New Designer Checklist for Success

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BUILDING A REORDER BUSINESS

In our business of direct sales our challenge as well as our excitement can be the continual challenge to grow our businesses in new and exciting ways. Every day Designers are searching for opportunities to book parties and to sponsor new Designers to build their downlines. It’s often a matter of working the phone, participating in events, using email and the internet, and using a host of other tactics on an ongoing basis to continue to build their business.

While all these activities can be productive, there’s one area that many Designers, even top leaders, tend to miss. That area is developing a solid reorder business by failing to keep “their store open for business.” Most Designers unfortunately feel that they are being too pushy when calling to ask for a reorder. In reality, this notion could not be further from the truth.

Often times, our customers purchase and enjoy our products, and would reorder if given the opportunity. Could one of these examples apply to you?

“I’ve been burning these great H&GP candles for years now. I moved several months ago, found another Designer online and placed an order for several more. Once they were all burned I forgot to call my Designer and instead I settled for a different candle from the gift store.”

“I went to a Taste and See party for H&GP last month and enjoyed several of the dips I purchased. I am planning a holiday party, but contacting my Designer wasn’t on the top of mind, so I stopped to get what I needed at the grocery store, instead.”

“It always seems like I am running out at the last minute for thank-you or birthday gifts. It would be great to order items from my Designer outside of the parties I attend. That way I can order products at my convenience, when I need them – either for gifts or for myself!”

In your business with H&GP, a reorder business, when developed and acted upon consistently, could add hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in commissionable sales to your business! Let me convince you of the importance of taking the time to make the calls!

There are a number of ways you can jump-start or enhance your reorder businesses:

1. Create a personal website! Contact Dave Sharpe, who very affordably creates many H&GP websites. You can find out all the details by calling him at 267-254-2105. Each Designer has the opportunity to have a free H&GP Web Id. With your Web Id you can market your business and have your hostesses and customers shop the H&GP online website. You receive full commission on these sales and you also pay no credit card fees! Handling fees are paid by the customer. To set up your personal Web Id log into your H&GP account, click on "Online Office." then "Account Settings," and then "Change Direct Web ID." Choose a unique Web Id, short and simple for your customers to remember, such as "Mary," "MarySmith," "ShopwithMary," etc. Keep it simple! Add your Web Id link on your website so that customers browsing the web can place personal orders with you. Inform everyone and let them know they can shop online anytime. Include your Direct Web Id on all your literature. At your parties be sure to collect email addresses from everyone. You can create your own database with email addresses or use www.constantcontact.com to maintain a mailing list. Every month you can send out an announcement of all the new specials and invite your customers to shop online. You can also send out reminders before a sale is over. With the introduction of a new catalog you can send out an email mailing for that announcement to invite everyone to visit your website to shop online for all that's new! You can invite them to book a home party too! Now is the time to get your site up and ready. This makes it so easy for your customers to reorder at their convenience. Once you have your site up and going, make sure you are promoting this benefit to your hostesses, customers and guests at your shows by promoting the service when you first meet them.

Important note: Even without the extra pages a personal website offers you can still promote your Direct Web Id. The Web Id will connect your customers directly to the online catalog. Additional information on hosting a party, becoming a Designer etc is include with your Web Id.

2. Email your current and prior customers from your email lists, reminding them to reorder. Sometimes an H&GP E-Card, or personal email from you will be just the prompting a customer needs to reorder their favorite items. Customers can be directed to your website when you provide a link, so all they have to do is click!

3. Promote reordering both within your own H&GP business and throughout your downline. Do your customers know how easy it really is to reorder from you? Many of our products are consumable such as Candles, Replacement Scents for the Fragrance Lamps, our many Food Products etc. We have collectors who wish to order additional Pottery, Stoneware, Framed Art etc to complete their collections. Customers simply familiar with our products may wish to shop again for their home decorating or gift giving.

4. Just pick up the phone and call! Nothing takes the place of a personal phone call from you! Doing so will build loyalty and a sense of trust because you are providing them with a great service. Your personal call will form an ongoing Customer/Designer relationship, rather than a simple one-time transaction.

5. Focus on developing a reorder business and be consistent. Even as a brand new Designer in Training you should begin to set aside time each day/week to follow up with past customers. Practice a script you are comfortable with, incorporate it into your regular business, and you’ll successfully build a solid business right from the beginning.

By making Customer Care and Reorder Calls an integral part of your business, you will continue to build a loyal customer base, gain repeat hostesses and potential new Designers. Reorders can make the difference for your future success!