check it out!  Great news!  click below!!!

A client of mine who had signed up for my card business but not used it a whole heck of a lot told me she used vistaprint to print her business cards.  And she had used vistaprint to send some postcards.  And she had used vistaprint... hey wait a minute.... you signed up with us for a reason!  Is Vistaprint saving you any money?  So I told her I'd look into vistaprint for her.

As far as I can tell based on Vistaprint's sales kit on their website:

150 postcards from Vistaprint:  $64.00

150 postcards from us:  $46.50

2000 postcards from Vistaprint:  $964

2000 postcards from us:  $620

You can use their fancy schmancy templates--- but with us you can upload your own photos--- photos of your clients, your products, whatever!

In my experience the business cards printed through vistaprint usually have vistaprint's info on the back or they look like they've been printed through vistaprint (they look alike, those vistaprint biz cards, don't they?)

Through vistaprint you can print postcards and business cards.  Through us you can do the same.  But does vistaprint email you seven days before your client's birthday each year so you can send her a birthday card?

You can get a JOB from Vistaprint.  You can get a BUSINESS with us.  A business that can make you financially free--- YOU choose how much to earn.

Can you attach a gift to each vistaprint postcard you send?  When your client gets a Vistaprint card in the mail is she also diving into a delicious chewy chocolate brownie?

As I see it the differences are as follows:

1) We are less expensive for most items though if all you want are stock business cards, vistaprint is a better deal.

2)  You can try us for free.

3)  You can send gifts with us-- attach the gifts to cards and postcards.

4)  You can have an amazing business through us.

5)  The brownies.  Yes, we have a catalog of many many wonderful gifts which save you countless trips to the mall.  But isn't it all about the brownies?

Give us a try today.  Email me at heatheramyprice@gmail.com and in the subject line say "I want to send a free greeting card".  I'll hook you up.

Heather Price is a direct sales relationship marketing expert in Cleveland, OH. Have you ever lost a client because you’ve dropped the ball on keeping in touch and didn’t follow through? It’s so frustrating- what if there was a system that did that for you? Have you ever wished you had someone to print your marketing materials, stuff envelopes, address them and mail them for you? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just click one button and include a gift too? That’s what Heather does- She sets you up with a system that does just that…. plus it reminds you when birthdays are coming up. The result is better retention and increased referrals from your clients, a more streamlined marketing system, and you’ll never again forget a birthday. You will feel much more organized and accomplished when you can send 700 holiday cards in five minutes. Try the system for free by calling her: 216-870-3142.  Just say you want two free greeting cards!  Interested in skin care or color cosmetics?  Check out her other blog at http://freeskincarehelp.com

I LOVE this article from Julie Anne Jones.  For years I've been messing around with different concepts in my mind and on paper---- dividing my unit up into As, Bs, and Cs, setting up a calendar girl program (where each working gal has certain dates on my calendar for me to check in with them), etc.

Thought about writing a blog post about it, but guess what-- it's been done.  Better than I could have written.  So enjoy!

Are you in a direct sales company that offers samples?  Here's a fun idea for you which helps to build a sense of community with your clients.  It keeps your name and business at the top of their minds each month.

Choose your twenty, fifty, or a hundred most loyal reordering clients (depending on how much time and how much help you have).  Send them a little package the same week of each month (consistency means they know when to expect it!) with the sample of the month (your choice), a flyer with a special deal for ordering the full size of that product by a particular date, and a current catalog.  If you really want to get fun about it, you can put all that with candy or confetti in a cute little cello bag tied with curly ribbon.

This definitely works for skin care/ cosmetics businesses, and certainly with food businesses (tastefully simple for example).  I'm thinking this can work for candle businesses too--- shave off a little piece of candle and have a special for that scent.  Not sure how this might work for Pampered Chef or Tupperware, companies without easily purchased samples.

Obviously since you're mailing samples, the automated card service I've been recommending won't be the route to travel here, but you can order the cards in advance to be sent to you and enclose them yourself in bubble envies with your samples.  But flyers work too.

