the amounts are marked off your customer earns a free gift.
• Sell gift certificates. Create a simple three-to-a-page certificate that has a place for the recipients name, the gift amount, an expiration date, and your signature. You can offer set amounts such as $10, $25 or $50, or offer any amount a buyer wants. The buyer pays you for the certificate, then gives it to whoever they choose. The bearer orders from you and–possibly–orders more than the certificate is worth. Can’t beat a deal like that!
• Offer layaway. By allowing a customer to pay a deposit and then make weekly payments, you can let her pay for products “on time” without having to come up with all the money at once. You’ll need to be sure the product she orders will be available when she finishes paying for it. You may want to go ahead and order it to have it on hand, as long as you can return it should she fail to pay it off.
You’ll also want to have her sign a simple Layaway Agreement stating that she is agreeing to buy the product and what will happen if she cancels. Some companies that offer layaway charge a cancellation fee, the choice is yours.
• Let your customers know you appreciate them. Send them thank you cards, birthday cards, get well cards, or just thinking of you cards. Keep in touch with them and let them know you value their business. They’ll reward you by being loyal customers and continuing to shop with you.
There are any number of ways to sell more products and create added income for your direct sales business. Start looking at options today to increase your income.
Blogging for Direct Sales Success
If you think that blogging is strictly for “regular” businesses, or only to share personal posts, you may be missing out on a tremendous method for building your direct sales business online! Blogging is a tremendous resource for direct sales consultants.
Having your own blog allows you to share information and resources to keep your customers and prospects informed of what’s going on in your business. And it keeps your name in front of your customers and prospects, so that when they need what you sell, they’ll call you instead of your competition! Blogging also helps your customers and prospects come to see you as an “expert” in your field. You become their “go-to person” when they need the type information you blog about.
For instance, if you sell beauty products, you can offer beauty tips and ideas for using your products in addition to all the other business-related information you provide.
If you sell candles, you can share tips on decorating with candles, caring for candles and choosing pleasing scents.
If you sell kitchen products, recipes, cooking tips and similar information are natural topic choices and will help to build your direct sales business.
Blogging allows you to keep in touch–at no cost but a little time–with the people you serve and hope to reach. And you can start a blog with little or no knowledge other than how to write coherent sentences.
You can get started right away and be blogging with an hour. Just sign up for a free blog online. Blogger.com is a good place to start, though there are many others. Simply follow the instructions to create an online account and set up your blog. You’ll need to decide on a name, select a free template, and enter a few options, but it’s very simple to do. Once the set-up is complete, you’re ready for your first post!
For the greatest blogging success, plan a weekly schedule for your blog with a goal to post at least three times a week. You can post more often, or less, but three times a week (about every other day), works well for most people.
As to what you’ll post, consider these possibilities:
• Articles and information related to your business
• Hostess specials & benefits
• Hostess coaching
• Sales and coupons
• Free gifts
• Contests and drawings
• Successful party recaps
• New and discontinued product information
• Press releases about your company
• Recruiting helps
• Team building tips
• Anything else you can think of!
If you’re like many direct sales reps who have only a corporate website that doesn’t allow changes, a blog gives you the opportunity to share customized ideas and information with your target audience. Doing so will set you apart from similar consultants and show your customers and prospects how much you care about them.
Search for direct sales blogs online and you’ll find that the good ones always offer something different and unique for their readers, and they go out of their way to provide information their readers want and will use.
Create a blog for your direct sales company and offer your customers and prospects something they can’t find anywhere else, and you’re sure to be the one they turn to for the products you sell. Remember… if you want to stand out, be Outstanding! Blogging is a great tool to help you do that.
What’s a Filler, Anyway?
Hanging around work-at-home-mom (WAHM) websites or forums, you’ve probably heard the term “filler” mentioned more than once, and may have been unsure of what it really means. Let’s talk about fillers for a bit since becoming familiar with this little goodie will help you build your direct sales business on a shoestring!
And goodie is just what it is.
You know all those goodie bags you get at parties, seminars and events? And inside are all those little coupons, business cards, pens and pencils and such? Well, all those little items are called fillers because they fill the bag. (See, you were familiar with them… even if you didn’t know what they were called!)
