Inkin' & Thinkin'

A to Z Motivation

MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION!

To achieve your dreams, remember your abc's...
A - Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
B - Believe in yourself.
C - Consider things from every angle.
D - Don't give up and don't give in.
E - Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come.
F - Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy
their riches.
G - Give more than you planned to.
H - Hang on to your dreams.
I - Ignore those who try to discourage you.
J - Just do it!
K - Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
L - Love yourself first and most.
M - Make it happen.
N - Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal.
O - Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
P - Perfect practice makes perfect.
Q - Quitters never win and winners never quit.
R - Read, study, and learn about everything important in your life.
S - Stop procrastinating!
T - Take control of your own destiny.
U - Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
V - Visualize it.
W - Want it more than anything.
X - Xcellerate your efforts.
Y - You of all God's creations are unique, nothing can replace YOU!
Z - Zero in on your target and GO FOR IT!
- Author Unknown

Another online article that has some GREAT tips!

Don't forget Scrapbookers KNOW other scrapbookers and they are going to buy them a fun little gift...why wouldn't they want to BUY something from YOU! Don't let the Holidays = LESS sales for you!
IF you decide to take the Holidays off--then print these out and gear your thoughts for JANUARY 1st!

10 Steps for Success

THE TEN STEPS to SUCCESS

Here are ten steps that will assure your success:

1. BE A GOAL SETTER.

What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to save for college education for your children? A new car? A new home? You can have whatever you want, but you must want it enough to do the things that have to be done to get it. Whatever your goal, write it down and set a target date for reaching it. Divide the time period into blocks of
achievement that are reachable. Work consistently toward accomplishing each day, each  week, each month what you set out to do. Goal-setting is a must in every area of life. Little is ever accomplished without definite goals.

2. BE A LIST MAKER.
Each evening list all the things you want to get done the following day. That gives you an organized approach to each day. As each task is finished, mark it off your list. It is amazing how much gets done when one works with a "things-to-do" list. Also, have a notebook listing appointments, potential clients, repeat clients, and referrals, and keep it with you at all times. You will be adding to it constantly.

3. BE ENTHUSIASTIC.

Enthusiasm is the high-octane "fuel" that salespeople run on. Enthusiasm generates its own energy. Energy and good health are synonymous with busy, happy people, people who are achieving.

4. RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAGIC WORD IN SALES IS "ASK."

In direct sales we don't have to wait for business to come to us. We create our own business by asking for it. Ask for appointments, then you can do business. Ask for business, then you will close sales. Ask for referrals, then you always have a full list of potential clients. Be quietly, yet firmly aggressive.

5. EXPECT NO'S.

Realize that no's are not personal. In sales, as perhaps nowhere else, the law of averages works. Every no gets you closer to a yes. Keep track of your ratio. It will help improve your techniques. Are you getting ten no's to one yes? Is your ratio five to one? Remember, the yes's are your income. Also remember that "no" does not necessarily mean "no." Often a "no" is simply a stall for more time to think. It may be a request for more information about your product or your service. What your client is actually buying is assurance. Assure here by your helpful attitude and your complete honesty, that
you want what is best for her. She will most likely respect you and do business with you.

6. SCHEDULE TIME WISELY.

A schedule is the roadmap by which salespeople travel. It takes the frustration out of the day. It assures that the necessary things get done and get done on time.  Plan your work then work your plan.

7. BE POSITIVE IN YOUR ATTITUDE.

Success in sales, as in all areas of life is 90 percent attitude and 10 percent aptitude. All of us must work at developing habits of constructive thinking. I am proud to be a salesperson. Sales make the wheels of our economy turn. Bernard Baruch, advisor to several presidents, is quoted as saying, "If every salesperson sat down and took no orders for twenty-four hours, it would bankrupt our country!"  Every company that manufactures any kind of product depends upon salespeople to move that product. Without salespeople business would be paralyzed.

Remember, sales is one of the highest paid of all professions.  statistics show that good salespeople enjoy incomes far above the average.

8. HAVE AN OFFICE AREA.

Most direct salespeople work from their own homes, but it is essential to have a place where you can work in a organized and efficient manner. An office plus a strict working schedule gives you dignity. Both are absolutely essential for efficient operation and accurate record keeping, so important to the success of any business.

9. BE INVOLVED.

Most sales organization offer contests to stimulate production. Include winning contests as part of your business goals. Contests make your business fun as well as adding considerable dollar value to your income.

10. LEARN TO HANDLE MONEY INTELLIGENTLY.

A regular nine-to-five job usually means a paycheck at the end of the second week. Direct sales "reps" handle money constantly. Direct sales is instant income and constant income. Therefore. it is absolutely necessary to become an efficient money manager.  Deposit every penny collected from clients into a checking account set up especially for its business. Since bank statements show an exact record of all monies collected, and business expenses can be verified by canceled checks, record keeping becomes simple and accurate.  Everything except a few "petty cash" transactions can be directly taken from bank statements.

Money saved regularly and put at interest, soon develops a second income in addition to earned income. A long-term goal, which is realistic in direct sales, is to be able to live in retirement off the interest earned on savings.

Would financial security mean a lot to you? If so, ask yourself these questions:

* Am I honest?
* Do I really like people?
* Am I willing to learn?

* Am I willing to work?
* Am I capable of being my own boss?

If your answers are yes, to find a good product for the direct sales market, one that you like, one that fills the need of a lot of people, and go to work for yourself! .You can turn dreams into reality.

Mom's Working CTMH

MOM’s Working CTMH!

by Sue Rusch (this from: April Swingler)

These are general tips - but they are great and there may be something in here that will help in your situation.

This info is from the CD – Intentional Leadership – Managing Yourself presented by Sue Rusch

There were SO MANY light bulb moments on this CD it's hard to know what to share, but I'm choosing to cover a topic that I hear a lot of consultants struggling with on many of my email groups & on the BB. It's something that has been a difficulty for me & continues to be even though Ethan is now in school, as my husband furthers his education, taking weekend classes.