Is your business a skin care business?  Do you want more ideas that don't involve facials and parties?  More ideas you can do at night after your kids are in bed because you're a busy mom?  Check out my ecourse at http://busymomskincarebiz.com

Heather Price is a direct sales relationship marketing expert in Cleveland, OH. Have you ever lost a client because you’ve dropped the ball on keeping in touch and didn’t follow through? It’s so frustrating- what if there was a system that did that for you? Have you ever wished you had someone to print your marketing materials, stuff envelopes, address them and mail them for you? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just click one button and include a gift too? That’s what Heather does- She sets you up with a system that does just that…. plus it reminds you when birthdays are coming up. The result is better retention and increased referrals from your clients, a more streamlined marketing system, and you’ll never again forget a birthday. You will feel much more organized and accomplished when you can send 700 holiday cards in five minutes. Try the system for free by calling her: 216-870-3142.  Just say you want two free greeting cards!  Interested in skin care or color cosmetics?  Check out her other blog at http://freeskincarehelp.com

I enjoyed this article from Tracey Lawton.  My business could not survive without my AWESOME contact management system.

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

Are You Losing Potential Clients?

If you find yourself missing out on potential clients, contacts falling through the cracks, or not following up in a timely manner then your problem is simply a lack of an efficient contact management system!

So let me ask you:

1. Do you have a record of each of your clients/colleagues contact data, i.e. name, address, email, website, phone number etc.?
2. Are you following up efficiently and effectively when a potential client enquires about your services/programs?
3. Do you have a specific process in place for handling new client enquiries?

If you’ve answered NO to one or more of these questions, then you don’t have an efficient contact management system in place.

The good news...

This can easily be rectified! With a proper contact management system in place you will be able to:

• Keep a note of clients, potential clients, and colleagues contact information.
• Easily and effectively follow-up with a prospect.
• Locate critical client contact information quickly and easily.
• Build your business.

Sometimes the simplest contact management can be all you need so that you’re not letting potential clients slip through the cracks and you’re following up in a timely manner. When deciding on the most suitable contact management system for your business, there are three basic choices:

1. If you’re currently using Outlook it comes with its own contact address book, and Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 and above comes with Business Contact Manager. Outlook actually makes a good 'command central' for your business as not only does it store all your crucial contact management data, but you can also manage your emails, To Do list, tasks, and schedule follow-ups so you won’t lose an important contact again due to lack of follow-up!

2. You can purchase stand-alone contact management software such as ACT! This is a very robust contact management system; the only downside – you can’t use it to manage your emails!

3. You can use an online contact management system – some of which are free. This is a good choice, particularly if you want to be able to access your contact data from any PC, anywhere. And if you are working with a Virtual Assistant it’s very easy for them to maintain and update your contact data too – they simply log in!

Which one to use depends on your level of expertise and which one will work best for YOU and YOUR BUSINESS.

Don’t let your business suffer due to an inefficient contact management system. Follow my tips above to choose a system that is right for YOUR business.

And if you'd like the step-by-step system that will show you exactly how to create your contact management system, then you’ll want to get hold of the Easy Office Organization Home Study System.  It’s an easy-to-follow, 28-lesson program for creating the essential office organization and online marketing systems for your solo service business, and includes 18 done-for-you templates, and 7 worksheets, plus there are tools, scripts, examples, mind maps, checklists, and resources throughout the entire program.  Nowhere else will you find it as easy to pull together all the necessary elements, in clear language, and very specific assignments.

Online Business Development Strategist, Tracey Lawton, teaches solo service professionals how to create a thriving and profitable business through the implementation of simple office organization and online marketing systems, which leads to more clients, more profits, and more freedom. Get your fr.ee "Office Organization Success Toolkit" plus how-to articles, resources, tips, and tools at http://www.officeorganizationsuccess.com

WHY YOU  ̶  AND YOUR HOST  ̶   MUST USE A GUEST LIST

I always enjoy Christie's articles.  I'm a fan of "top ten" lists, and this one hits the nail on the head!  Enjoy this article from the Lemon Aid Lady! -- Heather

©Copyright 2011 Christie Northrup, The Lemon Aid Lady™

Feel free to forward or copy this article to your direct sales friends as long as the ENTIRE article is left intact, without any editing.