Fillers are anything that are used to fill a goodie bag that will be distributed to others. And fillers for your direct sales business will be used to promote your products, business opportunity, sales or website.
So, what kind of things make good fillers? Some ideas include:
• Coupons
• Half or quarter-page fliers
• Keychains
• Pens or pencils
• Mintbooks (like matchbooks that you make and staple a mint inside)
• Business cards (plain or with something attached)
• Small samples
Once you decide on what kind of filler you’ll use, you need to decide how you will actually create your filler.
If you plan to use business promotional items such as keychains, you’ll need to have them printed by someone who offers that service. Keep in mind that even if you get them made cheaply, costs will add up on these items as you can distribute a lot of fillers in a very short time.
As for coupons, fliers, mintbooks, bookmarks and similar items, you can create and print them yourself or hire someone to do it for you. These are much more common fillers since they cost less to produce and can be distributed in greater volume.
You can use Microsoft Word or Publisher to easily create your own fillers. Just be sure to include complete contact information, including your website address, email address, phone, etc. Also include the discount amount and discount code, if you’re designing a coupon.
For bookmarks or mintbooks, it’s best to print them on cardstock so they’ll be more sturdy. And include a simple graphic or your company logo for visual interest. Several items will fit on one page and save printing costs, as will using minimal (if any) color when you print. Don’t feel full color is mandatory. Black and white designs can be striking and eye-catching.
Remember, this is your business. If you choose to make your own fillers, be sure they are nicely designed, error-free, printed cleanly, and cut neatly.. Professionalism matters.
Once your filler design is complete, print or copy a bunch of them, cut (with a paper cutter for neat edges!) and separate in stacks of 25-50 if you plan to share them with others to put in their goodie bags.
There are two primary ways to distribute the fillers – either in your own goodie bags or by giving them to others to use in their bags. You can do one or both.
If you make your own bags, you’ll need a bag (zipper bags will work, but you can get cellophane bags with resealable edges much cheaper). Select the size bag you think you can easily fill. You’ll also want a label to apply to the front of each bag with your company name and information and the purpose of the bag. For instance: “Enjoy this Goodie Bag provided to you by Nicole Dean of ShowMomTheMoney.com!”
You’ll also need your own fillers and fillers from other businesses. Place a simple post on online direct sales and WAHM forums that you’re accepting fillers. People will contact you and you can make arrangements for them to send you their fillers.
Be sure to specify the size, quantity, and other stipulations of the fillers you can use. Tell them what companies you won’t take (those you represent) so you won’t have competition. After all, it’s your bag… Use it to promote your own business first!
Direct Sellers who make use of filler advertising recognize what a great promotional opportunity it is, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting several items to fill your bags. If you find you’re receiving too many business cards, post again and ask for coupons or more substantial fillers if you desire.
Once you have all the items in hand, simply fill your bags with one from each company. Put your own filler on top so it will be seen first when the bags are opened. Then just start handing them out!
If you plan to give your fillers to others for use in their bags, post that you have fillers to offer. Tell what they are (as in a coupon, bookmark, etc.), what company they’re for, and how many you have. Then when someone asks for your fillers, send them the agreed upon amount in a timely manner and wait for the response! You may want to code your fillers for each mailing in a certain way so when you receive a response, you’ll know where they found you.
There are any number of ways to distribute your goodie bags once they’re complete. Consider giving them to:
• Local office workers
• Receptionists
• Nurses
• Your friends and family
• Teachers
• Cashiers
• Servers
• Hair stylists
• Pet groomers
• Babysitters
• Seminar participants
The possibilities are endless! With a little creativity and imagination, fillers can help you build your direct sales business inexpensively while helping you support other direct sales consultants at the same time.
Creating Success with Your Own Direct Sales Products
Usually when we hear the term “direct sales” we think of companies like Avon, Pampered Chef or Tupperware, those companies who have been around for years and who have thousands of consultants marketing their wares. But you don’t have to join a big company to create a successful home-based direct sales business. You can do so with your own products as well.