6 Strategies for Working Your Direct Sales Business with Small Children At Home

1 Install a Separate Phone Line

Having one line for business and one line for family allows you to stick to those home office hours. You can answer your business line during office hours and let a machine pick it up when you are "off." You can answer your "regular" family line and take those personal calls, at times when you are not prepared or able to take business calls. Tip: To prevent having to reprint business supplies & get the word out to all your customers, keep your existing line for your business & use the NEW number for personal use. Give the new "personal" line out to friends and family.

I love this tip, I know I ALWAYS answer the phone for fear it might be Ethan's school calling & there are just some times when I am NOT able to take a business call (like when running out the door for an appointment, or when I'm on my cell long distance with California.)

2 Create a Play Group

Set up a babysitting co-op. One Mom can watch all the kids for one morning to allow you to get some things accomplished kid free. One morning you watch all the kiddo's so SHE can get stuff done. (Even Mom's who don't work from home would probably LOVE time off for hair cuts, appointments or even just to have lunch with a friend.)

3 Quiet Time

Having a daily quite time can allow you to get some work done even when the kids get too tired for naps. This is a short-is block of
time (no more than 1 ½ hour) where the kids play quietly in their room on their own. She said she required that whatever they do, they must stay on their bed & do it quietly (read a book, play with stuffed animals etc…) She said you don't go far (or they won't
comply) and not to get on the phone (because we ALL know what happens as soon as you get on the phone) but this would be GREAT for some creative stamping time! It will take awhile for the kids to get used to this, but over time, they will accept it as routine. She also suggested you can get them to be more enthusiastic about this time if you give them a reason to cooperate – such as "If Quite Time goes well, today, then we will go to the park when it is over."

I can vouch for this one. I used a method from a book called Babywise – which encouraged daily "room time" which was very similar. You put a baby gate in the doorway so the door is open and you can hear eachother, but they are confined to their room. Once he was used to it, Ethan would play contentedly in his room for a good hour. I could peek in on him - but I knew he could not leave the room and wander around the house where he would need more close supervision. I haven't utilized it very much since Ethan went to Pre-school last year – but it does work wonderfully. If I get sick (like with the flu) where I'm so sick I need to be in bed – I am able to give Ethan "Room Time" in his playroom (right next to my bedroom – so I am still supervising him.) It works wonderfully & he is so proud of being able to "take care of Mommy."

4 - Do Errands Together

Don't gobble up all your "alone time" doing errands & running around. These are things that you CAN do with your children (yes it's easier to do them on your own but you CAN do them with your kids) It will save your alone time for those things you CAN'T do with your children (like making customer calls.)

5 - Make Use Of Saturdays

If you want an outcome, children or no children, you will need to make time to work & Saturday may be a great choice.

6 - See it as a Choice

Remember that you CHOSE to do this & think about the reasons WHY you chose to do it. It is much easier to do things that you CHOOSE to do, than things that you HAVE to do. By thinking of working your business as a CHOICE that you are continually making, it will improve your feelings about what you do.

A Dozen Ways to Sell CTMH

Home Gatherings:

1. Jump Start Party – this is a new consultant’s first gathering and order. This one time only she can be both the hostess and the consultant getting both the commission and the hostess benefits. Gathering can be conducted by new consultant or used as a training opportunity by her upline. (Only supplies and small individual orders can be placed before a Jumpstart order.)

2. Mystery Hostess Party – this is when hostess benefits are awarded through a random drawing or earned through meeting goals. This is used for events that are hosted or organized by the consultant or for collections of online or phone orders.

3. Hostess of the Month Club – A set group of customers who agree to spend a minimum amount each month for a set number of months while rotating the hostess duties and benefits. The party minimum divided by the number of club members usually sets the minimum spending amount. There is one month for each customer. (i.e. 10 ladies agree to spend $15/month for 10 months.)

4. Demonstration style gathering – uses the style shown on the training DVD to point out exclusive products, demonstrate stamping techniques, show proper tool usage, and talk about opportunities while making several projects or assembling a kit.

5. Hands-on gathering – passing out prepared project kits and leading each project stamping and assembly while also talking about opportunities and products.

6. Idea Book Walk-through – using a packed tote with product samples to show and pass around while going through sections of the idea book. This style of presentation can be combined with a project demonstration or a hands-on project.

Workshops:

7. Themed workshop – a variety of projects planned around a specific theme using several stamp sets and color combinations. This can be conducted in sessions for each project with shopping time between or with a station set up for each project and rotating guests through the projects.

8. Random Stamped workshop – uses a single set of stamps and colors to random stamp a set amount of cardstock followed by cutting and assembling projects. This can also be done in sessions or stations.

9. Reflections Kit workshops – when guests pre-buy a specific ‘My Reflections’ kit and is led through kit assembly or a set of projects using the kit. Can be combined with a hostess club such as a kids club using My Child’s Reflections kits on a monthly basis to complete an album while also having a minimum shopping amount added to or including the kit purchase.

Other ways to sell CTMH:

10. Open House – using displays of products, opportunity information, and hands-on project station(s) in a come-and-go situation with no set demo start time. Could have periodic product, technique, or project demonstrations, door prize drawings, or other incentives aimed to increase sales, bookings, or recruiting. This would also make a nice atmosphere or environment for a crop event where guests would bring scrapbooking projects and work on their own for a number of hours.

11. Opportunity Meetings – a specific meeting time for potential recruits to watch recruiting video, listen to presentation about the CTMH consultant opportunity, and ask questions. Can be themed and involve food or other entertainment and recruiting incentives offered for signing up at the meeting.

12. Craft fair or Expo – using the company agreement and rules to sell product from a rented booth at a show or expo. It can also have a small free hands-on project to attract customers, door-prize drawings to gain contact info, or other specials offered for bookings or recruits.

Each of these methods for attracting customers, hostesses, and recruits has a different amount of preparation time and expense related to it. An Idea Book Walk-through only requires one set of products that can remain packed for each gathering and is a minimal investment in time and products while a hands-on gathering or hostess club has a higher time commitment to design and pre-cut new projects each month. Some gathering styles also require more space or time than others so the location of the event, the amount of time available, and the expectations of the hostess or customers may dictate what options are available for some events.