As a direct sales professional, you've got people on all sides telling you hoo to run your business.  And some of them don't believe in using a Guest List when planning a party with a host. We'll I'm here to tell you that YOU MUST use a guest list if you want to keep your business and profits growing. Here's why:

YOUR HOST
She remembers who she invited because it is written down. It’s her invitation map.

She will save time and money because YOU will send reminder cards via the mail as well as electronic invitations (yes…this costs money but when properly used will MAKE YOU MONEY!).

She will have a “permanent guest list” in your files for future parties that will only need updating not recreating.

YOU
You will have fewer cancellations (they usually cancel “because no one can come;” that’s usually because no one was invited because a list was not created!).

You will have a list to contact of people who were not able to come and who “know” you through the post card and e-vites you sent (this is the GOLD MINE IDEA HERE!).

You can prepare in advance for party drawings by copying the guest list and cutting it up for use at the party.

You can prepare order forms in advance with each guests’ information (this is a WOW factor….trust me!).

You will have a “permanent guest list” in your files for her future parties that will only need updating not recreating.

GUESTS
They receive a physical reminder. E-mail boxes are overly crowded and unless the e-vite is printed, people will forget.

They could be your “Lucky Winner.” (I call one in ten people on the list before the party who become my lucky winners).

They know in advance who the party consultant is and what they are going to learn at the party (you do include your contact information and a “preview” of the party on the
card/email, correct?).

EVERYONE
MORE people attend the party, MORE learn about your product, MORE lives are enriched by using your product.

MORE people book parties, MORE hosts get MORE rewards.

MORE people decide to follow in your footsteps by becoming a consultant.

MORE people have employment because you’re selling MORE product, MORE of the economy grows as you create MORE Sweet Successes and Juicy Profits…all because of one very valuable piece of paper—the GUEST LIST!

Wow…this was MORE than the TOP TEN! Guest lists are the foundation of the best parties. If you and your host are both taking the time to plan and hold a party, why not do the best you can?

If you want MORE ideas of how to create and use Guest Lists, refer to Presentations for Profit$ book, pages 3 to 19...16 pages of ideas for a crucial piece of the party plan
puzzle!

This is very cool from Jen Fong:

...I wanted to reach out and let you know about an exciting program being offered by the Direct Selling Education Foundation (a client of mine) that’s totally free for direct sellers in the US. The DSEF has partnered with the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship to offer a curriculum through local community colleges where direct sellers can earn serious business skills, and earn a Direct Selling Certificate. You can read more about the program here: http://www.directsellingnews.com/index.php/site/entries_archive_display/pilot_curriculum_equips_entrepreneurs_at_community_colleges

A pilot of the program begins in 2 weeks in three locations:

• Worcester, Mass. or near Boston at Quinsigamond Community College;
• Auburn, N.Y., or near Syracuse at Cayuga Community College;
• Rosemount, Minn., or near Minneapolis at Dakota County Technical College.

I’ve had a chance to review and participate in the production of the materials, and they’re excellent.

Now we’re looking for direct sellers who may be interested in participating in the pilot, free of charge, and I’m hoping that you’ll help us get the word out. All the details, including who to contact, can be found on this web page: http://bit.ly/qsJwoP

Would you consider helping us spread the word? It’s such an incredible opportunity, and we want to make sure that everyone who might be interested finds out about it!

-----

Ah if I had the time to go back to school now and do it all over again......

Direct mail, an effective tool for finding potential customers you would not otherwise reach, connects you with prospects on a personal level. By sending postcards, flyers or letters to non-customers in your geographic target area, you make prospects aware of your products and services and attempt to elicit their contacting you. Generate new sales inexpensively by direct mail campaigns.

Image via Wikipedia

Mailing Lists

Companies who specialize in direct mail assist you in selecting an address list which targets your specific market. You know your business best. Who buys what you have to sell? The list you buy should only include people who are prospects for your products and services. If you were a roofing company, would you send direct mail to people who live in apartments? Of course not. So, choose an address list that matches your best-customer characteristics.