Direct selling, by definition, is simply the act of selling products or services directly to the consumer. So instead of selling your products to a retail shop or a distributor, you sell them directly to the one who will use them. That’s direct sales. And you can create a direct sales business with practically any product you make!
Before you decide to start your own direct sales company, or start selling your own products directly to consumers, there are some things you’ll want to consider.
First, ask yourself if other companies are already selling the same products you would be selling. A little competition is to be expected, but if there is too many others selling the same thing, the market could already be saturated. Do a little research online before you begin and you’ll save some heartaches down the road.
If there are other companies already selling what you would like to offer, maybe you can do something different in order to make your business viable. What improvements in the product line, customer care, etc. could you make? Looking for ways to improve on what your competitors offer is completely in your favor and could make it worth your while to proceed.
Once you decide to pursue direct sales of your own products, you’ll need to then decide on what products you’ll carry, the prices you’ll charge, how you’ll handle inventory, special orders, shipping and taxes. If you plan to sell online, you’ll need to set up a website and plan for managing it. And you’ll need to have catalogs or flyers printed depending on your needs.
Also determine how you’ll advertise your new business and set a budget (however small) for marketing and other costs. While you can build a business on a shoestring, you’ll still need some funds for printing flyers and/or catalogs, website hosting, and possibly offline advertising.
You’ll then want to create a marketing plan for your new business. Where will you advertise online and offline? Can you find ad swaps to save costs? Have you considered using articles to promote your business online and locally through newspapers and magazines?
While you don’t have to, you may find you want to hire consultants to help sell your products as well. If you do, you’ll need to develop a commission-based sales program including incentives and consultant fees involved. You should set your prices high enough to pay your consultants while still earning a profit for yourself.
In everything you do, strive for consistency and excellence. In your products, your work schedule, the quality of your customer service, your consultant support, etc. Whatever you do, do your best every time. This strategy will pay off in word-of-mouth referrals because people will know what to expect when they purchase from you and your company.
5 Ways to Find New Direct Sales Customers
Growing a direct sales business may seem easier for some people than it is for others. But all of us grow our business one way… by finding more customers! Here are some tips to help you start growing your customer base right away.
• Sign up with twitter.
Twitter is an amazing tool for building online relationships which will build your business naturally. Post several updates each day. Share quotes, funny thoughts, inspiration and more. Include a link to your direct sales website in your profile. Offer solutions to problems. Interact with others and get to know the “tweeps” (people on twitter). Never try to sell your twitter friends! But build relationships and you will build your business.
• Send out a press release.
Write a simple press release (PR), or hire someone to write it for you. Submit it to local newspapers, radio stations, TV stations and all the free PR websites you can find. Focus the release on an item of interest such as a contest you’re running, a new service you’re offering, or an event you’re sponsoring or participating in. A sale is not news, nor is the fact that you just joined a company. But there are many news angles that will get you free press. Find one and get started right away.
• Submit free articles to online publishers.
There are thousands of words written every day about the potential in writing and submitting articles to online publishers and article directories. And with good reason.. this is a tremendous way to find new customers, attract traffic to your website and build your direct sales business online. Don’t feel you can write well enough? Hire a ghostwriter. Freelance ghostwriters come pretty cheap nowadays. But the business building potential is priceless.
• Host an open house.
Stock up on some of your nicest products. Arrange them attractively on a table in your dining room, living room or den. Create some door prize drawing slips to collect the names and addresses of visitors. Set out some catalogs and order forms. Bake a few cookies and make some coffee. You’re good to go!
Send out postcards and invite everyone you know. Have the kids post some flyers around town. Put a sign in your front yard with the day and time. Then relax and have fun!
Have a door prize drawing at the end of the day and give away a gift basket filled with products. Then follow up with every visitor to say thank you.
You’ll have new contacts, some new orders, and will have created some fun and good will among your friends and neighbors.
• Write a book or an ebook.