Keeping a variety of events on your calendar can help attract different kinds of customers and broaden your customer base. If you find that you have a set of customers who expect a lot of hands-on at each gathering with a high time and supply investment from you then your actual profit will suffer. Doing a hybrid gathering with a single small hands-on activity after a walk through might help wean them from their high expectations. Those are also the ideal customers to build workshops with. Since workshops require pre-payment for supplies or the purchase of a kit, you can decrease your personal investment in supplies for these customers while still offering a variety of projects for them to complete.

Hands-on style gatherings can still be effective though. I see it as an excellent way to introduce a large group of new customers and new stampers to our products. You can teach a number of basic stamping techniques and get customers familiar with terminology and tools. Programs can be highlighted as an ideal way to get a solid start in the art of stamping and scrapbooking. After gaining confidence with several styles of stamps and seeing a variety of papers and ink colors, the new customers may be more inclined to invest in a new hobby. Subsequent bookings or a new club built from this group can then be scaled back in scope and investment.

An essential part of hostess coaching is determining what kind of gathering is appropriate for her situation. A small knit group of experienced stampers who are new to CTMH might benefit from an idea book walk through so they can find the products that interest them easily. While a group of scrapbookers who are new to stamping might be inspired when they see a demonstration of our kits and how easy it is to use stamps to add artistic elements to their pages. In a very small home you might want to keep any projects simple enough for guests to stamp-and-pass. Having at least one small take home project builds customer confidence in using products and provides a visual reminder of the fun time they experienced at the gathering. Each new event just needs to be evaluated to determine the best format.

When I was a new consultant....

• Write down my car mileage on the FIRST DAY and keep track of it on a little calendar that I leave in the car.
  
  * On your taxes the IRS doesn't want to know the miles you drove for business they want to know the total miles and then how much of that was for your business.
  
  * That the two $300 Demonstrator Direct orders I put in could have been put in as gathering orders!
  
  * Make your first investments in cardstock, colors-stamp pads, markers, blender pens and such instead of purchasing every stamp set you like. Color with one stamp set can provide several demonstrations. Stamp sets without options for various colors will find you spending more when and where you really don't need to.
  
  * That hosting an open house was a great way to get your first bookings.
  
  * I just wish I would have known how important it was to sign up under a good upline BUT what I really wish is that I would have signed up years ago!
  
  * When I was a new demonstrator I wish someone would have told me...That you don't NEED to have a lot of samples and/or supplies to hold your first workshop!
  
  * Lightly sand the surface of the rubber with very fine nail file or sandpaper to remove that coating (I thought I was a terrible stamper because my images were blotchy)
  
  * How to keep records for taxes and to maintain those records through the year (so I wouldn't be scrambling at tax time)
  
  * To not overwhelm myself with so many swaps in one month. I was doing 6 - 8 of them for awhile - now I do one.
  
  Where to track down all the 'good' info and patterns! A list of websites to use for patterns and ideas.
  
  * Given me one copy of each form/chart/pattern
  
  * To read the manual cover to cover...once I did, I couldn't believe all the valuable information in it. ...
  
  * That I need not give away the whole catalog to get bookings or give as incentive rewards. ...That little somethings are little somethings!
  
  * I wish someone had told me how to organize my workshop receipts. Being the kind of person I am, I just figured I'd file them alphabetically, by customer last name. Now I wish I'd filed them all by workshop, with the hostess receipt on top and all the guest orders underneath to create a 'packet'. Then filed those by month, with the most recent in front. I wish I'd have added workshop notes to each packet, such as: What I wore; what I demonstrated personal observations as to what worked, what didn't, etc.
  
  *I wish someone had told me not to try to buy every set in the catalog and to spend more on paper and accessories .It would be helpful to have a list of all the new "hot" techniques, so that I knew which accessories to buy first!
  
  *I have about 100 stamp sets now and only use about 10 to 15 of them with any kind of regularity. I wasted lots of money that could have been spent more wisely.
  
  *Think carefully before buying sets that are being retired. I bought a few last year that I thought I 'had to have', only to find that, not only could I not demonstrate them, but I didn't really 'need' them as badly as I thought. It took me almost a year before I ever used one of the sets! Moral: Just because it's retiring doesn't mean you have to have it. Only buy what you know you'll use, whether for personal or business use. If you aren't sure you'll use it, don't get it.
  
  *I staple my workshops together... customer receipt, hostess form, shipping list (marked with any corrections that were needed, such as missing SS stamp and when I called CTMH) and my workshop outline. I put notes on it and I list all the supplies I used plus and anything Extra (customer ruined one blender pen-if I had to replace it, or missing one catalog, or the cost of any incentive I offered (like cost of free shipping). Also keeping the workshop outline has helped me as I've had these hostesses doing more than one workshop... so I don't repeat the same demos for them. If I use the same stamp sets, I vary the techniques or accessories I show.
  
  * How to track business expenses such as my own supplies, things from the office supply store, anything and everything, and how to organize and file it.
  
  *I wish someone would have told me who the Close to My Heart people are that are close to me so I could exchange ideas, attend local meetings, and just have someone to stamp with since my upline lives in another state.
  
  *I did not have to pack up everything I owned and take it to workshops.... Once I finally figured that out my life got infinitely easier!

New Consultant To-Do List

New Consultant To-Do List

Compiled by Sami Calkins inkyfingers@attbi.com
If you find errors or make this better please send a copy to me to share with others

The most important to dos of all:

Read the Close To My Heart® Manual that comes in your kit. Watch the training videos that came in your kit.

Schedule a Jump Start party if you have not had it already, Make a list of absolutely everyone you know, especially if you've ever attended any kind of party for them, or hosted a party for them... anyone who owes you one... to invite to your Jumpstart party. Start asking now for bookings.

On the following important information form enter your upline (the person who signed you up) contact information and then her upline information. Make copies and put wherever you will need it.

Get your new Close to my Heart® business going:

Make a list of any and all potential customers. Include family, friends, acquaintances, teachers, Little League moms, play group moms, etc.

Make a list of people you think would like to have a gathering, and call to schedule a party!

Prepare a letter/postcard to mail to all friends, family, acquaintances, potential customers; letting them know about their newest scrapbook/stamping resource! Don’t forget to include a hand stamped sample of your work

Compose a handout that you can send/give out to potential customers.   