Strategy

You can choose whether to hire a professional designer for the creation of the piece you plan to direct mail or whether you feel you have the skills to create an effective piece yourself. A professional designer assists you in creating a piece which connects with your prospect on the emotional level. Customize the offer to your prospect list and get to point quickly. To be a viable investment, the prospect’s desire for what you offer in your direct mail campaign must be strong enough to elicit a response. Make announcements, offer coupons and inform your prospects of sales promotions that would interest them. Make a concrete call to action in order to maximize the effectiveness of your campaign. Tell the customer exactly how to respond (call, log in, or mail back a post card, for instance). It will increase your response rate.

Mailing

Doing the mailing yourself is an option. But, a mailing service can sometimes offer you discounted bulk mailing rates and knows the most cost-effective options for direct mail campaigns. Your local post office is happy to make suggestions and explain various direct mail options to you if you wish to handle the mailing yourself. You must understand any special handling requirements for your direct mail campaign to assure you are in compliance with post service requirements.

Repeated Mailings

The best direct mail results come from mailing repeated campaigns over a period of time. You are more likely to acquaint them with your services and illicit a response with slow and steady reminders that you stand ready to serve their needs. Divide your direct mail budget between several campaigns over a given period of time. Then notice which offers gave you good results so you can customize future offers which maximize your new customer connections.

References:

Tri-Win; The 8 Components to a Successful Direct Mail Campaign; Michael; April 2011

http://www.tri-win.com/blog/the-8-components-to-a-successful-direct-mail-campaign/

Deluxe; Ten Ways to Get Customers and Keep Them

https://www.deluxe.com/marketstart/how-to/10-ways-to-get-customers.jsp

Resources:

Cactus Mailing; Postcard Printing and Mailing Services

http://www.cactusmailing.com/?gclid=CNyD3Njy2KgCFcZe2godenDUHQ

THT Advertising; Direct: Target Your Message to Potential Customers Direct Marketing; August 2010

http://www.thtadvertising.com/2010/direct/

Heather Price is a direct sales relationship marketing expert in Cleveland, OH. Have you ever lost a client because you’ve dropped the ball on keeping in touch and didn’t follow through? It’s so frustrating- what if there was a system that did that for you? Have you ever wished you had someone to print your marketing materials, stuff envelopes, address them and mail them for you? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just click one button and include a gift too? That’s what Heather does- She sets you up with a system that does just that…. plus it reminds you when birthdays are coming up. The result is better retention and increased referrals from your clients, a more streamlined marketing system, and you’ll never again forget a birthday. You will feel much more organized and accomplished when you can send 700 holiday cards in five minutes. Try the system for free by calling her: 216-870-3142.  Just say you want two free greeting cards!  Interested in skin care or color cosmetics?  Check out her other blog at http://freeskincarehelp.com

Me!  Email me for two free greeting cards you can send to your customers or potential customers to try the system I recommend for card sending and follow up.  heatheramyprice@gmail.com

Heather Price is a direct sales relationship marketing expert in Cleveland, OH. Have you ever lost a client because you’ve dropped the ball on keeping in touch and didn’t follow through? It’s so frustrating- what if there was a system that did that for you? Have you ever wished you had someone to print your marketing materials, stuff envelopes, address them and mail them for you? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just click one button and include a gift too? That’s what Heather does- She sets you up with a system that does just that…. plus it reminds you when birthdays are coming up. The result is better retention and increased referrals from your clients, a more streamlined marketing system, and you’ll never again forget a birthday. You will feel much more organized and accomplished when you can send 700 holiday cards in five minutes. Try the system for free by calling her: 216-870-3142.  Just say you want two free greeting cards!  Interested in skin care or color cosmetics?  Check out her other blog at http://freeskincarehelp.com

My last few months have been incredibly intense.  Both of my kids' special needs have gotten worse and we've had to have lots of testing and appointments and paperwork for each twin.  A chronic illness I have that's been dormant for many years reared it's ugly head.  We moved, so there was the craziness of packing and unpacking.  I've been through a lot in my life but the last few months have been the very hardest months ever.  Thank you for bearing with me, continuing to follow my blog even when I haven't posted (I *have* been working my businesses despite all the personal setbacks, but I haven't made the time to do the extras, and blogging has had to take a backseat).  I plan to place my blogs back on front burner status and post more articles and goodies for you all.

Please accept my apologies for a dead couple of months and let's move forward!