A book in your direct sales niche will help dramatically to brand you as an expert in your field. If you sell beauty products, write a book on skin care, make-up or fashion tips. If you sell kitchen items, write a cookbook or how-to cook book. If you sell toys and children’s items, write a book of children’s games and activities, or a book for parents. Whatever you do, make it professional, proofread it carefully, and create a quality product for surefire business building success.
There are literally hundreds of ways to find new customers and we’ll be focusing on more as time goes on. Until then, get started with these five and see if your direct sales business doesn’t begin to grow almost immediately!
Guerilla Marketing Tactics for Direct Sellers
Being in the middle of a recession doesn’t have to hinder your direct sales marketing efforts. Begin to think like a guerilla… marketer, that is – not the furry kind that beats his chest!
Guerilla marketers are serious about promoting and marketing their businesses with little or no cash outlay. They look for every opportunity to share their message and gain exposure. You can do the same with a little creativity and effort.
• Clip any articles from national magazines like Redbook, Elle, Vogue, Ladies Home Journal, Woman’s Day, etc., that mention or recommend your company’s products. Create a journal to show prospective recruits and customers. This will build credibility as well as pointing out how the national organization is promoting your products so heavily.
• Leave samples of your products in businesses that complement your product line. For instance, leave cologne samples or testers in salons and spas. Leave spices and herbs samples in kitchen supply stores. Leave scrapbooking samples in yarn stores (scrapbooking stores would probably see you as a competitor). Offer a free product to the store owner for every sale made through her business.
• Accept coupons for your competitor’s products. If you sell beauty products, take $2 off Revlon mascara coupons and give $2 off your company mascara. You probably want to limit the dollar amount on these and state that you’ll only accept one coupon per sale but even if you lose a few cents on one sale, you’ll ultimately gain more loyal customers with this strategy.
• Hand out three catalogs, brochures, flyers or business cards every single day. Be sure to get each person’s name, address, phone and email information so you can keep in touch with your new prospects. Contact them when you’re ready to place a new order to see if they need anything.
• Have a realtor’s style sign made for your yard and a set of magnets for your car that include your business name, phone number and URL
• Look for community newsletters and local newspapers where you can place low-cost advertising. Some small publications will include a business card size ad for $3 to $5 an issue that goes out to hundreds of local residents.
• Sponsor a local bowling team or ball team. You buy their T-shirts which they wear every time they play and you get “free” publicity plus build good will in your community.
These few strategies can get you started thinking like a guerrilla. Use them and look for other options to help you grow and build your direct sales business on a shoestring.
Direct Sales Products are Ideal for Secretary’s Day
As direct sales consultants, it’s a good idea to always be aware of upcoming holidays and special events. These make tremendous opportunities for marketing to a certain group of people. With that in mind, Wednesday, April 22, is Administrative Professional’s Day. This is the day that bosses all over America will honor their assistants with a token of appreciation. And many of those executives are just looking for a unique way to do that rather than with simply lunch or a bouquet of flowers. That’s your cue to share gift ideas from your company catalog and help those bosses look good in the eyes of their assistants. Here are some ways to do that.
• Buy or make some nice greeting cards to include with every gift you sell so your customer doesn’t have to shop anywhere else. You can easily print these from your computer using free graphics and simple phrases of gratitude.
• Offer gift wrapping or gift bags with every purchase at no additional charge.
• Place a few products in inexpensive gift bags and attach a balloon to the handle to make it more festive.
• Team with other direct sales consultants to offer a broader selection. You can include one or two items that each company sells and share in the profits.
• Do you sell mugs? File a few with various products such as Hershey’s Kisses®, herbs, a small plant, silk flowers, coffee or tea packets, etc. Tie a ribbon to the handle.
• Look for inexpensive baskets at yard sales, thrift stores or the dollar store. Paint them gold, pink or white and fill with small gifts.
• Include gifts in a variety of price ranges so you can market to companies of all sizes.
• Do you sell food? Fill a small basket, bag, or tin with several of your food products. Include a recipe card, wrap with cellophane and tie with curling ribbon.
• Sell beauty products? Choose several items that don’t aren’t colorized such as lotions, soaps, pedicure products, etc. so they’ll work for everyone.