Consider holding an Open House.  You might want to wait until you have had your kit for a couple of weeks or so before you do this, unless you already own a lot of Close To My Heart® products.  The reason being is that you want to show a lot of samples and a demo board or two and you will need time to prepare these.

Financial To Do’s:

Open separate checking account for business, get an ATM debit card with this account to make OLO (online Ordering System) purchases.

Open a Propay account so that you can accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards. http://www.propay.com

Open a PayPal account if you will be doing business online and will accept PayPal payments. http://www.PayPal.com. Apply for the debit card once you have beena a member long enough to place OLO orders.

Put a small mini-notebook in your car, to keep track of all mileage. (Or in the back of your day-timer). Keep track where you go and the mileage if it has anything to do with Close to my Heart® (getting stamps at the post office to mail newsletters or invites; going to the grocery store to pick up food for a gathering, etc.)

Order a stamp that you can stamp on the back of the checks you will be getting from your customers.  This should include your name, bank and account number.  The bank where you order your stamps should have some information on this. 

If you want, you may want to consider applying for a credit card also.  This is totally optional, but if you want to use On-line ordering it will make life easier.  Plus it helps with year end tax time.  I would recommend considering a Discover card because they offer year end cash back bonuses depending on how much you charge.  Of course, I also recommend that you pay off your card each month.  (This can be hard in the beginning, thinking that you need everything NOW. 

Recruiting Tips from other CTMH Consultants

Susie- Enthusiasm is the big thing. But one thing that has really worked for me (I am a Sr Exec Mgr) is

    telling hostesses to watch what I do because they could do it too. Then leaving it. It plants a seed. Then,

    depending on the hostess, you may or may not talk with them again right away. Take your cues from

    them.

    Some reasons to join: make some money, meet friends, learn more techniques, get the discount, pay for

    your hobby...... then go with them on what they seem to think is their reason. This requires listening. On

    the other hand, maybe listening is the big thing!

    I have been so fortunate to have wonderful downline. Mine tell me when they need something and don't

    expect me to read their minds. I try to be honest and upfront with them. I really think that helps too.

    Anyway, talk to EVERYONE about it, whether or not you think they would do it! Don't make the

    decision for them, you never know!

    ---------------------------------------

    From Wendy Coffman, Manager

    I got my first recruit from a Stamp show - I left a pile of business cards on a table where it was ok to do

    so, and got a recruit out of it. My second was my mom - not too tough. My third was a gal from one of

    my clubs - she just loves the product, and felt the time was right. My fourth just signed up, and she's my

    principal from the last school I taught at before quitting teaching. She just wants the discount and maybe

    sell a little on the side to the school secretary - and I always told her she's a party unto herself (literally).

    I've got one more club member on the hook - If I keep going I can turn my club meeting into the unit

    meeting soon. LOL!

    Regards,

    Wendy in OR

    -----------------------

    Michelle Falline, Manager

    My first recruit came after about 2 years of being a consultant.. mind you at the time I wasnt really

    looking for them.. I was perfectly happy being just a consultant.

    I met her at a scrapbook convention I had a booth at. I also met 2 of my other DL at convention or crops

    and the other two were hostesses.

    I have several leads I am working on and they were met at conventions.

    Michelle

    ------------------- 

From Dawn Whitaker:

    Susie,

    The sad truth is that most people who get their recruit do it by accident. They aren't consciously doing

    anything specific because they never think about it until they HAVE ONE (or decide they need to recruit

    to earn cruises and stuff like that). The reason they're getting recruits is that they're just loving what

    they do and are talking about it to anybody who will listen (like that "I lowered my cholestoral"

    commercials!).

    That should teach you your first recruiting lesson -- LOVE your job and don't be afraid to talk about it.

    Secondly, you need to become extremely comfortable with a very simple question: "Have you ever

    thought about doing what I'm doing?" YOU HAVE TO ASK. (Now THERE's an original concept....)

    For every person who reaches out and asks you about your job, there are 30 who are picturing

    themselves in your shoes but will never say a word. There are some real gems out there waiting to be

    asked, so ASK!

    If you're not comfortable bringing up the subject (although, why not -- aren't you glad somebody gave

    YOU the chance???), then do some sort of activity at your gatherings that generates questions about what

    you do. OR, make a conscious effort to work in 5 statements at EVERY gathering about why you love

    your job. Those things can change from party to party, and you never know when you'll strike a spark

    in someone's brain.

    I'm sure you're going to get all kinda other ideas from other consultants, so I'll step aside and wish you

    luck in building your team!

    Dawn Whitaker

    Dixon, CA

    --------------

    From Sue Latta

    Hi Susie!

    After convention I wanted to earn the cruise. So I went to work. I talk to ladies who are really into

    stamping and scrapping and/or if they have introduced stamping/scrapping to other ladies. I love CTMH

    for many of reasons but one is our quartely min. @ 300.00, you can't beat that!! Most recruits will think

    about it for a while. I tell them to go and pray about it, God will tell them what to do. I did have one

    recruit who we talked about it on a Monday and we sent in her paperwork on Wednesday, but that isn't

    normal. I just like to point out what they will get when they sign up, all the positives. After a coupl of

    day to a week, no longer, I will call them and see if they have any other questions and ask when they

    want to sign up. Yes I do get no's for answers but I get yes's too. Since convention I now have 9 recruits

    and I love them all!!! I have learned sooo much from them that I can't image doing this business without

    them.

    I hope this is what you wanted.

    Sue Latta

    AZ

    ------------------ 

    From Tamara Sandwisch, Supervisor

    I have 3 and have been a consultant since November 2001. The first was my SIL. She lives out of state

    and set up a club with her friends. My UL lives near her and did a party for them since they were all

    new. My UL did most of the "talking" and told her as long as she was processsing the orders, she might

    as well sign up and get the discount. My second contacted me after seeing her friend's catalog. The third

    came to a workshop and requested information. I have also had contact with at least as many people who

    did not sign up. One who just doesn't have enough financial good sense to manage a home business (used

    to be CMC). One who doesn't feel she has the time to devote to it (former PC consultant). One who went

    with SU! Promised to return kit items and pay for catalog but hasn't yet. I also have another recruiting

    bag out but the lady (has demo booked) is never home when I call. If you compile a list, emphasis to ask

    everyone, at every demo, I called one lady about 6 months after meeting her at one of my first demos

    and found out she'd signed up with CM. I don't know if she was considering it when I first met her or

    what.

    -------------------

    From April Olsen, Supervisor:

    HI Susie,

    I have recruited my first two DL in the last month. I was a hobbyist for a year before even considering

    becoming an UL. My UL is great so I wanted to be as comfortable and knowledgeable as she is before

    taking on recruits.

    Personally I recruited by talking about CTMH and how great the product was. I was also honest about

    the problems within the company. I feel it’s my responsibility to be up front because I’d feel really bad

    acting like CTMH did everything perfect.

    I am also offering a $30 set to anyone that signs before Convention. I do HUGE Jump Start parties, and

   make sure they only order on shows NOT ON THE KIT FORM. That gets them closer to STTT, and

    more free stuff in the long run.

    My advice, be honest, DON”T be pushy, and be there for the long haul.

    Smiles, April

    Birdie Gohr, Supervisor

    I got my first and only recruit (so far) on March 31st through e-bay. We were talking (e-mailing) about

    how to get good ideas and told her I got mine from CTMH and she became interested. I didn't even plan

    on selling it to her (the recruiting thing intimidates me). She is a great gal and I feel as though I have a

    new friend too.

From Tabby Jones, Supervisor

    "ve recruited 3 (though one has already quit :( And basically, I think it's just finding the right people.     The first two just loved the product and wanted the discount. The third loves the product, wanted the     discount, and thought she could 'do' this business (and she's doing great! :) I have to say I've been pretty     lucky, I don't remember doing anything specific besides being enthusiastic about our products and

    sharing ideas and useful info. Just offering the opportunity is enough for some people--you just have to    say something. If you never offer the opportunity, people might think you don't WANT them to sign up!     lol Another thought--in my area, I have seen people totally turn off from the idea if I put any pressure     on them. I'm not a pushy person, but if I say something like, 'so when are you signing up?', they go     totally defensive like I was asking them to give me their wallet! lol Just talk about what you love about

    the business, say something like 'you know, you'd be great at this, you're so creative, you've learned so     much already, etc.'. Just gently suggest the idea, plant the seeds, and wait for them to grow. HTH!   

Tabby Jones

    Supervisor with 3 on the burners....(wish they'd make up their minds a little quicker sometimes! :)

    From Beth Mullins, Supervisor:

    I had my jumpstart in November 2002, I have benn with Ctmh for 6 months. I now have 3 downline!     The 3rd is signing soon. I am so excited! I guess for me, I just shared my enthusiasm, and let them know

    the opportunity was there for them as well. I would tell them,(in front of everyone at the party) "You     would do a great job selling this." And, those that heard me say it and knew her would always agree with

    me! It gave her a pat on the back and made her feel important!

    I have found with my newest recruit, that she hesitated for so long because she thought, all of her friends    would remain my customers, and she would have to find all new customers! I let her know that I was

    fine if they all went to her to do their parties! I even talked to many of them and let them know she was  thinking of signing, and they encouraged her to sign!

    For me, I thought the same. I thought all of my group would rather see my upline doing the demo,     versus me! My upline tried the same approach with me and it worked! She always complimented me on

    my cards, and told me I would be great at this! It was what I needed to hear.

    So, that is the approach I follow, and it seems to be working!

    Beth Mullins

    Supervisor (Working on Manager, and very hard for the 2004 cruise!)

    ------------------

    From Aldean Tendick, Manager

    I have to say the big thing is: ASK. If you don't let them know about the opportunity, then they can't ask      questions. I met my first recruit at a craft show. She mentioned that she had always wanted to do this but

    now that I was there (I live in a small, small town) she didn't want to take away business from me. I told     her there was enough business for the both of us and two months later she signed up. I have a recruit

    signing up on Thursday and I did something radically to get her to sign up. She kept mentioning how she

    was working two jobs to help out and her husband might be losing his job. I got an idea from someone

    else, I think Donna Tyler, about offering a one time 1/2 off price to join CTMH. Which, if you are     lucky, you can make up for when they go straight to the top. So I offered it to three people. She said she     was interested but her husband had just lost his job. So I talked over a period of 3days to her and offered

    to pay all but she had to pay back the $45 with her first commission from her jumpstart party. So she is  signing up on Thursday. Why did I do this? I was just about to be promoted to manager when one of my

    downline when to Jr. Status. I want it back. Will I do this again. Most likely not, but I think we have to  try whatever it takes. I like to suggest to them they should be doing whatI am doing. Watch for that "I

    can't decide what I want because I want it all". That is a very good sign!

    Good luck,

    Aldean Tendick

    Oregon 

A Recruiting Letter by Sally Lynn MacDonald

It's not a SECRET! :o) I read the book '7 Steps to Successful Selling' by Tracy Bild. I fit it to the way I want to do business. I set my goal, made a plan and then I.... ASKED!

But don't just ask 'Do ya want to be a consultant?' NOoooooOoooo!

Ask things like:

·                     How much time do you spend in a month scrapbooking or stamping?

·                     How much time would you like to spend?

·                     How would it feel to spend more time creating and making $$ at it at the same time?

·                     How would it feel to have a career you can schedule around your life and/or family and to be able to balance those things that are most important to you?

And spoke from my heart about what CTMH means to me and my journey from a vowed hobbyist who had no intention of 'selling'. I would walk into A.C. Moore or a Michael's and walking right back out saying 'I just don't  get it'. (TRUE STORY!) To what CTMH has meant to me and how I

discovered the creative goddess within and making friends through a shared love of creating.

Since implementing this simple but true method of communicating about the opportunity and asking key individuals and even people that I knew very little about... I have signed 8 more people to my team; and have 4 more that are on the fence.

This has been in the last MONTH. And they are such wonderful ladies! I cannot wait for you to get to know them!! I'm so lucky to have them on my team.                                                 -- Sally Lynn

NOW You have lots of recruiting ideas….

Let’s say you have to send them some information…what do you send?

Here’s a letter for you to copy into a new Word Doc.

The Highlighted part you need to adjust to YOU!