• Don’t be discouraged if the direct sales company you rep for specializes in items that aren’t traditionally considered for secretary’s day. Look for original and innovate ways to market them.
For instance, for scrapbook companies, create a memory book kit with a small album and supplies to make several pages. Or for companies that offer children’s products, opt for a fun-filled selection of games for all ages.
• Don’t be afraid to mix products from more than one company. If you sell beauty products and kitchen items, for instance, select a nice kitchen container and fill it with beauty supplies.
• Offer to make more than one of the same gift for companies with more than one office professional.
• Make up a simple gift certificate if your company doesn’t offer them and sell those in place of the actual gift. Include a catalog and contact information so the recipient can choose what she wants.
• Don’t forget the men! While this is still a predominantly female profession, more and more men are becoming assistants. Be sure you have some gifts that would suit them as well.
There are so many ways to market your direct sales products to bosses for Administrative Professional’s Day. Do some brainstorming or creative thinking and come up with as many ideas as you can to grow your business on this special day. Think outside the box and you’re almost guaranteed to find some products that will fit the occasion.
Gift Basket Themes for Direct Sellers
When you think of gift baskets, you may think of lavish, over-priced baskets filled with lots of shred and a little fruit or cheese. But there are so many other choices for gift baskets (or gift bags, gift boxes, gift tins… you get the idea)! The profitability factor for a gift collection made using your own direct sales products is tremendous.
Instead of selling one item in a single purchase, you can sell several at one time. And the service you provide your customers by having a ready-made, pre-packaged gift that is totally unique, wrapped and ready to give makes for many repeat customers. Once your customers know you can whip up a gift basket, they’ll contact you for gifts for every occasion. Talk about profit!
Once you understand the profit potential for creating gift baskets from your direct sales products, you may wonder what to include in your baskets. One of the best ways to build a creative, attractive gift basket is to go for a theme. Choose products that complement each other, both in type of product and in color. Here are some themes to get you started…
• All Occasion
Good for housewarmings, new neighbors, congratulations, etc. Use products that would be good for a man or a woman for more versatility.
• All Things Chocolate
This may be your best seller!
• Anniversary
Select romantic, traditional or contemporary themes and fill your container with a variety of items for the happy couple.
• Baby
This is a perfect gift for a baby shower. Include rattles, bottles, lotions and more
• Barbecue
Nice for men who are always hard to buy for. Consider a BBQ apron, long-handled spatula, oven mitts, BBQ sauce, etc.
• Beauty
The options for this one are unlimited! Skin care, spa products, lotions, nail care…
• Birthday
Make one for every age and be sure to keep a few on hand for last minute shoppers.
• Book Lover
Include a couple best sellers, bookmarks, even a journal for recording notes.
• Children
Include toys, puzzles, books, bubble bath, etc.
• Gardening
You can include plants, gardening tools, gloves, seeds, gardening books.
• Get Well
A can of chicken soup and a soup bowl or mug make this another basket that’s good to keep on hand.
• Graduation
Consider pens, notebooks, photo frames, dorm room supplies, snacks and more.
• Holidays
Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, St. Patrick’s Day, etc.
• Kitchen and Baking
This is good for a housewarming gift, for the chef in your life, or for a new bride.
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Go for traditional or fun gifts, but make up a bunch since these are always best sellers.
• Romance
It’s not just for Valentine’s Day, you know!
• Secretary’s Day
Provide several sizes of baskets for different size companies. Market these to bosses and executives.
• Sports
Baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, you name it.
• Tea or Coffee Lovers
Include a mug, stirrers, tea bags, coffee packets, flavored non-dairy creamers.
• Teachers
Parents are always looking for something to give at the end of the year. Be creative and you’ll sell several.
• Teens
This age group can be hard to buy for so products that would appeal to them are very welcome.
• Wedding
Options are broad. Select items on the bridal registry or choose things you know every new couple needs.
As you can see, the ideas are never-ending. And so is the profit potential! Have some inventory on hand or some things that a customer ordered then backed out on? Create a nice gift basket or bag and sell those products quicker while offering a service your customers will love.