Hello!                                                                                                                                     

Thank you so much for your interest in Close To My Heart. Here is some of the information on being a consultant. I look forward to sharing with you this wonderful opportunity.

I do have several downline currently and I have had downline for 4 years so I am experienced with helping you with your business. I make that part of my “job.” I almost feel guilty calling this a job because how can it be a job and yet be so fun! I try to spoil my downline - I give you free “samples,” “surprises” and things to help your business. I am very accessible, even during the day via email.

Our Close To My Heart family is extended with nearly 30 Close To My Heart consultants, most in the East Valley - you will have a lot of people at your disposal that are more than willing to help you in your business. We do have monthly swaps and training with the Heart to Heart group. We meet monthly and I promise you can and will learn something at every meeting!  This is one of the most popular reasons ladies choose Close To My Heart over other companies! If you are far away I also have a Yahoo Group that has 150 members and we share information all the time!

I am primarily a scrapbooker and I support my “habit” Close To My Heart. I also work FT at the Tribune Newspapers. So, I truly respect whatever avenue you choose to pursue with YOUR business - whether, it’s a full or part time Close To My Heart business or as a hobbyist.

The basics to Close To My Heart:

Ÿ         Product: This is an opportunity to show an unparalleled product line of exclusive top of the line scrapbooking and stamping products.

Ÿ         You earn 22% of every sale, you take it right off the top and send the rest in with your order when you hold a gathering.

Ÿ         A gathering is a min. of $150 in retail sales, and a min. of 2 guests.

Ÿ         Quarterly min. of $300 in sales is required to stay active, and yes, we do have a Jr. Consultant plan if you don’t think you are up to $300/Quarter.

Ÿ         Website for online ordering, bulletin board and tons of information at your fingers tips, 24 hours a day.

Ÿ         Product sells it’s self. You do not have to be a sales person or be pushy. Sales will happen. Just show the product - it’s SOLD! No inventory!

Ÿ         Training. Not only will I train you in the basics of stamping/scrapbooking-if necessary. But our Heart to Heart group provides training at some level at every meeting. Also, Close To My Heart has several opportunities throughout the year that you can take advantage of. (IE: National Tour and Convention- Las Vegas June 2005.)

Ÿ         Friendship. One of the best parts of the Close To My Heart RT Family are the friends you’ll find as you enter this business. Whether you are very active or just a “looky-lou” on the Bulletin Board on the Close To My Heart website - you will find you have a new extended family.

Ÿ         Supplies. Close To My Heart offers a reasonably priced Kit, supply/order forms and tons more!

Getting Started/Training

If you are so close to me, I can offer you a Jump Start Party. How it works...you invite as many people as you’d like. Then I prep and do the gathering for you while I train you and YOU get all the benefits. You get the 22%, the earned hostess gifts and the chance to see a demo in real life! From there you are sure to reach the top!

• IE: $350 in sales is $60 in free products (your choice stamps, paper, accessories).

• 22% CASH that night in your pocket

•  Your commission check will be 3%  -- mailed the following month on the 10th. (You can earn more than 3%, ask me for the Incentive Plan information, if you are interested.)

Straight To The Top

In addition to cash earnings, new Consultants also have the opportunity to earn free products in a program called Straight To The Top. The following table outlines the benefits available:

Time Period	Sales Required During Period	Reward
1st 30 Days	$300	$25 in select product credit**
2nd 30 Days	$600	$50 in select product credit
3rd 30 Days	$900	$75 in select product credit
90 Day Totals	$1,800 in sales	$150 in select product credit

**Select product credits are redeemable for My Acrylix™ stamps, Exclusive Inks™ Pads, My Reflections™ Level 1 Kits, and My Reflections Paper Packets only.

More about Close To My Heart

We are a Scrapbooking company with an emphasis in stamping. Please take time to browse our catalog, you will find our Cardstock is top notch, we have Background and Textured paper to perfectly coordinate. Not only does our paper coordinate, but also we have stamp pads, reinkers, and markers --all to match.

Reflections™…Close To My Heart A scrapbook program, with step-by-step instructions, simple patterns and detailed dimensions for creating scrapbook layouts.

Originals™…Close To My Heart  A card confidence program, following basic principles and detailed instructions included in each of our 3 programs. Hundreds of card designs are available, each with exact dimensions, fold placement guides, templates, and shaded instructions. If one has never made a card, this program will guide them through the process; if one is an experienced or even advanced card maker this guide will challenge them and offer thousands of ideas to get the creative juices going.

Keynotes™…Close To My Heart a bi-monthly consultant only newsletter that is mailed to you. Tons of information is packed into this valuable tool!

I know this is a lot to digest. There’s so much more to tell you. We have so many wonderful products that I would love to tell you about each one of them. When you are ready, we’ll sit down together and discuss this further if you would like. Of course if you’d like to be a customer...that’s fine too!

I love this company and I know you will too - no matter which avenue you travel.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or email me at: Elaine@MyCTMH.com I will contact you next week if I haven’t heard from you to follow up. 

Thank you,

Name                                                                                       Close To My Heart Mission:

Independent Consultant

Phone                                                                              We show  you how to celebrate relationships                         

Email                                                                           through the art of scrapbooking and stamping.

                                                                                                    Faster. Simplier. Easier.

Consultant Kit Contents

July 2005 Consultant Kit Contents	Retail Price
Customer Order Forms (50)
Gathering Invitations (25)
Customer Registrar Envelopes (25)
Consultant Applications (10)
Let Me Show You How – Home Gatherings DVD
Let Me Show You How – Accessories DVD
Consultant Manual and Getting Started DVD
2005-2006 Incentive Set
Introduction Brochure (25)
Connections Club Cards (25)
Discover Your Potential Brochure (5)
Autumn/Winter 2005 Idea Book Postcards (25)
Hostess Packets (5)
My Reflections™ Birthday Bash Level 1 Kit	10.95
My Reflections™ Birthday Bash Paper Packet	12.50
Birthday Bash My Stickease™	8.95
My Acrylix™ Block – 1” x 1”	3.95
My Acrylix™ Block – 2” x 2”	6.50
My Acrylix™ Block – 1” x 6.5”	6.50
My Acrylix™ Block – 3” x 3”	8.50
Bonding Memories Tape Permanent	4.94
Legacy Linen Album, Outdoor Denim 12” x 12”	27.95
Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad Black	4.95
Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad Dutch Blue	4.95
Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad Holiday Red	5.95
Whimsy Caps Stamp Set (set of 30)	18.95
Birthday Celebration Stamp Set (set of 7)	18.95
Card Sentiments Stamp Set (set of 10)	22.95
Seasonal Celebration Stamp Set (set of 25)	22.95
Cardstock 12” X 12”, White Daisy	8.50
My Acrylix™ Spritz Cleaner 2oz.	4.25
Reflections Program I-Basic Series	14.95
Display Board, Black
Autumn/Winter 2005 Idea Book (10)
Splash Jul-Sept 2005 Booking Set
Total Value	$218.09
Consultant Cost	$150.00

The Art of Clubs by Tresa Black

Let me introduce you to three women. First, we have Cathy Consultant. She loves being a Close To My Heart consultant and she'd like to fill her calendar and keep up her sales. Next, we have Kelly Customer. Kelly just attended her first Close To My Heart party and loved everything she saw. She would like to learn more and buy more, but doesn't know enough people to book a party, and her wish list is much larger than her bank account. Last, we have Ursula Upline. Ursula has three kids and a full time job, and she's just recruited four new downline. In addition to her regularly sheduled home gatherings she'd like to boost her sales and guarantee herself the sales totals required to make a commission from her downline. What do all these women need? They need a CLUB!!!! Today I'm going to explain the ins and outs, the ups and downs of operating a Close To My Heart club. I'm going to share with you an overview of what a club entails, how to prepare for and fill your club, and how to avoid the dreaded "club danger zones". Defining A Club: First detail? What exactly is a Club? Good question! There are MANY different types of clubs. I'm going to give you some ideas today, and you can mix and match to suit your needs and the needs of your customers. It all boils down to one thing. Have you ever had a demo and overheard "I'll come to your party if you come to my party?" Ta-Da! A club is born! When you have a group that commits to ordering a certain amount on a schedule, you have a club. Plain and simple, that's it. If you set the amount so that the gathering qualifies for hostess gifts, the members will take turns hostessing.  But, do you need a certain amount of members? No! Do you have to reach $150 in sales? No! Do you have to meet monthly, or do you even have to meet at all? No! Why A Club? Why do you, as a consultant want to start a club? You might be like Cathy consultant, who wants to keep her sales consistent. Or maybe you are Ursula Upline, who needs a guaranteed income so that she can earn commission from her downline. You might prefer the ease of planning a club, since you know what you'll be doing up to a year ahead of time, you can plan ahead and purchase supplies that you need well in advance. And here's another reason for starting a club. How many of you are new consultants -- less than one year? If you're thinking that you need to know everything, that you have to have a big bag of tricks before you can even think about starting a club, think again. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to grow your skills. Think about it.... you only need to stay one step ahead of your class. Learn a new technique or scrapbooking concept one month, really explore it, then teach it to your class the next month. What Are Your Options? Next, let's decide what kind of club you can offer. Here is a list of 10 types of clubs. I'm sure you can come up with many more, and by mixing and matching these, there are countless variations.  1. Scrapbook club 2. Card maker's club 3. Combo club -- alternate projects: Month 1:scrapbook, Month 2: card, Month 3:craft 4. My Reflections club -- use a level one or level two kit, with or without stamping. Great for beginners, or those who want to get lots of pages finished. 5. Long-distance club or Virtual club -- no meetings or online meetings 6. Color Club -- Members receive a combination of papers, accessories and/or inkpads, all in a color theme each month 7. Mom and Me club or Kid's club -- Mom and Me clubs are for children and their parent to attend together: project may involve working on something together, or you can plan a project for the adults and a separate one for the children. Kid's clubs can be held after school or on weekends and can focus on scrapbooking or craft projects. 8. Technique Club -- Explore a technique or the use of an accessory in depth each month. 9. Open crop club -- Members come and work on their projects. You might do a small demo or make-and-take, but mostly give them time and space to crop. 10. Build-a-book club -- baby, wedding, heritage, all-about-me. How to decide what type of club to offer: 1. Survey your customers 2. Look for a need in your community (are there lots of new families? Miltary bases? Senior communities?) 3. Look for a market (Mom's clubs, church groups, red-hatters) Getting Organized: Before you can recruit your members, you should begin to get organized. Let's put ourselves in our customer's shoes. Here's Cathy Consultant, who wants to have you join her club. "I'm sure you want to join my club, it's going to be so much fun! I'm not sure what we're going to be doing.... and..... I have a few people that I think are ready to join....but I'm not sure.... and I haven't figured out where we'll meet.....but why don't you give me your name and number and I'll call you in a few months when I've got more people lined up?" Would you want to join this club? With a little advance planning, Cathy can be ready when someone approaches her: "I'm so glad that you're interested in joining one of my clubs! I'm surveying all my members so that I can determine which day of the month will be best, and which projects you'd like most to work on. Here is a packet for you to take home with an explanation of all the benefits you can expect by joining a club, and a free issue of Expressions." (Visual Aid: Hold up packet, explain contents, refer to workbook outline) Some of the things you can do to be prepared before starting a club: 1. Prepare member packets 2. Set up a record system to track lesson plans and club orders. 3. Think about where you can host your club.             A. Your home (Make sure that if you host in your home that members feel comfortable and you are always professional. Nothing says "unprofessional" like having naked toddlers running through a club meeting. And when you host in your home, make sure that your hostess still has "hostess duties". She should bring the snacks and make reminder calls to all members. Don't put everything on yourself.)             B. Hostesses' home             C. meeting hall, church or library Gathering Your Members: What happens when you get three people who want to join a club and you've tried to find new members and no luck? (stand on the chair) START THE CLUB ANYWAY! If you make these three people wait, they will find another consultant who does have a club, or they will lose interest. How can you run a club with just a few members? First, explain to them that their hostess gifts will only come if their orders total $150, so until they have enough members to fill the club, you will consider them "charter members".  Encourage them to invite others to their club night as visitors, and give them an incentive if their friends join the club as members. Filling Your Club: Now that you have some interest, you might consider reaching a little further to fill this club.             A. Talk about your club at all your regular gatherings. Offer an incentive stamp to anyone who joins your club on the night of a gathering. Look for those people who seem to "want more". They are excited about the product and ask lots of questions. They are prime candidates for club members. Make sure you PERSONALLY invite them to join when you're totaling up their order.             B. Do a mailing to all your past customers, and offer a free or no-commitment night for them to try out the club.             C. Advertise in your local newspaper, or put up flyers at local bulletin boards. I heard of one consultant who put up several signs similar to garage sale signs around town. They simply said "Scrapbook club now forming" and her phone number.  When someone called for information, she explained all the details and asked if she could mail them a flyer. She was able to fill her club within a week!             D. "silent members". This is my name for members who cannot attend meetings but participate as members by ordering and serving as hostess one month. These "silent members" may be local or long distance. Sometimes it's the relative or friend of a club member, or just someone who can't come on the nights you hold your club. You will need to decide if you can accommodate a member like this is -- do they need a care package mailed monthly? Can you share the projects on-line? And how will you handle the shipping for them? Sometimes "silent partners" are necessary to fill your club, but make sure you can work out the details before you bring them into the group.             E. The internet is a good place to find members for long-distance or virtual clubs. Make sure that if you are looking for members that you obey the rules of any internet bulletin boards that you may post on, as some may not allow directly marketing your business. Designing Your Classes: Now you've got your members, your date set and the club is ready to begin. What do you need? A lesson plan! These ladies are going to be sticking with you for a long time, you've got to figure out what you want to teach them! A lesson plan can be very detailed, or just a rough guide for you to follow. Here is another  CLUB DANGER ZONE: "I've got stamp club coming tomorrow night and I have no idea what we're going to do!" (Show and explain a planning binder here. Refer to convention CD for a monthly planning guide sheet) A question that many of you may have is: "how do I come up with ideas for my club each month?" Some suggestions are:             A. Use our program guides (my reflections and my originals), and our catalog/idea book. There are hundreds of ideas to "stamp lift".             B. The CTMH artboard             C. The internet             D. Your upline or unit             E. Scrapbooking or stamping magazines or books I like to follow a progression of learning for my clubs as well. For heaven's sake, do not plan to teach your club dry embossing, heat embossing, and sponge distressing on their first night. They will not be impressed, they will be overwhelmed. Take my word for it, I speak from experience here. One technique at a time, give them time to learn it, and make them love the products and want to use them. Make A Profit: Let's talk about making a profit on your club. We all want to make money at this, right? There are two things that affect your bottom line. First, how much you spend on the club, and second, how much your customers spend.             A. Keep project costs down - use stamping or supplies that don't get used up, like chalks or waterbrush more often than supplies that are one-time use, like My Accents.             B. Charge members a materials fee             C. Upselling             D. Offering specials to increase orders (Use incentive stamps, free product, cardstock samplers, handmade give-aways) Keep 'em comin', treat 'em right!: Now that your club is up and running, and you're helping your members spend more with upselling, you'll want to avoid another CLUB DANGER ZONE -- poor attendance and club stagnation. And let me first tell you, most clubs are successful with planning and maintenance.  Most of your members are going to enjoy your classes, get their orders in on time and want to participate every month. If you are worried about losing members after they've received their hostess benefits, I'm going to tell you the most important thing you should know about clubs: Make the classes more important than the hostess benefits. If members view attending classes as a chore, they will not want to attend, or will drop out.  Your job is to make classes FUN and INFORMATIVE. Do your homework -- keep up on the trends so you can teach members the "latest thing". Make your members feel like "part of the club". There should be "perks" for being in your club. Some perks could be:             A. Advance notice on your workshops             B. A special gift for booking their own home gathering during their hostess month             C. Free subscription to Expessions             D. A special monthly newsletter just for club members, sent by email or snail mail. It could expand on techniques or product use that you focused on during that month's class. Growing Your Club, Growing your Business: It is important to try not to rely solely on clubs to keep up your business. Gatherings are the lifeblood of our business. Make sure that you continue to book parties, to keep your business growing and introduce you to new markets, even if just for the reason that you want more club members!              Closing: Starting a club is a great way to build your business, keep up your sales levels, grow and learn as a consultant, and have a lot of fun in the process! I look forward to having "my ladies" come over every month. It's like a fun girl's night out for my members and for me as well! I'm sure you're all excited now about implementing some of the tips I've given you today. For those of you who already have existing clubs, take a look at how things have been running and see if you can pinpoint any CLUB DANGER ZONES you'd like to fix, to make things run more smoothly. Or maybe you'd like to expand and offer another type of club to your customer base, as well as keeping your existing club going. For those of you who have not started a club, I'd like you to start with a plan, survey your customers, look for a market, and set a goal for yourself to offer something that your members will look forward to each and every month.