Selling More Products with Gift Baskets
You know that thrill you get when someone places a nice size order with your direct sales business? Think of that multiplied several times over… with just one customer! That’s how you’ll feel when you begin creating and selling gift baskets, bags and boxes you’ve put together yourself from your company’s products.
The thought of creating gift baskets doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s really an easy process and you can make your gifts as simple or as complex as you choose. Start with the easy gifts then, as you feel more confident and your abilities increase, create more complex arrangements.
Whatever you do, though, do it now! You’ll be wonderfully surprised at how much profit you can make by offering complete gift packages to your customers. And they’ll think you’re wonderful because of the added service they’ll receive.
So how do you put together a basket? It’s really not hard.
You’ll need a container to hold your gifts. Choose a basket, gift bag, decorative box, tin, plastic container, paint can, lunch box or anything else you can think of that will hold your items.
Place a little color coordinating shred in the bottom of the container to form a cushion that will protect your items as well as adding interest.
Select the gifts you’ll use in your package. Choose items that complement each other, of varying sizes. Keep in mind the amount of container space you have to fill.
Arrange your items in the container with the largest items in back, getting smaller as you come forward. Save the smallest items to use as fillers. Create a nice arrangement. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just pleasing to the eye.
If appropriate, cover the entire gift with cellophane. This isn’t necessary for gift bags or certain other containers. If you do cover the gift, you can use a cello bag or shrink wrap.
The dollar store always has nice large “basket bag” kits that come with a twist-tie and bow or ribbon. If using one of those, you place your basket inside, twist-tie to close, then use your blow dryer to shrink the cellophane for a nice tight wrap.
Then just add a bow with curling ribbons and a gift card with your company name and contact information.
You’re good to go with a delightful, creative gift that’s customized to your customer’s needs.
Make a variety of gift baskets using your company’s products to have on hand for upcoming occasions and let everyone know you offer them.
You might even want to send out a postcard mailer or email to your customer list to announce this new service. Your sales will increase dramatically!
Creative Ways to Market with Expired Catalogs
Sometimes as direct sales consultants, we end up with extra catalogs that we couldn’t use before the expiration date. Maybe we ordered too many for an event, or just didn’t get them handed out like we thought we would. Whatever the reason, catalogs are money in hand, so we certainly don’t want to just toss them out! Here are some ideas to make the most of your expired catalogs and hopefully, get some added exposure and sales from them.
• Print up some stickers with your contact information, including email and website, that say “Contact Me for a Current Catalog!” Put one on each expired catalog before you begin to distribute them.
• Give them to sub-sellers at no cost. This is especially good if you typically charge your sub-sellers for catalogs.
• Leave them on a table in your local library. Our library actually has a table set aside for people to drop off used magazines and books. I’ve picked up catalogs for several direct sales companies there.
• Drop them off at local doctors, dentists, chiropractors and other offices where people have to wait.
• Leave one in the dressing room when you try on a new outfit.
• Cut a circle of netting or sheer fabric (or buy circles ready-made at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby). Place 4-5 Hershey’s Kisses® in the center of the circle and tie with ribbon. Attach one to each expired catalog and drop them off around town in any office that has a receptionist. Consider car dealerships, insurance offices, contractors, etc.
• Ask if you can drop off a few at your child’s day care center.
• Leave a few in the restaurant’s restroom when you go out to eat, and leave one on the table with your (generous) tip.
• Give one to your bank teller when you go through the drive-through.
• Leave a couple on the fabric counter in your local department store.
• Take a couple with you when you have your nails done.
• Ask your hairstylist if you can leave a few in her shop. Offer her a discount for any orders that come from there.
• Drop one off with the secretaries at your local elementary, middle and high schools.
• Leave several around your local college campus. You can also add a recruiting sticker to these since college kids are always looking for ways to make a little money.
• Leave a few in your local laundromat.
• Make up a coupon good for 10% off a first order (six to a page work well). Place one inside each expired catalog. Leave them anywhere else you can think of.
The whole idea is to change the way you think about expired catalogs. While they may have looked like money wasted before, you can now see them as potential orders and recruiting prospects with just a little effort and creativity.