How To Find the Elusive New Customer by Mary Vogel

How to Find the Elusive New Customer

Are you looking for ways to branch out and find new customers? Here are a few ideas that might get you started on the right path:

• ALWAYS have Idea Books with you - you never know when you might run into someone that you can strike up a conversation with about Close To My Heart and you don't want to be empty-handed!
• If you have leftover Idea Books when the new ones come out, ask if you can place the old ones in doctor's offices, teacher's lounges, ...or contact your local Welcome Wagon and see if they would include one with their next package to a new resident! Be sure your contact information is on the book!
• Create a couple dozen simple cards to have on hand and give them away when the opportunity arises. If someone does something nice for you, thank them with a card you made. Insert one with payment you need to send to a local office such as a doctor. (No sense sending them to a big company like your mortgage company - they are not going to notice but a local, small office will!)
• Contact your local library or Senior center and offer to teach a basic card making class for free!
• Hang a flyer at your local drugstore or maybe your church advertising Close To My Heart and be sure to include tear off strips with your contact information.
• Find opportunities to donate to auctions, crops, charity events. This can be products or hand stamped goodies packaged in an adorable basket or trimmed box. Be sure to include your contact info!

These are just some ways you can explore various avenues for finding new customers. Also, don't forget about recruiting possibilities! Once you have one downline, you are eligible for CTMH's referral line and new contacts will be sent to you from corporate office! Get your business growing and you can reach new heights!